SURAJKUND CRAFTSMELA
(Surajkund, New Delhi) February 1 - 15

India's spectacular handloom and handicrafts fair, organised in the rural settings of Surajkund. The week long mela shows crafts people from all over the country, bringing alive the age old crafts traditions. Items made before your eyes are offered for sale.

Surajkund is within easy access, about an hours drive from Delhi.

NAGAUR FAIR
[Nagaur, Rajasthan] February 8 - 11

The sands of this desert out-post stir with life annually as thousands of camels, horses and cattle assemble here for the ritual buying and selling. Colourful stalls sell items used in the every day life of the Rajasthani people, and there is entertainment in the form of the local circus and Nautanki.

DESERT FESTIVAL
[Jaisalmer] February 14 - 16

With the "golden" fort of Jaisalmer in the back-ground, the desert is brought to life as dancers in vibrant skirts and dresses and famous bands of the region echo the rhythm of the people. The festivities include a pageant, camel races and acrobatics, camel polo and dances.

There is also the thrill of the turban tying competition, and an unique sound and light show on the desert sands.

KHAJURAHO DANCE FESTIVAL
[Khajuraho] February 25 - March 3

A Fusion of the body and the sprit. As dusk falls over the ancient Chandela Shrines at Kajuraho the stillness is suddenly pierced by the sound of Ghungroos and the staccato beat of the tabla. Once again the Khajuraho festival of dance begins amidst the famous temples to create for the audience, the most spectacular and exhilarating cultural experience of the year. The juxtaposition of the dancers with the ancient temple background is a means of a spiritual communion, which is experienced not only by the performers but by the audience as well.

GANGAUR FESTIVAL
[Jaipur, Rajasthan] April 4

Gangaur is the most colourful spring festival of Rajasthan festival celebrated in Jaipur, with processions carrying the idols of Ishar and Gangaur to the Lake Pichola where a cavalcade of floats on Pichola Lake honours Gauri, bringing to Pichola all the colours of the rainbow.

MEWAR FESTIVAL
[Udaipur, Rajasthan] April 4 - 5

The Mewar festival of boats and floats is a major event in Udaipur when the entire Lake Pichola looks like a riot of colours. Udaipur, being an integral part of any Rajasthan circuit, can be included in any standard itinerary - The routing can be Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur Udaipur or a longer version which will also include Bikaner and Jaisalmer.

HEMIS FESTIVAL
[Hemis, Ladakh] July 9 - 10

A big fair held at the Hemis Gompa, 50 kms from Leh, celebrates the birthday of Padmasambhava, the founder of Lamaism. The ritual dances by masked dancers are the main attraction, as are the local handicrafts.

This is one of the most important festivals of Ladakh which gives us a klaideskope of the life and culture of the Ladakhi people. The Hemis monastry is about an hours drive from Leh so this festival can be visited during stay in Leh itself.

PUSHKAR FAIR
[Pushkar, Rajasthan] November 5 - 8

The most colourful fair of Rajasthan, mainly a cattle fair where about 50,000 heads of cattle are traded. A mammoth 200,000 people take a dip in the holy waters on Kartik Poornima day, signifies ritual purification. It is an unparalleled glimpse of India at its most exotic.

The most well known festival of Rajasthan, it is extremely popular and therefore, a programme including Pushkar Fair stay, has to be booked well in advance.

PONGAL
[Tamil Nadu] January 15

A three day harvest festival. The first day is confined to domestic festivities, and on the second day rice cooked in milk is offered to the Sun God. On the third day the cattles are washed, their horns painted and decorated. They are then fed with the rice offered to the Sun God. Festivities involve bull-fights and snatching bags of money tied between the horns of ferocious bulls.

REPUBLIC DAY
[All India] January 26

The Republic Day, commemorates the forming of the Indian Republic and is celebrated with a spectacular parade of awesome grandeur as tableaux from all states of India are displayed to thousands of spectators. In Delhi, the President of India takes the salute from an impressive parade consisting of the Armed Forces, School Childern and NCC youth, Folk Dancers and floats, which move down from the Rajpath to the Red Fort via India Gate.

BASANT PANCHAMI
[All India] February 6

Dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of learning. The festivities are particularly remarkable in north India, where it is celebrated as a spring festival, with yellow-clad revellers vying with the bloom of the mustard flower. In Bengal, the Goddess of Learning - Saraswati, is worshipped and her image is taken out in a colourful procession.

ID-UL-ZUHA (Bakr-Id)
[All India] February 12
Depends on lunar dates which change every year.

Celebrated by Muslims, this occasion commemorates the offering made by Prophet Ibrahim to God. Prayers and the ceremonial slaughter of a lamb and greetings mark this festival throughout India.

MAHASHIVRATRI
[All India] March 1

Celebrated by Hindus all over India Mahashivratri is a Solemn festival devoted to the worship of the most powerful deities of the Hindu pantheon, Lord Shiva. Festival of fasting and chanting, it is belived, Shiva danced the "Tandav" on this night.

MUHARRAM
[All India (especially Lucknow/Hyderabad)] March 14
Depends on lunar dates which change every year.

On this day of mourning, Muslims commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed. Tazias, gorgeous replicas of the martyr's tomb are carried in procession through the streets, and men beat their chests and wail as an expression of grief and distress.

ELEPHANT FESTIVAL
[Jaipur, Rajasthan] March 17

A majestic procession of caparisoned elephants move through the streets to the Chauhan Stadium. There is elephant polo and race interspersed with Rajasthani folk dances, songs and entertainment.

HOLI
[All India] March 18

Holi is the festival of spring when crowds of merrymakers spray coloured powder on one anothers in an atmosphere of exuberance. On the evening before, bonfires are lit to symbolise the destruction of evil.

Particularly interesting celebrations are held near the home of Lord Krishna at Mathura and also in Punjab.

RAMNAVAMI
[All India (particularly Uttar Pradesh)] April 11

Lord Ram's birthday is observed throughout the country with great devotion.

BAISAKHI
[All India (particularly Punjab)] April 14

An important day for the Sikh community, Baisakhi is of special significance, when their tenth teacher, Guru Gobind Singh, founded the Khalsa sect. It also marks the beginning of the solar New Year for the Hindus. There is a lot of feasting, dancing and jubilation specially all over north India.

GOOD FRIDAY
[All India] April 18

The day of fasting and penance, as it commemorates the crucifiction of Lord Jesus Christ. The title for this day varies in different part of the world: "Holy Friday" for Latin nations, Slavs and Hungarians call it "Great Friday," in Germany it is "Friday of Mourning," and in Norway, it is "Long Friday." Some view the term "Good Friday" (used in English and Dutch) as a corruption of the term "God's Friday." This is another obligatory day of fasting and abstinence. In Ireland, they practice the "black fast," which is to consume nothing but black tea and water.

EASTER
[All India] April 19

Christians all over India celebrate, resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ to heaven, day for rejoicing and merriment and is celebrated by Christians all over India.

BUDDHA PURNIMA
[All India] May 16

Celebrated by Buddhists throughout India, this fullmoon day is believed to be the birthday of the Lord Buddha. It is a day of prayer, and gatherings at temples or Viharas, where ceremonial offerings are made to Buddha.

RATH YATRA
[Puri, Orissa] July 1

The Rath Yatra or Car Festival at the Jagannath temple in Puri, the eastern state of Orissa is one of the greatest temple festival of India. The city reverberates with activity when spectacular wooden images of the deities kept at the temple are taken out in the streets on giant chariots nearly 14 metres high, in honour of Lord Jagannath amidst mammoth gathering.

TEEJ
[Rajasthan (particularly Jaipur)] August 1

An important festival in Rajasthan that welcomes the advent of the monsoons. Primarily it is a women's festival, the presiding diety of the festival is the Goddess Parvati. A procession of her idol seated on a palanquin is carried out on two separate days in a sea of vibrantly dressed women, accompanied by musicians, dancers, drummers and caprisoned elephants, horses and camels. Decorated swings are put up, and women swing on them, singing in praise of the Goddess.

AMARNATH YATRA
[Amarnath Cave, Kashmir] August 12

Up in the Himalayas, the cave at Amarnath enshrines a naturally formed ice Linga, a symbol of Lord Shiva which waxes and wanes with the moon. It is believed, Lord Shiva explained the secret of salvation to his consort Parvati.

RAKSHA BANDHAN
[All India (mainly North)] August 12

Glittering amulets or 'rakhis' are tied to the wrist of brothers by sisters in a gesture which symbolises the seeking and granting of brotherly protection. The Sea God Varuna is also worshipped by many on
this day, by the throwing of coconuts into the sea, which is why the day is also known as Narial Purnima.

INDEPENDENCE DAY
[All India] August 15

Day of India's independence. Solemn ceremonies in all cities mark the occasion. In Delhi, the Prime Minister addresses the nation from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort and unfurls the National Flag.

JANAMASHTAMI
(Vaisnava) [All India(especially Brindavan)] August 20

Birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated throughout the country, with great festivity and enthusiasm. A day of fasting for the devotees. At Mathura, his birth is symbolically enacted and at adjoining Brindavan, colourful song and dance dramas depicting the life of Lord Krishna are performed all day and night.

GANESH/VINAYAK CHATURTHI
[All India (particularly Maharashtra)] August 31

The birthday of the elephant-headed Lord Ganesha. He is worshipped to remove all obstacles and ensure smooth progress in all ventures. In Mumbai, small, big and gigantic images of Lord Ganesha are worshipped for days, after which they are taken out in mammoth processions to the water front and immersed. On the main immersion day the sight at the sea fronts where the idol is immersed is packed with people, as thousands of idols are brought by devotees.

ONAM
[Kerala] September 8

A picturesque harvest festival, heralding the annual visit of Mahabali, the favourite mythical king of Kerala and also the end of the monsoons; is celebrated with feasting, singing, dancing and processions. A major attraction are the famed snake-boat races Vallam Kalli held on the picturesque back- waters

GANDHI JAYANTI
[All India] October 2

The birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the Nation.

DURGA PUJA
[All India (especially Bengal)] October 2 - 4

.Commemorating the destruction of the demon Mahishasura by the Goddess Durga, exquisitely decorated idols of the Goddess are installed and worshipped. Devotees throng to the colourful "Puja Pandals", and on the last day of the festival the idols are carried out in elaborate processions for immersion amidst chanting and singing.

DUSSHERA/NAVRATRI
[All India] October 4

One of the most colourful celebrations in India. A ten day festival, of which nine days are spent in worship and the tenth day in celebration of the triumph of good over evil. In Delhi and other parts of north India, the effigies of Ravana are consigned to flames. At Kulu, in Himachal Pradesh, local deities from neighbouring villages converge where colourful festivities mark the occasion. Mysore witnesses a magnificent procession with caparisoned elephants and horses as the erstwhile Maharaja goes from his palace to the temple

MARWAR FESTIVAL
[Jodhpur, Rajasthan] October 8 - 9

On the night of the full moon, the rich cultural traditions of the region are supported by singers and Ghoomar dancers against the back-drop of the stately Mehrangarh Fort.

DIWALI/LAKSHMI PUJA
[All India] October 25

Festival of lights, when all of India is a glitter. Lord Rama's homecoming at the end of 14 years of exile is celebrated and Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, propitiated. People illuminate their houses.
Fireworks and crackers in the night lend it an exclusive festival tone. New clothes are worn and sweets distributed.

CHANDRABHAGA KARTIK FAIR
[Jhalawar, Rajasthan] November 7 - 9

Second only to Pushkar in size, this large cattle fair takes place on the banks of the river Chandrabhaga, where on the full moon, thousands of pilgrims take a dip in its holy waters. Livestock traded are cows, bullocks, buffaloes and camels.

GURU PARVA
[All India (mainly Punjab)] November 8

The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the first teacher and founder of Sikh faith is celebrated by the sikhs with the "Akhand Path" or the continue reading of the "Granth" - the holy book. The "Granth", martial displays and floats are taken out in processions.

SONEPUR MELA
[Near Patna, Bihar] November 8

At Sonepur on the banks of river Ganga near Patna,the largest cattle fair in Asia, where thousands of cattle and hundreds of elephants are displayed for sale, the fair goes on for a month usually in november.

CHRISTMAS
[All India] December 25

The birth anniversary of Jesus Christ is celebrated by the Christians throughout India and holy mass held in all Churches.Christmas is observed in much splendour and festivity in carol singing,dances and
balls.

ID-UL-FITR
[All India] November 26
Dates depend on the lunar calender so they change every year.

Celebrated to mark the end of Ramzan,the Muslims gather in mosque to pray,friends and relatives meet to exchange greetings followed by feasting and rejoicing.