List Of Festivals Celebrated In The Month Of June
June is the month of the peak summer season in India, with the onset of monsoon in some parts but this doesn’t stop people from celebrating their festival. Experience the deep roots of lifestyle, culture, cuisine, tradition, and vibrant colors of India through its festivals. Here are the main festivals which be celebrated in India in the month of June.
Vat Savitri Purnima
The Vat Savitri Vrat falls on the full moon day of the month of Jyeshtha, around May-June. The married women observe Vat Savitri Vrat with the intention of preserving their husband’s good fortune. Women keep fast on this day and worship Vat (Bargad) tree and the yarn is wrapped 108 times on the tree. Women listen to the story of Savitri-Satyavan. The Vat Savitri Vrata is celebrated during the Purnima that is the full moon day, in the month of Jyeshtha.
When: June 3, 2023.
Where: Gujarat, Karnataka, and Maharashtra
What is Special: Married women fast and pray for the well-being of their husbands on this day.
Ganga Dussehra
Ganga Dussehra is a ten-day festival celebrated to commemorate the ascent of the River Ganga on the Earth. It is celebrated on Dashami Tithi of Jyeshtha Shukla Paksha. On this day, fast is observed by the devotees for a full day and in the evening, the devotees take a dip in the holy water and break the fast. People offer floating lamps in the holy waters of River Ganga and take back home the sacred water of the river.
When: May 30, 2023.
Where: Varanasi, Rishikesh, Haridwar, Garhmukteshwar, Prayag, and Allahabad.
What is Special: Celebrated in honor of Goddess Ganga, is a ten-day-long festival.
Shani Jayanti
Shani Jayanti is also known as Shani Amavasya is celebrated on the new moon day of Jyeshtha Krishna Paksha. Shani Dev is the son of the Sun-god, he is considered the god of justice and death. Their color is black, he is given the third and seventh vision.
Saturn is the slowest moving planet and he is the ruling deity of Planet Saturn. He is very fond of leading the life of a yogi and an ascetic. This is the reason that a person starts talking about salvation in the condition of Saturn. On the day of Shani Jayanti, in all the major Shani temples located in India, devotees offer prayers related to Shani Dev and pray for freedom from Shani suffering.
When: May 19th, 2023.
Where: All over India.
What is Special: Shani Jayanti is a celebration of the birth anniversary of Lord Shani who ruled planet Saturn and is the most favorable day to remove the malicious effects of the planet.
Hemis Festival
Hemis Festival is a two-day festival celebrated in a 300-year-old Hemis monastery near Leh. It is a two-day long festival that marks the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. Hemis Monastery adorned beautifully, with Buddhist lamas and monks gather to perform the sacred mask dance. The sacred dances, contradictory explanations, and special musical performances are the major highlights. A beautiful opportunity to experience the life of Ladakhi as it is an occasion for villagers and families to come together and socialize.
When: 28-28 June 2023.
Where: Ladakh
What is Special: Hemis Festival is a two-day festival hosted at the Hemis Gompa Monastery is a colorful festival showcasing the beautiful handicrafts of the area. Natives also dress up in lovely traditional attires.
Sital Sasthi
Sital Sasthi is a Hindu festival that celebrates the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The festival is celebrated on the sixth day of the bright fortnight in the Hindu month of ‘Jyestha’ which corresponds to the months of May-June in the Gregorian calendar. The festival is celebrated with immense fervor all over India, especially in the Sambalpur district of Orissa.
The carnival in Sambalpur attracts thousands of tourists from all over India and abroad. The three-day celebration is called the ‘Sital Sasthi Yatra Festival’, wherein a family is chosen to play the role of Goddess Parvati’s family to propose marriage to Lord Shiva. Since Shiva is known as ‘Swayam Bhu’, no one plays the role of his family. The festival is attended by a large number of ‘Hijras’ and ‘Eunuchs’, as Shiva is also referred to as ‘Ardhanarishwara’.
When: May 26, 2023.
Where: Sambalpur, Orissa.
What is Special: Sital Sasthi is the celebration of the divine marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati on ‘sasthi’ (6th day) during the ‘Shukla Paksha‘.
Fathers Day
This day is celebrated all across the globe and is dedicated to all the fathers, in order to make them feel special. It is honoring fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. One can show their gratitude, appreciation, and love towards their father and feel him special by giving gifts, cards, and doing something special for him on this day.
When: June 18 (Third Sunday)
Where: Across the world
What is Special: A day to honor fatherhood and paternal bonds, show them your love with gifts and activities. A time to show your love and care to Dad, Grandpa, Papa, and all the dads.
Shimla Summer Festival
The Shimla summer festival is an annual event, which is organized every summer during the peak tourist season at the heart of the city. Shimla is the favorite hill station of many people. If you plan to visit Shimla in the summer, you can also enjoy the summer festival with a glimpse of traditional hill culture in addition to the beautiful spots. People come from far and wide to see Shimla Summer Festival.
When: June 2023.
Where: Shimla
What is Special: Best time to visit Shimla the hill station during summers and witness the Summer Festival which adds amazing colors to Shimla with its natural beauty.
Saga Dawa Festival
Saga Dawa called the “month of merits” is celebrated to mark the birth, enlightenment, and attainment of Nirvana of Gautam Buddha, on the full moon day of the fourth month of the Buddhist calendar. It is a month-long Festival that mostly happens across Gangtok in the form of processions, prayers, and extending alms to the needy.
When: June 4, 2023.
Where: Gangtok
What is Special: It is one of the biggest festivals of the region which brings the culture of the Sikkimese to the fore.
Kottiyoor Utsavam
The Kottiyoor Utsavam is held every year during the months of May – June. Kottiyoor Utsavam is known as the Vaisakha Maholsavam festival. A 28-day festival taking place at the Akkare Kottiyoor and Ikkare Kottiyoor temples deep in the dense forest. The festival commences with the Neyyattam ritual and concludes with the Thirukalasattu.
Kottiyoor is a very old pilgrim center that is purely dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvathi. The Kottiyoor Utsavam engages two of the famous temples which are situated on the opposite banks of the Bovali River are Akkare Kottiyoor and Ikkare Kottiyoor. The very beautiful and auspicious festival marks the real presence of God on Earth.
When: 6th May – 28th June 2023.
Where: Kannur, Kerala
What is Special: It is the only time when the Akkare temple is kept open and the village hosts a wonderful fair to mark the occasion.
Champakulam Boat Race
The Champakulam Moolam Boat Race is one of the oldest and most popular vallam kali (snake boat race) after Aranmula Boat Race in Kerala. Held in its zigzag backwaters of Kerala during the harvest season is a tradition of more than 500 years. Champakulam Moolam Boat Race is held to mark the day when the Lord Krishna’s idol was brought by boat and installed at Sri Krishna Temple, Ambalapuzha. The celebrations incorporate decorated boats, spectacular water floats, and vanchipattu – the song of the rowers.
When: 23rd June 2023.
Where: Champakulam, Kerala
What is Special: Champakulam Boat Race is the oldest and most popular boat race of Kerala. The snake boat driven by hundreds of rowers through the peaceful water is really a sight to behold.
Sao Joao Festival
Sao Joao Festival is a Catholic festival celebrated in Goa and is a part of Goa’s Portuguese heritage. It is the feast of St John the Baptist. A tribute to the saint who baptized Jesus in the Jordan River. The main celebrations are at Siolim in North Goa, close to the Siolim Church.
The feast is marked by people of all ages across the state by jumping into wells, ponds, and rivers. There is a lot of festivities all around as people decorate themselves with flowers, leaves, unique headgear, and wear masks. The festival is then followed by different types of folk dances and the exchange of fruits and other eatables between friends and relatives.
When: 23rd June 2023
Where: Goa
What is Special: The Sao Joao Festival is an Annual Christian Water-Fest when the procession of floats at carried along with the pool parties. The other lively and high-spirited dances, Goan do are out of the boxes and worth seeing.
UP mango festival
Uttar Pradesh Mango Festival, reviving and keeping alive the rich Mango culture of the state, promoting farmers and entrepreneurs. This is a festival organized to revive and keep alive the rich mango traditions of Uttar Pradesh, to support small farmers and to boost eco-tourism, and aim to establish Lucknow as the Mango Capital of the World.
When: June 2023
Where: Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
What is Special: It is one of the biggest mango food festivals held in Uttar Pradesh, where you can see dishes from royal households and signature dishes by chefs. Rare mango varieties will also be showcased by farmers.
