Known for its rich culture, history, and diverse tradition, India has its own set of festivals and fairs in every region and religion to remember and commemorate the birthdays and great deeds of deities, heroes and saints. Like other months, June is also blessed with several exciting festivals celebrated with lots of joy, gaiety, rituals and zest that attract a lot of devotees as well as tourists from all over the globe. Besides, these festivals not only bring people closer and united but also teach people about the country’s propensity. If you want to be a part of these festivities, plan your trip coincide with any of these amusing festivals and relish the excellent traditions and celebrations as part of India Tour Packages.
Here are the few magnificent festivals to enjoy in the month of June.
Ramadan
A significant festival for the followers of Islam, Ramadan or Ramzan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar and is observed as a month of fasting prior to commemorate the first revelation of the Quran to Muhammad according to Islamic belief. In 2019, it begins on 6th May and concludes on 5th June. During this month, Muslims traditionally fast daily from sunrise to sunset and turn their attention to God, with a focus on prayer and ritual purification. In the evenings, the streets of India are decked up and you get to taste some of the most delicious meat dishes and biryanis. The first day of Ramadan is traditionally marked by the sighting of the crescent moon with the naked eye, and the festival concludes with the grand celebration of Eid-ul-Fitr on 5th June. Though Ramzan is celebrated all over the country, Hyderabad has no parallel in India when it comes to Ramzan celebrations. Don’t forget to visit the night market at Charminar and taste sumptuous Haleem during Ramzan as part of Hyderabad Tour Packages.
Shimla Summer Festival
Renowned as one of the most popular events in June, Shimla Summer Festival is a 5-day extravaganza celebrated every year in the month of May/June. Held from 2nd – 7th June this year, it is a celebration of the bountiful harvest of the year, and honor the advent of the summer. Conducted every year since the 1960s at the Ridge, among the top places to visit in Shimla. The festival offers musical performances by famous artists, cultural attractions, folk performances, local handicraft exhibitions, as well as with quirky activities like fashion shows, dog shows, stalls that sell artisanal ware and serve up local cuisine. But, the major events that grace this annual event are folk dances, food festival, flower shows, ice skating festival and even a Himachali Film festival that lures tourists from all parts of the country. So, plan your trip that coincides with this festival as part of Shimla Tour Packages as the events are truly enjoyable and there is something to suit the taste of every individual.
Also Read: 15 Most Famous Festivals of India
Ganga Dussehra
Ganga Dussehra, also known as Gangavataran, is observed on Dashami Tithi of Jyeshta Shukla Paksha that falls in the month of May/June. Celebrated this year on 12th June, Ganga Dussehra is said to be the day when Goddess Ganga came down to Earth from heaven to free the cursed souls of Bhagiratha’s ancestors. A large number of pilgrims congregate alongside the holy river to take a holy bath as it is believed that taking bath in River Ganges and offering charity during this 10-day festival allows oneself to get rid of ten sins. This is one of the best festivals in June in India meant for the spiritual hearts and those who seek a glimpse of true Hindu culture. Allahabad, Varanasi, Garh-Mukteshwar, Haridwar, and Rishikesh are the popular places to witness grand celebrations of Ganga Dussehra. But, it is a legendary celebration in Varanasi where thousands of people take Ganga Snan and participate in the sacred rituals of Ganga Aarti at Dasaswamedh Ghat as part of Varanasi Tour Packages.
Ambubachi Mela, Assam
Another popular Hindu festival in June, Ambubachi Mela is an annual event held at Kamakhya Temple, among the best places to visit in Guwahati. Also known as Ameti or the Tantric fertility festival, it is celebrated every year from 22nd- 26th June to mark the annual menstruation period of Goddess Kamakhya. The temple of Goddess Kamakhya remains closed for 3 days during this time and reopened on the 4th day only after the idol is bathed and the other rituals are executed. At this time, the Brahmaputra River near the temple turns red. This grand festival attracts a large number of devotees from all over the country in order to receive bits of cloth that are supposedly soaked with her menstrual fluid as it considered to be extremely auspicious and powerful. Another highlight of the mela is the unique rituals and exercises performed by numerous Tantric sadhus from India and abroad.
Sao Joao Feast, Goa
Sao Joao is one of the most prominent festivals of Goan Catholic community which is observed at the beginning of the monsoon season. Held on 24th June every year, this feast honors St. John the Baptist, the firebrand prophet who baptized Jesus in River Jordan. This festival of Goa is enjoyed by old and young people alike, who sing and dance to the tunes of various musical instruments while getting fully drunk and jumping into wells and streams to retrieve the gifts thrown by the villagers. The Catholic community of North Goa celebrates this feast with much enthusiasm compared to South Goa. During this day, people wear colorful clothes, crowns made out of leaves and fruits called Kopels and gather near a stream to watch people parade and singing Mandos on lavishly decorated Sanggod. Feni is consumed in large quantities during San Joao celebration. Interesting boat festivities take place in Siolim where one can join various cultural activities during the day like Kopel making etc.
Saga Dawa Festival, Sikkim
Saga Dawa or the Triple Blessed Festival is one of the most important festivals for the people of Sikkim celebrated with much enthusiasm in the capital city Gangtok. It is held every year on the full moon day of the 4th month of Buddhist lunar calendar, which usually falls on May / June. This year it will be held on 17th June. It is the most significant and sacred festival for the followers of Tibetan and Mahayana Buddhism as it commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and nirvana of Gautama Buddha. The festivity occurs across Gangtok in the form of processions, prayers, and extending alms to the needy. The procession starts from Tsuk La Khang Monastery and carried out through the streets of Gangtok accompanied by the blowing of horns, beating of drums, and burning of incense. For all travelers and cultural fanatics seeking a sneak-peek into vibrant Buddhist culture as part of Gangtok Packages, Saga Dawa is the perfect occasion.
Feast of St. Peter & Paul, Goa
Also known as Sangodd Festival, the Feast of St. Peter & Paul is the most important festival of the fishing community of Goa, particularly in Bardez taluka. Held on 29th June every year, this monsoon celebration involves morning prayers and making decorated floating rafts by binding two boats or banana tree trunks together. The rafts carrying the miniature models of Chapels or Churches slowly make their way down the river up to the Chapel of St. Peter. One can witness various local drama theatre, folk dances, and music organized in the evening during the feast as part of Goa Tour Packages. It also celebrates the spirit of adventure with a number of competitions where young people exhibit their talents.
Sindhu Darshan Festival, Ladakh
One of the major events in Ladakh, the Sindhu Darshan Festival is celebrated on the banks of River Sindhu in Leh every year on the full moon day in June. Held over three days from 12th June to 14th June 2019, this celebration of River Sindhu is organized by Sindhu Darshan Yatra Samiti and Ladakh Phandey Tsogspathe with the motive of endorsing the river as an icon of communal harmony in India. People from different parts of the country bring water from the rivers of their states to further immerse in Indus. The first day’s reception ceremony is managed by a committee that is made up of various religious communities. The cultural exchange program on the second day involves artists from across the country showcasing their art and their wares while the third day involves grand celebrations that include dance and music performances along with a symbolic salutation to the courageous and brave soldiers of our country who lost their lives while saving ours.