| India is particularly land of fairs and festivals. The word | | | | Halebid. Yet another colorful festival is the Elephant |
| “Fest” literally means joy and celebration. India is | | | | Festival of Rajasthan. The highlights of the festival are |
| a mix of diverse culture and religions and this is | | | | the procession of elephants, camels and horses, |
| probably the reason India has more festivals than any | | | | followed by lively folk dancers. The most hilarious |
| other country. These festivals are mainly religious in | | | | highlight of the festival is a tug of war between |
| nature, national in character or seasonal in occurrence. | | | | elephants and men. |
| These festivals occur according to the calendars | | | | The Hindu Solar New Year starts in the month of April. |
| followed by different religions. However, the national | | | | It is celebrated in the form various festivals throughout |
| festivals do occur on fixed calendar dates. | | | | the country yet convey the same message of merry |
| In India mainly two calendars are followed to determine | | | | making. In the northern part of the country it’s |
| the festivals- the Hindu calendar or the Islamic calendar. | | | | celebrated as Baisakhi in Kerala the festival is known |
| Both these calendars are based on lunar months | | | | as Vishu and is Assam it is known as Rangali Bihu. |
| which correspond to the phases of moon. The lunar | | | | Mainly two festivals are celebrated in the month of |
| and solar positions mainly determine the festivals. | | | | June. Firstly, Ganga Dussehra, this festival is celebrated |
| The month of January marks celebrations of harvest | | | | for ten days devoted to the worship of Holy River |
| festivals throughout the country. Makar Sankranti | | | | Ganga. Places such as Rishikesh, Haridwar and |
| which marks the celebration of spring time. Women | | | | Varanasi where Ganga flows hold special significance |
| distribute sweets and hold get-togethers. Around the | | | | on this day. Secondly, the Hemis Festival the courtyard |
| same time in Gujarat and other western states | | | | of Hemis Gompa-the biggest Buddhist monastery in |
| National Kite Festival is celebrated. Lohri in the north of | | | | Ladakh is the stage for the famous 'Hemis' festival. |
| India is also a seasonal harvest festival. In the evenings | | | | Lamas called 'chhams' perform splendid masked |
| families gather around bonfires, distribute sweets | | | | dances and sacred plays to the accompaniment of |
| among friends and family. In Tamil Nadu and Andhra | | | | cymbals, drums and long horns. of Ladakh. |
| Pradesh Pongal is celebrated. The harvest celebrations | | | | Onam is the most important harvest festival of Kerala, |
| last for three days in honor of Lord Indra. In Rajasthan | | | | celebrated in the month of August and is an attraction |
| the colorful festival in Bikaner is celebrated, beautifully | | | | for thousands of people within and outside the state. |
| decorated camels, music and several competitions are | | | | Ranging from four days to ten days, all the activities |
| the highlights of the Bikaner Festival. During the same | | | | during this season are cantered around worshipping, |
| time all over the country Id-ul- Fitr is celebrated which | | | | music, dances, sports, boat races and good food. 15th |
| marks the end of Ramzan. Prayers are offered in | | | | August the red letter day in the Indian calendar is |
| mosques and Idgahs and elaborate festivities are held. | | | | celebrated as the Independence Day of India. On this |
| On the 26th of January every year the country | | | | day India finally achieved freedom from British rule. |
| celebrates its Republic Day grand military parade and | | | | In the month of October, the festival of Dussehra is |
| dance processions are held in the capital. | | | | celebrated in many parts of the country. It is |
| The month of February mainly marks the celebration | | | | celebrated with great fanfare in most parts of North |
| of fairs and carnivals. In Rajasthan Desert Festival of | | | | India and in the form of Durga Puja in West Bengal. |
| Jaisalmer is celebrated, this is three day long | | | | Dussehra is a very popular Hindu festival, which marks |
| extravaganza of music, color and festivity. The highlight | | | | the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama. Another |
| of the festival is the turban tying competition. In | | | | important festival around this time is Diwali, the Festival |
| Haryana Surajkund Crafts Mela held for 15 days. This | | | | of Lights, celebrated with fervor and gaiety among all |
| is an annual event which highlights some of the | | | | races and religions. It symbolizes the victory of light |
| countries finest handloom and handicrafts. The Nagaur | | | | over darkness; darkness refers to ignorance and light |
| Fair is one of the largest cattle fairs in the country. The | | | | refers to knowledge. During the same time in |
| day begins with earnest bargaining’s between | | | | Rajasthan, Marwar Festival is celebrated. The festival |
| buyers and sellers, the day draws to an end with | | | | has on display the music and dance of the Marwar |
| exciting games and camel races. In Rishikesh around | | | | region. The spirited folk dancers assembled here, |
| the same time International Yoga Week is organized, | | | | perform with gusto and entertain the audience with |
| demonstrations are held on the banks of river Ganga, | | | | Rajasthani folklore. in Jodhpur. |
| various lectures and sessions on yoga are also | | | | In the month of November mainly fairs are celebrated |
| organized. In Agra a 10 day carnival is held at | | | | throughout the country. Pushkar Fair of Ajmer, |
| Shilpgram near TajMahal known as the Taj Mahotsav. | | | | Rajasthan is perhaps the largest cattle fair in the world, |
| This festival commences with a spectacular | | | | it attracts more than one lakh people, from all over |
| procession, bedecked elephants and camels, folk | | | | Rajasthan as well as tourists from different parts of |
| artists and master craftsmen together recreate the | | | | India and abroad. Another fair celebrated around the |
| glorious past of the Mughals. Around the same time | | | | same time is the Hampi Festival of Karnataka. The |
| Mardi Gras or Goa Carnival is celebrated. The | | | | festival includes dance, drama, music, fireworks, puppet |
| processions last for three days and nights the streets | | | | shows, spectacular processions; all combine to |
| come alive with colorful revelry. | | | | recreate the grandeur of the bygone era. |
| The month of March one the biggest Hindu festival is | | | | The month of December marks the celebration of |
| celebrated- Holi. This is also known as the festival of | | | | mainly two festivals. Firstly, this is a Muslim festival of |
| colors. People throw colored water and powder on | | | | sacrifice. On this day Muslims sacrifice a goat to |
| each other and make merry. Another attraction of the | | | | commemorate the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim, who |
| month is the Khajuraho Dance Festival. This is a week | | | | willingly agreed to kill his son at the behest of God. This |
| long celebration wherein classical dance performances | | | | festival coincides with the Haj pilgrimage in Mecca. |
| are held at the Khajuraho temples. Around the same | | | | Secondly, Christmas birth anniversary of Jesus Christ. |
| time another music and dance festival is organized in | | | | Christmas celebrations vary in different parts of India. In |
| Maharastra known as the Ellora Festival, organized in | | | | some parts, small clay oil-burning lamps, mango leaves |
| the splendid surroundings of the Ellora Caves. In the | | | | etc are used as Christmas decorations and mango |
| south Hoysala Festival is celebrated this is also a | | | | and banana trees are decorated. |
| dance festival held at the temples of Hoysala and | | | | |