Todays list is about fall festivals from India (almost!).. Featuring books for various festivals we have across India during the fall. This week’s Top Ten Tuesday’s theme is fall books (actually Books on My Fall 2023 To-Read List). I twisted it just a little to feature books related to the many fall festivals from India (some mentioned in this post here and here).

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10 Great Books for Fantastic Fall Festivals

Fall Festivals: The First One for this Post: Krishna Janmashtami

This festival celebrates the birth of the charming Lord Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. My post linked in Related Reads has more about the festival as well. We celebrated this a couple of weeks ago this year.

The Complete Life of Krishna

My Quick Thoughts: This one is for those looking to learn more about this avatar of Lord Vishnu, Krishna, and also those curious about him. At almost 500 pages, this one reminds readers to take it slow, and dip into the book a little at a time (like I am currently doing). I have not read this author before but it looks like she has also a similar book that relates the story of Rama as well.

The Complete Krishna Trilogy

My Quick Thoughts: Each book in Bhakti Mathur’s series of books is charming and perfect for its target audience of young readers. Both the rhyming narrative and the vibrant illustrations are sure to keep readers enchanted and engrossed throughout.

Next of the Fall Festivals Featured Today: Ganesha Chathurthi

This one celebrates the remover of obstacles and the god of new beginnings, the Hindu God Ganesha. We are celebrating it this week in fact.

Ganesha

My Quick Thoughts: Well, there is nothing more i can say except that the Amar Chitra Katha series are what I grew up with, and will always remain a treasured favorite.

Ganesh

I have always admired and loved Subhadra Sen Gupta’s writing, and this one is no different. Her retelling of the stories of Lord Ganesh make this one a great read for all ages.

The Third One, and My Favorite of the Fall Festivals: Navaratri

One of my, or rather my favorite festival of all – Navaratri (from Oct 15 – 24 this year). Navaratri literally translates to nine nights and we celebrate this with various events and in myriad ways across India. As I have mentioned many a time on my blog, we celebrate it with the golu (a display of dolls). For more books, check out this post.

The Doll That Bommakka Made

I loved this read, written in simple rhyming language in the style of ‘This is the house that Jack built’ poems. We see the doll that Bommakka made taking shape from a lump of clay to a beloved family heirloom kept in the golu (display of dolls during the Navaratri festival). As you might know from previous posts, the Navaratri golu is one of my favorite parts of the year!

Malgudi Adventures

Reading R. K. Narayan always is pure bliss and happiness. And the reason why I included this book in this list is because the book includes one story set in the Navaratri season, simply titled, Navaratri Adventure. If you have not read this author before, check him out, and you will find yourself transported to charming, quaint Malgudi where life is simpler!

One of the Most de-Lightful Fall Festivals: Diwali (Deepavali)

And then there is Deepavali or Diwali, the grand festival of lights! My related read post linked below has more about Diwali (including more reads!) This year, it falls on November 12th.

Stories of the World: Diwali

Like the description says, this book tells the story of Diwali such that it is sure to appeal to young audiences both through its delightful, easy to understand text and its charming illustrations.

Prince of Fire

My Quick Thoughts: A very beautifully illustrated retelling of the story of Diwali and Lord Rama.

And One Last One: Kartikeya Deepam (This One Almost Takes Us to Winter)

This is another festival of lights that celebrates Lord Kartikeya, the son of Shiva and Parvati. It is more prevalent in my native state of Tamil Nadu. I wrote a poem about the festival ages ago, and you can read. it here. It is one of those simple festivals I have come to cherish for its simplicity, and for the god it celebrates too. My focus during these festivals is the cultural and traditional aspects of the same (plus, the food part too) than the religious aspect of them.

Karttikeya

My Quick Thoughts: A beloved god for Tamilians (I am one!) and one whose stories have been retold many times at home by grandmoms and moms and aunts! Plus, this one is an Amar Chitra Katha, treasured by me since childhood.

Another book I discovered about Kartikeya that I am now reading and enjoying is Usha Narayanan’s Kartikeya and His Battle with the Soul Stealer . This one is not a children’s book though older teens and YA with an interest in mythology and fantasy fiction will be sure to enjoy it.

Then a Book to Wrap Around Everything

The Little Book of Hindu Deities

Related Reads

• The Goddess of Wealth Begins Wonderful Festivities: Five Here
• Five Fun & Fascinating Facts About the Navaratri Festival

And Now, the End of This Post

Dear reader, which book appeals the most to you? Which of them have you read before? Any favorite mythological tales that you would like to recommend, no matter which part of the world?