Indian festivals denote colour, vivacity,
ebullience, appetizing food and a variety of prayers and rituals.
Travellers and tourists are surprised to see such a multiplicity of
the festivities that enrich the Indian culture and cleanse the spirit.
Festivals in India are
related to almost anything that is important in life. And reducing them
into a comprehensive list is not an easy task.
Given below is the list of
some of the most important festivals celebrated in India. |
|
|
DIWALI FESTIVAL: One of the biggest festivals of Hindus, Deepawali or Diwali in India is celebrated with lots of enthusiasm and happiness. This festival is celebrated for five continuous days, with the third day being celebrated as the main Diwali or as 'Festival of Lights'. Fireworks are always associated with this festival. The day is celebrated with people lighting diyas, candles all around their house. Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening to seek divine blessings of Goddess of Wealth. Diwali gifts are exchanged among all near and dear ones.
|
The colorful festival of Holi is celebrated on Phalgun Purnima which comes in February end or early March. Holi festival has an ancient origin and celebrates the triumph of 'good' over 'bad'. The colorful festival bridges the social gap and renew sweet relationships. On this day, people hug and wish each other 'Happy Holi'.
Holi celebration begins with lighting up of bonfire on the Holi eve. Numerous legends & stories associated with Holi celebration makes the festival more exuberant and vivid. People rub 'gulal' and 'abeer' on each others' faces and cheer up saying, "bura na maano Holi hai". Holi also gives a wonderful chance to send blessings and love to dear ones wrapped in a special Holi gift.
|
|
HEMIS FESTIVAL
- The biggest and most famous of monastic festivals, frequented by
tourists and locals alike, is that of Hemis. It is held during late June
or first half of July at Hemis Gompa, 50 km from Leh in Ladakh. The
festival celebrates the birth anniversary of Padmasambhava-the founder of
Lamaism. Ritual dances by masked dancers and a Local Handicraft Show are
the major attractions of this festival.
|
|
KHAJURAHO FESTIVAL -
In
the month of March, the celebrities of Indian classical dance come
together for a dance festival. The rendezvous is nothing less than the
sculptured temples of Khajuraho and the event is the world renowned
Khajuraho Dance Festival. |
|
DESERT FESTIVAL - The exquisite fort of Jaisalmer forms the backdrop to the
spectacular desert festival. On the full moon night of February,
as the cold dry wind blows across, the desert comes alive with a
unique show of music and lights. The main attractions are
traditional Rajasthani puppet theatre and original folk rhythms on
traditional instruments. |
|
|
|
ONAM- Onam is the harvest festival
of Kerala which brings along with it, a wide spectrum of colours, tasty
sumptuous dishes, vibrant dances, music and a soothing, verdant and green
atmosphere.
It is a three
day festival that celebrates the oncoming of the harvest season. The main
attraction of Onam is the famous Boat Race of Kerala, where huge Boats
compete in a pulsating race. Each boat is pulled by more than 100 pairs of
hands amidst cheers and applause from a massive crowd. |
SURAJKUND CRAFTS MELA - Handicrafts from all over India are exhibited at the Surajkund Crafts
Mela (near New Delhi). It is a week long fair where artisans and craftsmen
come together and demonstrate their skills. You can watch them reshape
nature into various interesting forms.
|
PUSHKAR MELA :
Amongst the grandeur of Rajasthan
is a gem - Pushkar. Brahma the creator of the world, in his quest
to discover the holiest place on earth dropped the lotus flower
here. He performed the supremely spiritual "Vedic Yagna"
and thus the only temple in the world dedicated to Brahma is
located here. |
Swiss Tents, Pushkar Fair
|
|
Accommodation: Tents units with
attached toilets, fully equipped with all comforts of Bed &
Linen, Electricity by Generator, Attached Showerbaths (Bath
Connicles). Dining Tent will service Indian as well as
Continental/Chinese Vegetarian meals.
This fair is held in Ajmer which is in Rajasthan. This fair is
of great interest to the foreigners as well as Indians because of
its uniqueness. There are camel shows and many more cultural shows
during this time. Pushkar mela takes place in the month of
November. |
|
