A Detailed Guide For Travel In India During August 2025 Festive Season

Are you planning a trip within India in August 2025? There are many practical considerations you need to be aware of. We have put together a detailed guide to help you plan a safe and enjoyable trip this month. It covers travel tips, local suggestions, and important aspects of travelling in India during the festive season. Whether you're an Indian planning a domestic getaway or an international tourist on your first trip to the country, these tips will help you streamline your plans and ensure you return home with amazing memories. Check out our detailed guide to festive travel in India for August 2025 below:

What Makes Travel In India In August 2025 A Unique Experience?

• August Is Usually The Peak Of Monsoon In India

From a geographic perspective, travel experiences this month will be influenced by heavy rains in most parts of the country. This has its advantages as well as disadvantages, since there are different types of terrains across India. On a positive note, the downpour refreshes greenery, refills waterfalls and gives many landscapes brilliant makeovers. Since heavy rain brings inconvenience to city dwellers, many people love to escape to the countryside for short breaks in this season. However, it's always important to check weather conditions and local information about individual destinations before planning your trip. Certain mountainous regions have been prone to landslides in recent years. Additionally, beach getaways in India are not the best idea during the monsoon.

• Multiple Indian Festivals Are Taking Place In August 2025

From a cultural perspective, August in India (especially this year) can offer travellers a treasure trove of experiences. Many major festivals are going to be celebrated across the country with much fanfare this month. Some of them are private celebrations with intimate rituals. Others are grand public events that capture the spirit of a region. Whether you're a domestic tourist visiting another part of your country or an international tourist keen to explore India's rich cultural heritage, there's a lot to look forward to in August 2025.

Also Read: Which Indian Festivals Are Falling On Weekends In 2025? Book Your Holidays Now

Which Indian Festivals Will Be Celebrated In August 2025?

There's an Independence Day long weekend this year. Photo Credit: Unsplash

Here's a quick look at the major festivals happening this month, so you can time your travels accordingly.

• Raksha Bandhan 2025: August 9, Saturday

The festival honouring the special bond between brothers and sisters will take place on Saturday, August 9, this year.

• Independence Day 2025: August 15, Friday

India's 78th Independence Day falls on a Friday in 2025, giving the country a much-welcome long weekend.

• Parsi New Year 2025: August 15, Friday

Also known as Navroz, Parsi New Year 2025 (as per the Shahanshahi calendar) will be celebrated in India on the same day as Independence Day.

• Janmashtami 2025: August 15-16, Friday & Saturday

The birth of Lord Krishna will be celebrated over two days this year (August 15 and 16), coinciding with the same long weekend.

• Ganesh Chaturthi 2025: Begins August 27, Wednesday

The ten-day celebration of Lord Ganesha's arrival kicks off on August 27. The final visarjan procession will take place on September 6.

• Onam 2025: Begins August 26, Tuesday

The ten-day festival of Onam begins on August 26 this year. The most important day of celebration, Thiruvonam, falls on Friday, September 5.

Tips For Planning A Trip During The Festive Season In India

1. Overcrowding is a concern. But don't let it deter you

There's no denying that overcrowding is a major problem during festive seasons in India. And we're not just talking about the cities, towns or popular destinations. People also flock to remote places in large numbers to escape the holiday crowds. But that doesn't mean you can't have a fabulous festive trip in India. You simply need to plan more smartly. Research well and avoid spots that have an established history of overcrowding. Remember that multiple festivals are taking place on the 15-16-17 August long weekend. Those days are public holidays for most Indians, so expect higher footfall at tourist/leisure spots.

2. Be ready to pay more for tickets and accommodation

Any festive/holiday season means an increased demand for flight/train tickets and rooms at hotels. Thus, you need to be realistic - your festive trip is likely to cost you more money than usual. Many people make their travel plans for this season months in advance to get lower prices and secure their bookings before tickets/rooms get sold out. Spontaneous plans may be fun, but they also tend to be more expensive.

3. Take note of special trains

The Indian Railways often run extra trains during festive seasons to accommodate higher travel demand. This year, the Central Railway and Western Railway are set to operate 262 special trains to Konkan for Ganesh Chaturthi. This could help provide relief to the devotees and travellers planning to visit the region to celebrate the festival (which starts on August 27, 2025). Read more about Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 special trains.

4. Take traffic into consideration while making sightseeing plans

Even once you have reached your destination, you need to be strategic. In recent years, city-like traffic snarls have become common occurrences even at charming hill stations (where roads can barely accommodate two lanes). Therefore, choose a conveniently located hotel. Check distances between your accommodation and major sightseeing spots in terms of time. Don't just rely on Google Maps. Try to get local expertise about the best routes, the best times to visit and which spots you might be better off skipping altogether.

Personal tip: Always carry extra snacks and water bottles in your car while heading out for sightseeing, especially in this season. You never know how long you may be stuck inside. I learnt this the hard way during a long weekend monsoon trip to Lonavala a few years back. When we spotted a small food stall after hours of traffic on a remote road, we almost wept with relief.

5. Talk to locals to understand festive arrangements

Ganesh Chaturthi. Photo Credit: Pexels

If you want to explore cultural and festival events, ask a few locals for details and tips first. For instance, if you want to visit Ganpati pandals, check which ones are closest to you, which routes to take/avoid, when crowds would be lesser, what you need to wear, etc. You can find some information about this online. But certain arrangements and last-minute changes are known only to people who are from the area.

Note: Independence Day (August 15) is a national holiday in India. Many institutions and establishments, including certain sightseeing spots, may be closed on the day. Verify before you leave. Additionally, both 15 and 16 August (Janmashtami) will be observed as dry days this year. This means the sale of alcohol will be prohibited on these days.

6. Don't forget to take the weather into account

As mentioned earlier, August is generally the peak of the rainy season in many regions of India. The rain can affect your travel plans in many ways. Flight delays are common in the monsoon. Some sightseeing spots may be closed if the rains get too heavy. Don't forget to keep an eye on weather forecasts/alerts for your destination(s).

Also Read: India To Launch Its First Car Ferry Train Service Between Mumbai And Goa During Ganesh Chaturthi

Best Places To Visit In India For Festive Celebrations In August 2025 (And How To Experience Them Like A Local)

1. How To Celebrate Independence Day 2025 Like A Local:

On Independence Day, Indians across the country host flag hoisting ceremonies, cultural performances, patriotic parades and more. If you're an international traveller, you can consider attending these events to learn more about Indian history. Remember to follow the correct etiquette, especially during flag hoisting.

- Best Place To Visit For Independence Day 2025:

While this Independence Day is celebrated across the country, you will find the national capital of New Delhi especially abuzz during this time. The Prime Minister holds a flag hoisting ceremony at the Red Fort. There are also several formal events held on this day in the capital. As a tourist, you can go watch the sky fill with kites in Old Delhi and nearby areas. Flying kites on Independence Day is a cherished tradition in some parts of North India.

2. How To Celebrate Janmashtami 2025 Like A Local:

• You can watch Raas Leela performances, which are a key part of Janmashtami celebrations. This dance drama celebrates the divine love and playful interactions of Lord Krishna with Radha and the gopis.
• You can visit temples to take a look at festive rituals up close and participate in community feasts nearby.
• In Maharashtra, you can observe the popular "dahi handi" celebration. Devotees make human pyramids to reach and break an earthen pot filled with curd, which is suspended at a height.

- Best Places To Visit For Janmashtami 2025:

• Janmashtami is marked by Dahi Handi celebrations primarily in Maharashtra, as explained above.
• For deeply religious experiences, you can visit Mathura, which is considered the birthplace of Lord Krishna. Thousands of devotees from around the country come here for Janmashtami celebrations each year. Expect processions, devotional singing and public gatherings. Attend the midnight aarti, marking the exact time of Krishna's birth, at Shri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple.
• For a spiritual experience, you can also visit Vrindavan, which is only 10 km away from Mathura. It is believed that Lord Krishna spent his childhood here. You can immerse yourself in various large-scale festivities at the major temples in the area.

3. How To Celebrate Ganesh Chaturthi 2025 Like A Local:

You can visit new or historic pandals erected for Ganesh Chaturthi 2025. They house large Ganesha idols, often decorated grandly and artistically. Some spots follow a particular theme and have fascinating stories behind their idols. You can witness aarti ceremonies and devotional music events. There's also dancing and other rituals on Visarjan days (when the idols are immersed in the sea/large water bodies).

- Best Places To Visit For Ganesh Chaturthi 2025:

Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated in various pockets of India, including Mumbai, Pune, Goa, Hyderabad, Chennai, etc. Some of the most well-known celebrations on the grandest scale are typically found in Mumbai and Pune. Mumbai's extensive shoreline makes numerous sea immersions possible, which is a key part of the festival. It is also home to many famous Ganpati pandals, which attract people from all over the world.

4. How To Celebrate Onam 2025 Like A Local:

Onam celebrations. Photo Credit: Unsplash

Onam is an annual harvest festival mainly celebrated by people from Kerala. During the festive season of Onam, you can marvel at beautiful floral carpets called Pookalam and relish grand feasts called Onam Sadhya. If you get the chance, try to catch a performance of Pulikali (also known as "Tiger Dance"). This energetic folk art form is a popular attraction of the Onam festival.

- Best Places To Visit For Onam 2025:

Kerala is the best place to immerse yourself in Onam celebrations. You can go to destinations like Kochi, Thrissur, Alleppey and Trivandrum. For a unique experience, try to catch the Vallam kali (snake boat race) near Allepey. This traditional boat race involves special canoes and takes place during Onam on a specific day.

Make Your Travel Plans For August 2025!

In short, August 2025 is an amazing time to explore different parts of India. If you're interested in Indian culture and history, there are many immersive opportunities. Although you may face some challenges due to weather and crowds, there is also a lot to enjoy about this holiday season. Now that you have a detailed guide about festival celebrations in India this month, where are you planning to travel first?