Major Events & Festivals in Ghāziābād, Uttar Pradesh, India

Ghāziābād, India, Ghāziābād, Culture & Entertainment, Major Events & Festivals

Major Events & Festivals in Ghāziābād, Uttar Pradesh, India

1. Eid-ul-Fitr Festival

Celebration marking the end of Ramadan, with communal prayers, feasting and gift exchange.
  • Communal Prayers: Join thousands for Eid prayer at historic Fatehpur Sikri or local mosques.
  • Feasting Traditions: Indulge in traditional delicacies like Biryani, Seekh Kebabs and Shahi Tukra.
  • Local Bazaars: Shop for Eid gifts at bustling markets offering clothing, jewelry, and traditional items.

2. Diwali Festival of Lights

Hindu festival celebrating the victory of light over darkness, with fireworks, lanterns, and feasting.
  • Firework Displays: Experience spectacular firework shows at various locations across the city.
  • Lantern Procession: Participate in the traditional lantern procession, carrying lighted earthenware lamps called 'diyas'.
  • Feasting Customs: Savor delicious Diwali sweets like Jalebi, Gulab Jamun and Kalakand.

3. Kite Flying Festival

Annual event where people compete in flying the most beautiful and colorful kites.
  • Competitive Kite Fighting: Witness fierce battles between skilled kite fliers, as they try to cut each other's kites with sharp lines.
  • Cultural Performances: Enjoy traditional music, dance and folk art performances during the festival.
  • Kite-Making Workshops: Learn to make your own kites with local artists at workshops throughout the city.

4. Holi Festival of Colors

Festival of colors, celebrating the arrival of spring and the victory of good over evil.
  • Color Throwing Play: Join in the fun by covering friends and strangers alike with colored powder and water.
  • Folk Songs and Dances: Experience lively Holi celebrations with traditional music and dance performances.
  • Communal Feasts: Participate in communal meals featuring spicy dishes like Thandai, Gujia and Bhaang.

5. Ram Leela Theater Performances

Annual enactment of the Ramayana epic during the nine days of Navratri.
  • Rich Tradition: Witness centuries-old tradition of Ram Leela, showcasing elaborate sets and costumes.
  • Community Participation: Engage with local actors, musicians, and dancers as they perform the epic tale.
  • Nightly Performances: Attend daily evening performances throughout Navratri, culminating in a grand finale show.

6. Tulsi Vivah Festival

Ceremonial marriage of the basil plant Tulsi to Lord Vishnu, celebrating the beginning of autumn.
  • Religious Significance: Learn about the spiritual importance of the Tulsi plant and its role in Hindu tradition.
  • Communal Prayers: Observe prayer ceremonies at local temples during the festival.
  • Cultural Performances: Enjoy traditional music, dance and folk art performances.

7. Guru Nanak Jayanti

Celebration of the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism.
  • Communal Prayers: Join Sikhs from around the world for prayers and blessings at local gurdwaras.
  • Langar Service: Participate in the community meal (langar) offered free to everyone.
  • Kirtan Music Performances: Experience the devotional music of Sikhism, with traditional kirtans and shabads.

8. Muharram Procession

Annual commemoration of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein during Ashura.
  • Historical Significance: Learn about the life, death and legacy of Imam Hussein.
  • Processions and Mourning: Participate in the somber processions and mourning rituals during Muharram.
  • Communal Prayers: Observe prayers at local mosques and shrines throughout Muharram.

9. Christmas Celebrations

Celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ, with carol singing, church services and feasting.
  • Communal Prayers: Attend midnight mass at local churches to celebrate Christmas.
  • Christmas Markets: Shop for gifts, decorations and traditional treats at festive markets.
  • Cultural Performances: Enjoy Christmas-themed music, dance and theater performances.

10. Janmashtami Festival

Celebration of the birth of Lord Krishna, with fasting, prayers, and feasting.
  • Religious Significance: Understand the spiritual significance of Lord Krishna in Hinduism.
  • Fasting Traditions: Observe fasting from morning till midnight, breaking it with a traditional meal after midnight prayers.
  • Cultural Performances: Enjoy performances of traditional music, dance and theater, reenacting the life of Lord Krishna.

11. Ghee Sankranti Festival

Harvest festival celebrating the transition of the sun into Capricorn, with offerings to the gods and feasting.
  • Religious Significance: Learn about the agricultural traditions and spiritual significance of Ghee Sankranti.
  • Communal Prayers: Participate in prayers and offerings at local temples during the festival.
  • Feasting Traditions: Savor traditional sweets like Til Gul, Gajak, and Peanut Brittle.

12. Kumbh Mela

Mass Hindu pilgrimage held every 12 years at the confluence of rivers Ganges, Yamuna and Saraswati.
  • Spiritual Pilgrimage: Join millions for a life-changing spiritual experience.
  • Cultural Performances: Experience traditional music, dance and theater performances throughout the Mela.
  • Communal Bathing: Take a dip in the sacred waters during the holy bathings on auspicious days.

13. Chhath Puja Festival

Four-day festival honoring the Sun God Surya and his wife Chhathi Maiya.
  • Religious Significance: Learn about the importance of the Sun God in Hinduism and the mythology surrounding Chhath Puja.
  • Rituals and Offerings: Observe traditional rituals like offering food and prayers to the Sun God, and bathing in rivers during specific times.
  • Communal Prayers: Participate in communal prayers at local temples during Chhath Puja.

14. Basant Panchami Festival

Celebration of the arrival of spring and the goddess Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge.
  • Religious Significance: Learn about the spiritual significance of Goddess Saraswati and her role in Hinduism.
  • Cultural Performances: Enjoy traditional music, dance and theater performances inspired by Saraswati.
  • Yellow Clothing: Wear yellow clothing, a traditional color for Basant Panchami, to celebrate the festival.

15. Festival of Gaura Purnima

Celebration of the appearance of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu, a prominent figure in Vaishnavism.
  • Religious Significance: Learn about the life and teachings of Lord Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
  • Communal Prayers: Attend prayers and feasts at local ISKCON temples during the festival.
  • Cultural Performances: Enjoy traditional music, dance and theater performances inspired by Lord Chaitanya.