• When: March (Phalgun month)
• Significance: Celebrates the triumph of good over evil and the arrival of spring.
• Special in UP: Mathura and Vrindavan host grand celebrations with Lathmar Holi in Barsana and Phoolon ki Holi (flower Holi).

2. Diwali (दिवाली)

• When: October/November (Kartika month)
• Significance: Festival of lights celebrating Lord Rama’s return to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.
• Special in UP: Ayodhya organizes a grand “Deepotsav,” where millions of lamps are lit on the banks of the Sarayu River.

3. Navratri/Durga Puja (नवरात्रि/दुर्गा पूजा)

• When: Twice a year (March-April and September-October)
• Significance: Dedicated to Goddess Durga’s nine forms.
• Special in UP: Varanasi hosts grand Durga Puja and Ramlila performances during Navratri.

4. Krishna Janmashtami (कृष्ण जन्माष्टमी)

• When: August (Bhadrapada month)
• Significance: Marks the birth of Lord Krishna.
• Special in UP: Mathura and Vrindavan are major centers of celebration with Raas Leela performances and temple decorations.

5. Kumbh Mela (कुंभ मेला)

• When: Every 12 years (Allahabad, Prayagraj)
• Significance: One of the largest religious gatherings in the world, where devotees take a holy dip at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati rivers.
• Special in UP: Prayagraj is a key location for the Mela.

6. Ram Navami (राम नवमी)

• When: March/April (Chaitra month)
• Significance: Celebrates the birth of Lord Rama.
• Special in UP: Ayodhya hosts grand processions and rituals in temples.

7. Eid-ul-Fitr (ईद-उल-फितर)

• When: After the holy month of Ramadan.
• Significance: Celebrated by the Muslim community marking the end of fasting with prayers and feasts.
• Special in UP: Cities like Lucknow and Aligarh host grand celebrations and community feasts.

8. Makar Sankranti (मकर संक्रांति)

• When: January 14
• Significance: Marks the transition of the Sun into Capricorn and the harvest season.
• Special in UP: Varanasi hosts kite-flying festivals and the holy dip in the Ganga.

9. Dussehra (दशहरा)

• When: September/October
• Significance: Celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana.
• Special in UP: Varanasi, Lucknow, and Kanpur host elaborate Ramlila plays, culminating in Ravana effigy burning.

10. Maha Shivratri (महाशिवरात्रि)

• When: February/March
• Significance: Devotees worship Lord Shiva, commemorating his cosmic dance.
• Special in UP: Varanasi temples, especially Kashi Vishwanath Temple, see a massive influx of devotees.

11. Ganga Dussehra (गंगा दशहरा)

• When: May/June
• Significance: Celebrates the descent of the River Ganga to Earth.
• Special in UP: Ritual baths and Ganga aarti in cities like Varanasi, Allahabad (Prayagraj), and Haridwar.

12. Buddha Purnima (बुद्ध पूर्णिमा)

• When: April/May
• Significance: Celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Lord Buddha.
• Special in UP: Sarnath holds special prayers, processions, and meditation events.

13. Lucknow Mahotsav (लखनऊ महोत्सव)

• When: November/December
• Significance: Showcases Awadhi culture, cuisine, and art.
• Special in UP: Lucknow organizes this grand cultural festival every year.

14. Dev Deepawali (देव दीपावली)

• When: 15 days after Diwali (Kartika Purnima)
• Significance: A special celebration for gods, where lamps are lit on the banks of the Ganga.
• Special in UP: Varanasi hosts spectacular Ganga aarti and lighting ceremonies.

15. Chhath Puja (छठ पूजा)

• When: October/November
• Significance: Dedicated to the Sun God for health and prosperity.
• Special in UP: Eastern UP, especially Gorakhpur and Ballia, observes grand rituals on riverbanks.