Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the widely celebrated hindu festivals in September. It is celebrated to honor the birth of Lord Ganesha. Life-size aesthetically crafted idols are established in households and public places (pandals). Aarti and puja are performed each day with complete grandeur. One of the popular religious festivals in September, Ganesh Chaturthi is also celebrated with cultural functions, live shows, health camps, fairs, and theater performances.

Where: Mainly in Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Andhra Pradesh
What’s special: The grand and fantastic life-size idols of Lord Ganesha are worshiped for 10 days, followed by a mesmerizing immersion ceremony on the last day.

Bakrid

Out of the widely celebrated festivals in September in India, Bakrid is the most popular one among the Muslims across the country. The festival memorializes the holy sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim or Abraham, who was keen to compromise his first born on Allah’s command but later sacrificed a lamb according to God’s directives. Bakrid is known as Eid-Al-Adha globally. This holy day is observed on the end of the month of Islamic holy pilgrimage or Hajj.

Where: Pan India
What’s special: Celebrated by sacrificing goat, sheep, cow, or camel; feasting; and visiting family and folks

Onam

Onam is one of the immensely colorful festivals celebrated in India in September. Celebrated all over the God’s own country, Onam honors the homebound journey of the Royal King Mahabali. People wear traditional attire and cook elaborate local cuisines to enhance the spirit of this festival. This is one of the most exciting festivals in September. This is amongst the most popular Indian festivals in September 2020.

Where: Celebrated with great pomp and show across the cities of Kerala
What’s special: Thrilling Snake Boat Races, grand Elephant rally, Pulikali rallies where people dress up like tigers & hunters, vibrant Kaikottikali performances, and floral designs locally called Pookalam

Athachamayam Festival

Are you still searching for festivals of India in September 2020? There are many festivals in the month of September in India that are closely related to Onam. Athachamayam is one such festival that celebrates the revolutionary victory of Raja of Kochi as the 10-day long Onam festival commences.

Where: Tripunithura near Kochi in the Ernakulam district of Kerala
What’s special: The gala procession ceremonial parade showcasing all art forms of Kerala (folk dances, elephant rallies, music, and dances) and colorful tableaus demonstrating local history, tradition, & culture

Snake Boat Festival

The serene and picturesque backwaters of Kerala also witness the thrilling boat races. Both Payippad Boat Race and Aranmula Boat Race are celebrated as important festivals in September that are closely related to Onam. These races demonstrate the true essence of team coordination, bonding, and spirit and is one of the top festivals in September 2020 that you must attend. You must surely not miss out on this September festivals 2020!

Where: Backwaters of Kerala
What’s special: Long snake boats are driven by local people with absolute zeal & fervor. The people watching these races also showcase equal enthusiasm.

Neelamperoor Padayani

Among the traditional festivals in September in India, Neelamperoor Padayani holds a special significance for the Buddhists in Kerala. It is celebrated in the Malayalam month of Chingam and has a rich history of over 1700 years associated with it.

Where: Celebrated in Kerala by Buddhists
What’s special: Dances and rally of effigies of swans (locally known as annam kettu) & other mythological characters including Bhima, Ravana, and Yakshi

Muharram

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar which is celebrated by the Muslim community. It commemorates the martyrdom of the grandson of the Holy Prophet, Hazrat Imam Hussain. On the last day (tenth day) of the festival, Sunni Muslims take ‘taziyas’ in procession in the evening.

Where: Udaipur, Rajastahan and in several other parts of India.
What’s special: Taziya Procession

Ladakh Festival

Ladakh festival is celebrated for a week in Leh and its surrounding villages. As one of the most popular art festivals celebrated in India in September, this celebration is marked with a rally of cultural troupes, dancing, singing, and enacting scenes from the folklores. Local people wear colorful traditional Ladakhi attires and rejoice every bit of this gala celebration with solemn joy.

Where: All over Ladakh
What’s special: Archery, polo, and masked dance

Chakradhar Samaroh

Chakradhar Samaroh is a 10-day classical dance and music festival which is held for honoring the most revered musician and king of Chhattisgarh’s cultural capital, Chakradhar Singh. He was a skilled musician & dancer, and wrote many books on them along with developing a new form of Kathak dance. Not only this, there is also a sound & light show which perks up one’s mood.

Where: Raigarh, Chhattisgarh
What’s special: Light & sound show, classical dance performaces, and music shows.

Ziro Festival

The breathtaking Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh hosts one of the most popular music festivals in September – Ziro Festival. With more than 100 bands, folk troupes, and individual singers; this is one of the most renowned outdoor events in September and has everything to offer to music enthusiasts.

Where: Ziro Valley, Arunachal Pradesh
What’s special: Masterpieces of Nicholson, Pratik Kuhad, Dualist Inquiry, North, Tetseo Sisters, Nush Lewis, and The Koniac