A Dazzle of Festivals
With its multitude of gods and goddesses of many religions, India
has an incredible variety of festivals, many of them regional and all
vying with each other in terms of colour, noise and sheer exuberance.
Most of the festivals follow the Indian or Tibetan lunar calendars or
the changeable Islamic calendar, so the exact dates may vary slightly
from year to year. Here are a few of the most colourful festivals to
plan your journey around.
January / February
Makar Sankranti
International kite festival when the sky is filled with colourful kite duels waged from the rooftops
Bikaner Camel Festival
A two-day festival in Rajasthan that celebrates the ship of the desert with parades, races and dancing
Desert Fair
A five-day festival in Jaisalmer that includes traditional
Rajasthani music and dance, handicrafts, camel caravans, camel races
and turban-tying competitions
February / March
Holi
During this colourful north Indian festival Hindus celebrate the beginning of spring by throwing coloured water and powder at each other. The night before Holi bonfires are held to symbolise the demise of the demoness Holika.
April / May
Thrissur Pooram
One of the largest of Kerala's festivals, this eight-day event boasts elephant processions, music and fireworks
Nehru Trophy Snake Boat Race
Famous regatta on Vembanad Lake, during which scores of long, low chundan vallams (snake boats) crewed by up to 100 rowers shaded by gleaming silk umbrellas compete for the Nehru Cup
Ganesh Chaturthi
Celebration of the birth of the elephant-headed Hindu god Ganesh during which clay idols of Ganesh are paraded through city streets before being ceremonially immersed in rivers, lakes or the sea
September / October
Dussehra
A celebration of the victory of the Hindu god Rama over the demon-king Ravana during which effigies of Ravana and his cohorts are ritually burned.
Durga Puja
This festival marks the goddess Durga’s victory over the buffalo-headed demon Mahishasura. Thousands of images of the goddess are ritually immersed in rivers and water tanks.
October / November
Diwali (Deepavali)
The Festival of Lights is a Hindu celebration that lasts for five days and is marked by the giving of gifts, setting off of fireworks and the burning of oil lamps to guide the Lord Rama home from his exile
Pushkar Camel Fair / Kartik Purnima
An immense congregation of camel traders and their mounts, this immense camel fair coincides with
the date when Hindu pilgrims come to bathe in Pushkar's sacred waters,
resulting in a loud and colourful blend of musicians, mystics, traders
and animals, all chanting, holding processions and setting candles
afloat on the holy lake
What to do: experience India
