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India:
Fairs & Festivals |
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India is the land of the exuberant celebrations. Fair
and festivals you will discover that life is a celebration
in India. The country has its unique festivities interspersed
throughout the year, the Indian calendar is a long precession
of festivals The harvest festivals of the south, the immersion
of Ganesh in Bombay, the car Festival of Puri, snake-boat
races in Kerala, Republic Day in Delhi... every region,
every religion has something to celebrate. Almost every
festival has its own flavor with a meaningful identity
there are animal fairs, religious fairs and mark the |
| changing seasons.
Indian festivals denote color, vivacity, ebullience, appetizing
food and a variety of prayers and rituals. Of course, it
is splendid opportunity for the visitor to come close
vibrant life of India. |
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| Pongal |
The zeal and the enthusiasm of the Tamilians come alive
during the four day festival of Pongal which is the harvest
festival of the Tamil Nadu. The Tamilians give it utmost
importance. It is the biggest event of the year in Tamil
Nadu. Pongal literally means "boiling over". The four
day festival consists of Bhogi - Pongal, Surya -Pongal,
Mattu -Pongal and Kanyapongal. The first day is devoted
to the Rain God, Indran. The second day is celebrated
in the honor of the Sun God Surya. In several places of Andhra
Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, Jallikatu, a kind of bull fight
is held. The third day is dedicated to honor and worship
the cattle (mattu). On the last day colored balls of the
Pongal are offered to birds. All houses display their
collection of dolls for three days. |
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Sankranti
Makar Sankranti is a Hindu festival. It marks the beginning
of the sun's journey towards northern hemisphere. People
take dip in the rivers and worship the sun .Gangasagar
Mela is being organized near Calcutta where people come
from all over India. In Gujarat, Makar Sankranti is celebrated
by the flying of kites.
Tyagaraja
Festival
The Tyagaraja festival is celebrated in the memory of
Tyagaraja. Tyagaraja, a South Indian composer and saint
was born in 1767. He has composed a number of Telugu songs
in praise of Lord Rama. Many young poets and musicians
are inspired by this man's amazing work. Every year, South
Indian musicians assemble at Thiruvaiyaru- 13 kms from
Tanjore, to sing in his praise. People, young and old,
sing in perfect harmony. The melody is such that one cannot
remain untouched by its sheer devotion and divine resonance.
Ganga
Sagar Mela
Gangasagar Mela is the largest and the most important
fair celebrated in West Bengal. This fair is held where
a nexus is formed by Ganga and Bay of Bengal. Hence the
name Gangasagar Mela. This festival is a major attraction
for millions of pilgrims from all over India. It is said
that a dip in the Ganga purifies their 'self' and thus
'punya' can be. A special 'puja' is performed which is
offered to the Sun God as a thanksgiving for good harvest.
It is also believed that the girls who take the holy dip
get handsome grooms and the boys get beautiful brides.
Vasanth
Panchmi
The ceremonial welcomes spring when people, colorfully
attired, especially in bright shades of yellow, dance,
sing and make merry. In West Bengal, 'Saraswati' - the
goddess of learning is worshipped. The festival is celebrated
with great fervor in the university town of Santiniketan.
Shivaratri
All over the country, Shivratri is observed as the night,
when Lord Shiva danced the 'Tandav' - his cosmic dance.
Fasts and prayers mark the day and devotees throng the
temples. The major Shaivite temples at Varanasi, Kalahasti
(Andhra Pradesh) and Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu) are noted
for their special celebrations.
Holi
Holi is one of the most exuberant Hindu festival that
brings the message of the onset of spring. It is the festival
of colors and is celebrated by throwing colored water
and powder on each other. Huge bonfires are lit on the
eve of Holi as its symbolic representation. The festival
of Holi is being celebrated since centuries with the same
zeal and zest. |
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| Gangaur |
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The most important local festival in Rajasthan, Gangaur
celebrations last for eighteen days. It is dedicated to
Gauri, a manifestation of goddess Parvati. The festival
is celebrated by girls and married women throughout Rajasthan.
The images of Gauri are ornamented and offerings are made.
This is also an auspicious day for young people to select
their life partners. Colorful processions with the town
band playing, horses and elaborate palanquins make it
a fascinating spectacle. |
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Teppam
Teepam is widely celebrated every year in Tamil Nadu from
mid-January to mid-February during the full moon month which
in Tamil is known as Thai. Fantastically dressed and bejeweled
images of the goddess Meenakshi and her consort undaresvara
are floated on rafts. All along the shore, the devotees
chant hymns as a bevy of bands beat drums in tempo with
their chants.
Desert
Festival
The desert festival celebrated in the golden city of Jaisalmer
has an aura of its own. The festival becomes lively with
legions of puppeteers, acrobats, and folk dancers add splashes
of color. Camel races are of great significance and camel
polo is a big attraction. The turban-tying competitions
and the best-dressed Rajput contests add to this three day
long festival.
Nagaur
Fair
Nagaur bustles with life during its annual cattle fair which
is one of the largest in the country. Exciting games and
camel races are part of the festivities. Owners of cattles
from all over Rajasthan come and camp around the outskirts
of Nagaur while they buy and sell animals. This fair is
also famous for the various sports events that are organized
in it, Tug-of-war, camel races and cockfights. At nightfall,
folk music and songs bring out a magnificent musical touch
to the quiet ambience of the desert.
Mahavir
Jayanti
Mahasivratri marks the festival of Mahavira, the founder
of Jainism. It commemorates the birth of Mahavira. It is
mainly celebrated by Jains with great zeal and enthusiasm.
They visit sacred sites and worship Teerthankaras on this
day. The festival is celebrated on a large scale in Gujarat
and Rajasthan.
Ram
Navami
Ramnavmi celebrates the birth of Rama, a human incarnation
of Lord Vishnu. Ayodhya and Pondicherry, the places which
are said to have witnessed the events of Ramayana, are the
main centers for this festival. Temples are decorated and
prayers are offered. Chariot processions of Ram, Seeta and
Lakshman are taken out from the temples with great zest.
Good
Friday
This Christian festival marks the memory of the crucifixion
of Jesus Christ. Just as it is celebrated around the world,
Good Friday is observed in India, too, in April every year.
All Christians attend Mass held in the churches on this
day. Following Good Friday comes Easter Sunday, which is
also celebrated with great enthusiasm and joy.
Easter
Easter commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It
represents the victory of life over death. Easter is a celebration
of Christ's resurrection from the dead.
Vishu
Vishu is the New Year's Day for the Keralites. The New Year
is supposed to bring better knowledge and understanding
between all humans. The festival is celebrated with much
joyous and happy minds and forgetting all the differences.
Nau
Roz
Nau Roz is Kashmir's New Year's Day. On this day, there
is a general festivity and rejoicing throughout the state.
Goru
Bihu
The Goru Bihu, the cattle festival is celebrated on the
Hindu New Year's Day that is April or May. On this day,
the cattle are washed and decorated. They are smeared with
turmeric and are treated to Gur (Jaggery) and Brinjals.
Naba
Barsha
This festival is the New Year's Day of the Bengalis. It
welcomes the New year with early morning processions, songs
and dance. Beautiful designs called Alpana are made on the
floor by the house-wife.
Gudi
Padva
Gudi Padva is widely celebrated in Maharashtra. The day
is very auspicious for the people of Maharashtra. It is
generally believed that any venture started on this day
gives nothing but success.
Ugadi
Ugadi marks the beginning of a new Hindu lunar calendar
with a change in the moon's orbit. It is believed that Lord
Brahma started creation on this day. Ugadi is the Telugu
New Year's Day. On this day mantras are chanted and predictions
made for the New Year.
Puthandu
It is celebrated as the Tamil New Year's Day. At Tiruvadamarudur
near Kumbakonam a big car festival is held.
Cheti
Chand
This festival reflects the tradition and culture of the
Sindhis. It is celebrated as the birthday of Asht Dev. Hi
is believed to be the community God of the Sindhis. His
birthday falls on the second tithi (occasion) of Chaitra
(the first month of the year according to the Hindu calendar).
This day is considered to be very auspicious and is rejoiced
with much pomp and splendor.
Buddha
Purnima
Buddha Purnima, the birth anniversary of Lord Buddha, is
celebrated by Buddhists all over India. But it is very popular
in Sarnath and Bodhgaya. The Buddhists offer prayers in
their temples on this day. The Buddha was born on a full
moon day in the month of Vaisakh in 563 B.C. He achieved
enlightenment as well as Nirvana on the same date.
Id-Ul-Fitr
Id-ul-Fitr or Ramzan Id marks the end of Ramzan, the month
during which the Muslims fast everyday. Ramzan means the
'festival of breaking the fast'. Fitr is derived from the
word 'fatar' meaning 'breaking'. Ramzan Id is celebrated
on a day when the new moon appears. Prayers are offered
in mosques and Idgahs and elaborate festivities are held.
The festival is celebrated by the Muslims with great fanfare.
BAISAKHI
Held on first 'Baisakh'- the 13th April - Baisakhi is one
of Himachal's most important festival. Rooted in the rural
agrarian tradition, it bids a final farewell to winter.
The Sikhs celebrate this as a collective birthday, filling
the atmosphere with gaiety, music, dancing and good cheer.
This festival is an opportunity in villages to enjoy with
sheer abandon because they know that a season of hard work
follows soon after which is the time for harvesting corn
and other grains.
Karaga
Naba
The dramatic festival of Karaga begins from the Dharmaraja
temple in Bangalore. A devotee is chosen and a Karaga or
a clay pot is placed on his head. The pot represents Shakti,
the mother-goddess of archaic strength. The devotee has
to balance the pot as he has a staff and a sword that occupy
his hands.
Meenakshi
Lalaynam (Chitra Festival)
This 10 day festival takes place at the Meenakshi Temple
in Madurai, to celebrate the mythical marriage between Siva
and Meenakshi. The Meenakshi temple is one of the most spectacular
excessive displays of architecture on earth. The temple
has nine towering gopurams and thousands of pillars, covered
from top to bottom with some 30 million colorful carvings
and gypsum images of gods, demons and animals.
Dhungri
Forest Festival
The Dhungri Forest festival is celebrated at the Hadimba
or Dhungiri temple in Manali. This four story wooden temple
is located in the middle of a forest called the Dhungiri
Van Vihar. The Goddess is worshipped by the local women,
who arrive in their colorful dresses to perform the ritual
dance before her in order to appease her. Legend states
that the king who commissioned the temple was so highly
satisfied with the results that he cut off the craftsman's
right hand to prevent him from duplicating it elsewhere.
Id-Ul-Azha
Or Id-Ul-Zuha (Bakri Id)
Bakrid is celebrated with ritualistic fervor particularly
in Andhara Pradesh. Bakrid is an important festival of Muslims
falling in the last month of Islamic Calendar. The significance
of the festival is the commemoration of the ordeals of Prophet
Ibrahim. On this day prayers are held and goats are sacrificed.
Rath
Yatra
This spectacular chariot festival is held at the famous
Jagannath Temple at Puri. Images of Lord Jagannath - the
Lord of the Universe, his sister Subhadra and brother Balbhadra
are taken out in procession in three immense chariots. The
procession or Rath Yatra draws huge crowds from all over
the country.
Mela
Hemis Gompa
A big fair is held at Hemis Gompa about 50 kilometers 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.
Teej
This Rajasthani festival is celebrated by the women, on
the third day of the moonlit fortnight of Shravan, in memory
of Goddess Parvati’s departure to her husband’s home. Besides
Rajasthan this festival is also celebrated in Bihar and
Uttar Pradesh. In the morning Puja is performed. Later,
in the evening Young ladies and girls dressed up in lehengas
and chunaris to perform dandia dances.
Bonalu
The Bonalu festival is a major welcome for the people of
the Telangana region. This festival is and old tradition
and is celebrated with undiminished ebullience and religious
ardency. This one-month long festival witnesses musical
treats and ritualistic worship. The word "Bonalu" has been
derived from "Bhojanalu" meaning food, which is offered
to the Goddess. The prayers are offered to the village deities Yellamma,
Mahankali, Maisamma, Pochamma, Gundamma. It is also an annual
thanksgiving by the people to the Goddess for fulfillment
of their vows.
Raksha
Bandhan
Raksha Bhandan is celebrated on the full-moon day in the
month of Sravana (July-August). The festival of Raksha Bandhan
symbolizes love, affection and the feeling of brotherhood.
On this day, sisters tie an amulet, the Rakhi, around the
right wrist of their brothers praying for their long life
and happiness. Raksha means protection, and in some places
in medieval India, where women felt unsafe, they tied Rakhi
round the wrists of men they could count upon, regarding
them as brothers. The tradition of tying a thread or "rakhi"
around the wrist to convey different feelings has been coming
down through the ages since the Vedic times.
Naga
Panchami
Nag Panchami is observed on the 5th day of the bright half
of Shravan (July-August). On this day nag, cobras and snakes
are worshipped with milk, sweets, flowers, lamps and even
sacrifice. The image of Nag deities made of silver; stone,
wood are first bathed with water and milk, and then worshipped
with the reciting of the mantras.
Jhapan
(Manasa) Festival
This festival is dedicated to Goddesses Manasa, the daughter
of Lord Shiva. She is believed to be the divine leader of
the fertility cult of snake worship. More popularly, it
is celebrated as a festival of snakes. The biggest attraction
of this festival is the deadly cobra.
Nanda
Devi Raj Jat
The serene mountains of the Chamoli district of Garhwal
reverberates with a flurry of festive activity during the
Nanda Devi Raj Jat Yatra, a royal pilgrimage through the
precipitous mountains, that has been in vogue since time
immemorial. It is an important religious event mired in
deep rooted religious tradition, folklore and mythology.
The Yatra is associated with the legend of Nanda Devi, a
Goddess held in reverence by the local inhabitants of the
region.
Ganesh
Chaturthi
This day is dedicated to the Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed
god of all good beginnings and success. Held annually, this
festival is a ten day long event. The images of Lord Ganesha
are installed and worshipped and on the last day these are
taken in processions to be immersed in flowing water. The
seafront at Mumbai, packed with people, is a spectacular
sight.
Onam
Kerala's most important festival is celebrated in the honor
of the ancient asura king Mahabali. The occasion also heralds
the harvest season. The decorating of houses with carpets
of flowers, a sumptuous lunch and songs in praise of the
golden reign of Mahabali, mark the ten day long festivities.
A major attraction of the Onam celebrations is the famed
snake boat races along the backwaters at Champakulam, Aranmula
and Kottayam.
Janmashtami
Janmashtami, the birth of lord Krishna is celebrated with
great devotion and éclat on the Ashtami of Krishna Paksh
or the 8th day of the dark fortnight in the month of Bhadon,
in the whole of north India. Raslila, a tableaux depicting
scenes from Krishna's life especially the love for Radha,
is performed. In the evening, bhajans are sung, which end
at midnight, the auspicious moment when lord Krishna was
born. Thereafter, arti is done, prasad distributed and flowers
showered on the idol.
Muharram
Muharram is the opening month of the Hijra year. The 10th
day of this month (May) is honored by the Muslims of Kerala.
Muharram marks the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, grandson of
Prophet Mohammed. Taziyas which are bamboo and paper replicas
of the martyr's tomb, adorned with mica are carried throughout
the streets of the city. The tragedy is expressed by mourners
by beating their breasts and grieving over the murder of
the Imam accompanied by drum beats. Fasting is an important
ritual of this day.
BATKAMA
The festival of Batkama in Andhra Pradesh is the most aesthetic
occasion. It is basically, a festival of flowers. Celebrated
for about a month, The festival commences from the Ganesh
Chaturthi and ends on the Dussehra Festival. Flowers are
arranged on a square wooden plank or a square bamboo frame
with the size of frames in a conical shape to form an apex
on top. This little floral mountain represents and is worshipped
as Goddess Batkama.
Dussehra
Dussehra or Vijay Dashmi is a very popular Hindu festival,
celebrated with éclat throughout the country. It is observed
on the tenth day of the bright halk of Ashvin (September-October).
It is a ten-day celebration, commemorating the victory of
Lord Rama over the demon king, Ravana. ‘Ramlila’ which is based
on the epic story of Ramayana, is staged at various places
in most of the cities and towns in northern India. During
this performance the Ramayana is constantly recited accompanied
by music. It presents a fine blending of music, dance, mime,
and poetry before an enthusiastic and religious audience
sharing every event of the story with the actors.
Id-E-Milad
(Barah Wafat)
During this festival sermons are delivered in mosques by
learned men, focusing on the life and noble deeds of the
Prophet who was born on the twelfth day of Rabi-ul-Awwal,
the third month of the Muslim year. The word 'barah' stands
for the twelve days of the Prophet's sickness. In some parts
of the country, a ceremony known as 'sandal' rite is performed
over the symbolic footprints of the Prophet engraved in
stone.
Diwali
Diwali, the festival of lights, falls on 'Amavasya', the
darkest night of 'Kartika'. It symbolizes the victory of
good over evil and the lifting of the spiritual darkness
that envelops the soul. The festival commemorates Lord Rama's
return to his kingdom, Adyodhya after completing his 14
years of exile. The word Deepawali which means rows of lighted
diyas (earthen lamps), brings a glow to the humblest home
or the grandest houses. Sweets and gifts are exchanged between
families and friends amidst the bursting of crackers. Doors
are left open on Diwali for Goddess Laxmi. The festive occasion
also marks the beginning of the Hindu New Year. Lord Ganesha
who is the symbol of auspiciousness and wisdom worshipped
along with Goddess Laxmi on this day.
Gurupurab
Gurupurab or Guru Nanak Jayanti is the birth anniversary
of Guru Nanak who founded the Sikh faith. For two days and
nights preceding the festival the Granth Saheb (Scriptures)
is read. On the day of the festival, the Granth Saheb is
taken out in a grand procession. The celebrations at Amritsar
are the most impressive. Prayer meeting and processions
are carried out particularly in Punjab. Sikh conduct 'langer'
{distribution of food} in the Guru Dawara November: Govardhan
Pooja A Hindu festival dedicated to the holiest of animals
for the Hindus, the cow. | |
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| Pushkar
Fair |
This lovely and gigantic fair falls on the last day (Full
Moon Day) of the Hindu month of Kartik (Oct – Nov) near
the sacred lake of Pushkar. This beautiful lake surrounded
by bathing ghats, has its religious significance, rooted
in a myth. The fair is primarily dedicated to Lord Brahma,
the creator and one of the holy trinity. The colorfully
dressed people enhance the exuberant mood of the fair.
The fair is the biggest camel market. Thousands of pilgrims
gather here, to take a dip in the holy lake. Puppet shows
are the other major crowd - pullers. |
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Nagula
Chatvithi
Nagula Chavithi is celebrated on the fourth day after
Deepavali, which falls on a New Moon day. On this day
serpents are worshipped with great devotion and religious
fervor. On this day women and children observe fast and
worship snake god. Dressed in their festive best, they
offer milk at the snake hills. On this day there is a
great demand for snake hills. Some complete the ritual
at home placing a picture or idol of a snake. Nagula Chavithi
is celebrated twice a year during the months of Karthika
and Sravanam. 'Nagula' means of the snakes and 'Chavithi'
is the fourth day after every New Moon or Full Moon day.
Navratri
This celebration in honor of the goddess, the mother of
the world, begins on the first day of Ashvin, and goes
on for nine days. The goddess is the personification of
Power, or “Shakti”. She is known by many names: “Kali”,
“Laxmi”, “Sarasvati”, “Chandi-ka”, “Durga”, “Bhavani”,
“Ambika”, “Ashtabhuja” (eight hands). Her main task is
to punish the wicked. She is engaged in war, and weapons
are in her hands. She sits on a lion. Her weapons are
the “shul” (pike), “chakra” (wheel), “parshu” (axe) and
“talvar” (sword). Kali is known as “Mahisha-surmardini”,
the slayer of the demon Mahishasur. The fight against
the demon begins on the first day until he is defeated
on the ninth day.VAIKUNTH EKADASHI
There are in all 24 Ekadashis observed by Hindus during
the year. Vaikunth Ekadashi is observed in November and
is celebrated in the honor of Goddess Ekadashi. People
fast and pray to the goddess. In Maharashtra, pilgrims
march in a procession, singing bhajans or devotional songs
and assemble at the Vithal Temple in Pandharpur.
Sonepur
Livestock Fair
The Sonepur Fair is held on Karthik Purnima (the full
moon day) in the month of November in Sonepur (Bihar),
on the banks of river Ganga. It lasts for a fortnight
and the cattle are decorated for the occasion. It is Asia's
largest cattle fair where anything can be bought right
from elephants to camels, buffaloes, goats and all sorts
of four-legged creatures. The fair becomes a virtual explosion
of colors, music, dances, magic shows, cattle, merchants
and handicrafts as people from all over the world congregate
to participate in this huge event. It has all the fun
and hue of a popular fair, which has religious connotations
as well and is enjoyed with a lot of jest and fanfare
by all.
Christmas
Christmas is celebrated in India with great fervor. All
the major Indian cities wear a festive look. Shops and
bazaars are decorated for the occasion and offer attractive
bargains. Carol singing, get-togethers and the exchanging
of gifts enhance the Christmas spirit. Christmas parties
launch off celebrations for the New Year, thus retaining
the festive mood for at least a week.
Kumbh
Mela
The Kumbh Mela is considered to be one of the
most important religious events in India. The
origin of the festival lie in the ancient belief in
the conflict between the gods and the demons over the
possession of the “Amrit Kumbh”, a pitcher filled with
nectar.
This
fair is celebrated in 4 places – Haridwar, Allahabad,
Nasik and Ujjain. People, from all over the world, come
to participate in this momentous event, drawn by their
curiosity about the exotic traditions and the religious
mysticism of India. A large number of sadhus gather on
the banks of the Ganges to take a dip in the holy river
and people bath at the 'Har ke Pauri' Ghat at Haridwar
on this auspicious occasion. The noise baffles all description, the shout and
cries of ash-smeared sadhus come mingled with the neighing
of horses, the trumpeting of elephants, the grunts of
camels, the bellowing of bulls, and as if these are not
enough, there are gongs and drums beating, trumpets blaring,
condishells blowing and bells ringing. How to plan your tours:
We are pioneer travel agents and tour operators from Delhi/Bombay offer
Fairs and Festivals tours to India and tour packages
for Indian tourism destinations. Puskhar Fair 2005 with
tour programme of other tourist destination of North
india and Rajasthan, luxury tent accommodation in Pushkar,
Cattle Fair tour itinerary. Visit at our itineraries
http://www.india-tourism.net/itineraries.htm
to chalk out your tour plan or you may write us… your
choice of destinations to design a tour for you with
travel period and budget to: sales@india-tourism.net
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