Unique festivals of India that are celebrated during the monsoon season

These unique fiestas showcase the cultural and religious extravaganza of the Indian states

Hareli festival is an important harvest festival for the tribal state, Chattisgarh. This occasion is celebrated by its farmers' society in the month of saavan (monsoon). The Goddess 'Kutki Dai' is the presiding deity worshiped during this festival for good crops.

With the onset of monsoon, Goa celebrates' its rain festival Sao Joao every year. It is celebrated by the Catholics residing in Goa, on the occasion of the birth of St. John the Baptist. The local youth in the villages of Goa takes the full joy of the festival by getting drunk and jumping into wells according to the tradition of Sao Joao festival. People wear head crowns-- tiara on the day and get mixed in the colors of celebration.

Janmashtami celebrated every year all over the country on the occasion of Lord Krishna's birth. It is celebrated in the variant ways in different parts of the country. For instance, in Maharashtra, Dahi Handi (vessel of curd) is celebrated, where a group of young men make a tower and break the vessel.

Another important festival, Ganesh Chaturthi is the 10-day long festival celebrated every year on Lord Ganesha's birthday and is celebrated as a public event in the Western states of India, especially in Maharashtra. Huge handcrafted idols are worshiped on this festival.

Hemis Gompa, the largest and richest Buddhist monastery in Ladakh celebrate this popular yearly festival called Hemis Festival. This two-day festival is celebrated on the 10th day of the Tibetan lunar month and remembered as the birth of Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibetan Buddhism. On this festival the Lamas perform sacred masked dance, known as Chaam while they are accompanied by musical drums and long horns.

Nariyal festival, also known as coconut festival is celebrated in the western states of India. Falls in the month of Sharvana (monsoon) Purnima, which symbolises the end of the monsoon season and marks the beginning of the new fishing season for the fishermen.

Raksha Bandhan is a most popular festival of India, celebrated in the month of sharavana or saavan (monsoon). It is the day which symbolises the love and affection in between brothers and sisters. The significance of tying a rakhi on the wrist of brothers indicates the bond and a promise of protection.

Where, Rath Puri Yatra, also known as Jagganath Rath Yatra is an auspicious and the vibrant festival that takes place in the monsoon. On this occasion, the chariot of Lord Jagannath as tall as 45.6 feets and comprises of 18 wheels are pulled by the devotees. This festival attracts tourists in large number from all over the country.

Behdienkhlam festival, is celebrated in the month of July for good health, property and bumper harvest. Also, it is celebrated by the Pnars as a form of homage which is paid to the Gods of the Seven Huts who arrived in the region from heaven and established a kingdom here.

Minjar festival is celebrated in Chamba, Himachal Pradesh as a fair. This festival is celebrated in between the month of July-August as a kind of thanksgiving to the god of rain and prayers for good harvest. The township of Chamba has become a major attraction for the tourists from all over the country because of this fair.

Aadi Perukku is an important festival for all Tamilians, especially to newly weds. Starting from the mid of July- August, which is considered to be the month when sun's heat diminishes and rain starts. The festival pay tribute to water?s life-sustaining properties celebrated near river basins, water tanks, lakes and wells.

Onam Festival is celebrated by the end of monsoon in August or in the beginning of September. It is the harvest festival celebrated by the ?Malay? community of Kerala. Women make Rangoli from the petals of flowers, various other activities take place like-- folk dances like Thiruvathira Kali, and Vallamkali, and a famous snake boat race on the Pampa River.