There is perhaps not a single day in the Indian calendar when in some part of the vast country a festival is not celebrated or a fair held- some so big that almost the entire country participates, and some so small that it is confined to a little community in a remote village. But the spirit is the same - replete with rituals, colour, music, feasting, pageantry, fun and frolic. And given India's vast diversity. Ofter the same festival is celebrated differently. In different parts, all adding to the richness of the Indian way of life.

The New Year, the advent of new seasons, harvest time, the birthdays of gods and goddesses, saints and prophets, mythological and historical events… all find expression in innumerable festivals and fairs spread over the length and breadth of the country. Apart from their religious mythological or historical significance, these festivals and fairs are basically occasions for families and communities to get together and participate in rituals, feasting, music and dance- they are occasions to buy new clothes and household articles, re-paint houses, distribute sweets and gifts. And above all many of these festivals and fairs are a testimony to the adage that 'India's unity lies in its diversity', as celebrations break all barriers of religion, caste, creed and economic standing.
Come celebrate….

Pongal Festival, Tamil Nadu
(January)
A harvest festival celebrated mainly in Tamil Nadu. It is a three-day festival. The first day, known as Bhogi Pongal , is confined to domestic festivities. On the second day, Surya Pongal, cooked rice is offered to the sun. greetings on this day normally follow the pattern of a question and an answer: "Did the milk boil"? "Yes , it boiled", referring to the rice cooked in milk which is offered to the sun. on the third day, Mattu Pongal cattle are washed, their horns painted and decorated , and they are red the rice offered to the sun. festivities involve bull fights and the snatching of money bags tied between the horns of ferocious bulls.


Kite Festival
(January)
Coinciding with Makar Sankranti, the Kite festival at Ahmedabad is a time when the azure skies are festooned with multicoloured kites of all patterns and dimensions. There is a general air of festivity with the entire city populace on roof tops flying kites attached to brightly coloured strings and in a passionate bid to cut each other's strings. Besides kite flying, display of Gujarati cuisine, handicrafts and folk arts are the other attractions of the festival.

Desert Festival, Jaisalmer
(January - February)
The exquisite medieval fort of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan forms the backdrop to a spectacular Desert festival. Puppeteers, folk artistes and dancers regale the audience. There is also a unique sound and light show on the desert sands on the full moon noght.


Surajkund Crafts Mela
(February)
India's spectacular handloom and handicrafts fair is origanised in a rural setting at Surajkund in the vicinity of New Delhi. At this annual week long mela crafts people from all over the country meet and bring alove the age old living crafts tradition. Visitors can see them at work and shop for some of the world's most treasured wares.


Khajuraho Dance Festival
(February - March)
Set against the ancient erotic Chandella temples of Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, a week long festival of classical dances is held every ear featuring the best artistes of the country.

Holi, The Festival of Colours in India
(March)
Popularly known as the 'colour throwing festival', Holi is a spring festival celebrated normally over two days. On the evening of the first day bonfires are lit, to symbolise the destruction of evil but also seen as the end of winter in the north, as the text day cold coloured water is thrown on people. In many parts of India Koma, the god of pleasure, is the presiding deity of Holi. Lord Krishna too, is worshipped by many who celebrate Holi to commemorate the destruction of the female demon Putana by the Lord. Legends apart, Holi today is the time to drop all civility and inhibitions, smear coloured powder and water on one and all, sing dance and feast.

Gangaur Festival, Rajasthan
(March)
This is a popular festival of Rajasthan where lord Shiva and his consort parvati are worshipped. One of the most colourful festivals held anywhere in the country, it is the occasion for Rajasthani women to don their traditional costume of 'Lengha' ' Choli' and 'Odhni'. They congregate around the idols of Shiva and Parvati , sing, dance and offer prayers.


The Goa Carnival
(March - April)
A boisterous, colourful carnival spread over a week is held every year in Goa Just before lent. The festivities include an extravagant parade consisting of theme-floats. It is generally a time of great fun and frolic in goa.

Baisakhi Festival, Punjab
(April-May)
This is an important day for the Sikhs. It was on this day that Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa. At all Gurudwaras the 'Granth' is read from beginning to end and taken out in a procession. After this there is a lot of feasting and in most villages folk dances, especially the vigorous Bhangra, is performed.

Hemis Festival, Leh
(June-July)
A big fair is held at Hemis Gompa about 50 kilometres from Leh, to celebrate the birthday of Padmasambhava, the founder of Lamaism. The ritual dances by masked dancers are the main attraction, as are the main attraction, as are the local handicrafts.

Muharram
(July-August)
This is in reality a day of mourning as it commemorates the martyrdom of the Prophet's grandson Hussein. Tazias, gorgeous replicas of the martyr's tomb, are carried in procession through the streets while men beat their chests and wail as an expression of grief and distress. The tazias of Lucknow and Hyderabad are famous.


Janmashtami Festival in India
(August-September)
This is Lord Krishna's birthday celebrated at midnight all over the country in temples of Krishna. The main celebrations are held at Mathura his birthplace, where at the temple his birth is symbolically reenacted. At Brindaban, adjoining Mathura, colourful Raslilas, song and dance dramas depicting the life of Lord Krishna are performed all day and night. In Maharashtra the celebrations include the breaking of earthen pots, containing curds or butter hung high up between poles and houses, by men forming human pyramids. This is an act in imitation of the lord who when young, ofter stole butter and curds kept in earthen pots out of his reach.

Ganapati Festival
(August-September)
Celebrated in Pune with great pomp and gaiety, the festival is worth witnessing on the first three or last three days.

Onam Festival, Kerala
(August-September)
This is a unique festival of Kerala in that it is celebrated in honour of an 'Asura' or demon. Puranic legendhas it that Vamana, an incarnation of lord Vishnu, obtained the kingdom of Bali, or Mahabali as he is known in kerala, and exiled him. However Mahabali, everfond of his land and subjects, was allowed to visit the land once a year, the day of Onam. The folklore of kerala considers the region of Mahabali as Kerala's golden age.

Onam celebration commences ten days ahead on attam and culminates on Thiruvonam. The festival marks the end of monsoon and heralds the harvest season. People adorn their homes with colourful flower carpets, which increase in size as the festival drawn to an end, wear new clothes and prepare a sumptuous lunch for Mahabali. A major attraction of the Onam celebrations in Kerala are the famed snake boat races Vallam Kalli held on the picturesque backwaters.

Dussehra Festival in India
(September-October)
A festival that finds many manifestations all over the country but in every case celebrating the triumph of good over evil. Normally a ten day festival during which nine days are spent in worship and the tenth day celebration is in honour of either Lord Rama and his victory over the demon Ravana, or the goddess Durga and her destruction of the demon Mahishasura

In North India, the Ramleela, a folk play depicting the life and times of Lord Rama is staged in various localities. On the tenth day effigies of the demon Ravana, his brother and nephew, are burnt. These effigies are often a couple of hundred feet high.

In west Bengal exquisitely decorated idols of the goddess Durga are installed and worshipped. On the tenth day the idols are taken out in huge processions and immersed in tanks, rivers or the sea.

In south India during Dussehra or 'Navratri' as it is known there, houses are decorated with displays of dolls, toys and idols.

Mysore witnesses a magnificent procession with caparisoned elephants and horses, as the erstwhile Maharaja went from his palace to the temple. Dussehra Festival, Kulu (September-October)

This festival at Kulu is traditionally celebrated during Dussehra and is famed for its colourful processions. As an idyllic holiday resort, Kulu provides trekking and water sports during the festival.

Diwali Festival in India
(October-November)
Diwali, a contraction of the Sanskrit word 'Deepawali', means a row or cluster of lights. It is one of the most widely celebrated festivals of India.

The origin of the festival has many versions but the most popular one traces itto the Ramayana and Lord Rama's coronation after his 14 year exile in the forest. It is said that the people illuminated their houses and streets with earthen oil lamps to welcome the Lord. This is done even today when almost every one illuminates their houses with oil lamps, candles and electric lights.

To the business community, especially in western India, diwali marks the New Year involving the worship of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. They open new books of account on this day. And at night, along with illuminations, firecrackers are lit in almost every house, sweets are distributed, new clothes are worn and games of chance are played. Diwali is easily the brightest and noisiest festival of India.

Pushkar Camel Fair, Rajasthan
(October-November)
This fair is held annually on the banks of lake Pushkar in Rajasthan. During the mela, a major attraction is the camel and cattle fair and camel races. It has become a major tourist attraction.


(October-November / December-January)
The Sikhs observe the birthdays of all their Gurus as holy days. But that of Guru Nanak (October-November) and Guru Gobind Singh (December-January) are celebrated as festivals. The 'Akhand Path' or the continuous reading of the holy book, and the 'Granth' (holy book) being taken out in a procession, are the two main events that take place during the celebrations.
Christmas in India
(December)
The birth of lord Jesus Christ is celebrated by the Christians in India as elsewhere in the world. The Christmas spirit pervades all markets that spruce themselves up and offer attractive bargains.

Guru PurabShekhawati Festival in Rajasthan
(December)
The Shekhawati region of Rajasthan known for its painted havelis celebrates the Shekhawati festival. One can see Rajasthani folk dances along with the cuisine and crafts which are on display.

Kumbh Mela in India
This is one of Hindu religion's largest festival that is held once every three years at one of the four places: Prayag (Allahabad), Hardwar, Nasik, Ujjain, Millions of pilgrims, including the heads of most Hindu sects, congregate for the mela.

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