Bumble Study Finds Majority of Indians Want Dates for Festival Season

A new survey of Bumble’s Indian users found that 63 percent want a date for Festival Season. Many singles work and live away from their hometowns, and crave companionship at this time of year.

According to Hindustan Times, the study also found that 36 percent of respondents like to enjoy festival season with friends, and 27 percent with their partners.

Festivals occur in India year-round, but perhaps one of the more famous festivals, Diwali, is a five-day festival that takes place in October/ November and represents the start of the Hindu New Year. Specifically, it celebrates Lord Rama and his wife Sita’s return to their kingdom after defeating evil demons, according to Hindu tradition. The festivities are planned around the lunar cycle.  

While love is definitely in the air during this time, many young singles feel the pressure to be in a relationship, either from family or society. The study found that 30 percent of Indians feel self-conscious about being single during festivals, and 32 percent said the holidays could be lonely without a date.

According to Hindustan Times, thirty-two percent also agreed that they have felt pressure to find a date for activities during this time of year, especially when asked questions about their dating and relationship status. Among these respondents, more Millennials felt undervalued or unworthy (32  percent) when asked about their dating or relationship status during festivals, compared with only 28 percent of Gen Z daters.

“Take the time to craft your profile bio to showcase your idea of festive fun, favourite festival destinations you’d like to visit, or even your favourite food that you crave during this festival season,” Samarpita Samaddar, India Communications Director at Bumble, said in a statement, reported by Hindustan Times. “Sharing such common interests can help spark a new connection! At Bumble, we encourage our community to bring their most authentic and full selves to meet like-minded people.”

For those already in relationships, festival season is a little less stressful. Forty-eight percent enjoy shopping together, and 43 percent enjoy finding gifts for loved ones. Forty-two percent like attending festive parties with their dates, and forty percent enjoy performing puja rituals together or decorating their homes for the season.

Samaddar added: “Festivals are an interesting time when romance is in the air! During this season when the entire country lights up for multiple, sometimes simultaneous festivals, as you explore festive rituals and traditions with each other, you also get to know each other better and forge deeper connections!”

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