Bihar Temple Festivals are enjoyable events celebrated especially in the months of Bhadon and Ashwin. This is the special time of the year marked by many religious observances and ceremonies. Since this is the most critical season of the year to the cultivators of Bihar, when he must have rain, several festivities are followed to satisfy the Gods and Goddesses to bestow grace on them. In the end of the former month, the cultivators observe the fast of Anant-brat in gratitude for the ingathering of the bhadai harvest and in the hope of further prosperity.

Chhath Puja is one of the primary Bihar Temple Festivals, celebrated with traditional dedication to worship the Sun god. It is celebrated on the sixth day after Deepavali, for one night and day. The people of Bihar especially married women, gather to the banks of river Ganga or to other nearby river ghats and ponds to offer a ritual prayer to Sun god for the prosperity, happiness and peaceful life of their family members as well as the long lives of their husbands. Offerings to the Lord include cow`s milk, coconut and other fruits. Some ardent male devotees move slowly in the entire route from their house to the riverbanks as an offering. Devotees observe total fast from sunrise and visit the riverbanks in the afternoon to pay homage. More than one lakh people congregate on the banks of Ganga where prayers are offered in a tranquil atmosphere. People from other castes also celebrate Chhath Puja with equal importance.

Navaratri is one of the major Bihar temple festivals connected with the autumnal equinox that begins on the first and ends on the tenth day of Navaratri. After the idol of Durga has been worshipped for nine continuous days, it is taken to the river and immersed into it. Dusshera celebrates the victory of Rama over Ravana. This Bihar temple festival it is also called Vijayadashami. Huge colourful paper and wooden effigies of Rama`s enemies, Ravana, Meghanada and Kumbhakarna are filled with fire works and burnt during Dussehra. However, the actual Puja takes place in temples of Lord Rama.

Holi and Diwali are the other important Bihar temple festivals. Hindu women worship Lord Shiva at Jeth Amavasya, thus ensuring the long life of their husband. At Mauni Amavasya they sit calmly under a pipal tree on the day of a new moon, provided it is a Monday. Nag Panchami, is a festival observed in temples on the fifth day of the bright half of Sravana. This festival begins with a fast and bathing fairs are held on the banks of rivers. Makar Sankranti is also a significant Bihar temple festival. On this occasion, the participants and believers eat rice flakes, curd and sweets made of til and make offerings to the deities in respective temples. Janmashtami Festival is observed on the eight day of the second fortnight in the month of Bhadrapada. Special meals are held and thousands of people visit the sacred places and temples of Lord Krishna.

Maha-Shivratri is celebrated with great rejoicing and feasting in the Shiva Linga temples. Other Bihar temple festivals include Saraswati puja, which is celebrated in all educational institutions, and images of goddess of learning are worshipped; Raksha Bandhan, Ramnavami, Godhan, Chitra gupta puja and so on. The Kayasthas and Viswakarma puja celebrate most of these festivals of Bihar.

There are many tribal festivals celebrated in the temples of Bihar, there is a succession of festivals throughout the year, which are connected with agricultural activities. The important Bihar temple festivals of the tribal groups are Sarhul, Karma and Soharai. Hindu tribals also celebrate Hindu festivals of Holi and Durga puja with great enthusiasm.

Sarhul is celebrated on the last day of Baisakh, which corresponds to the month of April and is an occasion of great festivity and enjoyment for people of all ages. All night maidens and youngsters sing and dance to the accompaniment of the drum, while the old sit and enjoy the enchanting dances. Soharai is another festival among the aboriginals and occurs in the month of Pous. On this occasion domestic animals are worshipped, after being washed and smeared with oil and vermilion. The tribals as well as non-tribals observe karma festival. The songs sung on this occasion relate the legends of Karma and Dharma. The Bihar temple festivals are popular celebrations and participated among all castes and sects.