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Fairs & Festivals
Itinerary |
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The fairs and festivals of India are as diverse as the land and the people. Observed with enthusiasm and gaiety,
festivals are like gems, ornamenting the crown of Indian culture.
They are round the year vibrant interludes in the mundane routine of life.The rich tradition, warm and hospitable people, a landscape of breathtaking variety and beauty - all combine to pack each year with a variety of fairs, festivals and celebrations. Every season brings along new festivals, each a true celebration of the bounties of nature.
And that's not all! The birthdays of gods and goddesses, saints and prophets, the great historical happenings and the advent of the New Year, all find expression in colorful festivities.
The same festival, though celebrated differently in the various parts of the country, exhibits an eternal harmony of spirit. Packed with fun and excitement, festivals are occasions to clean and decorate houses, to get together with friends and relatives and to exchange gifts.
From religion to trade, from season to sports - month by month - is a joyous celebration of life
Following are a
few of the main festivals of INDIA:
Itineraries for any one or more fairs
are available on request
|
January |
|
Festival
/ Date
|
City
/ State
|
Description
|
|
Bikaner
Festival
|
Bikaner
/ Rajasthan
|
Dedicated
to the indispensable 'ship of the desert' , the
festival starts off with a magnificent
procession of bedecked camels. There are
displays and competitions together with all the
color, music and rhythm unique to a fair in
Rajasthan.
|
|
Calcutta
Festival
|
Calcutta
/ West Bengal
|
Held
every year in the centrally located maidan area
of the city of Calcutta.Ethnic food stalls
displaying BengaliCuisine and culturalevents
make this a lively occasion.
|
|
Float
Festival
|
Madurai
/ Tamil Nadu
|
On
the night of the full moon, ornamented icons of
Goddess Meenakshi and her consort are taken out
in a colourful procession to the huge Mariamman
Teppakulam. The icons are floated in the tank on
a raft decked with flowers and flickering lamps.
|
|
International
Kite Festival
|
Ahmedabad
/ Gujarat
|
On
this festival kites of all colours, patterns and
dimensoins soar into the sky. Special kites with
little paper lamps fill the night sky with a
myriad flickring lights.
|
|
Kerala
Village Fair
|
Kovalam
/ Kerala
|
Every
year, in the lush village around Kovalam ( 18 km
from Thirauvananthapuram ), mid-january is the
time for cultural event. The traditional thatch
houses are decorated during this ten day long
festival and are the venue for folk dances,
music and festivities.
|
|
Mamallapuram
Dance Festival
|
Mamallapuram
/ Tamil Nadu
|
Once
the ancient port of the Pallavas, Mamallapuram
plays host to a vibrant festival of dance.
Exponents of Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak
and Kathakali perform againts the magnificient
backdrop of the Pallava rock sculptures.
|
|
Pattadakkal
Dance Festival
|
Pattadakkal
/ Karnataka
|
Delicately
carved temples rich in detail, stand still at
Pattadakkal, the ancient capital of the
Chalukyan kings. A festival of dance celebrates
this marvellous heritage.
|
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Pongal
|
Tamil
Nadu
|
Pongal
is the festival of harvest.It is celebrated for
three days.First day is an occasion for
festivities at home.On second day flavoured rice
is offered to the Sun God . On third day village
cattle are bathed and decorated and cattle races
enliven village Festivities.
|
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Republic
Day
|
Delhi
And State Capitals
|
Commemorating
the day India became a republic (26th
January ), the Republic Day is celebrated in
Delhi with a splended parade- a colourful affair
with soldiers marching in unison, followed by
folk dancers, school children and floats from
various states.
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The
Great Elephant March
|
Kerala
|
While
caparisoned elephants go out in procession, boat
raves on the backwaters and cultural events lend
colour to the festivities.
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February
|
|
Festival
/ Date
|
City
/ State
|
Description
|
|
Chapchar
Kut
|
Mizoram
|
A lively festival in Mizoram celebrates the
arrival of spring. It is an occasion for dance,
music and feasting. |
|
Deccan
Festival
|
Hydrabad
/ Andra Pradesh
|
Every year gracious Hyderadbad come alive during
Deccan Festival. There are cultural programmes
wiyh gazals nights, qawalis and mushairas,
typical of the city. A pearl and bangle fair
displays creations in lustrous pearls and
multi-hued bangles that are local specialities.
|
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Desert
Festival
|
Jaisalmer
/ Rajasthan
|
A three day long extravaganza of colour, music,
and festivity at the golden city of jaisalmer.
Gair and fire dancers swaying to traditional
tunes, a turban-tying competition and a Mr
Desert contest are a part of the fun of the
occasion.
|
|
Elephant
Festival
|
Mumbai
/ Maharashtra
|
This
festival is held across the Mumbai harbour, on
the Elephanta Island, near the world renowned
Elephanta Elephanta Caves (A World
Heritage Site).
|
|
Garden
Festival
|
Delhi
|
A
spectacular flower show held aaat delhi, where
varieties of flowers and exotic plants are on
display. This annual event event is indeed a
horticulturist's delight. |
|
Goa
carnival
|
Goa
|
The
exuberant Goa Carnival is an annual feature
here. Held in mid February,just befpre Lent, the
week long event is a time for lively
processions, floats, the strumming of guitars
and graceful dances.
|
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International
Yoga Week
|
Rishikesh
/ Uttar Pradesh
|
Detailed
lecturse and demonastrations of various asans by
prominent exponents of Yoga are the major
highlights of the Yoga Week.
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Island
Tourism Festival
|
Port
Blair / Andaman & Nicobar
|
A
ten day long fwstival of dance, drama, and
music. Exhibition, displaying art and crafts,
flora and fauna and marine life, are part of the
event. Aqua sports, telegames and parssailing
are added attractions.
|
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Nagaur
Fair
|
Nagaur
/ Rajasthan
|
Nagaur
bustles with life during its annual cattle fair
which is one of the largest in the country.
Exciting games and camel races are of the
festivities. |
|
Rose
Festival
|
Chandigarh
|
The
biggest Rose shiw in the country is held in the
famous Rose Garden at Chandigarh. Varities of
magnificient roses are on display during
this two-dat festivel. |
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Surajkund
Craft Mela
|
Surajkund
/ Near Delhi
|
A
delightful handloop and handicrafts faur is held
anually at Surajkund.Handicrafts from all over
the country are displayed in a typical
setting of a rural Indian marketplace. |
|
Taj
Mahotsav
|
Agra
/ Uttar Pradesh
|
India's
extensive arts, crafts and culture are on
display during this festival of ten days.Floak
music ,shayari and Clssical dance performances
along with elephant and camel rides, games and
food festival, all add to the excitement of the
occasion.
|
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Vasant
Panchami
|
North
India And West Bengal
|
The
ceremonial welcome to spring when, people,
colourfully attired especially in bright shade
of yellow, dance, sing and make merry. |
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March
|
|
Festival
/ Date
|
State
/ City
|
Description
|
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Elephant
Festival
|
Jaipur
/ Jajasthan
|
A festival where elephant are the centre of
attraction. The festival begins with a
procession of elephants , camels and horses,
followed by lively folk dancers.The
spectacular event of this festival is the
elephant races, and inteesting tug of war
between elphants and men.
|
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Ellora
Festival
|
Aurangabad
/ Maharashtra
|
The
magnificient rock-cut caves at
Ellora-34 in number, were excvated between
600 and 1000 AD. They include Buddhist,
Hindu and Jain caves. Every March, a
festival of dance and music is organised
here with the caves forming a
splendidbackdrop.
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Good
Friday
|
All
Over India
|
Good
Friday is observed by Christians nationwide
with special service in the chruches.
|
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Hoysala
Mahotsav
|
Belur-Halebid
/ Karnataka
|
The
dance festival hld at Belur and Halebid is a
magnificiant event. The splendid Hoysala
temples wiyh their sculptural extravaganza,
make the perfect venue for this cultural
feast.
|
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Holi
|
All
Over North India
|
In,
March during spring, comes Holi - the
fetival of colours. Celebrated all over
North India, Holi is a time to make merry.
People smear each other with coloured
powder. Singing and dancing add to the
gaiety of the occasion.
|
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Jhansi
Festival
|
Jhansi
/ Uttar Pradesh
|
This
week-long annual event is a display of the
art, craft and culture of a splendid city -
Jhansi. The cultural programmes includes
folk songs, dances, mushairas and gazals.
|
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Khajuraho
Dance Festival
|
Khajuraho
/ Madhya Praresh
|
The
thousand year old temples at Khajuraho,
built by the Chandella kings, are majestic
structures sculpted in stone.Only 22
of these temles remain today, to bear
testmony to the craftsmanship of chandella
builders.Every year in March, these splendid
temples cme alive during the week-long
festival of classical dances.
|
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Pataliputra
Mahatsava
|
Patna
/ Bihar
|
Patna,
an ancient city with a glorious past,
celebrates its rich heritage with this
lively festival.
|
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Shivratri
|
All
Over India
|
All
over the country, Shivratri is observed as
the night, when Lord Shiva danced the 'Tandav'-
his cosmic dance. Fasts and prayer the day
and devotees throng the teples. The major
Shaivite temples at Varanasi, Kalahasti
(Andhra Pradesh) and Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu)
are noted for their special celebrations.
|
|
FestivalShivratri
Natyanjali
|
FestivalShivratri
Natyanjali
|
Shivratri
is the occasion for a five day long festival of
classical dance and music at Chidambaram.
The magnificiant temple dedicate to Lord
Shiv, built a thousand years ago, provides a
beautiful backdrop for the event
|
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April
|
|
Festivals
/ Date
|
City
/State
|
Description
|
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Baisakhi
|
All
Over India
|
The
Hindu New Year finds expression in this
exuberant festival, celebrated throughout
India. Baisakhi celebrations in Punjab are
spectacular, as this is very special day for
the Sikhs.In Kerala the festival is known as
Viahnu. 'Vishnu kani' - a display of grain,
fruits, flowers, new cloths and money, is
viewed early in the morning to ensure a
prosperous year ahead.
|
|
Gangaur
|
Rajasthan
|
The
most important local festival in
Rajasthan,is celebrated for eighteen days.
The festival is celabrated by girls and
married women throughout Rajastha. This is
also an auspicious day for young people to
select their life partner.
|
|
Mahavir
Jayanti
|
All
Over India
|
The
birth anniversary of Lord Mahavir, the
founder of Jainism., is observed by the Jain
community. Special prayers are offered at
temples and shrines.
|
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Mewar
Festival
|
Udaipur
/ Rajasthan
|
An
exhilarating welcome to spring, this
festival is a visual feast with Rajasthani
songs, dances, processions, devotional music
and firework display.
|
|
Ramnavami
|
All
Over India
|
The
anniversary of lord Rama's birth is
celabrated as Ramnavami by Hindus. The epic
'Rammyana' is read for eight days preceding
the festival. |
|
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May
|
|
Festivals
/ Date
|
City
/State
|
Description
|
|
Buddha
Purnima
|
North
India
|
This
festival commemorates the birth of Lord
Buddha - 'the enlightened one'.
|
|
Id-ul-Fitr
|
All
over India
|
The
festival marks the end of 'Ranzan' - a month
when Muslims fast throughout the day and eat
only at nignt. Prayers, family get-togethers
and feasts are the major highlights of the
celebrations. |
|
International
Flower Festivel
|
Gangtok
/ Sikkim
|
A
rare of exotic varieties of flower, orchids
and other plants native in Sikkim. River
rafting and Yak safari are added
attractions.People from all over India are
attracted by this spectacular
festival.
|
|
Pooram
|
Thrissur
/ Kerala
|
The
colourful Pooram festival is held in
Thrissur at its fine Vadakkumnathan Temple.
Procession of beautifullycaparisoned
elephants provide a magnificieant spectacle.
The festival is rounded off at night by
dazzling firework displays.
|
|
Summer
Festival
|
Major
Hill Festival
|
The
advent of summer in the major hill resorts
ushers in colourful festivity. Lively
cultural events, flower shows, regattas and
exhibitions brighten the summer season at
the picturesque hill stations of Ooty,
Shimla,Darjeeling, Mount Abu, etc.
|
|
Urs
|
Ajmer
/ Rajasthan
|
The
Urs are held every year at the daegah of the
Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti,
commemorating his symbolic union with God.
Pilgrims from all over the world gather here
to pay homage. Qawalis and poems are
presented in the saint's honor. |
|
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June
|
|
Festival
/ Date
|
City
/ State
|
Description
|
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Hemis
Festival
|
Leh
/ Ladakh
|
The
courtyard of Hemis- the biggest Buddhist
monestery in Ladakh, is the stage for the
famous 'Hemis' Festival, that celebratesthe
birth anniversary of Guru
Padmasambhava.Splendid masked dances are
performed to the accompaniment of cymbals,
drums and long horns. |
|
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July
|
|
Festivals
/ Date
|
City
/ States
|
Description
|
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Id-ul-
Zuha (Bakr-Id)
|
All
Over India
|
This
Muslim festival is celebrated all over the
country. Prayers are offered in the mosque
and special delicacies are prepared served
among family and friends on the ocassion.
|
|
International
Mango Festival
|
Delhi
|
Savour
innumerable varietes of mango - the king of
fruits, at the unique Mango Festival in
Delhi. Cultural programmes make this a
lively event.
|
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Rath
Yatra
|
Puri
/ Orissa
|
This
spectacular chariot is held at the famous
Jagannath Temple at Puri. Images of Lord
Jagannath - the Lord of the Universe, his
sister Subhadra and brother Balbhadrs are
taken out in procession in three immense
chariots to Gundicha Mandir, a temple 1.5 km
away. |
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August
|
|
Festivals
/ Date
|
City
/ State
|
Description
|
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Amarnath
Yatra
|
Jammu
& Kashmir
|
In
the month of Shravan, thousand of pilgrims
make an arduous trek up to the Amarnath cave
in the Kashmir Himalayas. They come to
worship the sacred ice lingam - a symbolof
Lord Shiva, which is a natural phenomenon.
|
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Indepence
day
|
All
Over India
|
Commemorating
the day India attained freedom (15th
August), Indepence day is celebrated with
flag hosting ceremonies and cultural
programmes in the state capitals.The Prime
Minister's speech at the Red Fort in Delhi
is the major highlight.
|
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Janmashtami
|
All
Over India
|
The
birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated with
great fervour all over the country.In
Mathura and Brindavan - where Lord Krishna
spent his childhood and youth, the
Janamashtami celebrations are quite
elaborate. The Krishna Leela - stories of
his eventful youth are enacted.
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Nag
Panchami
|
Wesrt
bengal, Maharashtra, And South India
|
This
festival, usually is celebrated in West
Bengal, Maharashtra and South India,
venerates snakes.
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Nehru
Trophy Boat Race
|
Kerala
|
Alappuzha
is famous fpr its annual boat race, held on
the second Saturday of August every year.
The long elegant snakeboats, with crews of
over hundred men vying to win the coveted
trophy, attract spectators from all over.
|
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Onam
|
Kerala
|
The
decorating of houses with carpets of flowers
, a sumptuous lunch and songs in praise of
the golden region of Mahabali, mark the
tendays long festivities. A major attraction
of the Onam celebrations are the famed snake
boat races along the backwaters at
Champakulam, Aramula and Kottayam.
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Raksha
Bandhan
|
North
India
|
Brothers
and sisters reaffirm their bonds of
affection on this day. Sisters tie colourful
thread or rakhis on their broyhers wrists.
The brothers in turn promise to protect
their sisters and give them gifts.
|
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Teej
|
Rajasthan
And Chandigarh
|
.This
swing festival welcomes the advent of the
monsoon. Swings are hung from trees and
decorated with flowers. Women, colourfully
attired, swing on them and sing songs in
celebrations. |
|
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September
|
|
Festivals
/ Date
|
City
/ States
|
Description
|
|
Ganesh
Chaturthi
|
Maharashtrsta,
Tamil nadu Andra Pradesh, Karnataka
|
This
day is dedicated to the Lord Ganesha, the
elephant-headed God of all good beginnings
and success. Held annually, this festival is
a ten day long event. The images of Lord
Ganesha are installed and worshipped and on
the last day these are taken in processions
to be immersed in flowing water. The sea
front at Mumbai, packed with people, is a
spectacular sight.
|
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Ganesh
festival
|
Pune
/ Maharastra
|
Thia
cultural feast is held to coincide with
Ganesha Chaturthi. With classical dance and
music performances, a theatre and film
festival and folk dances, this is the most
popular in Pune.
|
|
Tarnetar
Mela
|
Saurashtra
|
The
fair is a kind of marriage market for the
local tribals - the Kolis, Bharwads and
Rabaris. The traditional customs, exquisite
jewellery and lively foke dances - garba,
ras, haro, are the special attractions
of the fair, not forgetting the wonderful
Tarnetar "Chhatris" - umbrellas
with intricate embroidery and mirror work. |
|
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October
|
|
Festival
/ Date
|
City
/ states
|
Description
|
|
Diwali
|
All
Over India
|
This
festival of lights is the prettiest and the
most eargerly awaited occasion in India. It
celebrates the return of Lord Rama, the hero
of the epic Ramayana, to Ayodhya after a
fourteen year exile. The flickering lights
of the traditional clay lamps or 'diyas'
illuminate the houses and fireworks resound
through the night.
|
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Dussehra
|
All
Over India
|
Celebrated
to mark the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama,
Dussehra symbolizes the triumph of good over
evil. The Ramlila - an enactment of the life
of Lord Rama, is held during the nine days
preceding Dussehra.On the tenth day,
larger than life effigies of Ravana, his son
and brother - Meghnath and Kumbhakarna,
are set alight.
|
|
Gandhi
Jayanti
|
All
Over India
|
The
birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi - the
'Father of the nation' (2nd Oct). The
President and Prime Minister, along with
other eminent political leaders, pay homage
at Raj Ghat - the samadi of Mahatma Gandhi.
|
|
Marwar
Festival
|
Marwar
/ Rajasthan
|
The
festival celebrates the 'Maand' style of
folk music - and evolved classical style
that describes the romantic life of
Rajasthan's rulers. Held during Sharad
Purnima, the folk artistes bring alive the
legends and folklore of earlier times.
|
|
Muharram
|
All
Over India
|
Commemorates
the martyrdom of the Profit Mohammed's
grandson - Imam Hussein. Tazias, glittering
replicas martyr's tomb, are carried in
procession through the streets.
|
|
Rajgir
Mahotsav
|
Rajgir
/ Bihar
|
This
colourful festival of dance and music is
held at Rajgir, the ancient capital of the
Magadha Kings - the land where the Buddha
meditated and preached. |
|
|
November
|
| Festivals
/ Date |
City
/ States |
Description
|
| Guru
Purab |
All
Over India |
The
birth anniversary of Guru Nanak - the first
guru of the Sikhs, is celebrated with great
fervour. The 'Akhand Path' - recitation of
the Guru Granth Sahib, is held in gurdwaras
all over the country. Taking the holy book
out in processions, is also an integral part
of the celebrations. |
| Hampi
Festival |
Hampi
/ Karnataka |
The
magnificient ruined city of Hampi, once the
capital of the Vijayanagar Empire, comes
alive once again during this lively
festival of dance and music, held in the
first week of November. |
| Ka
Pomblang Nongkrem |
Shillong
/ Meghalaya |
The
most important festival of the Khasis in
Meghalaya. This five day long festival, held
annually near Shillong, is an occasion for
thanksgiving for a good harvest and the time
to pray for peace and prosperity. Khisi men
and women, dressed in traditional splendour,
performed the famous Nongkrem dance. |
| Luknow
Festival |
Luknow
/ Uttar Pradesh |
This
festival celebrates Luknow's living culture.
Exciting events like ekka races, kite flying
,cock fighting and other traditional village
games recreate an atmosphere of Avadh's
nawabi days. |
| Pushkar
Mela |
Pushkak
/ Rajasthan |
Tranquil
Pushkar is transformed into a spectacular
fair ground for twelve days in the month of
Kartik. Trading of cattle, camel races and
dazzling displays of bangles, brassware,
clothes, camel saddles and halters are the
major attraction of this colorful event.
Devotees come in their thousands to take a
ritual dip in the lake on the day of the
Kartik Purnima and to worship at the Brahma
temple. |
| Sonepur
Mela |
Sonepur
/ Bihar |
Asia's
biggest cattle fair is held at Sonepure, on
the bank of the river Ganga. During this
month - long fair, cattle, decorated for the
occasion, throng the venue. |
|
|
December
|
|
Festivals
/ Date
|
City
/ States
|
Description
|
|
Christmas
|
All
Over India
|
Christmas
is celebrated in India with great fevour.
All the major Indian cities wear a festive
look. Shops and bazar are decorated for the
occasion and offer attractive bargains.
Coral singing, get-togethers and the
exchanging of gifts enhance the Christmas
sprit. Christmas parties launch off
celebrations for the New Year, thus
retaining the festive mood for at
least a week.
|
|
Konark
Dance Festival
|
Konark
Orissa
|
The
Sun Temlple - a magnificent structure
designed as the chariot of the Sun God,
drawn by seven exquisitely carved horses,
stands in solitary splendor on the beach at
Konark. This is the venue of a joyous
festival of classical dance and music which
is held annually. A host of celebrated
dancers from all over the country perform in
the open air auditorium. The sound of
ghungroo bells, flute and pakhauj fill the
air and a marvelous craft mela, with a
variety of handicrafts and delectable
cuisine, adds to the festive mood.
|
|
Kurukshetra
Festival
|
Kurukshetra
/ Haryana
|
The
festival coincide with Gita Jayanti,
signifying the birth of the Srimad Bhagvad
Gita. Pilgrims gather here to take a dip in
the savred tanks of Brahma Sarover. Week-
long Bhagwad katha, dance, dramas and 'deep
daan' are part of the religious festivities.
|
|
Shilpgram
Craft Mela
|
Udaipur
/ Rajasthan
|
Some
of the magnificent crafts of Rajasthan are
on display at a colorful festival, held in
the royal city Udaipur.
|
|
Vishnupur
Festival
|
Vishnupur
/ West Bengal
|
The
festival celebrates the the rich heritage of
the town of Vishnupur, noted for its
beautiful terracotta temples and elegant
silk sarees
|
|
|
|
