Onam's Mohiniyattam and Dussehra's effigy burning capture the season of celebrations.
Credit: PTI Photo
After a rain-soaked August marked by Raksha Bandhan and Krishna Janmashtami celebrations, September brings another round of vibrant festivals in India that highlight rich cultural and religious diversity. The month will see communities coming together for pujas, processions and traditional feasts across the country.
Top Festivals celebrated in September
Onam
Th first day of Onam festival, on September 4, is a government holiday in Kerala. People celebrate the harvest festival with traditional feasts, cultural performances of rangoli, wears Kasavu Saree (a white saree with often golden border or any coloured border) and cook authentic traditional dishes; It honours the legendary King Mahabali’s annual visit to his people.
Ganesh Visarjan
The farewell of Lord Ganesha is observed on September 6 with grand processions, music and dance as idols are immersed in water bodies. Devotees bid adieu with prayers for prosperity and return of Bappa next year.
Vishwakarma Puja
Celebrated largely in eastern states on September 17, Vishwakarma Puja honours the divine architect and craftsman. Workers, artisans and industries worship their tools and machinery for prosperity.
Durga Puja
One of eastern India’s biggest festivals, Durga Puja marks the triumph of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura. Pandals across cities showcase artistic themes, rituals and cultural programmes.
Observed on September 29 comes with a bank holiday in Assam, Odisha, Punjab, Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal.
Festivals prompt major bank holidays
According to holidays listed in the Reserve Bank of India's (RBI's) calendar, banks across India will remain closed on the occasion of the religious festivals.
Eid-e-Milad
The birth anniversary of Prophet Muhammad is observed with special prayers, community gatherings and acts of charity. Mosques and homes are illuminated, spreading a message of peace and brotherhood.
Bank holiday is observed in several states, including Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra, Mizoram, Nagaland, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura and Uttarakhand, on the occasion of Eid-e-Milad. The day also marks the occasionof Teacher's day.
Mahalaya Amavasya
Mahalaya Amavasya, marks the culmination of Pitru Paksha filled with rituals and reverence, is a time for deep reflection and connection with our ancestors. People in Karnataka peform rituals like Tarpanam and Pind Daan (offering balls of rice) at sacred places such as Gokarna and the banks of the Kaveri River in Srirangapatna.
The new moon day observed on September 21 marks bank holiday in Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Punjab, Sikkim, Tripura and West Bengal.
Marking a nation-wide 11 holidays with the festive calendar in full swing, including Karma Puja, Milad-Un-Nabi, Maha Ashtami, September sets the stage for a busy cultural season leading into October, which will bring Navratri, Dussehra and Diwali.
States have already announced partial holidays for major observances, while markets and travel hubs are preparing for the seasonal rush.