Top 10 Festivals in March in India You Must Attend

The month of March can be an ideal time to visit different parts of India. Clear blue skies, pleasant weather, blooming flowers, new harvest season. This is the time when different communities celebrate various spring/ harvest festivals in different forms. Following are the 10 festivals in March that you must witness to experience the culture and diversity of India. 

Did you know about these 10 most popular Indian festivals in March? 

• Holi
• International Yoga Festival
• Jaipur Elephant Festival
• Chapchar Kut
• Myoko
• Shigmotsav
• Thirunakkara Arattu
• Chettikulangara Bharani
• Bhumchu Festival
• Paripally Gajmela

•  Holi

One of the most famous Indian festivals in March, Holi is synonymous with a riot of colours. The festival begins with Holika Dahan at night, symbolising the triumph of good over evil. The festival of colours begins the next day where people indulge in gulaal-play and throw water balloons. 

Tip: Consider visiting Mathura and Vrindavan to experience Holi like never before. During this festival, people in Mathura and Vrindavan come together to play with coloured powders and water, sing and dance to traditional Holi songs, and enjoy festive foods and sweets. The celebrations in these cities are particularly vibrant and lively, as the festival holds a special significance for devotees of Lord Krishna.

Also Read: Treks You Can Plan in March & April in India 

• International Yoga Festival

Countless yoga enthusiasts from various countries will assemble at Rishikesh in March this year to celebrate the International Yoga Festival. The latest dates for this festival are March 8-14, 2023. This globally renowned March festival in India is being organised at Parmarth Niketan Ashram on the banks of the river Ganga. During this festival, you can attend yoga sessions, spiritual discourses, and many other talk-shows and discussions. 

• Jaipur Elephant Festival

One of the vibrant festivals in March month, the Jaipur elephant festival usually coincides with Holi. The festival is an excellent opportunity to experience the grandeur of Rajasthan. The festival is a celebration of the relationship between elephants and humans and features a procession of decorated elephants through the streets of the city.

The festival is known for its colourful displays of traditional Indian costumes, music, and dance performances. The elephants are adorned with colourful decorations, including elaborate patterns of paint, jewellery, and clothes. Visitors can also participate in elephant rides, feedings, and other activities.

Apart from beautifully decorated magnificent elephants, the festival processions also include camels, horses, and Rajasthani folk music. 

Check into Jaipur Resort by Club Mahindra to attend this festival and explore the magnificent Pink City.  

• Chapchar Kut

The Chapchar Kut festival is characterized by the traditional cultural dance in Mizoram, called the Bamboo Dance. The dance involves a group of men and women dancing to the rhythm of drums and gongs, while stepping in and out of a set of bamboo poles that are held by other performers. It requires coordination, agility, and skill to perform the Bamboo Dance successfully.

The Bamboo Dance is considered an important part of the Chapchar Kut festival, as it is a way for the people of Mizoram to showcase their cultural heritage and celebrate the harvest season. The dance is also performed at other important events, such as weddings and community gatherings.

The festival also provides a great opportunity to taste traditional Mizo cuisines and experience the local culture.

Also Read: Four Best Places to Visit in Summer by Club Mahindra Holidays 

• Myoko

Ziro is a picturesque town in Arunachal Pradesh located about 115 km away from the capital, Itanagar. It has gained international popularity for its annual Ziro music festival, organised in October. 

However, you should also attend Myoko, one of the most captivating festivals in March in India, celebrated by Ziro’s indigenous tribes. The entire Ziro valley comes alive during Myoko, with people performing folk dances and martial arts.  

• Shigmotsav

Goa is one of the best places to visit in March in India but not just for its famed beaches. It’s also the time when the Goan villages celebrate Shigmotsav, the grand five-day festival of colour. Shigmo festival is celebrated with a lot of pomp, splendour and the city turns vibrant during this period. The festival is one of the few reminiscences of Goa’s pre-Portuguese culture and history. 

The colourful float processions, traditional Goan dance and folk music can present a completely different Goa than the one you might have in your mind. 

You must plan to visit Goa and be a part of the Shigmo festival this year. While you’re in Goa, you can choose to stay at any of the following resorts in Goa by Club Mahindra for a comfortable and pleasurable stay: 

• Club Mahindra Acacia Palm, Madgaon
• Club Mahindra Emerald Palms, Varca
• Club Mahindra Varca
• Club Mahindra Assonora, Bardez

Also Read: Shimgotsav – The Brilliant Hues of Festive Celebrations in Goa 

• Thirunakkara Arattu

The Thirunakkara Sree Mahadev Temple is in the Kottayam district of Kerala. The temple organises a 10-day-long festival known as Thirunakkara Arattu in March, wherein the idol of Lord Shiva is taken out of the temple to be bathed. The festival includes a magnificent rally of elephants with traditional drummers during the procession when the idol is being taken out. You can witness the local folk performance in the evening, including the famous Mayilattom (peacock dance) and Kathakali.  

• Chettikulangara Bharani

Kerala's Alleppey is famous among travellers for its backwaters and houseboats. However, if you visit Alleppey in early March, you can witness the grand Chettikulangara Bharani festival devoted to Goddess Bhagvati. 

Thousands of devotees throng Alleppey during the festival. So, accommodation can be an issue. Therefore, book your stay in advance at Club Mahindra Arookutty, Alleppey, and enjoy the festival and the beautiful place.  

• Bhumchu Festival

Bhumchu is a famous festival celebrated annually in Tashiding Monastery in Sikkim. The festival is centered around a sacred pot that contains water from a holy spring. The water level in the pot is believed to predict the future of Sikkim for the coming year. The higher the water level, the more prosperous the year will be.

• Paripally Gajmela

The spectacular 10-day festival is held in early March in Paripally Kodimoottil Bhagavathy Temple in Kerala's Kollam district. The festival highlights include parades of numerous decorated elephants. Locals believe their wishes can be fulfilled by making offerings to the elephants during the festival.

Also Read: Hoysala Mahotsav – A Magnificent Celebration of Culture and Heritage

March festivals across India can provide great insight into the country's diversity. So, put on your explorer shoes, grab your camera, and discover these Indian festivals to have an experience of a lifetime.