Diwali (October) India's most spectacular festival & one which marks the end of the season that opens with Dussehra, Diwali is also called the festival of lights as people illuminate their homes at night with garlands of lit candle or oil-lamps with fireworks being a major attraction. Diwali means many things to many people. | |
Pongal (January) Festival unique to the state of Tamil Nadu. It is also known as the harvest festival. |  Goa Carnival (February-March)
A truly Goan celebration with a Portuguese flavour featuring continuous singing, dancing, loud music, lots to eat, floats and processions. This marks the period February-March before the beginning of the austerities of Lent. |
Holi (March)
The triumph of good over evil is celebrated at this unusual festival in March when during the first half of the day people throw coloured powders & water at each other. It is also traditionally the day when the hand of peace is extended to everyone and is especially loved by children. | Rath Yatra at Puri (July)
A monumental festival held in July at Puri, Orrisa, that commemorates the journey of Lord Jagannath from his temple to his summer retreat & back. Thousands of people participate in the festivities. |
Onam (September)
 Celebrated in Kerala, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu, with decorated swings, flower decoration, motifs & a celebratory-style cuisine, Onam is the time to visit these states. | Ladakh Festival (September 1-15)
 Ladakh festivities can be enjoyed 1 to 15 September every year. Ladakh. Nestled in the Western Himalayas where a confluence of cultures - Central Asian, Tibetan, North Indian etc. meet. |
Rakhi (August)
An ancient tradition celebrated in August when sisters tie silk or brocade threads on their brothers wrists as sign of their affection. | Janamahtami (August)
Lord Krishna's birth anniversary is celebrated in August all over the country with temple festivities and the announcement of his birth at midnight which has his devotees rocking his cradle. |
Ganesha Chathurthi (September)
The birth anniversary of Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed god, is joyous occasion for the entire country.
| Dussehra (October)
Celebrated all over India, Dussehra marks the victory of Ram over Ravana, & the rescue of his wife Sita. |
Id-Ul- Fitr or Ramzan Id (February)
An all India festivity celebrated among the Muslim community to mark the end of Ramzan month. A pudding, called "sevaiyan", is made. | Id-Ul- Zuha or Bakra Id (April)
Muslim festivities are celebrated throughout the country. A procession of tazias is taken out of the city on this occasion.
|
Durga Puja (September -October)
What Dussehra is to the rest of the country, Durga Puja is to Bengal. Celebrated at the same time. This occasion commemorates the homecoming of the Goddess Durga. | |
2000-08 All rights reserved worldwide - 