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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:
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January |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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FEBRUARY |
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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. |
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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.
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MARCH |
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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.
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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.
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APRIL |
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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)
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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.
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MAY |
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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.
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JUNE |
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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.
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JULY |
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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.
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AUGUST |
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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. |
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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.
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SEPTEMBER |
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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.
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OCTOBER |
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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.
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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.
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NOVEMBER |
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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.
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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.
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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.
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DECEMBER |
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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.
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