10 Promising Festivals in July in India
Due to the diverse cultures and religions present, India stands as a symbol of vibrant festivals and fairs, where the spirit of celebration remains ever captivating. Each festival possesses its distinctiveness, and experiencing them during your visit to the country offers a wonderful opportunity to delve into the richness of Indian culture and heritage. Notably, July serves as the perfect time to organize a holiday with friends and family, as this month is characterized by numerous exciting festivals throughout India. These celebrations not only bring joy and excitement to the local populace but also draw thousands of tourists from around the globe, infusing a variety of colors into the rainy month of monsoon. If you wish to partake in these festivities, consider planning your trip to coincide with one of these magnificent festivals and enjoy the remarkable traditions and celebrations included in India Tour Packages.
Here are a few spectacular festivals to enjoy in the month of July.
Hemis Festival, Ladakh
Among the most renowned Buddhist festivals globally, the Hemis Festival is an annual event that takes place at Hemis Gompa in Ladakh. This two-day celebration occurs on the 10th day of the Tibetan lunar month, honoring the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava, who is recognized as the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. This year, the festival is scheduled for the 5th and 6th of July. Commonly referred to as Hemis Tsechu, this festive occasion is celebrated with masked “Cham” dances, traditional music, and various cultural exhibitions. More than 80,000 individuals, comprising both locals and tourists from India and abroad, travel to Ladakh to partake in these festivities. The festival takes on a particularly significant aspect every 12 years during the Tibetan Year of the Monkey, when a two-story high ‘Thanka’ featuring Padmasambhava is unveiled.
Also Read : 15 Most Famous Festivals of India
Puri Rath Yatra
If you are seeking festivals in July that provide insight into Indian religion and culture, the 12-day Jagannath Puri Rath Yatra is an event you should not miss. The Jagannath Rath Yatra, also referred to as Puri Rath Yatra, is among the most eagerly awaited and widely celebrated festivals in Orissa and across India during July. It is also known as Gundicha Yatra, the Chariot Festival, and Navadina Yatra, occurring on the second day of the Shukla Paksha in the month of Ashadha, according to the traditional Oriya Calendar. This year, it will be celebrated on June 27th, marking the annual pilgrimage of Lord Jagannath to his birthplace, accompanied by his brother Balarama and sister Subhadra. During the Rath Yatra, the wooden idols of Krishna, Balarama, and Subhadra are paraded in three chariots to the Gundicha Temple in Puri, where they will stay for a week. Following this, the deities return on the 9th day, specifically on July 5th, to the main Puri Jagannath Temple, which is one of the most popular places to visit in Puri. The Rath Yatra attracts around 1.7 million visitors to this temple town as part of Puri Tour Packages.
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Karsha Gustor Festival, Ladakh
The Karsh Gustor Festival is a significant Buddhist celebration that occurs annually during the months of July and August. Commonly referred to as the Spitok Gustor Zanskar Festival, it is scheduled to take place on the 22nd and 23rd of July this year at the Karsha Monastery, which is the largest and most prominent monastery in Zanskar. This two-day event is held each year to commemorate the triumph of good over evil. The festival features notable performances such as the Black Hat Dance and Masked Dance by the monks. In addition to the lively music and dance, attendees will have the chance to observe a distinctive future-telling ritual conducted by a layman under the guidance of monks. This festival represents a vital cultural occasion in Zanskar and Ladakh, attracting local participants and providing insight into Ladakhi traditions and spiritual customs.
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Bonalu Festival, Hyderabad
One of the most significant festivals in Telangana, Bonalu is celebrated annually, typically during July and August, in the renowned twin cities of Secunderabad and Hyderabad, as well as in other regions of the Telangana state. This festival honors Goddess Mahankali. The celebrations will commence on June 29th and conclude on July 20th, 2025, taking place at various locations on different days. The festivities initially occur at the Mahankali Temple located in the Golconda Fort, among the must-visit tourist places in Hyderabad. The rituals for the second Sunday will be conducted at the Balkampet Yellamma Temple and the Ujjaini Mahankali Temple in Secunderabad, with the Rangam and Ghatam ceremonies occurring the following day. The final and most significant event is held at the Sri Matheswari Temple in Lal Darwaza, situated in the Old City of Hyderabad, on the last Sunday, which falls on July 20th. In Telugu, ‘Bonam’ translates to feast, representing the offerings (rice cooked in milk and jaggery) made to the Mother Goddess in gratitude for the fulfillment of vows. Women transport beautifully adorned clay pots filled with offerings on their heads to the temple to express their gratitude to Goddess Mahakali for her blessings throughout the year. Characterized by vibrant attire, grand feasts, and dance performances, these celebrations draw a substantial number of devotees and tourists as part of Hyderabad Tour Packages.
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Dree Festival, Arunachal Pradesh
Known to be the biggest and the most renowned festival of the Apatani tribe, Dree Festival is an annual festival celebrated in the month of July with great enthusiasm in Zero district of Arunachal Pradesh. Observed this year on 5th July, it is an agricultural festival where the people of the Apatani tribe pray to the deities of Tamu, Metii, Danyi, and Harniang for a good harvest. They are worshipped by offering sacrifices of fowls, dogs, pigs, chickens, eggs, mithuns and cows. During the festival, every individual prepares rice beer and women present a vessel of rice beer to their elderly brothers, sisters, son-in-law, etc. as a symbol of love and affection. Folk songs, traditional dances, and other cultural performances by the tribes have also become a part of this three-day long agricultural festival.
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Champakulam Boat Race, Kerala
One of the most ancient Snake Boat Races in Kerala, the Champakulam Boat Race, is scheduled to commence on July 9th this year, coinciding with the Moolam day in the Malayalam month of Midhunam. The event will occur on the Pamba River in Champakulam, located near Alappuzha. This race marks the first boat race of the monsoon season in Kerala. Also referred to as the Champakulam Moolam Boat Race, it is celebrated to honor the installation of Lord Krishna’s idol at the Ambalappuzha Temple, which is among the premier places to visit near Kochi. Notable features include the snake boat race (Chundan Vallams) competing for the Rajapramukhan Trophy. The race is deeply intertwined with religious traditions and is recognized for its harmonious fusion of culture, spirituality, and sport. The rhythmic chants of the rowers, synchronized movements of the oars, and the lively atmosphere created by the crowd contribute to an unforgettable experience as part of the Alleppey tour packages.
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Amarnath Yatra
Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Amarnath Cave is one of the most sacred pilgrimage sites in India for Hindus. Amarnath Yatra to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath will commence this year from 3rd July, and would conclude on 9th August. Surrounded by snowy mountains, the cave itself is covered with snow most of the year except for a short period of time in summer when it is open for pilgrims. Managed by Shri Amarnath Ji Shrine Board (SASB), it is one of the toughest pilgrimages in India to visit as it features extreme weather, dangerous track, as well as very high altitude. Thousands of Hindu devotees make an annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath cave on challenging mountainous terrain to pay homage to Lord Shiva here as part of Jammu & Kashmir Tour.
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Malabar River Festival
The Malabar River Festival, South India’s premier extreme adventure competition, returns for its 11th edition, scheduled to occur from July 24th to 27th, 2025, in Kozhikode, among the top places to visit in Kerala. Organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Kerala, the festival will be hosted on the Iruvanjhipuzha and Chalipuzha Rivers. This international kayaking event includes both open and amateur categories, featuring competitions such as Kayak Cross and Downriver Time Trial. Renowned for its high-caliber competitors and substantial prize money, it is recognized as Asia’s largest kayaking festival, drawing a significant number of spectators as part of the Kozhikode tour packages.
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Behdienkhlam Festival, Meghalaya
One of the most important Indian festivals celebrated in July every year, the Behdienkhlam is a traditional celebration by the Pnar tribe of Meghalaya, which is done right after the agricultural sowing is over. It is a four-day celebration organized by Seinraij Jowai and held annually from June 30 to July 3. Staying true to its name, wherein ‘khlam’ means plague and ‘behdien’ means to drive away with sticks, this festival is held only to drive away the negative things that may affect the crop. What’s worth witnessing about it is the football match held between the locals and the procession of chariots & ceremonial tree trunks that marks the end of this three-day festival.
Drukpa Tsheshi Festival
Drukpa Tsheshi is a Buddhist festival observed on the fourth day of the sixth month in the Tibetan calendar, typically occurring in July or August. This festival honors the day when Buddha delivered the Four Noble Truths to his five disciples at Sarnath, among the most sacred pilgrimage sites in Uttar Pradesh. In 2025, Drukpa Tsheshi will be celebrated on July 28th. In Sikkim, the occasion is characterized by prayers, ceremonies, and an overall atmosphere of spirituality as Buddhists contemplate the teachings of the Buddha. The festivities include offerings at Deer Park, an entertaining Yak Race in Muguthang, and additional activities. Therefore, if you are considering a visit to the Northeast, be sure to include this festival in your travel plans for a remarkable experience.
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