This study employs a qualitative, interdisciplinary approach combining ethnographic observation, textual analysis of Hindu epics (Ramayana and Devi Mahatmya), and a review of secondary literature on Indian sociology. The festivals are analyzed through three lenses: mythological significance , regional performance , and socio-economic function .
The autumn season (Sharad Ritu) in India, spanning approximately September to November, represents a period of climatic transition, agricultural harvest, and profound religious significance. Unlike the monsoonal deluge or winter’s chill, autumn offers clear skies, temperate weather, and the symbolic victory of light over darkness. This paper explores the major festivals of this season—Navratri, Durga Puja, Dussehra, Diwali, and Karva Chauth—analyzing their mythological roots, regional variations, socio-economic impact, and their role in reinforcing communal and familial bonds. The paper argues that autumn festivals serve as a critical mechanism for cultural transmission, economic redistribution, and the collective celebration of agrarian success. autumn season festivals in india
| Festival | Primary Deity | Core Ritual | Dominant Region | Agrarian/Economic Link | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | | Durga | Garba dance, Fasting | Pan-India | Post-monsoon sowing celebration | | Durga Puja | Durga | Idol immersion | East India | Celebration of kharif harvest readiness | | Dussehra | Rama/Durga | Effigy burning | North & South India | Victory over pests/evil forces | | Diwali | Lakshmi/Ganesha | Lighting lamps | Pan-India | End of financial year, new accounting | | Karva Chauth | Shiva/Parvati | Moonrise fasting | Northwest India | Historically linked to warrior cycles | Unlike the monsoonal deluge or winter’s chill, autumn
India’s festival calendar is intricately tied to its ecological and astronomical rhythms. The autumn months (Ashwin and Kartik in the Hindu lunar calendar) are widely considered the most auspicious time of the year. Following the rains, the earth is fertile, the skies are clear, and the harvest of kharif crops begins. This paper will dissect five key festivals: the nine nights of Navratri, the grand immersion of Durga Puja, the burning of Ravana on Dussehra, the luminous celebration of Diwali, and the fasting of Karva Chauth. | Festival | Primary Deity | Core Ritual
The Autumnal Mosaic: A Study of Cultural and Religious Festivals in the Indian Autumn Season
