Best Festivals in August in India 2020
India is a highly spiritual, religious, and cultured country. Here people engage in many festivals, which show not only India’s culture and traditions but also prove unity in diversity.
India celebrates a number of festivals throughout the year.
But the festivals in the month of August make your rainy season more gorgeous and charming. Welcome monsoon with the celebration of these festivals in August.
Festivals in August 2020
| Festival Name | Date | Day |
| 1. Raksha Bandhan | 3rd August 2020 | Monday |
| 2. Teej | 6th August 2020 | Thursday |
| 3. Nehru Trophy Boat Race | 8th August 2020 | Saturday |
| 4. Krishna Janmashtami | 11th August 2020 | Tuesday |
| 5. Independence Day | 15th August 2020 | Saturday |
| 6. Jhapan Mela | 17th August 2020 | Monday |
| 7. Madras Week | 20th August-27th August | Thursday |
| 8. Ternetar Fair | 21st August-23rd August | Friday |
| 9. Ganesh Chaturthi Festival | 22nd August 2020 | Saturday |
| 10. Onam Festival | 22nd August to 2nd September | Saturday |
Festival #1: Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan is one of the best festivals to celebrate in the month of August in India because this festival honors the love between a brother and a sister.
On this day, the sister ties the rakhi on her brother’s hand praying his long-life. The brother promises to protect his sister. Rakhi is the sacred thread, which signifies the bondage between a sister and a brother.
When: 3rd August 2020 (Monday)
Date of Next 2 year: Full moon day – 21st August 2021, 11th August 2022
Where To Celebrate: Rakhsha Bandhan is celebrated in Northern, western and Central India.
What’s the special of this festival: The sister applies tilak on brother’s forehead and ties the thread around the wrist. The brother gives gifts to his lovely sister.
How You Enjoy: You will enjoy the bond and love between a brother and sister on this day.
Also read : Top 20 Colorful Festivals of Rajasthan
Festival #2: Teej
Teej is one of the most amazing festivals celebrated in India In the month of August. Girls and women celebrate Teej to welcome monsoon with dancing, songs and prayer. This festival commemorates the union of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Goddess Parvati is worshipped during this festival.
When: 06th August 2020 (Thursday)
Date of Next 2 year: 11th August 2021, 31 July 2022
Where to Celebrate: Teej is celebrated in different states of India like Rajasthan, Chandigarh, Punjab, Haryana.
What’s the special of this festival: All women are dressed in green clothes and do fasting.
How You Enjoy: You will enjoy dancing and songs by women and girls.
Also read : Top 10 Places to Visit in South India
Festival #3: Nehru Trophy Boat Race
Nehru Trophy Boat Race is one of the most popular festivals in India in August month. The main feature of this race is that the snake boats or Chundan Vallams participate in this race. This race draws a huge crowd.
The boats, which participate in the race, is 100ft. long. Snake boats cover 1.4km distance in Punnamada lake. Moving of snake boats like snakes through the lake is an eye-catching view for tourists.
When: 8th August 2020 (Saturday)
Date of Next 2 year: 14th August 2021, 13th August 2022
Where To Celebrate: Nehru Trophy Boat Race Race is celebrated in Punnamada Lake, Alappuzha, Kerala.
What’s the special of this festival: In 1952, Jawaharlal Nehru was impressed by the sight of majestic snake boats and he donated a trophy. In memory of the former Prime Minister in India, the race is held.
How You Enjoy: You will enjoy ceremonial water processions here. Beautiful water floats will mesmerize you.
Also read : Holi Celebration in India 2020 – Essential Guide on Holi
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Festival #4: Krishna Janmashtami
Krishna Janmashtami commemorates the birth of Lord Krishna. This Hindu festival is celebrated by fasting, praying, singing, night vigils and preparing special food. This festival is observed specially in Mathura and Vrindavan. Dance drama Rasa Lila is performed in many states.
Additionally, devotees perform devotional singing through midnight. Fasting and night vigil are other features of this festival.
When: 11th August 2020 (Tuesday)
Date of Next 2 year: 29th August 2021, 18th August 2022
Where to Celebrate: Krishna Janmashtami is celebrated in Mathura, Vrindavan, Manipur, West Bengal, Assam, Orissa and all states of India
What’s the special of this festival: Night vigil, devotional singing through midnight, and fasting
How you Enjoy: You can enjoy dance – drama Rasa Lila and recitation of Bhagavata Purana and Bhagavad Gita.
Also Read : Top 10 Places to Celebrate Christmas in India
Festival #5: Independence Day
Independence day celebrates India’s independence from the British rule on 15th August 1947. Since then Independence Day is celebrated in India every year on this day.
On 15th August, the Prime Minister of India raises the national flag and addresses towards the nation. In 1947 on this day, Jawaharlal Nehru, the first PM raised India’s national flag in Red Fort.
When: 15th August 2020 (Saturday)
Date of Next 2 year: 15th August 2021, 15th August 2022
Where to Celebrate: Independence day is celebrated in all parts of India
What’s the special of this festival: Flag hoisting and singing of National Anthem
How You Enjoy: You will enjoy the patriotic feelings, the parades and cultural events
Festval Name #6: Jhapan Mela
Jhapan mela is a snake festival, which is celebrated in Shravan month in West Bengal. Jhapan mela is annually organized to worship the snake Goddess-Manasa. This snake festival is of agrarian-tribal origin. This festival displays tricks with snake. Snake charmers or Jhampanians show king cobras and other snake and perform amazing acts with them.
When: 17th August 2020 (Monday)
Date of Next 2 year: Last day of Bengali month Shrabon 2021, 2022
Where to Celebrate: Jhapan Mela is celebrated at Bisnupur in Bankur, western part of West Bengal
What’s the special of this festival: Snake charmers dare to perform astonishing activities with the snake.
How You Enjoy: You will enjoy the daring performance of Jhampanians.
Festival #7: Madras Week
Madras Day celebrates the founding of the city Madras. On 22nd August 1639 the city of Madras was founded.
Now, Madras Day is celebrated as a week-long affair. The Chennai heritage Foundation inaugurated the idea of the Madras day celebration. On August 22, the entire city glows in gorgeous lights and flowers.
When: 20th August to 27th August 2020 (Thursday to Thursday)
Date of Next 2 year: 22nd August 2021, 22nd August 2022
Where to Celebrate: Madras week is celebrated in Chennai in Tamil Nadu
What’s the special of this festival: Heritage and food walks, exhibitions, public performances, poetry reading sessions.
How you Enjoy: You will come to know the past and present of the Madras city. You can participate in public talks, and enjoy food festivals, T-shirt designing contest, multimedia presentation and documentary film contest.
Festval Name #8: Ternetar Fair
Tarnetar fair is one of many vibrant festivals in India. This rural fair is celebrated in Sundernagar, Gujrat. This festival celebrates Draupadi’s swayamavar and is organised by Trinetrashwar Mahadev temple.
In this festival young women and men are in search of a spouse from among the tribal communities. This festival shows a combination of history and mythology.
When: 21-23 August 2020 (Friday)
Date of Next 2 year: Day before Ganesh Chaturthi 2021, 2022
Where to Celebrate: Tarnetar is celebrated in Tarnetar village, Gujrat
What’s the special of this festival: Young men and women search their future partners in this festival
How You Enjoy: You will enjoy music and dance performances of Gujrati people, dressed in traditional Gujrati costumes.
Festival #9: Ganesh Chaturthi Festival
Ganesh Chaturthi Festival, a Hindu festival, commemorates the birth of Lord Ganesha, the younger son of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. Ganesha is regarded as the God of Beginning and the God of wisdom and intelligence. So he is worshipped at the start of rituals.
The celebrations of Ganesh Chaturthi include fasting, chanting of Vedic hymns and prayer. The festival lasts long for ten days.
Lokmanya Tilak converted this festival from private to public celebrations to remove the gap between the Brahmins and non- Brahmins.
When: 22nd August 2020 (Saturday)
Date of Next 2 year: 09th September 2021, 30th August 2022
Where to Celebrate: Ganesh Chaturthi Festival is celebrated in Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Gujrat.
What’s the special of this festival: Four main rituals are performed by the devotees of Lord Ganesha – Pranapratistha, Shhodashopachara, Uttarpuja, and Ganapati Visarjan.
How you Enjoy: You will enjoy modak, sweet Prasad of Lord ganesha and the procession with music for immersion of the idol in the river.
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Festival #10: Onam Festival
Onam is a Hindu festival observed in Kerala. Malayali people observe this harvest festival, which includes numerous festivities. On the eve of the New Year Day, Malayali people celebrate this festival through Rangoli, tiger dance, mask dance, boat race and worship. It last long for 10 days. The first day and the last day are very significant.
When: 22nd August to 2nd September 2020 (Saturday to Wednesday)
Date of Next 2 year: 21st August 2021, 08th September 2022
Where To Celebrate: Onam festival is celebrated in Kerala
What’s the special of this festival: Women wear Kerala sari, all the temples of Kerala are decorated with lights. The celebrations of Onam festival include numerous festivities.
How You Enjoy: You will enjoy martial arts, boat race, dance and rangoli on this festival days.
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