Monsoon is a celebration in India. It is the time when the land drapes itself in a lush sheet of emerald, with colourful blooms popping up every which way. Monsoon is a trumpet call for the harvesting festivals, during which people pray for a good harvest. All the monsoon harvest festivals are marked by different customs and celebrations, which make them unique and interesting.

Onam
Onam is one of the most famous festivals in India that takes place during the monsoon. It is the best time for people to travel to Kerala, during August and September. Onam is an auspicious time in the state, as farmers rejoice at the arrivals of rains. The magnificent show of elephants, temple rituals, Kathakali dances form the pivotal part of the festivities. As people welcome the harvest season by dressing up in fine clothes, decorate their houses with flower patterns “Pookalam”, and feast upon homemade curries along with payasam (a rice pudding), the state undergoes a major transformation during this time. And not to forget, the major attraction of the festival are snake boat races, which transfix the viewers with a spectacular show.

Nariyal Poornima
Another festival of the harvest that takes place in the states of Maharashtra, Daman & Diu, and Madhya Pradesh is the “Nariyal Poornima”. Celebrated majorly by the fishermen who are dependent on the sea for their living, the festival takes place in the month of Shravan on a full moon day. The local people of the Koli fisher community offer a bowl of freshly made coconut rice to appease Lord Varuna, God of Sea. Bejeweled boats, garlands of flowers, and oil lit lamps are some of the signs of the festival which make it a  treat to the sore eyes. 

Hareli
Hareli is the major festival of Chhattisgarh that takes place on the new moon day of Shravan month. During the festivities, tribes in the state worship the farming equipment and pray for good crops. The celebrations are marked by the “Gedi” race, in which children mount bamboo sticks and walk across the fields. Along with the race, culinary dishes made out of rice also rule the festivities and give the state a new colour during harvest season.

Behdienkhlam
Behdienklam is one of the prime reasons why one should visit the north-eastern state of Meghalaya. The festival represents an annual cleansing and is accompanied by the dance of members of the Jaintia tribe. Delicious food, music, and sports are a part of the festivities, which soak the gorgeous state in another colour during the harvest season.

Minjar
Minjar is a popular fair that takes place in the town of Chamba, Himachal Pradesh. The week-long fair commences after the Minjar flag is hoisted in Chowgan and the town immerses in a colorful show. As the festival reaches its crescendo, the Minjar procession is marked by sports, cultural programs, dance troupes, local people in fine clothing, which give the celebrations a nice twist and hook onlookers to the celebrations.