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FAIRS & FESTIVALS OF INDIA
India is a land of often bewildering diversity. It is a jigsaw
puzzle of people - of every faith and religion, living together
to create a unique and colourful mosaic!
Fairs & Festivals in India are colourful commemorations of religious
or historical events or celebrations of the change of seasons. They
reflect the vigour and life-style of its people. Vibrant colors,
music and festivities make the country come alive throughout the
year. There is celebration for every religious occasion, change
of seasons and for every harvest.
Below is the list of Indian festivals according to the month of
the year:
Note: Since in most of the cases the days of the festivals
are decided by the phase of the moon, the month of some of these
festivals may vary from a month earlier to a month later.
JANUARY
 Makar
Sankaranti (Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh)
It is a celebration of spring on the occasion of the 'ascent' of
the sun to the north (Uttarayana). It is a day of goodwill and friendship.
People exchange gifts and sweets. Lohri (Punjab) In the North Makar
Sankaranti is called Lohri. It is the only Hindu festival which
falls regularly on 13th of January every year. It is celebrated
by making bonfire and performing group dances.
Pongal (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh) In the South Sankaranti
becomes Pongal. It is a celebration of the harvest which is observed
for three days in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.
Thai Pusam (Tamil Nadu) This festival usually takes place
in the temples dedicated to Kartikeya and Mariamman where trenches
od burning coal are laid out for dedicated devotees to walk over.
Float Festival (Tamil Nadu) The magnificent festival is
celebrated in Madurai on the full moon. The icons of two deities,
the god Sunderesa and Goddess meenakshi, with pearl crowns on their
head and riding on a golden bull are taken out in splendid procession.
Kerala Village Fair (Kerala) Mid-January is the time for
cultural events in the lush villages around kovalam. Traditional
thatch houses are decorated during this 10 days long festival.
Bikaner Festival (Rajasthan) The festival starts off with
a magnificent procession of bedecked camels. Camels are beautifully
decorated and is a fascination for onlookers.
Pattadakal Dance Festival It is a festival of dance held
at Pattadakal (Karnataka), the ancient capital of the Chalukyan
kings.
 Id-ul-Fittr
(All over India) Celebrated at the end of Ramzan, the Muslim month
of fasting. The faithful gather at the Mosque to pray. Friends and
relatives meet to exchange gifts.
Vasant Panchami (North India and West Bengal) It is a ceremonial
welcome to spring on the fifth day of the waxing moon of Magh, when
Saraswati, Shiva-Durga and Vishnu-Lakshmi are worshipped.
FEBRUARY
 Mahashivratri
(All over India) On the 14th night of the dark half of magh occurs
the festival of Mahashivratri, the great night of Lord Shiva. Devotees
offer dishes made of fruits to lord Shiva.
Desert Festival (Jaisalmer) The Desert Festival is a three
day long extravaganza of colour, music and festivity, held at the
golden city of Jaisalmer.
Goa Carnival (Goa) For three days and nights, the legendary
king Momo takes over the state and the streets come alive with colour.
The week long event is a time of festivity.
Nagaur fair (Nagaur) Nagaur bustles with life during its
annual cattle fair which is one of the largest in the country. Nagaur
bulls are renowned for their fleetfotedness and attract buyers.
Elephanta Festival (Elephanta Island) The festival is held
across the Mumbai Harbour near Elephanta Caves. This feast of music
and dance is celebrated under stars.
Deccan Festival (Hyderabad) Every year gracious Hyderabad
comes alive during the Deccan Festival. Cultural programmes with
ghazal nights, qawalis and mushairas are held.
Taj Mahotsav (Agra) A ten day event, the Taj Mahotsav at
Agra is a culturally vibrant platform that brings together the finest
Indian crafts and cultural nuances.
Surajkund Crafts Mela (Surajkund-Haryana) A delightful handloom
and handicraft fair is very famous among tourist.
Chapchar Kut (Mizoram) A lively festival in mizoram which
celebrates the arrival of spring.
Island Tourism Festival (Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands)
In a ten day long festival of dance, drama and music. Exhibitions
displaying arts and crafts, flora and fauna and marine life, are
part of the event.
MARCH
 Holi
(All over North India) It is the most boisterous of all Hindu festivals,
observed all over the North. It heralds the end of winter and the
beginning of Spring. People throw coloured water and powders at
each other and make merry. Singing and dancing adds gaiety.
Gangaur (Rajasthan) Is dedicated to Gauri (Goddess Parvati)
and lasts 18 days. The festival is celebrated by girls and married
women throughout Rajasthan.
Jamshed-e-Navroz The Parsis don their new clothes and decorate
their homes with rangoli patterns drawn with metal moulds and flowers.
Ramnavami (All over India) The birthday of Lord Rama is
celebrated on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the month of Chaitra
.
Id-ul-Zuha (All over India) Muslim celebrated celebrated
all over India with prayer offered in Mosques. Family and friends
meet and delicacies are served.
Mahavir Jayanti (All over India) The birth anniversary of
the 24th tirthakarna of the Jains, Mahavir, the founder of Jainism,
is celebrated by the Jain community.
Khajuraho Dance Festival (Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh) Is
a week long festival of classical dances held at the Khajuraho Temples,
built by the Chandella Kings.
Elephant Festival (Jaipur, Rajasthan) A festival where elephants
are the centre of attraction. They stride majestically parading
their decorated trunks and tusks.
Hoysala Mahotsava (Karnataka) Is a dance festival held at
the Hosyala temples of Belur and Halebid in Karnataka.
Ellora Festival (Ellora caves, Maharashtra) Is a festival
of dance and music organised in the spendid surroundings of the
magnificent Ellora Caves.
APRIL
 Good
Friday (All over India) Is observed all over India by the Christians.
This is the day when Lord Christ was crucified. The Christians offer
special prayers in the Church.
Easter (All over India) Is a festival of rejuvenation of
life and living. On this day, Lord Christ rose again after his death.
Baisakhi (Punjab) It is celebrated in Punjab with great
fervour. It was on this day that Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa
(Sikh brotherhood)
Gudi Padva or Ugadi (Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka)
Marks the beginning of a new year in Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh
and Karnataka.
Pooram (Trichur, Kerala) Each temple in Kerala sends procession
of decorated elephants to Trichur on the Pooram festival.
Muharram (All over India) Commemorates the martyrdom of
Imam Hussain, the grandson of holy Prophet Mohammed; and is observed
by Shi' ite muslims who take out processions of colourful Tazias.
Buddha Purnima (North India) This festival which falls on
the full moon day commemorates the birth of Lord Buddha.
Mewar Festival (Rajasthan) Is celebrated in Udaipur to
welcome spring. The colourful attired women carry images of Goddess
Gauri to Lake Pichola.
MAY
Urs (Ajmer, Rajasthan) The Urs are held every year at the
dargah of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Mohinuddin Chisti. Pilgrims from
all over the world gather here to pay their homage. Qawaalis (poems)
are sung in the Saint's honour.
JUNE
Ganga Dussehra (Uttar Pradesh) In this festival ten days
are devoted to the worship of River Ganga. Devotees bathe in river
and take the river clay home to venerate.
 Hemis
Festival (Jammu & Kashmir) Is celebrated at Hemis, the biggest
buddhist monastry in Ladakh. Splendid masked dances are performed
to the accompaniment of cymbals, drums and long hours.
JULY
Rathyatra (Orissa) This spectacular chariot festival is
held at the famous Jagannath Temple at Puri. Images of Lord Jagannath,
his sister Subhadra and brother Balbhadra are taken out in procession
in three huge chariots and pulled by millions of devotees.
Guru Purnima (All over India) A special worship is performed
on this day to all teachers and is called Guru Purnima.
AUGUST
 Janmashtmi
(All Over India) The birth anniversary of Lord Krishna is celebrated
as Janmashtmi. It is celebrated with great fervour at Mathura and
Brindavan.
Oman (Kerala) Oman is Kerala's most popular festival, celebrated
with great enthusiasm. It is primarily a harvest festival and is
celebrated with fireworks,boat races and dances.
Nag Panchami (West bengal, Maharashtra and South India)
Nag Panchami is the festival when snakes, the symbols of energy
and prosperity are worshipped.
Rakshabandhan (North India) This is a Hindu sister's day
when brothers and sisters reaffirm their bonds of affections. Sisters
tie colourful threads or rakhis on their brother's wrist. Brothers
in turn promise to protect their sisters and give them gifts.
Ganesh Chaturthi (Maharshtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh,
Karnataka) Ganesha Chaturthi is an important festival in India,
especially in Maharashtra dedicated to Lord Ganesha.
SEPTEMBER
Tarnetar Mela (Saurashtra, Gujarat) Is an exciting and a
unique fair held annually at Tarnetar in Saurashtra. The fair coincides
with the festival at the Trineteshwar Temple, celebrating the wedding
of the legendary Mahabharat hero, Arjuna with Draupadi.
OCTOBER
Navratri (All over India) Navratri is the longest Hindu
festival that continues for nine consecutive nights in praise of
Lord Rama.
Durga Puja (Bengal) Is performed during the nine days of
Navratri. Community pujas in Bengal are organised in every locality.
 Dussehra
(All over India) Is celebrated to mark the homecoming of the
Lord Rama. The Ramlila-an enactment of the life of Lord Rama, is
held nine days before Dussehra.
NOVEMBER
Sharad Purnima (All over India) Is a harvest festival when
Laxmi, the Goddess of prosperity, visits all homes to bring fortune
and good luck. The newly harvested rice is offered to the gods and
lamps are lit before the full moon.
 Diwali
(All over India) The festival of lights is one of the most beautiful
Indian festivals. It comes 21 days after Dussehra. Worship of Goddess
Laxmi is carried out. Fireworks and festivities are essential part
of the festival.
Guru Purab (North India) The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak-the
first guru of the sikhs who founded the Sikh faith.
Ka Pomblang Nogrem (Meghalaya) Is the most important festival
of the khasis in Meghalaya. The five day festival, held annually
near Shillong, is an occasion for thanks giving for a good harvest.
Pushkar Fair (Pushkar, Rajasthan) Is held every year at
Pushkar, near Ajmer. Thousands of pilgrims come to bathe in the
holy water of Pushkar Lake.
DECEMBER
 Christmas
(All over India) Is celebrated by the Christians and non-Christians
alike with special enthusiasm. All the major Indian cities wear
a festive look.
Konark Dance Festival (Konark, Orissa) Konark festival in
the Sun Temple, Konark, offers an unforgettable experience every
December 5th. A host of celebrated dancers from all over the country
perform on the temple platform or beach.
Major festivals
Dewali,Dusshera ,Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi, Khajurao Dance festival,
Elephant Festival, Hemis Festivals, Rath yatra, Onam, Desert Festival,
Republic Day.
Dewali (Deepawali)
Diwali,
the festival of lights is an occasion for the invocation of the
Gods of prosperity and plenty, is celebrated with great pomp and
splendour all across India. The word Diwali is the shortened version
of "Deepawali', which means a cluster of lights or an array of lamps.
The festival is celebrated on the 15th day of Ashwin (October/November).
This new moon night, or Amavasya as it is called is thus turned
into a bright and colourful night.
This is an occasion for the young and old, men and women, rich
and poor-for every one, irrespective of their religious and economic
backgrounds. This festival is celebrated throughout the country
to ward off the darkness and welcome the light to their lives.
For most of the people it's a three-day celebration begins with
the Dhan-Teras, on the 13th day of the dark half of Kartik, followed
the next day by the Roop Chaturdashi or Choti Diwali in the 14th
day, and by Diwali proper on the 15th day.
Dussehra
Celebrated
to mark the defeat of demon Ravana by Lord Rama, Dussehra symbolizes
the triumph of good over evil. The Ram-Lila - an enactment of the
life of Lord Rama, is held during the nine days preceding Dussehra.
On the tenth day, effigies of Ravana, his son and brother are set
alight.
In West Bengal, the festival is celebrated in the form of Durga
Puja and is marked by elaborate decoration of images of the goddess
Durga and community festivities.
In Himachal Pradesh, a week-long Dussehra fair is held in the hill
town of Kullu. From little temples in the hills, deities are brought
in procession to the 'maidan' in Kullu, to pay homage to the reigning
deity, Raghunathji.
Mysore, the city of palaces, celebrates the ten-day Dussehra in
a royal style. The Mysore Palace is illuminated with myriad lights.
Majestic processions, a torch light parade and dance and musical
events enliven the tranquil city.
In Gujarat, the celebrations take the form of Navaratri and include
dancing lively garba and dandiya folk dances. Right from children
to old people, participate in this dance.
Holi
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 boisterous of all Hindu festivals,
observed all over India, especially the North. It heralds the end
of winter and the beginning of spring. The night before the full
moon, crowds of people gather together and light huge bonfires to
burn the residual dried leaves and twigs of the winter.
People throw colored water with pichkaari (a traditional device
to spray coloured water), gubbare (balloons filled with coloured
water) and gulal (colour powder) at each other and make merry. Singing
and dancing add to the gaiety of the occasion.
In the northern, western and eastern regions, Holi celebrates the
joyful Raasleela (dance) of Lord Krishna and the Gopis.
Especially famous is the lathmaar Holi of Barsana and Nandgaon.
In Anandpur Sahib in Punjab, Sikhs celebrate a special festival
called Hola Mohalla on the day after Holi. It marks a display of
ancient martial arts and mock battles.
Holi is also an occasion for the celebration of the burning of
Lord Kama, the Hindu equivalent of Cupid, with the fire that emanated
from Lord Shiva's third eye and also symbolizes the burning of demoness
Holika. Till date people burn effigies of Holika.
Ganesh Chathurthi
 Lord
Ganesha, affectionately called Ganapati, is commonly depicted in
homes and offices throughout India as a chubby, smiling and a little
mischievous God. His devotees scribe to Ganesha the ability to bestow
wisdom and wealth upon us humans, thus making him probably the most
popular deity in the Hindu pantheon. 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.
The festival of Ganesh Chaturthi is celebrated all over India with
great festivities and zest. It is celebrated as the birth anniversary
of Lord Ganesha, the God of wisdom and prosperity. The festival
honors Ganesha, the elephant-headed God of the Hindu pantheon. During
the ten days of Ganesh Chaturthi, the image of the God is worshipped
and feted in most homes, temples and halls, and on the last day
the images are taken in a procession and immersed in water. Fasting,
feasting and distribution of sweets are important aspects of Ganesh
Chaturthi rituals in India. Ganesh Chaturthi falls on the fourth
day of Bhadrapada (August/September) month of Indian calendar. The
celebration of this festival is followed .
Desert Festival
 The
otherwise sleepy town of Jaisalmer reverberates with enthusiasm
and zeal during the Desert Festival that provides it with an occasion
to parade its exuberant charm to the world. This colorful spectacle
of dance and music showcases the rhythmic dances like Ghoomar, Gangaur,
Gair, Dhap, Moria, Chari and Terahtal. The fire dancers are the
special highlights of the festival. Held in the month of January-February
the major attractions include turban-tying competition, Gair dancers
and fire-dancers presenting enchanting displays of folk dance and
music The various interesting contests including turban tying and
Mr. Desert contest, the Camel races, acrobatics, dances and camel
polo are sure to leave you spellbound. An awe-inspiring fusion of
traditional dances backed by the folk music of the desert is sure
to give you a time of your life. The major attraction of the festival
remains the music and dance performance on the sand dunes.
Hemis Festival, Ladakh
The
courtyard of Hemis- the biggest Buddhist monastery in Ladakh, is
the stage of the famous Hemis Festival, that celebrates the birth
anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava. Splendid masked dances are performed
to the accompaniment of cymbals, drums and long horns. A colourful
fair, displaying some beautiful handicrafts, is the special highlight
of the festival.
At Hemis, this two-day dance festival turns more into a kind of
mela or fair, because in these back - of - beyond places where months
are spent battling a fierce winter, any such event is cause for
much celebration. Villagers buy and sell miscellaneous wares outside
the monastery, and this is a great time for socializing for the
local Ladakhi. As part of the dances at Hemis, a huge thanka is
displayed on special occasions. Another dancer carries around a
pair of mummified hands, and the devout believe that these are the
hands of the man who painted the thanka that is on display. All
dances being with chang a local brew, being sprinkled on the ground
in the central courtyard which is where all the festivities take
place. The belief is that chang purifies the surroundings.
Elephant Festival
 The
Elephanta Festival is a festival of Music and Dance organised by
the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC). This festival
is held annually in the month of February. The Elephanta Island,
the tranquil abode of Lord Shiva, just one-and-a-half-hour's journey
by motor launch from Mumbai is the favoured destination for this
festival.
Once known as Puri or Gharapuri, the island was the proud capital
of a powerful coastal kingdom. Later the Portuguese found a monolithic
stone elephant at this place and named it 'Elephanta'. The Elephanta
caves are a showcase of legends created around Lord Shiva, beautifully
presented here in all his splendour in the rock cave temples. The
festival also involves a boat ride from the Gateway of India in
Mumbai to the Elephanta Islands.
Rath Yatra
 At
the temple, the image of the god Krishna (known as Jagannath in
the State) is taken out with great ceremony in June-July each year.
Images of the God and his brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra
are placed in giant large yellow chariots or raths which are then
drawn by pilgrims. The chariots are 45 feet high and have 6 wheels.
The procession or rath yatra draws huge crowds from all over the
country.
The faithful believe that a glimpse of Lord Jagannath seated on
his chariot ensures salvation, so they throng to Puri for the rath
yatra. The town turns into a veritable sea of people-they come crammed
into every sort of vehicle. Prices of rooms in hotels skyrocket
and most are booked months in advance, devotees unable to find a
room camp on the sea beach; so don't even think of a sand and surf
holiday in Puri during this period. Also, coverage in the international
media has ensured that more and more foreigners are coming to the
town for the festivities. All the pilgrims have to battle the sultry
weather-the scorching sun beats down, punctuated by sharp showers-but
it is only a privileged few who manage a seat on the terrace of
the Raghunandan Library and the handful of buildings located next
to the temple complex.
An atmosphere of almost hysterical devotion prevails on this day
and in earlier years; devotees were known to have thrown themselves
under the wheels of the rath in the hope of obtaining instant salvation.
The Harvest Festival - Onam
 Onam,
the harvest festival is the most popular festival of Kerala. A festival
that celebrates a happy blend of myth and reality, Onam is part
of the cultural repertoire of every Malayalee.
It brings back nostalgic memories, carried on the wings of folklore,
of a bygone Utopian era of prosperity, equality and righteousness,
under the golden reign of Mahabali. Year after year, for centuries,
the people of Kerala, irrespective of caste, creed or colour, join
together to welcome back their vanquished king. The ten-day Onam
festival falls in August-September, coinciding with the beginning
of the harvest season.
Republic Day
 Republic
Day is India's great national festival. It is celebrated every year
on January 26, in the Capital , New Delhi with great pomp and pageant.
The most spectacular celebrations include the march past of the
three armed Forces, massive parades, folk dances by tribal folk
from the different states in picturesque costumes marking the cultural
unity of India. Further, the streak of jet planes of Indian Air
Force, leaving a trial of coloured smoke, marks the end of the festival.
The trees on both sides of the routes and the lawns become alive
with spectators.
The Republic Day celebrations have rightly become world famous
as one of the greatest shows on earth drawing thousands of eager
sight-seers from all over the country and many parts of the world.
No other country can draw on such a wealth of tribal traditions
and cultures, so many regional forms of dances and dress. And, no
other country in the world can parade so many ethnically different
people in splendid uniforms as India's Armed Forces.
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