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| CAMEL FAIR – RAJASTHAN – JANUARY |
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A unique blend of color, rhythm and melody. The Camel Festival begins with a colorful procession of bedecked camels, Ships-Of-The-Desert, in the red sandstone backdrop of the Junagarh Fort. The festivity advances to the open sand spreads of the Polo Grounds, followed by camel races, camel milking, fur cutting design, the best breed competition, camel acrobatics, camel bands and watching all this, are the gaping spectators. The camel display amazing foot-work, dancing gracefully to the slightest direction of their riders. |
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| REPUBLIC DAY – ALL OVER INDIA – JANUARY |
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26th January 1950 was one of the most important days in Indian history as it was on this day the constitution of India came into force and India became a truly sovereign state. In this day India became a totally republican unit. The country finally realized the dream of Mahatma Gandhi and the numerous freedom fighters who, fought for and sacrificed their lives for the Independence of their country. So, the 26th of January was decreed a national holiday and has been recognized and celebrated as the Republic Day of India, ever since.
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| PONGAL FESTIVAL – TAMIL NADU – JANUARY |
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The festival is celebrated for four days and the celebrations on the first day of the Tamil month by the Local calendar in Tamil Nadu . The month is supposed to be very auspicious for every kind of activity. The Sun is worshipped for his rays are responsible for the life on earth.
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| NAGAUR FESTIVAL - RAJASTHAN - FEBRUARY |
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The region of Nagaur in Rajasthan awakes to the thronging of cattle’s, horses and camels during the time of cattle fair, which is reputed as one of the biggest in the country. The owners with large moustaches and colorful costumes add a unique charm to the fair. Renowned for trading of animals like cows, bullocks, camels and horses held every year. |
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| DESERT FESTIVAL - RAJASTHAN - FEBRUARY |
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Held every year in the month of November, Pushkar fair is the ideal occasion to witness the charisma of Rajasthan in full bloom. Every ingredient that makes Rajasthan a distinct place can be spotted in the fair including men dressed in colorful traditional clothes, women in mirrored skirts and vivid shawls, embroidered clothes, exquisitely designed jewelry, pots and ornaments. This four-day long fair full of fun and frolic falls on the full moon of Kartik Purnima and offers an unique opportunity for a shopping spree while giving an edge to the consumer product marketing in rural Rajasthan. Improved accommodation facilities have made it an International event. |
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| MAHASHIVRATRI – ALL OVER INDIA - MARCH |
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The festival of Maha Shivratri falls on February or March depending on the lunar calendar. The weather remains pleasant throughout India during this time of the year. The word Shivratri literally translates into "the night of Shiva.” This is because the ceremonies take place chiefly at night. It is said that Lord Shiva married Goddess Parvati on this auspicious day. |
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| HOLI – ALL OVER INDIA - MARCH |
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The festival of Holi symbolizes the victory of good over evil. It also marks the advent of spring and people celebrate it joyously with a splash of color. It is the most energetic of all Hindu festivals, celebrated all over India, especially the North. It heralds the end of winter and the beginning of spring. |
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| BAISAKHI – PUNJAB – APRIL |
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Several Indian festivals overlap with the harvest time and Baisakhi is one of them. Baisakhi is celebrated by the people of Punjab with energy and heartiness. It is celebrated by different names and with different rituals almost all over India. Baisakhi is also the day when the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, founded the religion over three hundred years ago.
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| GANGAUR- RAJASTHAN - MAY |
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The most important local festival in Rajasthan, Gangaur is held about a fortnight after Holi and the celebrations goes on for eighteen days. The festival is held in honor of Gauri, the wife of Lord Shiva. The festival is celebrated by girls and married women throughout Rajasthan. This is also an auspicious time for young people to select their life partners. |
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| POORAM FESTIVAL - KERALA - MAY |
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Pooram is conducted at the great Vadakkunnatha temple of Trissur. The Vadakkunnatha temple, which resembles a Japanese Shrine, is built in the ancient Kerala style with sanded courts, stone sculptures, a traditional auditorium and multi level roofs. In the evening of Pooram day, two lines of 13 elephants face each other, on the ground south to the temple.
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| HEMIS FESTIVAL - LADHAK - JUNE |
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The courtyard of Hemis - the biggest Buddhist monastery in Ladhak, is the stage of the famous Hemis Festival, which celebrates the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. Splendid masked dances are performed to the accompaniment of cymbals, drums and long horns. A colorful fair, displaying some beautiful handicrafts. |
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| RATH YATRA – ORISSA – JUNE |
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The Famous chariot festival of Lord Jagannath, takes place in Puri. On the first day, the temple images are carried through the street in three huge thundering chariots which have made this event internationally known. Nine days later, the journey is repeated in the opposite direction. |
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| INDEPENDENCE DAY – ALL OVER INDIA - AUGUST |
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The day is celebrated to commemorate the birth of the world's biggest democracy as a national holiday. Schools and people hoist the national flag through out the country and put them up on the rooftops and the buildings. People only go to offices to attend the flag hoisting ceremony. The Prime Minister addresses the Nation after the flag has been unfurled recounting the country's achievements of the year, discussing current major issues and future plans for the progress of the country. Recently, kite-flying has become a tradition on this day and people can be seen flying numerous kites of all colors, sizes and shapes symbolizing the freedom.
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| RAKSHA BHANDHAN – ALL OVER INDIA - AUGUST |
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Rakshabandhan is an unspoken pledge exchanged between a brother and sister cementing their relationship. This also reinforces their protective bond against all ills and odds. On this very day, the sisters tie a delicate, sometimes decorated, thread on the wrist of their brothers as a symbol of love and affection. This makes the brothers bound to protect their sisters from any trouble or wound. |
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| AARANMULA BOAT RACE – KERALA – AUGUST |
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The Aaranmula Boat Race is staged each year in the scenic village of Aaranmula in August/ September. This river carnival is part of the Aaranmula Temple festival. Masses throng the shores of the River Pamba to watch an imposing cluster of snake boats called 'Palliyodams'.
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| NEHRU TROPHY BOAT RACE – KERALA – AUGUST |
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Nehru Trophy Boat Race, the annual water carnival at Punnamada Lake in Alap puzha is considered as the biggest snake boat race in the world. The colorful boats proceeds for the race, is a marvelous treat to the onlookers.
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| GANESH CHATHURTHI - MAHARASHTRA - SEPTEMBER |
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Lord Ganesha, affectionately called Ganapati, is commonly depicted in homes and offices throughout India as a chubby, smiling and a little mischievous God. The devotees of Ganesha pray the God to bestow wisdom and wealth upon us humans. To repay Ganesha’s bounty, in India, especially in Maharashtra and nearby areas, the entire population celebrates the ten-day festival of Lord Ganesha’s birthday. |
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| ONAM – KERALA - SEPTEMBER |
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Onam is the biggest festival in the Indian state of Kerala. Onam Festival falls during the month of August September and marks the home coming of legendary King Mahabali. Carnival of Onam lasts for ten days and brings out the best of Kerala culture and tradition.
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| DUSSEHRA – ALL OVER INDIA – SEPTEMBER |
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It is the nine day festival, which signifies the victory of Good over Evil. As diverse as India is, it is but natural that Good and Evil take various forms in different parts of the country. Central and North India celebrate Lord Ram’s victory over the ten-headed Ravana. In the East, in west Bengal, this festival marks the victory of Goddess Durga over the demon Mahishasura. |
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| DEEPAWALI – ALL OVER INDIA- OCTOBER |
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Literally meaning an array of lamps, it is the Festival of Lights and perhaps the only festival that is celebrated along the length and breadth of the country without any diversity as well as amongst Indians all over the world. This is an occasion for the young and old, men and women, rich and poor-for every one, irrespective of their religion and economic backgrounds. This festival is celebrated throughout the country to eliminate darkness and welcome the light to their lives. |
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| PUSKAR FAIR – RAJASTHAN - NOVEMBER |
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Every year in the month of November, Pushkar fair is the ideal occasion to witness the charisma of Rajasthan in full bloom. Every ingredient that makes Rajasthan a distinct place can be spotted in the fair including men dressed in colorful traditional clothes, women in mirrored skirts and vivid shawls, embroidered clothes, exquisitely designed jewelry, pots and ornaments. |
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| CHRISTMAS- ALL OVER INDIA - DECEMBER |
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The Tradition of Christmas festival has gradually evolved from times that long represented the Christian period. With the passage of time, the nature of Christmas celebration has undergone tremendous change and every year a new tradition begins. Christmas, has evolved from a staunch religious affair into a merry hearted event that include carnivals, cookies and also Santa Clause. |
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