Gudi Padwa and Ugadi mark the new year in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, and Chaitra Navratri also begins this day.

Ram Navami celebrates the birth of Lord Rama with prayers, bhajans and prasad.

Akshaya Tritiya is considered one of the luckiest days of the year to buy gold and start new ventures, and is the second biggest gold-buying day after Dhanteras.

Eid al-Adha is the festival of sacrifice, marked with prayers, sharing food with the community and gifts for family. The date depends on moon sighting.

Janmashtami celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna with midnight prayers, fasting, decorated cribs and Dahi Handi.

Hartalika Teej is observed by women who fast for the well-being of their husbands and for a good match, with songs, mehendi and green attire.

Ganesh Chaturthi is a ten-day festival welcoming Lord Ganesha into homes and pandals, ending with Ganesh Visarjan on 14 September.

Onam is Kerala's harvest festival with floral pookalams, the grand Onasadya feast and traditional dress.

Sharad Navratri is nine nights of devotion to Goddess Durga, celebrated with garba, dandiya, fasting and colour-coded outfits.

Dussehra celebrates the victory of good over evil, with Ravana effigies burnt and new beginnings considered auspicious.

Dhanteras opens the five-day Diwali celebration and is considered the most auspicious day to buy gold, silver and new utensils for prosperity.

Choti Diwali marks the victory of good over evil with the first lamps, rangoli and sweets exchanged between neighbours.