Festivals in Bihar State 2025

Bihar is a land of rich cultural heritage, where festivals are celebrated with immense enthusiasm and joy. The famous festivals of Bihar are a vibrant mix of tradition, spirituality, and community bonding. Among the most revered is Chhath Puja, a festival dedicated to the Sun God, which is unique to Bihar and celebrated with great devotion. People gather at riverbanks to offer prayers, fast for days, and seek blessings for health and prosperity. This festival reflects the deep spiritual connection the people of Bihar have with nature. Another significant festival celebrated in Bihar is Makar Sankranti, known locally as Khichdi. This festival marks the end of winter and the beginning of the harvest season. It is a time when people come together to prepare and share a traditional dish made of rice and lentils, symbolizing unity and togetherness. Kite flying, a popular activity, further enhances the festive spirit during this time.

Holi, the festival of colors, is another widely celebrated festival in Bihar. People of all ages come together to splash colors on each other, sing, dance, and enjoy festive sweets. The festival is not just a celebration of colors and the victory of good over evil. It brings communities closer, breaking barriers of caste and creed. Diwali, the festival of lights, is celebrated with great pomp and grandeur across Bihar. Homes are decorated with lamps, candles, and rangolis, and people burst firecrackers to celebrate the victory of light over darkness. The festival also involves worshiping Goddess Lakshmi, and eking her blessings for wealth and prosperity.

The festivals celebrated in Bihar are a true reflection of its cultural diversity and unity. Whether it's the devotion of Chhath Puja, the warmth of Makar Sankranti, the vibrancy of Holi, or the sparkle of Diwali, each festival holds a special place in the hearts of the people. These Bihar festivals are not just religious observances but also a powerful means to preserve the rich traditions and foster a sense of community among the people, uniting them in a shared cultural experience.

Sr. No.	List of Festivals in Bihar State 2025	More Information
1	Makar Sankranti Mela
2	Buddha Jayanti
3	Nag Panchami
4	Bihula
5	Chitragupta Puja
6	Jitiya
7	Mahavir Jayanti
8	Pitrapaksha Mela
9	Ram Navami
10	Rajgir Mela
11	Sama Chakeva
12	Sitamarhi Vivah
13	Chhath Puja
14	Sonepur Mela
15	Teej

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15 Bihar Festivals List with Dates and Images

1 Makar Sankranti Mela

Makar Sankranti Mela is when the sun moves into the zodiac of Capricorn with great cheer across all of Bihar. It is one of the most important and renowned festivals of Bihar, where people fly kites, indulge in feasting, and other essential rituals begin to bid farewell to the winter season. The devotees take holy dips in rivers and offer prayers to the sun god. A colourful kite of traditional music and a local food stall setting provide a fair atmosphere. It is one of the significant festivals of Bihar, where innumerable cultural richness, along with the festive feeling of the region, presents itself when people gather to celebrate.

2 Buddha Jayanti

Buddha Jayanti marks the birthday of Lord Buddha and is one of the crucial events under the auspices of Bihar festivals. It commemorates grand reverence by devotees across the world in Bodh Gaya. Buddha shrines follow all day in prayers, meditation, and ritual masses. Cultural programs regarding the thoughts and values of the Buddhists are necessary to foster peace and harmony. This influential Bihar festival goes about celebrating the life of Buddha and paying homage to his message of compassion and non-violence. It makes for a perfect setup, projecting the spiritualism of Bihar and the importance accorded to Buddhism.

3 Nag Panchami

The Nag Panchami worships snakes, particularly the Naga, symbolising fertility and safety. This Bihar festival includes milk and flower offerings for snake idols and natural habitats. The rituals of the day signify respect for nature and its dwellers. Various activities, such as prayers, congregation, and so on, are performed to assert how vital it is for humans to be with fellow humans and their surroundings. Represented among the famous festivals of Bihar, Nag Panchami demonstrates how this region is a treasure trove of culture and worship for wild animals, hence maintaining ecological balance along with spiritual bonding.

4 Bihula

The Bihula festival is about Bihula's folklore and her commitment towards her husband, who highlights all the motives based on love and sacrifice. This folklore Bihar festival revolves around its narration through storytelling, folk songs, and dance that involves people in its rich story. The festival is very well represented with fireworks and light-hearted celebrations, shedding importance on cultural heritage and the marital bond. People gather to participate in various activities while narrating tales and enjoying traditional food. As one of the popular Bihar festivals name, Bihula depicts the artistic behaviour of the region and displays the depth of local traditions in the form of frolic festivities.

5 Chitragupta Puja

Chitragupta Puja is an homage to Lord Chitragupta, who keeps books on human performance. This famous Bihar festival is generally observed and widely celebrated by the members of the Kayastha community in Bihar. The main aim behind the rituals is to seek good fortune and prosperity. In such elaborate prayers and offerings, honesty and integrity are involved. That is the essence of all the rituals. In such feasting and family gatherings, bonding within communities gets stronger. Chitragupta Puja is a popular Bihar festival name that highlights ethics and accountability amidst everyday life.

6 Jitiya

This is an important festival celebrated by Bihar mothers for their children's well-being and long life. This is an essential fasting ritual wherein mothers pray for their child's good health and prosperity. Songs and communal feasting fill the day when the fast is broken. Jitiya is a symbol of love and devotion that a mother has towards her child and brings families together to celebrate. The Bihar festival emphasises family ties and the deep-rooted cultural practices that emerge to develop community values.

7 Mahavir Jayanti

Mahavir Jayanti is the birth of Mahavir, the 24th Tirthankara of Jainism. Several factors, including the non-violence and truthfulness associated with the foundation festival of Bihar, make the people inclined towards aiming and praying for participation in the activities and rituals organised during that period. Processions, almsgiving, and meetings of the communities in remembrance of the teachings of Mahavir mark the day. As one of the Bihar festivals, it generates a sense of togetherness that cherishes the diverse cultural practice of Jainism in the region.

8 Pitrapaksha Mela

Pitrapaksha Mela is an extraordinary event where families pay homage to their ancestors through prayers and offerings. The mela in Gaya is a site for devotees across the nation who want peace and prosperity for the souls of their ancestors. Along with these, there are a few other activities during the mela, which include "Tarpan", traditionally conducted at the sacred sites, community gatherings, and cultural programs. At various holy sites across the country, many devotees visit Gaya this time to perform rituals. This festival symbolises family and remembrance, and that is why it is one of the festivals of Bihar, along with life-and-death issues between generations.

9 Ram Navami

Ram Navami is Lord Rama's birthday. Bihar has high enthusiasm towards this festival. This famous festival of Bihar involves processions, praying, and rituals in temples, whereby many are rendered solace. Communities reenact the episodes of Ramayana, repeating the lessons of good and evil. The joy occurs with classical songs, dances, and worship products, representing Bihar's cultural tradition well. As one of the key festivals in Bihar, Mahavir Jayanti observes devotion, family, and community while representing the broader meanings that embody the diverse expressions of local culture.

10 Rajgir Mela

One of the most remarkable cultural events hosted in the ancient town of Rajgir is the Rajgir Mela. Mela is a celebration dedicated to Lord Buddha. It brings out the religious heritage of the region. The region has all during the mela; tourists visit Rajgir, where people indulge in traditional music performances, dance performances, and food stalls. The historical importance of Rajgir attracts special attention, for this house contains old temples and hot springs. Being a product of spirituality and culture, the Rajgir Mela is the quintessence of rich traditions and history as followed in Bihar, making it a rare event in the calendar of festivals celebrated in Bihar.

11 Sama Chakeva

Sama Chakeva is a festival that calls for brother-and-sister relations to be sweet, which is very much practised in Bihar. This festival is unique because it involves making clay birds on this occasion, accompanied by songs and rituals. This day is an opportunity to pray for the brothers' well-being and longevity. Being the significant festival of Bihar, Sama Chakeva presents the family values of love and togetherness. The merrymaking engulfed with folk music and dance unites the communities and, hence, is integral to the festival of Bihar.

12 Sitamarhi Vivah

Sitamarhi Vivah is also the fest for the divine marriage of Lord Rama and Sita, which holds much of the cultural activity in Bihar. This colourful festival includes the performing of a lot of rituals, processions, and community feasts. It is one of the Bihar festivals whose name is celebrated with great enthusiasm, and the tale of the Ramayana is performed by the followers, projecting the principles of love, devotion, and duty. The interactive festival reminds everyone of the folklore and the region's rich heritage. Being one of the trendy Bihar festival names, it reflects cultural pride and communal harmony through collective celebration.

13 Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja is one of the most sacred Bihar festivals, and it is highly respected. It observes the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya, which means thankfulness for life's blessings. Devotees fast for four days and make offerings on riverbanks. The festival marks time with community gatherings, songs, and rites, along with the vivacity of the atmosphere. Families get together, representing a covenant and belief, so this event is significant in the state. This prominent festival of Bihar sees individuals from all walks of life portray the world of nature and spirituality.

14 Sonepur Mela

The Sonepur Mela is held annually and is one of the largest cattle fairs and a famous festival in Bihar. Sonepur hosts this grand event, attracting thousands of traders and visitors from all over the country. The fair offers various activities, including artists' shows, local handicrafts, and delicious street food. The Sonepur Mela is an ancient festival that has been celebrated for centuries. It serves as a festival and a celebration of the traditions and heritage of the local people. It is a significant part of Bihar's cultural calendar, where livestock is bought and sold.

15 Teej

Teej is a colourful festival that thrives among the female folk of Bihar, marking the onset of the rainy season. This prominent festival of Bihar revolves around the merriment of marital bliss and the reinforcement of women's autonomy. Women don beautiful dresses and participate in devotional rituals performed for Goddess Parvati's sake, seeking their husbands' health and well-being. The function involves singing, dancing, and community feasts, marking a blissful bonanza. As one of the famous festivals of Bihar, Teej symbolises cultural richness and refreshes bond spirits among the female population along with their families to celebrate this auspicious day.

FAQs About Festivals in Bihar

Q1.

What is Chhath Puja? How is it performed in Bihar?

Chhath Puja is one of the most important festivals in Bihar, devoted to the Sun God and Chhathi Maiya as an expression of gratitude for the nourishment received in life. The ceremony spans four days of fasting, offering to riverbanks, social gatherings, and rituals, demonstrating Bihar's rich spiritual and cultural heritage.
Q2.

What are the activities of the Sonepur Mela?

Sonepur Mela is one of Bihar's biggest cattle fairs, providing various activities such as cattle trading, cultural programs, local handicrafts, and good street food. The festival dates back centuries and is dedicated to the region's traditions and rich heritage. All traders and other visitors from distant parts of the country flock to this fair.
Q3.

How do people celebrate Makar Sankranti Mela in Bihar?

Makar Sankranti has happy festivities, such as flying kites, traditional feasting, and performing rituals. People take holy dips in rivers and pay homage to the Sun God. Skies are filled with multicoloured kites, and people relish traditional folk music and food stalls during the festival.
Q4.

What is Buddha Jayanti in Bihar?

Buddha Jayanti is Lord Buddha's birthday, which is mainly celebrated in Bihar, more precisely in Bodh Gaya. On this day, only praying, meditation and programs that play cultural elements connected with compassion and non-violence are marked. Bihar is distinct in its spiritual values and has a significant association with the religion of Buddhism.
Q5.

What is the significance of the Jitiya festival?

Jitiya is a great festival where mothers in Bihar perform to ensure their children's health and long life. Fasting takes place, along with praying for their child's well-being, and then, after breaking the fast, communal feasting occurs. It expresses family ties and the depth of a mother's love.
Q6.

How is Nag Panchami celebrated in Bihar?

This snake worship festival mainly focuses on the worship of the Naga, which is presenting and safety. In this ritual, people have been known to offer milk and flowers to the idol of snakes and their natural habitats. The above rituals cast an impression concerning respect for nature and its creatures, reflecting Bihar's cultural reverence for wildlife and ecological balance.

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