As India is a land of diversity, you will find different festivals in each part of the country. When it comes to the eastern zone, you can witness some amazing celebrations. From Durga Puja to Rath Yatra, the eastern charm can steal your heart. By reading this article, you will learn about the best six festivals in East India.
The east part of India includes four states; West Bengal, Odisha, Bihar, and Jharkhand. Being culturally diverse, these four states have different festivals. In this article, we are sharing the best celebrations from these states. Make sure you are reading them carefully.
Contents
Best Festivals in East India
The best thing about the eastern zone is you will find both differences and similarities. That’s the reason why India has become one of the most significant countries. In the following list, we are sharing the best festivals in East India. So, let’s get started:
1. Durga Puja
When we are talking about the eastern part of India, we shouldn’t miss out on Durga Puja. Being a cultural hub of the country, West Bengal celebrates Durga Puja with full devotion, enthusiasm, and passion.
Hench, this one is one of the most amazing festivals in India. However, West Bengal is not the only place where Durga Puja is celebrated. Neighboring states like Bihar, Odisha, and Jharkhand celebrate Durga Puja with the same enthusiasm.
2. Rath Yatra
Rath Yatra is the biggest festival in Odisha. A grand celebration that is dedicated to Lord Jagannath. The devotees participate in the huge chariot yatra with the deities of Lord Jagannath and his siblings Balaram and Subhadra.
The construction of the chariots began two months prior to the celebration. Puri is the main center of Rath Yatra. Besides Odisha, West Bengal also celebrates Rath Yatra.
3. Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is one of the most popular festivals of Bihar. Being an ancient land, Bihar has a deep root in religion. Well, Chhath Puja is dedicated to Sun God and his wife Chhatti Maiyya. Devotees have to follow several rituals to complete this puja.
4. Makar Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is one of the best festivals in East India. Hence, this festival is celebrated in different parts of India. Well, this celebration has different names in different places. For example, Tamil Nadu celebrates Pongal while North India celebrates Lohri. On the other hand, Assam celebrates Bihu during Makar Sankranti.
Basically, Makar Sankranti is the harvest festival of Bihar. It has several mythological significance. On the other hand, Makar Sankranti is popular as the Poush Sankranti in West Bengal.
5. Kali Puja
Besides Durga Puja, Kali Puja is one of the most popular festivals in West Bengal. Well, Goddess Kali is the main worshipped figure in Kolkata. So, Kali Puja is dedicated to Goddess Kali. Devotees offer various types of offerings to the Goddess Kali including lentils and sweets.
6. Chandan Yatra
Chandan Yatra is another popular festival in Odisha. Well, this festival is a 42-days long celebration. Thousands of devotees participate in Chandan Yatra. In this festival, the deities are taken out for holy patron in a traditional boat. Chandan Yatra is celebrated from April to May.
Conclusion
As we noted before, the eastern zone has several differences yet similarities. We have covered the top festivals in East India. Make sure you are experiencing them once in your lifetime. So, try to visit these places during festivals. For more information, you can read our other articles. You can also start your research regarding this topic.
Ruchira is the founder of India Travelpedia, a writer by passion and profession. Besides writing, she’s a travel buff, foodie, and culture enthusiast.
