10 joyous festivals in July in India
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For all those active seekers of adventure and fun, July brings all the great festivals to the most happening places and cities in India. Covering a wide range of things, including food, music, travel and a spiritual getaway, these festivals in July in India are going to make your calendar quite tight. These activities tend to bring joy, enjoyment and attract thousands of tourists from across the world to India. The monsoon brings a lot of adventure and happiness for everyone. So, here is a list of the top Indian festivals in July specifically crafted for your interests and liking.
1. Puri Rath Yatra
Jagannath Temple, Puri, Orissa, is one of the most sought after festivals in India. The 12-day long Rath Yatra is something that one cannot miss. This glorious festival celebrates Lord Jagannath along with his elder brother Balabhadra & sister Subhadra at their abode in Puri’s Jagannath Temple. It is regarded as one of the most important festivals in July in India. The event attracts a lot of tourists from across the globe who also witness how majestic chariots are made.
2. Karsha Gustor Festival
The largest and the most important monastery in Zanskar, Ladakh, the Karsha Monastery, celebrates Karsha Gustor Festival annually. This Indian festival celebrated in July is to celebrate the victory of good over evil. The festival is comprised of a Black Hat Dance performance to a Masked Dance performance by the monks. It is popular because of its unique feature which not only includes the joyful music and dance but the guests are graced by a lot of colours of the region.
3. Behdienkhlam Festival
The Behdienkhlam is a traditional celebration by the Pnar tribe of Meghalaya. This festival is celebrated right after the agricultural sowing is over. The festival celebrated in July in India is held at Jowai, Jaintia Hills, Meghalaya and Northeast India. The name Behdienkhlam is comprised of ‘khlam’ means plague and ‘behdien’ means to drive away with a stick. The festival holds a lot of significance as the stick is supposed to drive away from the negative things that may affect the crop. The festival also conducts a football match held between the locals and the procession of chariots & ceremonial tree trunks that marks the end of this three-day festival.
Read More: 10 Reasons Why Meghalaya Should be Your Next Holiday Destination
4. Palkhi Festival
Palkhi Festival is a 1000-year-old festival which is regarded as one of the most important festivals in July in India. The festival highlights some of the unique features of the Maharashtrian culture, including the custom of ‘wari’ and people wearing Dnyanba-Tukaram. The palkhi begins at the start of the month, whereby people sing and dance until they reach Pandharpur and ends on the 22nd day.
5. Drupka Teshi Festival
Drupka Teshi Festival is celebrated by the Buddhists in Gangtok, Sikkim. This is among the top Indian festivals in July, which is held to praise the three ultimate truths. The festival on the fourth day Teshi, of the 6th month Drukpa of the Tibetan date-book, is held with a lot of poise and grandeur. The celebrations include petitions that are held at the Deer Park, an amusing Yak Race in Muguthang and more. So, if you’re planning a trip to the Northeast, make sure you add this festival in your itinerary for an extraordinary experience.
6. Dree Festival
Celebrated at Ziro,Arunachal Pradesh, Dree is an agriculture-related celebration of the Apatani Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. This festival is celebrated in July in India to seek the blessings of the gods & goddesses of crops for a good harvest. The festival is comprised of singing, dancing, sacrificial offerings, prayers and cultural performances. It is an epitome of the state’s rich traditional and cultural practices.
7. Nishagandhi Monsoon Music Festival
Kerala Tourism organises the Nishagandhi Monsoon Music Festival. It is one of the most recently added festivals to the list. In order to give a boost to tourism during the monsoon, the festival hosts some of the most eminent musicians from across the country. This unique festival celebrated in July in India is a music and dance festival where the guests are acquainted with all the popular and traditional music forms. So, get ready to be greeted by heart-warming and mesmerising songs and dance performances of the country.
8. Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey
The Royal Enfield Himalayan Odyssey is among the top picks for adventure seekers. This annual event or activity is comprised of an eighteen-day journey which commences from New Delhi and ends at Ladakh. So, gear up for that adrenaline rushes and enjoy the bike rides through some of the most astonishing tracks, terrains and mountain passes. If you have been postponing an adventurous experience for a while, this July is the right time to explore your streaks with the Himalayan Odyssey!
Read More: Biking through Ladakh: A beginner’s guide
9. International Mango Festival
Indian summertime is synonymous with the mangoes, which is the fruit of the season. The International Mango Festival conducted by Delhi Tourism is one of the most unique Indian festivals celebrated in July. The festival showcases more than 500 varieties of mangoes, including Dussehri, Langra, Chausa, Fazli, Neelam, Banganpalli and Alphonso. It is the best time to relish in the sweetness of the fruit. The event also conducts a mango eating competition to make it more amusing and delightful. One can obviously buy and taste the mangoes and its related products at the festival and make it worth attending.
10. The Big Indian Food Festival
The Big India Food Festival is conducted at the Karnataka Trade Promotion Organisation. The festival celebrates the country’s culinary diversity. The two-day long event covers all the mouth-watering delicacies and cuisines. It showcases all the best cuisines of every state. It is among the important festivals in July in India which celebrates India’s rich diversity not only in terms of culture but also food.
One must enjoy these festivals in July in India to explore the rich cultural and traditional platter of fun, frolic and adventure. July has a lot of events and festivals and it would be remiss to not be part of the exuberance and liveliness that these festivals celebrate. Pack your bags and head to these hotspots!
Read More: Festivals in April in India: Showcasing the Indian Culture