Living in India, a land of diverse cultures, it’s pretty much clear that you’re living in a land of festivals, with a festival being celebrated in some part of the country nearly every day. We don’t just celebrate deities, we celebrate the wind, rain, fire and trees as well. Many festivals in fact celebrate the changing of seasons or the arrivals of seasons, and why should monsoons be any different, especially in a country where agriculture plays such as key role in our ordinary lives. To experience some of these festivities, here is a list of places where you can go:

1. Adiperukku

The Tamil month of Aadi marks the beginning of the monsoon season, hence the name Adiperukku. The water levels rise in the rivers and to show their gratitude to Mother Cauvery, this festival is celebrated on the 18th day of this month. Goddess Parvathi is worshipped, and different rice dishes are offered. People take a dip in the holy waters and offer their prayers along the bathing ghats of the river. After their pooja, they have ‘Kalandha Sadham’ (variety of rice offerings) with their family as prasad.

2. Behdienkhlam

This festival, celebrated in the north-eastern region of our country, will give you all the right reasons to plan your trip to the region during the monsoons. It is probably one of the most important festivals of Meghalaya and is an annual cleansing ritual celebrated in the month of July. The word ‘Behdienkhlam’ literally translates to ‘Chasing away the demon of Cholera’ in the common tongue. It symbolises the ‘Triumph of light’ over darkness. All the local tribesmen and tribeswomen come together to celebrate the harvest and to seek blessings.

3. Hareli

Mainly celebrated by the tribal states in India, primarily Chhattisgarh, it is a festival where the community prays for a good harvest. Hareli is one of the most significant festivals celebrated in the month of Sawan, in Chhattisgarh and parts of Madhya Pradesh. The farmers/herders worship farm equipment, cows and bullocks.

4. Hemis Festival

This festival originates in Ladakh. The distinguished Hemis Gompa is one of the oldest and most culturally rich monasteries in the world. The celebrations signify the birth of Lord Padmasambhava. Celebrated with fervour on the 10th day of the Tibetan Lunar month, monks are colourfully dressed and they also wear animal masks. They then proceed to enthrall the audience with a dramatic dance which is in sync with the sound of drums and cymbals, inside the monastery.

5. Nariyal Poornima

One of the famed festivals celebrated with fervour in the state of Maharashtra is ‘Nariyal Poornima’ It is a traditional festival of the fishermen community. It is celebrated mostly in coastal villages on the same day as Raksha Bandhan which is at the end of the monsoons, when it might once again be safe to venture out into the sea to fish. Filled with rich culture and tradition, people really look forward to celebrating this festival.

Monsoon festivals have a unique charm of their own. Fairs, festivities, colourful culture and mouthwatering food is incentive enough for you to travel and experience these festivals in India.