Festival Calendar
Festivals in Uttar Pradesh
18 festivals across Uttar Pradesh — organized by month
January
Magh Mela
Prayagraj
Annual month-long religious fair at the Triveni Sangam (confluence of Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati) with ritual bathing, spiritual discourses, and tent city of saints.
February
Taj Mahotsav
Agra
Arts, crafts, music, and dance festival near the Taj Mahal. Artisans from across India showcase work.
Buddha Mahaparinirvana Day
Kushinagar
Pilgrims from across the Buddhist world gather at the Mahaparinirvana Temple housing the 6m reclining Buddha, with prayer ceremonies, lamp offerings, and meditation retreats.
March
Sravasti International Buddhist Festival
Sravasti
Buddhist gathering at Jetavana Monastery ruins where Buddha spent 24 rainy seasons, with meditation retreats, Dharma talks, and archaeological tours.
Maha Shivaratri
Varanasi
Kashi Vishwanath Temple sees a million devotees. Processions through the narrow galis. Night-long worship.
Lathmar Holi
Vrindavan
Women from Barsana beat men from Nandgaon with sticks. The most chaotic, colorful Holi celebration in India.
April
Eid ul-Fitr at Buland Darwaza
Fatehpur Sikri
Special congregational prayers at the Jama Masjid near the Buland Darwaza, followed by community feasting and celebrations.
May
Buddha Purnima (Vesak)
Sarnath
Commemorates Buddha's birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana at the very site where he gave his first sermon. Monks from across the world gather for prayers and meditation.
July
Lucknow Muharram Processions
Lucknow
Grand taziya processions through the old city from Bara Imambara and Chhota Imambara, with elaborate replicas of Imam Hussain's tomb carried by thousands.
August
Janmashtami
Vrindavan
Krishna's birthday — temples decorated, midnight celebrations, dahi handi. Vrindavan and Mathura explode.
September
Urs of Sheikh Salim Chishti
Fatehpur Sikri
Annual Sufi death anniversary at the dargah of Salim Chishti with qawwali sessions, prayers, and thousands of pilgrims seeking blessings.
October
Prayagraj Rasa Leela
Prayagraj
Traditional Rasa Leela performances depicting Krishna's divine dance, staged at ghats along the Yamuna during the autumn full moon.
Chitrakoot Deepotsav
Chitrakoot
Thousands of oil lamps lit along the ghats of Mandakini River at Ram Ghat, recreating the scene of Lord Ram's return to Ayodhya as described in the Ramcharitmanas.
November
Sarnath Light & Sound Show Season
Sarnath
The archaeological site hosts a light-and-sound show narrating the story of Buddha's first sermon, drawing large audiences during the tourist season.
Dudhwa Tharu Cultural Festival
Dudhwa National Park
Festival showcasing the indigenous Tharu tribal culture with traditional dances, handloom exhibitions, and guided safaris to spot the endangered swamp deer (barasingha).
Lucknow Festival
Lucknow
Ten-day cultural extravaganza showcasing Awadhi heritage with kathak performances, qawwali nights, chikan embroidery exhibitions, and the famous Lucknow food festival.
Deepotsav
Ayodhya
Millions of diyas lit along Saryu river. Ram Leela performances. India's biggest Diwali event.
Dev Deepawali
Varanasi
A million diyas light up all 84 ghats along the Ganga. Priests perform grand aarti. The entire riverfront becomes a cascade of fire.