India is a diverse country reflected in its culture, tradition, food, customs, and festivals. We all know the major festivals of India, like Holi, Diwali, Rakshabandhan, Durga Puja, etc. But do you know many Indian Festivals are a little weird? 

Yes! We are talking about festivals like Nag Panchami, Muharram, Lathmar Holi, and many more, celebrated in many parts of India enthusiastically.

 But whatever the intent was or is- Festivals that include animal fights or bloodshed are crazy and still in trend. So, we got you some bizarre and 15 Unusual Festivals of India that are popular and still celebrated. Stay tuned- if you want to be a part of these craziest Indian celebrations.

15 Unusual Festivals Of India

Here is the list of Bizarre and Uncommon Indian Festivals celebrated in some parts of the country according to the region’s cultural significance. Wish to celebrate these festivals, ensure you are present in the cities to relish your heritage. Every celebration has a story and has religious importance. Look at them!

1. Nag Panchami- All Over India
2. Lathmar Holi- Vrindavan, UP
3. Muharram- All Over India
4. Jallikattu- Tamil Nadu
5. Theyyam- Kerala
6. Bhagoria Festival- Khargone and Jhabua, MP
7. Rural Olympics – Kila Raipur, Punjab
8. Madai festival- Chhattisgarh
9. Agni Keli- Mangalore
10. Ambubachi Mela- Assam
11. Thaipoosam- Tamil Nadu
12. Mim Kut Festival- Mizoram
13. Sekrenyi Festival- Nagaland
14. Hemis Festival- Ladakh
15. Sume-Gelirak Festival- Odisha

1. Nag Panchami- All Over India

What’s different? Devotees offer milk and turmeric to snakes on the day of Nag Panchami.

When is Nag Panchami celebrated?

This year, Nag Panchami will be celebrated on 9 August 2024. The festival is celebrated in July-August.

Significance:

Nag Panchami is the most popular Hindu festival in India across the country. Worshiping the snake god, believers give milk to snakes and receive blessings to ward off evil and bring prosperity. However, it is central to Bengali, Maharashtrian, and South Indian culture.

This festival dates back to Aryan’s arrival. As Naga ( Snakes) linked with Lord Brahma, it is widely celebrated in the month of Shravana peculiarly.

2. Lathmar Holi- Vrindavan, UP

What’s different? Have you heard about a festival where females hit males with sticks? It’s the Lathmar Holi of Barsana, where women in Nandgaon beat men with lathis, and the men who get caught have to dress like women on this day.

When is Lathmar Holi celebrated?

Lathmar Holi is observed four to five days prior to Holi falling on March 18, 2024, this year.

Significance-

Lathmar Holi is a playful Holi celebrated by men and women in the nearby villages of Radha Rani and Lord Krishna’s, Nandgaon and Barsana, near Vrindavan.

The legend says that Krishna teased Radha and Gopis as Holi used to come. The women of Barsana chased Krishna with sticks. It is what devotees recreate during the Holi festival as a tradition.

3. Muharram- All Over India

What’s different? On this day, Shia Muslims mourn the death of Imam Ali Hussain ( Grandson of Prophet Muhammad)  by inflicting wounds with sharp objects on their body while walking on the streets.

When is Muharram celebrated?

Muharram is celebrated on the first month of the Islamic calendar, on 7th July 2024.

Significance-

Muharram is quite unusual as you see Shia community men half naked beating themselves with sharp objects on the road and mourning the death of Imam Hussain. It occurs in the first month of the Islamic calendar and represents mourning gatherings (Majlis) and processions (Tajias).

4. Jallikattu- Tamil Nadu

What’s different? Jallikattu is Tamil Nadu’s festival where men control bulls. Sometimes people get severely injured and the bull suffers injuries.

When is Jallikattu celebrated?

Jallikattu is usually celebrated in January on the third day of Mattu Pongal Day. This year it was celebrated on 16th January 2024.

Significance-

Jallikattu is a Tamil Nadu age-old tradition that is also part of Pongal celebrations. It is a dangerous South Indian Tradition where the villagers trained bulls to represent the cattle family.

The bull’s thorn is tied with gold and money. The defender has to tame the bull and get all the valuables tied to the thorn. The bulls are built and trained for this festival and made strong to compete to their fullest. It celebrates immense strength, courage, and harvesting.

However, the Supreme Court Banned Jallikattu in 2014 for Animal Welfare. However, it is still celebrated with essence.

5. Theyyam- Kerala

What’s different? In Theyyam, people perform dangerous activities dedicated to the god. It includes dancing while wearing a crown of 10-meter-long hairs, fire walks, wearing coconut leaves, and

performing burning wicks around the waist. Despite the burning dress and heat, the performer has to finish his act with a heavy dress and makeup.

When is Theyyam celebrated?

In 2024, it will be celebrated from 27 February to 14th March, during harvesting season.

Significance-

An Unusual Festival of South India, it is celebrated in many parts of Kerala. It is an 800-year-old South tradition. Theyyam are the upper caste people and heads of the villages who dress and perform about 400 dance forms vigorously. Villagers come to seek their blessings.

It involves elaborate costumes, vibrant face paint, energetic performances depicting deities and heroes with ritualistic worship, and appeasement of local spirits.

6. Bhagoria Festival- Madhya Pradesh

What’s different? The tribal group in Madhya Pradesh organizes a large-scale marriage fair when young people select their mates and elope with them.Later, family and society have to accept them.

When is the Bhagoria Festival celebrated?

Bhagoria festival is in March/April. It will be celebrated between 20- 24 March 2024.

Significance-

It is a popular Tribal festivals in India. It is a main carnival in Khargone and Jhabua district of MP, where Bhils and Bhilala tribal people participate. It has a big haat setup where marriage swayamwar takes place. Bhagoria is a crowded affair which marks the spring season.

7. Rural Olympics- Kila Raipur, Ludhiana, Punjab

What’s different? It is an unusual scenario where rural games are played by lifting a bunch of bricks with teeth, pulling vehicles by the hair, and lifting plows with the mouth.

When is Kila Raipur’s Rural Olympics held?

The Rural Olympics is in February. This year it is from 3rd to 5th February.

Significance-

Kila Raipur Sports Festival is a famous event held in Kila Raipur Village, 20 km from Ludhiana. It is like an olympiad where Desi Punjabi villagers of 7 to 90 years old participate to showcase their strength and skills.

It includes sports activities, like weight lifting, kabaddi, wrestling, horse riding, bullock cart race, and other rural sports. However, modern sports are also played now, like hockey, athletics, volleyball, football, cycling, handball, and many more.

8. Madai festival- Chhattisgarh

What’s different? It is a different type of tribal festival of Chattishgarh where tribes perform folk dance and sacrifice goats.

When is the Madai Festival celebrated?

The Madai Festival is celebrated from December to March.

Significance-

Madai Festival is a major tribal festival of Sanskritik Chattisgarh held by the Gond Tribe with zest and zeal. Hundreds of people gather in large open fields and perform procession openly as a symbol of worshiping deity. Folk dance, drama, and Lok Geet are among the cultural events held here. It signifies harvest and fertility.

9. Agni Keli- Mangalore, Karnataka:

What’s different? It is a firefight at Kateel Durga Parameshwari temple where hundreds of devotees throw burning palm fronds at each other to appease Goddess Durga.

When is Agni Keli Celebrated?

There is no particular date, but Agni Keli falls in April when the temple festival begins.

Significance:

Agni Keli is a firefighting festival dedicated to honor the war goddess- Maa Durga. Goddess Durga is depicted with a lion or tiger with weapons in her arms to fight evil. 

Two groups carrying flaming palm leaves stand opposite 15 meters and attack each other. If someone suffers burns, they get healed by holy water. It only lasts 15 minutes, where devotees participate, and others watch the form from a distance.

10. Ambubachi Mela- Kamakhya Temple, Assam

What’s different? Ambubachi Mela is a celebration that honors Goddess Kamakhya’s menstrual cycle and features numerous Tantrik Vidhis and Tantra Sadhana performances.

When is Ambubachi Mela celebrated?

Amubachi Mela is in June/July. It begins from 22 to 26 June 2024.

Significance-

Ambubachi Mela is considered the most auspicious festival, Mahakumbh of the East. It is also known as Ameti or Tantric Fertility Festival where devotees and cult practitioners all over the country visit Maa Kamakhya. Many tantric perform Saadhana at the temple because it is believed that if a tantric visits this temple, he/she will become powerful and can bless people with wealth, children, and marriage.

11. Thaipoosam- Tamil Nadu

What’s different? It is a fierce festival where devotees of Lord Muruga pierce their tongue, mouth, and skin with sharp objects and chains to pull a chariot to pay regards to the Lord.

When is Thaipoosam celebrated?

This year Thaipusam is on 25 January 2024.

Significance-

One of Tamil Nadu, India’s most peculiar celebrations is Thaipoosam. Mostly, priests and other chosen people perform activities by walking on coal in Lord Muruga temples.

On this day, devotees bathe and purify themselves with turmeric. Temple priests carry the images of Lord Murugan Swami sheltering with umbrellas on their heads and pray offerings to the god, seeking blessings and immense divinity.

12. Mim Kut Festival- Mizoram

What’s different? It is a popular festival in Mizoram where locals gather and perform folk dance and music. You can sip local rice beer and enjoy the performances.

When is Mim Kut celebrated?

The Mim Kut festival falls between August- September.

Significance-

It is a vibrant festival that celebrates harvest. You can enjoy various dance forms, music, and local food with rice beer. It is a free spirit festival.

13. Sekrenyi Festival- Nagaland:

What’s different? It is a 10-day celebration of  Nagaland believed to cleanse body and soul before going to war. Animals are hunted two days prior and sacrificed.

When is Sekrenyi celebrated?

This year Sekrenyi is on 25th February 2024.

Significance-

It is an eight-day fair that begins with men cleaning wells outside and bathing in the well. They get water for women for households. Every man slaughters chicken after returning from the well. Even children of 6-7 years are allowed cock sacrifice, a good omen. People make rice beer and cook chicken on a wood fire.

14. Hemis Festival- Ladakh:

What’s different? Here, the locals wear big colorful masks and perform dances to mark good over evil.

When is the Hemis Festival celebrated?

This year, the Hemis Festival is on 16-17 June.

Significance-

Every year, the Hemis Monastery in Ladakh hosts the Hemis Festival, also called Hemis Tsechu, to commemorate the birth of the founder of Tibet Buddhism, Guru Padmasambhava.It is one of the most vibrant festivals of India, where folk dances, music, and various cultural performances. You can savor local delicacies like momos, thukpa, and butter tea.

Read Also : Hemis Festival Wiki : Where and How it is Celebrated ?

15. Sume Gelirak Festival- Odisha

What’s different? The unusual thing about this festival is that women who dance can choose their life partners. Also, animals/birds are sacrificed and devotees offer liquor to deities.

When is the Sume Geliral Festival celebrated?

Sume Gelirak is in January.

Significance:

It is one of the most important festivals of Odisha, where men and women dress up in their traditional attire. It is a 10-day fair that marks harvest by the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups of Odisha with vibrant dance and rituals seeking blessings for a prosperous future.

Conclusion:

All the above festivals of India are happy extravaganza except Muharram. The best part is whether these festivals seem weird but still celebrated harmoniously!

Isn’t it Great Bharat!