Festivals

Festivals & celebrations

Search by festival name or region to read background, practices, food and significance.

Janmashtami

Marks the birth of Krishna and is widely observed across India and the diaspora.

Background: A major devotional festival in Vaishnava tradition, celebrated for centuries with night vigils, songs and temple ceremonies.
Traditional practices: Fasting, night prayers, devotional singing, cradle decoration and temple processions.
Food: Milk sweets, panjiri, fruit and dairy-based offerings.
Community significance: Many Yadav families observe it with particular devotion, alongside millions of others.

Uttar PradeshBiharRajasthanGujaratMaharashtraNepalDiaspora

Gopashtami

A day honouring cows and cattle-keeping traditions.

Background: Associated in tradition with Krishna's role as a cowherd, and observed in regions with strong pastoral heritage.
Traditional practices: Bathing and decorating cattle, prayers at cow shelters, community gatherings.
Food: Curd, milk and sweets shared among neighbours.
Community significance: Connects present-day observance with dairying and herding livelihoods.

Uttar PradeshRajasthanHaryanaMadhya Pradesh

Govardhan Puja / Annakut

Observed the day after Diwali, honouring Govardhan hill and cattle.

Background: Rooted in the Govardhan narrative and in harvest-season thanksgiving.
Traditional practices: Cattle worship, building food mountains at temples, community feasts.
Food: Large vegetarian offerings, sweets and dairy dishes.
Community significance: Strongly associated with pastoral communities in several northern regions.

Uttar PradeshBiharGujaratRajasthanDelhi

Sohrai / Cattle festival

A harvest and cattle festival observed in eastern India.

Background: Documented in Jharkhand, Bihar, West Bengal and Odisha as a post-harvest observance.
Traditional practices: Decorating cattle and houses, wall painting, folk song and dance.
Food: Rice dishes, seasonal sweets and local preparations.
Community significance: Celebrates the role of cattle in farming households.

JharkhandBiharWest BengalChhattisgarh

Holi

The spring festival of colour, celebrated across regions.

Background: A pan-Indian festival with distinct local forms, songs and fairs.
Traditional practices: Colour play, folk singing, community bonfires and village fairs.
Food: Gujiya, thandai, malpua and regional sweets.
Community significance: Regional folk traditions, including narrative singing forms, are prominent.

Uttar PradeshBiharHaryanaRajasthanNepalDiaspora

Regional fairs & cattle melas

Seasonal fairs that combine trade, livestock markets and cultural performance.

Background: Long-documented fairs remain important in many pastoral and agrarian districts.
Traditional practices: Livestock trade, wrestling bouts, folk performance and family outings.
Food: Local street food, dairy sweets and seasonal produce.
Community significance: Function as both economic and cultural gatherings.

RajasthanUttar PradeshGujaratMadhya PradeshMaharashtra

Observance varies

Festivals listed here are observed in some regions and families, often together with many other communities. Nothing on this page implies that every Yadav family observes every festival, or that any festival belongs to one community alone.