October is a month filled with vibrant colours, cultural richness, and celebrations in India. As the monsoon season recedes, the festive spirit takes over, bringing joy and excitement to every corner of the country. The festivals in October 2024 are a beautiful blend of religious devotion, cultural rituals, and communal harmony. From Navratri to Dussehra, each celebration has its own unique significance and traditions. Moreover, the October Festival Calendar is packed with events that reflect the diverse heritage of India. Let’s take a look at the major festivals that will be celebrated in October 2024 and their significance.
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Festivals in October
Navratri (October 3-12, 2024)
Navratri is one of the most famous festivals in India, and people eagerly wait for this festival. By the festival calendar 2024, Navratri will be observed from 3rd October and last on 12th October 2024. This is a nine-day-long Hindu festival that is celebrated to pay tribute to Goddess Durga and her forms.
People from different states have different ways to celebrate this festival. It can be fasting, dancing, and singing, for instance. In Gujarat, there are flok dance like ‘Garba’ and ‘Dandiya raas’. In West Bengal, the Durga puja becomes more important in Navratri. Additionally, it attracts people from different communities with their dress, foods, and dance displays.
Durga Puja (October 9-13, 2024)
Soon after Navratri, there comes Durga puja, which is a big festival, especially in West Bengal, Odisha, and Assam. According to the festival calendar 2024, Durga Puja is to be observed from 9th October to 13th October. This festival is observed to celebrate the victory of goddess Durga Mata over demons or sinners because Durga Mata defeated the Mahishasura demon.
The festival comprises exquisite art of beautifully decorated pandals, colourful cultural programs, and Bengali dishes. During the festival, places like Kolkata are filled with light, music, and dances, making it look fabulous.
Dussehra (October 12, 2024)
Dussehra is also known as Vijayadashami. It is one of the most popular festivals in India. This event falls on the tenth day of Navratri. So it is going to be on the 12th of October 2024. Dussehra is celebrated as the victory of Lord Ram over Ravan. Ravan was a very intelligent but greedy king. He kidnapped Sita Mata, Lord Ram’s wife. This became the reason that Lord Ram killed Ravan.
The festival of Dussehra is celebrated in India, in which large models of Ravana, which symbolises the evils, are burnt. However, the festival of lights known as Diwali starts twenty days later since there is the celebration of the Dussehra festival.
Karwa Chauth (October 20, 2024)
Karwa Chauth is one of the popular festivals for married women, especially in the northern part of India. As per Festival Calendar 2024, fasting for Karwa Chauth is on the fifth day of the lunar fortnight of Ashwin month. The Karwa Chauth will be observed on 20th October 2024. On this day, women keep fasts for the health and long life of their husbands. They do not take food, drink, or water from sunrise to moonrise.
The October Festival Calendar recognises this day as a day of devotion, love, and togetherness. Women decorate their hands with henna, and wear bangles, which are so colourful. They break their fast by eating with the hands of their husbands after a prayer and some rituals.
Sharad Purnima (October 28, 2024)
Kojagiri, also known as Sharad Purnima, is observed on the full moon night in the month of Ashwin. In 2024, it will be observed on 28 October. The October Festival Calendar sets this day as special because it is believed that on this night the moon has a healing glow on Earth.
People cook sweet dishes such as kheer using milk and rice and then expose the kheer to the nightlight of the moon. There’s a saying that the Kheer draws the nectar of the moon. In West Bengal, this day is known as Lokkhi Pujo in honour of Goddess Lakshmi.
Halloween (October 31, 2024)
Halloween is not one of the typical festivals celebrated in India. In the recent past, it has been embraced in Indian urban society. According to the Festival Calendar 2024, Halloween will be celebrated on the 31st of October.
Halloween is associated with masks, lanterns, and sweets, and let’s not forget about the pranks or, indeed, treats. The majority of people from the urban areas of Mumbai, Delhi, Bangalore, etc. embrace this festival. This festival is an opportunity to dress well and have fun.
Conclusion
October 2024 will be a month of colourful festivities with great celebrations all over India. From the worship and dance of Navratri and Durga Puja to the fasting of Karwa Chauth, there is something for everyone in the October Festival Calendar. Moreover, every festival in the Festival Calendar 2024 presents India’s culture and unites people in celebration, devotion, and happiness. Thus, during these festivals, people get a chance to reveal and follow the culture.
With September going on right now, here are the Indian festivals in September 2024.
FAQs
The main festivals include Navratri, Durga Puja, Dussehra, Karwa Chauth, and Sharad Purnima, among others.
This year, people will be celebrating Navratri from 3rd Oct. to 12th Oct.
There are a lot of festivals that mark the victory of good over evil. However, Dussehra, which will be celebrated on October 12, 2024, marks the victory of good over evil.
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