Indian Festivals 

This festival is performed during the nine days of Navratri. Community pujas in Bengal are organised in every locality. Families visit each other to share feasts. On Bijoya day, the idols are taken in elaborate processions for immersion in the river or the sea.

This festival is celebrated to mark the homecoming of Lord Rama. The Ramlila – an enactment of the life of Lord Rama, is held nine days before Dussehra. On the tenth day, larger than life effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhkarna and son Meghnath filled with fire crackers are set alight to celebrate the victory of good over evil.In Himachal Pradesh, a weel long fair at Kullu is a part of Dussehra celebrations. From the little temples in the hills, deties are brought in processin to the Kullu Maidan with lot of gaity, music and colour. The presiding deity is Lord Raghunathji.

This is a festival devoted mainly to the music and dance of the Marwar region. The festival was originally known as the ‘Maand Festival’. Held for two days on full moon- shared purnima, folk artists bring to liofe the myth, legend and folklore of the area.

Durga, the Goddess symbolic of beauty, benevolence and bravery is worshiped in the State especially in Cuttack and Bhubanshewar with solemnity, gaiety and eclat. To commemorate the victory of ten - handed Mother Durga over the Buffalo - demon Mahisasura, nicely constructed and richly decorated images of the Goddess are installed all over the State.

This is a harvest festival when Laxmi, the Goddess of Prosperity, visits all homes to bring fortune and good luck to all. Kojagiri, the special night, is celebrated with ice-cold, saffron-flavoured sweet milk, shared in the cool midnight. The full moon night is called Navanna Purnima or the moonlit night of new food. The newly harvested rice is offered to the gods and lamps are lit before the full moon.

The festival of lights is one of the most beautiful of Indian festivals. It comes 21 days after Dussehra and celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after his 14 year exile. Homes are decorated, sweets are distributed by everyone and thousands of lamps lit in houses all over the country making it a night of enchantment. Doorways are hung with Torans (a decorative garland for the door) of mango leaves and marigolds. Rangolis (designs on floor) are dawn with different coloured powders to welcome guests. Worship of Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and fireworks and festivities are an essential part of the occasion.

The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak- the first guru of the Sikhs who founded the Sikh faith, is celebrated with great fervour. The ‘Akhand Path’ – recitation of the Sikh holy book, Guru Granth Sahib, is held in gurudwaras all over the country. Taking the holy book out in procession, is also an integral part of the celebrations. Langars (community feast) are organised where people of all castes sit together to eat and sing hymns from the Guru Granth Sahib. The celebrations at Amritsar are especially impressive.

This is the most important festival of the Khasis in Mrghalaya. The five day long festival, held annually near Shillong, is an occasion for thanksgiving for a good harvest and the time to pray for peace and prosperity. Khasi men and women, dressed in traditional splendour, perform the famous Nongkrem dance.

This is Asia’s biggest cattle fair held in Sonepur, Bihar on the banks of river Ganges. During this month long fair, cattle, decorated for the occasion, swarm the venue.

This fair is held every year at Puskar, near Ajmer. Thousands of pilgrims come to bathe in the holy waters of the Pushkar Lake. Trading of cattle, camel races and dazzliing displays of bangles, brassware, clothes, camel saddles and halters are the major attractions of this colourful event which lasts for twelve days.

Beach festival is an astoundingly effort to bring into the limelight the cultural and traditional heritage of the land. Cultural programs, exotic shopping, sports activities and fireworks competition, besides the blue expance of Bay of Bengal at Puri splendidly colourful and enchanting.

The magnificent ruined city of Hampi, once the capital of the Vijaynagar Empire, comes alive once again during this lively festival of dance and music, held in the first week of November.

This festival is celebrated by the Christians and non- Christians alike with special enthusiasm. 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. Chrismas parties launch off celebrations for the New Year, thus retaining the festive mood for at least a week.

Konark festival in the Sun Temple, Konark, offers an unforgettable experience every December 05th. A host of celebrated dancers from all over the country perform on the temple platform or beach. The sound of ghungroo bells flute and pakhauj fill the air and a marvelous crafts mela, with a variety of handicrafts and delectable cuisine, adds to the festive mood.

Amidst the erotic sculptural and architectural marvels this period witnesses the spectacle of artistic performance by reputed artist at Konark Yearly celebration of this extravaganza is really spell - binding.