Experiencing Indian Festivals: Colours, Lights and Legends - Exploring India’s Fabulous Festivals with Anecdotes DMC
There’s a rhythm to India that comes alive in its spectacular festivals - their swirling colours, sounds, rituals and emotions combining contemporary celebration with the most ancient of traditions. For guests longing for a deeply authentic adventure in this vast and varied land, taking in one or more of its most sacred festivals is the perfect answer - and our friends at Anecdotes DMC have a whole range of exuberant, exhilarating and, quite frankly, magical options to choose from.
With their focus on sharing the treasured narratives of India, revealing its hidden corners and creating deep, immersive experiences, Anecdotes are the go-to for those seeking to step beyond the well-worn paths. So, those uninitiated in these joyous, riotous celebrations can look forward to a truly profound experience - each one a journey into the very soul of India, with timeless stories to uncover.
5 Key Indian Festivals to Visit with Anecdotes DMC
Anecdotes’ curated journeys across the subcontinent don’t just take guests to the heart of India's most spectacular festivals - they also create a connection with the people, the land and the spirit behind each celebration. Here, they take us on an inspirational tour of five of India’s most awe-inspiring festivals - from Holi and the Hornbill to Hemis, Durga Puja and Dev Deepawali. And, believing that where you stay is as much a part of the journey as the destination itself, Anecdotes have selected accommodations for each festival - stays which echo the authenticity of each experience and offer more than just luxury, creating a deep connection to the spirit of the place too.
Read on for a taste of how your guests will experience each Festival in its fullest glory - on a tour rooted in authenticity, crafted with care and illuminated by storytelling.
Holi – The Festival of Colors in the Pink City (March)
As winter melts into spring, India comes alive in a kaleidoscope of colour - and nowhere is this more vibrantly celebrated than in the royal city of Jaipur. Holi, the festival that marks the triumph of good over evil, is an extravaganza of happy hues - a vivacious celebration that sweeps through the streets as the air fills with powdered colour that bathes everything and everyone around with its joyful rainbow, each colour with its own emotional association (pink for love, yellow for happiness, white for peace and so on). Rooted in ancient Hindu mythology, Holi’s origins are tied to the story of Prahlad and Holika, but the festival also celebrates the playful spirit of Krishna and Radha - a symbol of triumph, love and the renewal of Spring.
In Jaipur, Holi takes on a regal grandeur, the festivities framed by the city’s rose-pink palaces and historic courtyards. Here your guests will experience a day that’s both immersive and safe; one where they can take part in the joyous chaos while also exploring Jaipur’s deeper cultural and historical layers - learning its stories, throwing their colours, dancing to folk music and tucking into traditional Rajasthani snacks. As the day draws to a close, visitors can enjoy the Kathputli shows, a traditional art form where intricately crafted wooden puppets tell stories of folklore, myth and Indian epics like Mahabharata, weaving the festival’s themes together in a fusion of colour, music and storytelling.
Where to stay
The Samode Haveli, a former royal residence, is one of Jaipur’s most exquisite heritage properties, offering an intimate, immersive stay steeped in Rajasthani opulence. With its intricately painted frescoes, lush courtyards and stunning pool, it’s a hidden oasis amidst the colourful chaos of the Holi celebrations - the perfect place to unwind in quiet corners after a day of festive revelry in the Pink City.
Or, for those looking for the pinnacle of luxury, Taj Rambagh Palace is an unforgettable stay. Once home to the Maharaja, this magnificent palace is known as the “Jewel of Jaipur”, every inch filled with regal elegance. Think vast, manicured gardens, opulent suites and impeccable service - all designed to transport guests to a time of royal grandeur. And it’s a particularly fantastic Holi stay, because the palace hosts its own exclusive celebrations, where guests can enjoy the festival in style followed by indulgent spa treatments or candlelit dinners under the stars.
Hornbill Festival - An Unforgettable Window into Naga Culture (December)
In the misty, mysterious and oh-so stunning hills of Nagaland, December brings the famous Hornbill Festival, a revered celebration held at the Naga Heritage Village in Kisama that offers a rare glimpse into one of India’s most remote and culturally rich regions. Named after the state’s iconic bird, the festival is a convergence of Naga tribes, each dancing to the beat of their diversified ancestors, arrayed in their tribe’s fabulous regalia and surrounded by the lush forests and undulating hills of Nagaland’s timeless, unspoilt landscape.
The Hornbill is a festival born from the desire to preserve traditions, honouring the land and its people and sharing cultures that remain largely untouched by modernity. Celebrating inter-tribal tranquillity and endorsing colonial culture and traditions, the festival highlights uncommon customs, rituals and practices, with displays of tribal music, dances and games going hand in hand with those of local arts, handicrafts and food experiences. And at night? Evenings come to life at the breathtaking Hornbill National Rock Concert, where bands from all over India and beyond compete - followed by a tour of the town’s unmissable Night Market.
Where to stay
Something as extraordinary as the Hornbill Festival warrants a stay equally as sensational - and Anecdotes’ handpicked accommodation is just the thing. In the heart of Nagaland’s pristine natural beauty, Kohima Camp (from the team at The Ultimate Travelling Camp) is a place where luxury takes on an adventurous spirit, with a glamping experience that blends the thrill of the wild with the comfort of high-end living.
After a long day of cultural discovery, guests can retire to their luxurious tented suites, each one beautifully furnished with plush beds, colonial-style furniture and en-suite bathrooms - and each with an unparalleled connection to the surrounding landscape. And here, thanks to the camp’s bespoke service, you’re never far from the finer things in life. Candlelit dinners beneath the stars? Check. Curated menus featuring local flavours, and private, guided excursions to tribal villages? Just part of the experience. After a day of exploring the Hornbill Festival, returning to this serene camp feels like stepping into a dream - one which blends opulence and wilderness in perfect harmony.
Hemis Festival – A Spiritual Awakening in Ladakh (June/July)
High in the Himalayan desert of Ladakh, so far from city hustle and bustle as to feel as if you’re in another world entirely, the Hemis Festival is an ancient tapestry of sacred Tibetan and Buddhist ritual - a rich and spectacular celebration of togetherness, music and dance. Honouring Lord Padmasambhava (or Guru Rinpoche), the festival is one of the most important celebrations of Tibetan Buddhism. With origins said to date back to the 8th Century BC, the people of Ladakh believe celebrating Hemis with great zeal keeps them safe from negative energy; and so, every year for centuries past, they’ve done - and continue to do - just that.
The highlight of the festival is the masked Cham dance, known as the God Dance, a colourful and dramatic theological performance where lamas and monks come together in elaborate costume to reenact the triumph of good over evil against the backdrop of Ladakh’s ancient monasteries - a wonderfully meditative experience of togetherness and joy. And of course, in the spectacular mountain setting of Ladakh, the landscape is as much a part of the experience as the festival itself. This barren, otherworldly terrain of craggy peaks and serene lakes creates an atmosphere that complements the rituals of Hemis perfectly, a beautiful opportunity to become immersed in spiritual energy while also discovering Ladakh’s more secret corners with Anecdotes - from its hidden valleys and remote monasteries to the silent majesty of the mountains.
Where to stay
In Leh, where Hemis unfolds in the shadow of the Himalayas, the Chospa Hotel, Saraha Retreat and the Grand Dragon Hotel both offer stunningly serene stays that are the ideal partner to days filled with sacred experiences in the deep stillness of Ladakh. Chospa, an eco-conscious boutique hotel in the heart of Leh, is a perfect illustration of the region’s delicate balance between heritage and modernity. Its minimalist design, infused with traditional Ladakhi elements, creates a sanctuary where guests can find calm amidst the dramatic landscape, with panoramic views of snow-capped peaks and Leh Palace from the hotel’s terraces.
For those seeking a more secluded experience, Saraha Retreat offers tranquillity and nature, yet is still within easy walking distance of local sights like Leh’s Main Market and the Shanti Stupa. Amidst apricot orchards and with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains, the retreat is a sanctuary of wellness and mindfulness, inviting guests to slow down and reconnect in a multitude of ways - from yoga sessions to traditional Ladakhi meals to just breathing in the crisp mountain air.
Durga Puja – Kolkata’s Homage to the Divine Feminine (September/October)
There’s no festival in India quite like Durga Puja - and there’s no place that celebrates it with more grandeur than Kolkata (Calcutta). Held in September or October, this UNESCO-recognised celebration honours the goddess Durga, who symbolises the divine feminine and her victory over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura. More than a religious event, Durga Puja is a city-wide carnival, where art, culture and community come together to transform Kolkata’s streets into a gallery, as intricately designed pandals (structures or pavilions created to house idols of deities for worship) rise across the city.
Crafted with meticulous care, pandals are central to the festival’s celebrations. With communities competing to create the most creative designs, the structures range from simple setups to grand, artistic creations resembling palaces, temples or famous landmarks - inside, devotees gather to offer prayers, participate in cultural performances and/or simply celebrate together. Anecdotes bring travellers into the very heartbeat of this celebration, offering them a front-row seat to Kolkata’s inspirational energy with a guided tour of the famous pandals of the South of the city. Afterwards, a visit to the charming heritage residence of their local host sees guests tuck into mouthwatering, home-cooked Bengali food as they’re regaled with insights into the region’s art and tales of its history.
Where to stay
In the heart of Kolkata (Calcutta)? It’s got to be the iconic Oberoi Grand. Known as the “Grande Dame of Chowringhee”, this historic hotel is bursting with colonial elegance - its lush gardens, exquisite dining, stunning spa and opulent rooms providing a peaceful contrast to the frenetic pace outside. After exploring the city’s artistic pandals and witnessing the vibrant immersion processions, the hotel’s old-world charm is a great place to kick back, immersed in a beautiful blend of Kolkata’s storied past and a full roster of luxurious contemporary comforts.
Dev Deepawali – Varanasi’s Divine Lights (November)
It’s said that, when the city of Varanasi lights up for Dev Deepawali, the gods themselves descend to the banks of the River Ganges to celebrate their victory over the demon Tripurasur… Held on the full moon night of the Hindu festival of Kartik Purnima, the divine festival of lights turns the ghats (steps) that line the sacred Ganges into a sight of ethereal beauty, as the golden light of millions of oil lamps flicker in reflection across the holy waters of the river.
Here, the Anecdotes experience is truly something special, guiding travellers on a spiritual journey that they’ll never forget. Taking to the river in their own private boat, guests view the ritual Ganga Aarti from the most unique and intimate viewpoint, watching the magical spectacle as the river is honoured with fire and song, before returning to the city to be escorted safely to their hotel for a delicious dinner.
Where to stay
For those seeking a deeper immersion in the magic of this holy city, there’s no better place to stay than the Brijrama Palace, a heritage hotel perched right on the banks of the river. Built in the 18th century, the hotel is one of the oldest structures in Varanasi - every detail exuding historical grandeur, from the hand-painted ceilings to the gorgeously vintage-themed decor. From its terraces, guests can look out across the countless diya-lit ghats, all while enjoying the palace’s regal atmosphere, fabulous food and exceptional service.
Festivals as Windows into the Soul of India
To feel the pulse of India, its festivals offer the most vibrant, sensory-filled windows into the soul of this magical land. But experiencing these festivals in their full richness needs you to do more than just be there - it calls for travellers to step into the heart of the stories, the landscapes and the people behind them. And that’s why we turn to Anecdotes every time - because, with them, every experience becomes not just an event, but an immersive, narrative-driven journey.
With itineraries crafted with care and focused on sustainability, respect for the communities they visit and an authentic connection with the land, your guests will return not just with memories, but with stories woven from the fabric of India’s most sacred traditions.
To explore more about these transformative journeys into the heart of India’s divine rhythm, get in touch with the team today!
