Festivals in August 2026: Dates, Traditions & Travel Guide

The month of August marks the beginning of big festive celebrations in India. From Rakshabandhan and Teej in the North to Onam and Varalakshmi Vratam in the South, the entire month is filled with opportunities for family reunions, temple visits, and spiritual celebrations.

Here’s a quick breakdown of all the major festivals in August 2026 so you know exactly how you can plan your festive travel with redBus. 

Rakshabandhan

Rakshabandhan 2026 falls on Friday, 28th August 2026. On this day, sisters tie a Rakhi around their brothers’ wrists and perform a small aarti to pray for their happiness and well-being. Brothers will give their sisters small gifts in return and promise to protect them. 

Before Rakshabandhan 2026 arrives, here are some interesting facts about Rakhi you should know:

• Tying Rakhis is not limited to brothers and sisters. Rabindranath Tagore made the practice a part of the Indian freedom struggle as well. 
• Many people also tie Rakhis to cousins and close friends. 
• The most popular story associated with Rakshabandhan goes back to the Mahabharata, when Draupadi tied a piece of cloth around Lord Krishna’s injured finger, and he promised to always protect her.

Many people travel home for Rakhi every year, so bus tickets are always scarce. With Rakshabandhan 2026 falling on a Friday, bus routes are likely to be even busier than usual, so booking your tickets early on redBus is a good idea. 

Onam

For Kerala, Onam is one of the biggest festivals in August. Onam is celebrated to honour the return of King Mahabali and also marks the end of the harvest season. The 10-day festival celebrations begin with Atham, and each day is celebrated differently:

• Atham: The first Pookkalam (flower rangoli) is made with yellow flowers.
• Chithira: People clean their homes and add more flower petals to the Pookkalam.
• Chothi: Families buy new clothes, gifts, and jewellery.
• Vishakam: Homes start preparing for the Onam Sadhya.
• Anizham: The famous Vallam Kali (snake boat races) are held in many parts of Kerala.
• Thriketta: Families visit relatives and temples. 
• Moolam: Onam Sadhya is served, and folk dances like Pulikali and Kaikottikali are performed around Kerala.
• Pooradam: Small clay idols of King Mahabali and Vamana are placed in the centre of the Onam Pookkalam.
• Uthradam: Families finish shopping, prepare festive dishes, and get ready for Mahabali’s arrival.
• Thiruvonam: The main day of Onam is celebrated with Onam Sadhya, family gatherings, and cultural performances.

Witnessing Onam celebrations in Kerala is truly amazing. If you’re planning to go this year, you can book bus tickets on redBus in advance. You’ll easily find buses connecting Kochi, Thrissur, Alappuzha, and other major places in the state. 

Nag Panchami

Nag Panchami is a day for worshipping the Nagas or serpent Gods. Every year, Nag Panchami is celebrated on the 5th day of Shukla Paksha in the Shravan month. Nag Panchami 2026 falls on Monday, 17th August. 

Many devotees celebrate this day by:

• Visiting temples dedicated to serpent deities and offering prayers.
• Bringing various offerings like milk, flowers, rice, and turmeric. 
• Drawing snake symbols outside the entrance of homes to pray. 

While this day is celebrated across many states, Nag Panchami celebrations of the Kukke Subramanya Temple in Karnataka and the Battis Shirala district of Maharashtra remain famous. Many devotees visit these places to offer prayers. If you’re also planning to travel, remember to book your bus tickets well in advance via redBus to avoid the festive rush.

Teej

Teej 2026 includes Hariyali Teej (Chotti Teej) and Kajari Teej (Badi Teej). Hariyali Teej will be celebrated mid-August, while Kajari Teej will happen at the end of the month. Both these celebrations honour the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. 

Married women celebrate Hariyali Teej by fasting for the well-being of their husbands, while unmarried women pray for suitable husbands on this day. Women also receive Sinjara gifts like clothes and bangles from their parents before Teej. 

Badi Teej is celebrated a little differently. On this day, women fast and gather for evening prayers. They listen to Katha and offer Arghya to the moon before breaking their fast. In places like Rajasthan, Kajari folk songs are also sung by women.

Varalakshmi Vratam

As the name suggests, Varalakshmi Vratam is dedicated to the worship of Goddess Lakshmi. It is celebrated by married women in southern India on the last Friday of Shravan Shukla Paksha. Women pray to Goddess Lakshmi for the blessing of Ashta Lakshmi, the eight forms of the goddess.

Married women fast and perform the puja with the following rituals:

• A brass or silver pot (Kalasam) is cleaned and filled with water or rice.
• Five types of leaves (mango, neem, tulsi, banyan, and peepal) are arranged around the neck of the pot.
• A turmeric-smeared coconut is placed on top and covered with a new cloth.
• The pot is decorated with sandalwood paste and flowers to represent the Goddess.
• Offerings like flowers, sweets, betel nuts, and coins are placed before the pot.

Since Varalakshmi Vratam is a major festival in South India, many people travel back to their hometowns or even visit temples on this day. redBus offers easy ticket booking across cities and towns in Southern India, making it easier to plan your travel. 

Conclusion

August 2026 has several important festivals, with every part of India celebrating something during the month. Whether you’re travelling home for Rakhi celebrations with siblings or visiting Kerala for traditional Onam festivities, you should book your bus tickets with redBus before the festive rush starts. 

Since redBus offers a wide range of bus options, connecting thousands of routes with both RTC and private operators, finding tickets and planning for festival trips won’t be difficult.

FAQs

1. Which are the most important festivals in August 2026?
   Rakshabandhan, Onam, and Nag Panchami are some of the most important festivals in August 2026.
3. What is Onam Sadhya?
   Onam Sadhya is a traditional vegetarian multi-course meal served during Onam with about 25 different dishes. Traditionally, Onam Sadhya is served on a fresh banana leaf with dishes like Sambar, Avial, Thoran, Kaalan, Payasam, and Papad. 
5. What is the mythological significance of Onam?

Onam is believed to be the day when King Mahabali returns to his kingdom as per Hindu mythology. It is believed that Mahabali was a just and generous ruler, but the Gods feared his growing power. They sent Vishnu as Vamana (a dwarf) to ask Mahabali for 3 feet of land. Upon receiving the land, Vamana changed to his divine form and started covering the earth and sky with just two steps. When there was no place left for the third step, Mahabali offered his own head. His humility pleased Vishnu, who then blessed him with the power to return every year on Onam.

4. What is Onam Pookalam?

Onam Pookalam is a traditional flower rangoli that’s created outside homes in Kerala. These colourful rangolis are created on the first day of Onam, and more flowers are added on each day until Thirovonam. Onam Pookalam is believed to be a sign of welcoming King Mahabali. 

5. Which festival in August 2026 is dedicated to snake worship?
   Nag Panchami is the main festival in August 2026 that’s dedicated to the worship of snake gods. Devotees of the snake gods visit Naga temples, bring offerings, and perform special pujas on this day to seek their blessings.