|
INDIA
- Year
2001
|
|
Festival
|
Month
|
Region
|
Description
|
|
Shilpgram
Crafts Mela
|
January
|
Udaipur,
Rajasthan
|
Some of
the magnificent crafts of Rajasthan are on display at this colourful
festival. |
|
The Great
Elephant March
|
January
|
Kerala
|
While caparisoned
elephants are taken out in a procession, boat races on the backwaters
and cultural events lend colour to the festivities. |
|
Bikaner
Festival
|
January
|
Bikaner,
Rajasthan
|
Dedicated
to the 'ship of the desert', the festival starts off with a procession
of camels followed by dance and music competitions. |
|
Calcutta
Festival
|
January
|
Calcutta,
West Bengal
|
Traditional food stalls selling Bengali cuisine and cultural
events mark this lively occasion. |
|
Kerala Village
Fair
|
February
|
Kovalam,
Kerala
|
The traditional
thatch houses around Kovalam become venue for folk dances and music
during this 8-day festival. |
|
Surajkund
Crafts Mela
|
February
|
Surajkund,
Haryana
|
Artisans
display the rich craft tradition of India. Cultural programmes and
rural cuisine are part of this colourful 15-day fair. |
|
International Yoga Week
|
February
|
Rishikesh,
Uttar Pradesh
|
Lectures
and demonstration of various asanas by prominent exponents of yoga
are the major highlights of this week-long event. |
|
Desert Festival
|
February
|
Jaisalmer,
Rajasthan
|
Camel rides,
turban-tying competition, a Mr Desert Contest and folk dances are
held on the sand dunes. |
|
Nagaur Fair
|
February
|
Nagaur,
Rajasthan
|
A busy cattle
fair with exciting games and camel races. |
|
Elephanta
Festival
|
February
|
Mumbai,
Maharashtra
|
Held on
the Elephanta Island, this festival of music and dance is celebrated
under the stars. |
|
Deccan Festival
|
February
|
Hyderabad,
Andhra Pradesh
|
Cultural
programmes, a pearl and bangle fair and food fests mark this occasion.
|
|
Taj Mahotsav
|
February
|
Agra, Uttar
Pradesh
|
The festival
showcases India's arts, crafts and culture. |
|
Goa Carnival
|
February
|
Goa
|
Lively processions,
floats, music and dance bring alive Goa's festive spirit. |
|
Garden Festival
|
February
|
Delhi
|
A spectacular
flower show where varieties of flowers and exotic plants are on display.
|
|
Chapchar
Kut
|
February
|
Mizoram
|
This festival
celebrates the arrival of spring and is an occasion for music and
feasting. |
|
Rose Festival
|
February
|
Chandigarh
|
The biggest
rose show in the country where you can see hundreds of varieties. |
|
Island Tourism
Festival
|
February
|
Port Blair,
Andaman & Nicobar Islands
|
A 10-day
long festival of dance, drama and music. Exhibitions of arts and crafts,
flora and fauna and marine life. |
|
Natyanjali
Festival
|
March
|
Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu
|
Five-day
long festival of classical dance and music at Chidambaram, the home
of the Dancing Shiva. |
|
Khajuraho
Dance Festival
|
March
|
Khajuraho,
Madhya Pradesh
|
The 1,000-year
old temples at Khajuraho come alive during the week-long festival
of classical dances. |
|
Elephant
Festival
|
March
|
Jaipur,
Rajasthan
|
Elephant
races, elephant polo and a tug of war between elephants and men are
all part of this spectacular event. |
|
Hoysala
Mahotsava
|
March
|
Belur-Halebid, Karnataka
|
The breathtaking
Hoysala temples make the perfect venue for this cultural feast. |
|
Jhansi Festival
|
February
|
Jhansi,
Uttar Pradesh
|
The event
is a display of the arts, crafts and culture of the city. |
|
Ellora Festival
|
March
|
Aurangabad, Maharashtra
|
The magnificent
rock-cut caves form the perfect backdrop for this festival of dance
and music. |
|
Mewar Festival
|
April
|
Udaipur,
Rajasthan
|
Colourfully attired women carry images of goddess Gauri
to Lake Pichola. A line of boats goes around the lake. |
|
International Flower Festival
|
May
|
Gangtok,
Sikkim
|
A rare show
of exotic flowers, orchids and other plants native to Sikkim. River
rafting and a yak safari are added attractions. |
|
Summer Festival
|
1st week
June
|
Major hill
stations
|
The advent
of summer ushers in colourful festivity. Lively cultural events, flower
shows and exhibitions brighten the summer season at the picturesque
hill stations. |
|
Hemis Festival
|
July
|
Leh, Ladakh
|
Hemis, Ladakh's
biggest Buddhist monastery, celebrates the birth anniversary of
Guru Padmasambhava. Splendid mask dances and a fair displaying handicrafts
are the special highlights
|
|
International Mango Festival
|
July
|
Delhi
|
Savour innumerable
varieties of mangoes at the unique mango festival. |
|
Nehru Trophy
Boat Race
|
August
|
Kerala
|
Long elegant
snakeboats oared by enthusiastic men vie with each other to win the
coveted trophy. |
|
Tarnetar
Mela
|
September
|
Saurashtra
|
A festival
where the young choose their partners, it also exhibits traditional
costumes and jewellery. |
|
Ganesh Festival
|
September
|
Pune, Maharashtra
|
Dedicated
to Lord Ganesha, folk dances, music and film festival make up this
event. |
|
Marwar Festival
|
October
|
Marwar,
Rajasthan
|
The festival
brings alive the 'Maand' style of folk music - a classical style that
describes the romantic life of Rajasthan's rulers. |
|
Rajgir Mahotsav
|
October
|
Rajgir,
Bihar
|
This is
a colourful festival of dance and music held in the erstwhile capital
of the Magadha kings. |
|
Lucknow
Festival
|
November
|
Lucknow,
Uttar Pradesh
|
This 10-day
long festival is marked by colourful processions, Kathak dances and
sitar recitals coupled with ghazals, qawwalis and thumri. |
|
Sonepur
Mela
|
November
|
Sonepur,
Bihar
|
Asia's biggest
cattle fair is held on the banks of river Ganga. Cattle decorated
for the occasion throng the venue. |
|
Hampi Festival
|
November
|
Hampi, Karnataka
|
The magnificent
ruined city of Hampi comes alive with dance and music. |
|
Vishnupur
Festival
|
December
|
Vishnupur,
West Bengal
|
The festival
celebrates the rich heritage of the town of Vishnupur, noted for its
exquisite terracotta temples and rich silks. |
|
Konark Dance
Festival
|
December
|
Konark,
Orissa
|
Skilled
dancers perform in the open-air auditorium; a crafts mela adding to
the festive mood. |
|
Mamallapuram Dance Festival
|
Dec 25-Jan
31
|
Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu
|
Leading
Indian classical dancers perform against the backdrop of the Pallava
rock sculptures. |