FAIR & FESTIVALS

JAIPUR LITERATURE FESTIVAL

The Jaipur Literature festival was first organised in 2009 by Jaipur Virasat Foundation – an NGO for Rajasthan folk music and craftsmen and supports in protecting the heritage as well as promoting the economic living for them. Since then, every year in January, the festival is celebrated in Jaipur which hosts a number of well-known literature giants from across the globe. The initiative of the festival is to provide a platform for a never before interaction between these literates which generates new thoughts, ideas and perspective for the general issues. This year, around 200 well known writers and artists attended the festival and was considered a big success. The entry is free for the visitors to experience this festival of knowledge.

 

Location- Jaipur
Period- January
Duration- 5 Days

 

 

THE KHAJURAHO DANCE FESTIVAL

Khajuraho Dance festival is celebrated to mark the beginning of spring season, when vibrant colors on blossoming flaura greets you. The festival is conducted every year in an open auditorium located in front of the Vishwanatha Temple and Chitragupta Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva and Sun God. These temples are part of the popular Western group of temple which are by far the largest and most well maintained of temples in Khajuraho.It is a weeklong celebration as dancers from across the country join to showcase their brilliant dance forms which are classical, traditional and rich in cultural essence. The dancers are no ordinary but the experts in their dance form as you get the opportunity to witness from Bharatnatyam to Odissi to Kuchipudi and many more traditional dance forms.

 

Location-  Khajuraho
Period- February
Duration- 7 Day

 

 

HOLI – THE FESTIVAL OF COLORS

As per the Hindu calendar, Holi is the first festival celebrated in the New Year and is also known as The Festival of Colors. The festival is celebrated in some style as people greet each other with water and colors and the whole mood is very jovial and exciting. A number of myths are attached to this festival and the most well-known legend is ‘Holika Dahan’ as Lord Rama killed the sister of Ravan to mark this day. It was also related to celebrating good harvest for the season. It is one of the biggest festivals in India and people wait for it with much excitement. The festival is also considered as the ending winter season and beginning of summers. In the recent years, it has grown and is being celebrated in other countries gaining attraction across the globe.

 

Location-  All over India, especially in north India
Period- March
Duration- 1 Day

 

 

HEMIS FESTIVAL

The Hemis festival is the biggest of all Tibetan festivals in Ladakh. It is a colourful extravaganza celebrated on the 10th day of the Tibetan lunar month as the local people are seen wonderfully dressed in their finest outfits to enjoy the festival. The festival is celebrated to mark the birth of the Guru Padmasambhava who was the founder of Tantric Buddhism in Tibet. The lamas in the Hemis monastery perform the splendid dances wearing the facial masks and colourful robes as they present the drama of the life and mission of their Guru. The head lama is also present and presides over the function. A two day program, the popularity is ever growing as tourist from across the globe visit Ladakh during this time of the year to be a part and enjoy this special festival.

 

Location-  Leh, laddakh
Period-  July
Duration- 2 days

 

 

PUSHKAR FAIR

The most popular fair in India and by far, attracts the largest number of tourists over the 9 days affair. The fair is organized is the city of Pushkar, which is famous for the Lord Bramha temple and is known to be one of the oldest towns in the country. The fair is a mix of religious gathering to celebrate the auspicious positioning of moon as well as for the world’s largest cattle fair. The cattle fair is a commercial gathering as it witnesses around 50000 camels being traded. The main fair operates for 5 days as the fairground gets the busiest during this period. It also features camel races, decorated camel for up selling as well as cultural programs to keep the tourist busy. The fair is organized between October and November as the dates differ every year depending on the moon positioning.

 

Location- Pushkar, Rajasthan
Period-  October/ November

Duration- 9 Days

 

 

DEEPAWALI

Deepawali or Diwali is one of the biggest and the brightest in India and is celebrated with great enthusiasm across the country. Also known as the ‘Festival of Lights’, it not only involves lightning of lamps but is supposed to bring happiness, spiritual enlightenment as well as prosperity to everyone. The festival is also celebrated as the beginning of the Hindu New Year as Hindus worship Lord Ganesha and Goddess Laksmi on this auspicious day. As per the ancient myths, it is the festival to mark the victory of good over evil and is believed to bring good luck as Goddess Laksmi visit the homes which are brightly lit. The festivities carry across five days with each day having its own importance and rituals. Now a days, people across the country fire crackers and one can witness wonderfully lit sky with fireworks.

 

Location-  All over India
Period-  October/November
Duration- 2 Days

 

 

HORNBILL FESTIVAL

The hornbill festival is the most popular and biggest festival in Northeast India. It is celebrated in the state of Nagaland, which is also known as the land of festivals and comprises of 16 major tribes who still carry their culture with pride. It is a 7 to 10 days affair with all 16 tribes gathering together in Kohima to showcase their culture with dances, songs, cuisines and local textile. It is also to pay tribute to beautiful bird Hornbill and to admire its qualities of alertness and opulence. The festival is organised by Nagaland government to promote and boost the interaction between local tribes as well as to present the state and its culture to the tourist.

 

Location-  Kohima, Nort East of India
Period-  December
Duration- 7-10 days

 

 

ONAM FESTIVAL

The agriculture has a major part to play in Indian society as almost 50% of working population comprises of farmers and it is understandable how important the harvesting period is in this country. Mainly celebrated in Kerala, the Onam festival marks the harvesting period and is celebrated for the next 10 days. Ancient myths are also associated with the festival as people celebrate homecoming of mythical king Mahabali.

As you wander around the streets, you will notice the beautiful decorations with flowers in front and around the house. People indulge in clearing and decorating the surroundings which sets the mood for celebration. As the day passes, people in new and vibrant clothes gather for lavish meals spread across the banana leaves. The festival then gets in full swing as various local dances and sports are performed, including the very popular snake boat race. The festival is celebrated at the beginning of Malayalam calendar, which is usually towards the end of August or beginning of September.

 

Location – Kerala (Kottayam, Trivandrum, Kochi, Thrissur, etc)
Period – August/September
Duration – 10 days

 

 

RANN UTSAV

As the full moon cycle begins during the winter period – starting December, the small deserted town of Kutch turns into a lively and colourful place for visitors from across the globe. An Utsav is a fair to celebrate the cultural importance of the state and showcase the traditional art forms of the area. Initiated by the Gujarat Government, it was originally a 15 days fair but with the growing popularity and benefits extending to the local craftsmen, it is now a 3 month long extravaganza. During the festival, the visitors get the opportunity to witness the folk dances & local musicians, take a camel ride, explore the local handicrafts as well as view the white desert shinning bright with salt crystals at night due to full moon. Around the area are many historic monuments as one takes out time to explore them.

 

Location-  Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
Period-  December- March
Duration- 3 Months