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Festivals October And November In india

Last Updated At: 25-Aug-2025

8 Famous Festivals In October and November In India

India truly comes alive in October and November with a wave of vibrant festivals that reflect its rich culture, traditions, and unity in diversity. As the monsoon bids farewell and the winter breeze begins to set in, the festive season takes centre stage across the country. From religious celebrations that honour gods and goddesses to cultural events that showcase music, dance, and rituals, these two months are packed with colour, energy, and devotion.

This is the time when every corner of India radiates joy, streets glow with lights, homes echo with prayers, and communities come together to celebrate. Whether it’s the grandeur of Diwali, the devotion of Karva Chauth, the creativity of Durga Puja, or the enthusiasm of Dussehra and Navratri, October and November offer travellers and locals an unparalleled festive experience.

If you’re planning to explore India, these months are the perfect opportunity to witness celebrations that bring together faith, tradition, and cultural pride in the most spectacular ways.

List Of 8 Best Festivals In October and November in India

Sans doubt, the month of October ushers in a season of vibrant festivities that paint the country in hues of joy. Catch a glimpse of the most-awaited and most popular festivals of India that fall in the month of October and November.

  • Navratri
  • Dussehra
  • Durga Puja
  • Diwali
  • Bhai Dooj
  • Chhath Puja
  • Guru Nanak Jayanti 
  • Karva Chauth

1. Navratri 

Devotees Celebrating Navratri
Navratri | #1 of Famous Festivals

The personification of nine nights, Navratri Festival in India is a Hindu festival dedicated to Maa Shakti, aka Goddess Durga. Celebrated differently in various regions, this religious festival includes rituals such as fasting, praying, dancing, and singing, all of which last for nine days to appease the divine goddess. Devotees of Goddess Durga observe a strict vegetarian diet and abstain from alcohol and certain food condiments. The festival's major highlights are Garba of Gujarat and Durga Puja of West Bengal. The northern belt of the country, which includes places like Jammu, Delhi, and Himachal Pradesh, follows Navratri's religious customs with utmost faith. The festival holds mythological significance and has many fables associated with it. The religious significance remains static despite the victory of good over evil. It is one of the major festivals in October India.

  • Date: Monday, September 22 – Wednesday, October 1, 2025.
  • Significance: Navratri, meaning "nine nights," is a major Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of Goddess Durga. It symbolizes the triumph of good over evil and is marked by fasting, prayers, and cultural performances.

Best Things to Do:

  • Participate in Garba and Dandiya dances in Gujarat.
  • Attend Durga Puja celebrations in West Bengal.
  • Visit temples for special rituals and prayers.

2. Dussehra 

Dussehra Celebrations
Dussehra | #2 of Famous Festivals

Having its roots in the greatest epic, Ramayana, Dussehra is a popular festival of India that sheds light upon the anecdote when Lord Rama kills Ravana and rescues his abducted consort, Sita, from the clutches of the indomitable demon king from Lanka. Observed on the ninth day of the Navratri festival, the auspicious day connotes the victory of truth and justice. The huge effigies of Ravana are burnt on open grounds during the evening to mark the victory of good over evil. Revellers from all over gather to witness the sight of burning effigies. Also known as Vijayadashmi, Vishwakarma Divas, Vyasa Puja, and Dussehra are also celebrated as the National Labour Day of India. This is also one of the prominent festivals in India in October.

  • Date: Thursday, October 2, 2025
  • Significance: Dussehra marks the victory of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana, symbolizing the victory of good over evil.

Best Things to Do:

  • Witness the burning of effigies of Ravana in Delhi and other parts of North India.
  • Watch Ramlila performances depicting the life of Lord Rama.
  • Participate in community fairs and processions.

Also Read - Dussehra Celebrations In India

3. Durga Puja 

Durga Puja Celebrations
Durga Puja | #3 of Famous Festivals

One of the prominent festivals of West Bengal. Durga Puja, a major October festival India, is celebrated with great fervour, primarily in West Bengal, for four days. The most exuberant festival that celebrates life, culture, traditions, and customs, Durga Puja is the soul of Indian festivals that fall in the month of October or November. Also known as Durgotsava or Mahashtami, the significant Hindu festival pays tribute to the ten-armed mother goddess and her victory over the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. According to religious connotation, Goddess Durga personifies the attributes of the feminine force that commands the cosmic world. She is believed to have emerged from the collective energies of all-mighty Gods and therefore was able to subjugate the evil buffalo demon Mahishasura. The festival commemorated by worshipping Goddess Durga is also observed in the several Indian States such as Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand, and Odisha.

  • Date: Sunday, September 28 – Thursday, October 2, 2025
  • Significance: Durga Puja celebrates Goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura, symbolizing the triumph of good over evil.

Best Things to Do:

  • Visit elaborately decorated pandals in Kolkata and other parts of West Bengal.
  • Participate in cultural programs and feasts.
  • Attend the immersion processions on Vijaya Dashami.

Also Read - Durga Puja Celebrations In India

4. Diwali 

Fireworks in the Sky on the occassion of Diwali Festival
Diwali | #4 of Famous Festivals

The most famous Diwali festival, also known as the festival of lights, brings many positive vibes. The most-awaited Indian festival involves a series of rituals that are extended for four days, and each day holds great significance. This beautiful festival emblematizes positive aspects such as the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. The preparation for Diwali begins much before the auspicious day as it involves rituals such as deep cleaning homes and offices. People not only decorate their homes with lights and rangolis but also get their houses painted. Another exciting ritual is about exchanging gifts that give families and friends an opportunity to meet each other and reminisce about the good old days. The brightest festival, Diwali, is celebrated not only in India but worldwide, where the Indian community resides. It is one of the most important Hindu festivals in November in India.

  • Date: Monday, October 20, 2025
  • Significance: Diwali, the festival of lights, celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, symbolising the victory of light over darkness.

Best Things to Do:

  • Decorate homes with diyas and rangolis.
  • Burst fireworks and partake in family feasts.
  • Exchange gifts and sweets with loved ones.

Read More :  Festival of Diwali

5. Bhai Dooj 

Brother and Sister Celebrating Bhai Dooj
Bhai Dooj | #5 of Famous Festivals

Akin to Raksha Bandhan, Bhai Dooj Festival is an Indian festival that celebrates the eternal bond between siblings. Customarily referred to as Tika in some parts of the country, Bhai Phonta, Bhaubeej, or Bhaiya Duj is an extension to Diwali and a prominent festival in India in November. Commemorating the sacred relationship of brother and sister, on this auspicious occasion, sisters pray for the well-being of their brothers. Sisters apply tilak on their foreheads and tie a Raksha sutra around their wrists in the hope that lord Yama will bless their brothers with a long life. The sweet ritual of acknowledging sisters' affection with gifts is also an integral part of the festival. Though material things can never substitute for emotions, it’s just a small gesture in return from brothers to their loving and caring sisters.

  • Date: Thursday, October 23, 2025
  • Significance: Bhai Dooj celebrates the bond between brothers and sisters, where sisters pray for their brothers' well-being.

Best Things to Do:

  • Apply tilak on your brother's forehead and offer prayers.
  • Exchange gifts and sweets.
  • Spend quality time with family.

6. Chhath Puja 

Chhath Puja Celebration
Chhath Puja | #6 of Famous Festivals

One of the most significant festivals of Bihar, Chhath Puja, a November festival in India, is an ancient Vedic festival that pays homage to the Lord of light and energy, the Sun. Also known as Dala Chhath, this elaborate festival expresses gratitude to the Sun God for sustaining life on the earth. Also, people believe that if the rituals of Chhath Puja are followed with complete devotion and utmost faith, then the divine Sun God fulfils every wish of his followers. The rituals of Chhath Puja involve worshipping 'Chhathi Maiya' and offering prayers to the Sun God and his consort Goddess Usha at the bank of the river. During this festival, the setting Sun is worshipped. Though the celebration in Bihar is elaborate, however, the states such as Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal, Assam, and Odisha also observe the four-day festival wholeheartedly.    

  • Date: Saturday, October 25, 2025
  • Significance: Chhath Puja is dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, thanking him for sustaining life on earth.

Best Things to Do:

  • Participate in the rituals by riverbanks in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand.
  • Offer prayers during sunrise and sunset.
  • Prepare traditional offerings like thekua and prasad.

Read More : Festival of Chhath Puja

7. Guru Nanak Jayanti 

Guru Nanak Jayanti Celebrations
Guru Nanak Jayanti | #7 of Famous Festivals

The founder of the Sikh religion, Guru Nanak Dev, left behind the legacy that is followed by Sikh and also Non-Sikh communities from all over the world. Guru Nanak Dev’s birthday or Guru Nanak Jayanti, is a grand occasion, especially in Punjab and neighbouring states where Gurdwaras are lit with myriad fairy lights, and a grand celebration is organized. Prabhat Pheris (early morning processions), Akhand paths (48 hours of non-stop reading of the holy book (Guru Granth Sahib), distribution of Langar (free distribution of food), and Nagar Kirtans are the major highlights of this significant festival of India that usually falls in the month of October or November. The Nishan Sahib (Sikh flag) and the palanquin (Palki) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib are also taken out during the procession. On this auspicious day, the devotees of Guru Nanak Dev pay tribute to his pearls of wisdom that enlightened the world.

  • Date: Wednesday, November 5, 2025
  • Significance: Guru Nanak Jayanti celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak, the founder of Sikhism, emphasizing equality, love, and devotion.

Best Things to Do:

  • Join the Prabhat Pheris (early morning processions) in Punjab and Haryana.
  • Participate in Akhand Path (continuous reading of the Guru Granth Sahib).
  • Volunteer at Gurdwaras for Langar (community kitchen) services.

Read More : Festival of  Guru Nanak Dev Ji

8. Karva Chauth

Karva Chauth is one of the most cherished festivals observed by married Hindu women, particularly in North India. On this day, women observe a strict fast from sunrise to moonrise, praying for the long life, prosperity, and well-being of their husbands. The day begins with sargi (a special meal prepared by the mother-in-law) consumed before sunrise. Throughout the day, women engage in rituals, wear traditional attire, apply mehndi, and gather in groups for community prayers and storytelling about the significance of Karva Chauth. The evening is marked by special puja ceremonies where the karva (earthen pot) is worshipped. The fast is broken after sighting the moon, often with the husband’s participation, symbolizing love and devotion. Beyond its religious aspect, Karva Chauth is also a celebration of relationships, bonding among women, and cultural traditions that continue to thrive across generations.

  • Date: Thursday, 9 October 2025
  • Significance: Karva Chauth signifies marital fidelity, devotion, and the emotional bond between husband and wife. It reinforces cultural heritage and community ties among women, while honoring the protective and nurturing aspects of marital relationships.

Best Things to Do:

  • Prepare traditional offerings and prayers.
  • Gather with other women for the Karva Chauth ceremony.
  • Celebrate the moonrise with family and friends.

Gear yourself up; there is a lot more coming up to rejoice and celebrate. Adotrip is your buddy who knows how to uplift your sunken spirit. Stay connected with us! Enjoy the Bash Fellas!

Frequently Asked Questions About Famous Festivals In October and November

Q1. Which prominent festivals fall in the months of October and November?
A1. The prominent festivals that fall in the months of October and November are

  • Navratri
  • Dussehra
  • Durga Puja
  • Diwali
  • Bhai Dooj
  • Chhath Pooja
  • Guru Nanak Jayanti
  • Karva Chauth

Q2. Which festivals fall in the month of October?
A2. The festivals that fall in the month of October are

  • Navratri
  • Dussehra
  • Durga Puja
  • Diwali
  • Bhai Dooj

Q3. Which festivals fall in the month of November?
A3
. The festivals that fall in the month of November are

Q4. What are some major Indian festivals celebrated in October and November, and how are they observed across different regions?
A4
. In October and November, India celebrates several major festivals, each with unique regional traditions and significance:

  • Durga Puja
  • Navratri
  • Dussehra
  • Diwali
  • Bhai Dooj
  • Chhath Pooja
  • Guru Nanak Jayanti

Q5. What are the major autumn season festivals in India?
A5
. India celebrates numerous autumn season festivals, each with its own customs and traditions. Some major festivals observed during this time include Navratri, a nine-day festival honoring the divine feminine; Durga Puja, a grand celebration dedicated to Goddess Durga; and Diwali, the festival of lights symbolizing the triumph of righteousness. These festivals bring communities together in joyous celebrations, rituals, and feasting.

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--- Published By  Adotrip

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