Christmas - read more.. | Christmas Gifts Ideas
Easter - know more about Easter
Chapchar - Chapchar is one of the most famous festivals of Mizoram. This is basically a thanksgiving festival, which is celebrated after completion of the cutting of jhums. The cutting of jhums with simple axes is a very laborious and tie consuming task. To celebrate the success of cutting jhum, the festival is observed with much pomp and show. It continues for a period of seven days and even beyond if the villagers would be able to afford it.
Mim Kut - The festival of Mim Kut celebrated before the hard work in the jhum comes to an end. It is usually observed in the month of September and would last only for a day or two to commemorate someone who has expired in the previous year. Mim Kut is thus one of the most renowned festivals of Mizoram. All the necessary items of daily life like fresh vegetables, maize, bread, accessories and cloth, as offerings, would be placed on the memorials of the dead. It is also a firm belief of the locals that the spirits of their ancestors would revisit their house during this festival.
Thalfavang Kut - The festivals of Thalfavang Kut is celebrates when people of Mizoram complete the process of weeding of the field and prepare for the forthcoming harvest and is definitely one of the most cherished festivals of Mizoram. This grand festival is painted with lots of vibrant shades and invokes a different kind of experience to the tourists who visit the state of Mizoram every year. This auspicious occasion also gives the people from the remotest parts to come forward and celebrate together as well as retain the new bonds while renewing the old ones.
Pawl Kut - This harvest festival is celebrated after the village accumulates had gathered its harvest. This much-awaited festival lasts for a span of one or two days and the villagers would indulge themselves in the festivities with much excitement and vigor. They would offer prayers to the local deity and would participate in the grand feasts and dance performances during this special event. It is also customary for everyone in the village to feast on eggs and meat. Men would go out hunting wild beats.
Saturday, September 26, 2009
Festivals of Goa | Goa Festivals list | Culture of Goa
The state of Goa celebrates a long procession of festivals throughout the year. This state is famous for its Indo-Latin festivals. In fact this is a state where festivals are regarded as a way of life. Since they are based on the Hindu calendar, all do not occur on fixed dates of the calendar year. Despite the long span of Portuguese colonization, the Hindu festivals of the state have still retained their unique Goan character and are celebrated throughout the state with deep fervor and enthusiasm.
Following is the list of festivals celebrated in Goa throughout the year which depict true culture of Goa.
Rakshabandhan - read more..
Ganesh Chaturthi - Elephant God, Ganesh. Most of the inhabitants of the state return to their native birthplace or their ancestral abodes to join the entire family in the joyous festivities. The locals of Goa with fervor and enthusiasm organize the celebrations no less intensity than the state of Maharashtra where it is unquestionably the most important festival of the year.
Mahashivratri - read more..
Diwali - Festivals of Lights -
Ram Navami - read more..
Holi - read more..
There are various christian festivals celebrated in state of goa these are as follows:
Christmas - read more about christmas | send christmas gifts
Sao Jao Festival - Sao Joao is the feast of the Baptist St. John. On this auspicious occasion all the married females are presented a basket full of seasonal fruits to be taken to their homes. The new married son-in-laws celebrate this festival in their mother in laws` place. In the villages of Goa the local youth go on a procession wearing crowns of leaves and carrying bottles of Feni and ultimately arrives at a well of pond into which they jump along with the sons-in-law.
Bonderam - The festival of Bonderam is celebrated in the state in memory of the protests that were raised by scores of villagers against the unjust and unreasonable system they adopted to settle down land disputes and ownership issues of land. During this festival the charming and quiet island comes alive with the fervor and exuberance and there is a carnival ambience that is created with the melody of the music reaching even the mainland of Goa.
Following is the list of festivals celebrated in Goa throughout the year which depict true culture of Goa.
Rakshabandhan - read more..
Ganesh Chaturthi - Elephant God, Ganesh. Most of the inhabitants of the state return to their native birthplace or their ancestral abodes to join the entire family in the joyous festivities. The locals of Goa with fervor and enthusiasm organize the celebrations no less intensity than the state of Maharashtra where it is unquestionably the most important festival of the year.
Mahashivratri - read more..
Diwali - Festivals of Lights -
Ram Navami - read more..
Holi - read more..
There are various christian festivals celebrated in state of goa these are as follows:
Christmas - read more about christmas | send christmas gifts
Sao Jao Festival - Sao Joao is the feast of the Baptist St. John. On this auspicious occasion all the married females are presented a basket full of seasonal fruits to be taken to their homes. The new married son-in-laws celebrate this festival in their mother in laws` place. In the villages of Goa the local youth go on a procession wearing crowns of leaves and carrying bottles of Feni and ultimately arrives at a well of pond into which they jump along with the sons-in-law.
Bonderam - The festival of Bonderam is celebrated in the state in memory of the protests that were raised by scores of villagers against the unjust and unreasonable system they adopted to settle down land disputes and ownership issues of land. During this festival the charming and quiet island comes alive with the fervor and exuberance and there is a carnival ambience that is created with the melody of the music reaching even the mainland of Goa.
Haryana culture | festivals of Haryana | Haryana Festivals list
The Festive celebrations in Haryana are marked with great enthusiasm and traditional fervor. Festivals in the state of Haryana make for unrestrained merrymaking. Haryana participates in almost all the festivals taking place in the country the most vibrant one being Teez. The festivals of Haryana would not only enliven your spirits but also would be a warm welcome from the monotonous schedule of your regular life. festivals of Haryana provides true picture of culture of haryana.
Following is the list of festivals celebrated in harya thus depicting the true culture of Haryana.
Holi - This festival of colours is celebrated in it's own peculiar way in haryana which also may vary district wise even within the state read more..
Diwali - read more..
Lohri - read more..
Basant Panchami - Festival of Basant panchami is celebrated in Haryana with as much pomp and fervor as that of the whole country. In this state Basant Panchami is celebrated to welcome the season of spring after the dead and decay of the winter season. People celebrate this joyous festival with much ebullience and the main attraction of this festival is kite flying.
Baisakhi - read more..
Gangore - Gangore is celebrated on Chet Sudi-3 or in the months of March/April. Huge idols of Gangore and Ishar are taken out in a procession and devotional melodies are sung in praise of the Lord till they are immersed in the water. This is mainly regarded as a springtime festival and is observed in the honor of the Goddess of abundance, Gauri.
Teej - It is celebrated to the welcome the season of monsoon. After the first showers of rainy season, a small insect called Teej in the state of Haryana comes out from the earth’s soil. All the girls are excused from the household chores on this day as they apply henna on their hands and feet. They also receive new clothes from their parents. The puja or the worship is performed early in the morning and the ‘baya’ which consists of various foodstuff is placed on a platter at the place of worship. A decorated ‘chowk’ or square is also kept over there and an idol or picture of Goddess Parvati is installed. Different cultural performances are kept exclusively for the evening.
Guggapir - The festival of guggapir is celebrated by both the Hindu and the Islam community and reflects the true secular spirit in the state of Haryana. A dance procession is also taken out in which the Panch Pirs are the main dancers. They sing songs in the honor and praise of Gugga.
Janmashtami - read more..
Nirjala Akadshi - The festival of Nirjala Akadshi forms a very important part in the lives of the women in the state of Haryana. It is celebrated in the month of Jaisth or the months of May/June according tpo the English calendar. The women folks perform some religious rites and rituals for the welfare of their family. They keep fast for the whole and also remain abstained from water.
Dussehra - read more..
Following is the list of festivals celebrated in harya thus depicting the true culture of Haryana.
Holi - This festival of colours is celebrated in it's own peculiar way in haryana which also may vary district wise even within the state read more..
Diwali - read more..
Lohri - read more..
Basant Panchami - Festival of Basant panchami is celebrated in Haryana with as much pomp and fervor as that of the whole country. In this state Basant Panchami is celebrated to welcome the season of spring after the dead and decay of the winter season. People celebrate this joyous festival with much ebullience and the main attraction of this festival is kite flying.
Baisakhi - read more..
Gangore - Gangore is celebrated on Chet Sudi-3 or in the months of March/April. Huge idols of Gangore and Ishar are taken out in a procession and devotional melodies are sung in praise of the Lord till they are immersed in the water. This is mainly regarded as a springtime festival and is observed in the honor of the Goddess of abundance, Gauri.
Teej - It is celebrated to the welcome the season of monsoon. After the first showers of rainy season, a small insect called Teej in the state of Haryana comes out from the earth’s soil. All the girls are excused from the household chores on this day as they apply henna on their hands and feet. They also receive new clothes from their parents. The puja or the worship is performed early in the morning and the ‘baya’ which consists of various foodstuff is placed on a platter at the place of worship. A decorated ‘chowk’ or square is also kept over there and an idol or picture of Goddess Parvati is installed. Different cultural performances are kept exclusively for the evening.
Guggapir - The festival of guggapir is celebrated by both the Hindu and the Islam community and reflects the true secular spirit in the state of Haryana. A dance procession is also taken out in which the Panch Pirs are the main dancers. They sing songs in the honor and praise of Gugga.
Janmashtami - read more..
Nirjala Akadshi - The festival of Nirjala Akadshi forms a very important part in the lives of the women in the state of Haryana. It is celebrated in the month of Jaisth or the months of May/June according tpo the English calendar. The women folks perform some religious rites and rituals for the welfare of their family. They keep fast for the whole and also remain abstained from water.
Dussehra - read more..
Festivals of Jharkhand | Jharkhand culture
India is land of unity in diversity and Jharkhand is also important part of free india earlier it was part of state of Bihar bu now seprated from bihar and the capital of jharkhand is ranchi, Jharkhand (28th state of india) has lots of regional festivals and unique culture known as jharkhand culture so here is list of festivals of jharkhand which truly represents the culture of jharkhand in every aspect.
Following are Festivals of Jharkhand which show culture of Jharkhand
Holi - read more..
Diwali - Diwali or Deepawali is biggest and grandest indian festival read more..
Ramnavami - read more about RamNavami
Dussehra - read more about Dussehra
Basant Panchami - This festival is celebrated in Jharkhand with as much pomp and fervor as that of the whole country. In this state Basant Panchami is celebrated to welcome the season of spring.
Chhath Puja - During this festival the setting Sun is worshipped with utmost sincerity and devotion. The inhabitants of the state have immense faith on this auspicious festival, which is celebrated two times a year once in the month of Chaitra or March, and the other time in which it is celebrated is the month of Kartik, which falls in the month of November. The harmonious melody of the lyrics chanted during this festival lets one immerse in the sanctity and the purity of this auspicious occasion. Besides the Hindus, some of the Muslims also actively participate in the holy ceremony. If we opt for redefining this festival then we can say that it is an expression of seeking blessings from the forces of the nature, thus representing the amalgamation of the Vedic and non-Aryan religion.
Bhaiya Dooj - Jitya Bhaiya Dooj one of the prominent festivals of Jharkhand is celebrated in the state of Jharkhand with as much exuberance as in the other states. It is a festival purely dedicated to the love and affection between brothers and sisters. Brothers bless their sisters and also promises to protect them from all hardships. The celebration of Bhaiya Dooj in this state can be redefined as a bond that speaks of sensitivity and timeless relationship. so it's wholly dedicated to brothers and sisters.
Eid-ul-Fitr - read more..
Eid-ul-Adha - read more..
Jharkhand also celebrates various tribal festivals which are described below :
Sohrai - The Sohrai festival is a popular and much-awaited festival of the tribes of Jharkhand. It is associated with the cattle and is celebrated during the festival of Diwali, which falls in the month of November. During the festive celebrations the cattle are washed and worshipped. This is a time for great amusement and performances of cattle such as bullfights are organized to multiply the fun and excitement.
Karma - The festival of Karma, also known to be a religious festival, calls for huge celebration among the tribals of Jharkhand. On the day of this festival devotees keep fast of complete 24 hours. The cultural performances are observed keeping a branch of a Sal tree in the middle of an open ground.
Sarhul - Sarhul is main festival of the tribal population of Jharkhand. The verbal meaning of Sarhul is worship of the Sal tree. Sarhul can also be redefined as worship of nature in which local people worship Sita, the wife of Lord Rama as `Dhartimata`. They also worship the Sal tree, which is believed as the abode of Goddess Sarna who protects the village from all kinds of natural calamities and disasters.
Following are Festivals of Jharkhand which show culture of Jharkhand
Holi - read more..
Diwali - Diwali or Deepawali is biggest and grandest indian festival read more..
Ramnavami - read more about RamNavami
Dussehra - read more about Dussehra
Basant Panchami - This festival is celebrated in Jharkhand with as much pomp and fervor as that of the whole country. In this state Basant Panchami is celebrated to welcome the season of spring.
Chhath Puja - During this festival the setting Sun is worshipped with utmost sincerity and devotion. The inhabitants of the state have immense faith on this auspicious festival, which is celebrated two times a year once in the month of Chaitra or March, and the other time in which it is celebrated is the month of Kartik, which falls in the month of November. The harmonious melody of the lyrics chanted during this festival lets one immerse in the sanctity and the purity of this auspicious occasion. Besides the Hindus, some of the Muslims also actively participate in the holy ceremony. If we opt for redefining this festival then we can say that it is an expression of seeking blessings from the forces of the nature, thus representing the amalgamation of the Vedic and non-Aryan religion.
Bhaiya Dooj - Jitya Bhaiya Dooj one of the prominent festivals of Jharkhand is celebrated in the state of Jharkhand with as much exuberance as in the other states. It is a festival purely dedicated to the love and affection between brothers and sisters. Brothers bless their sisters and also promises to protect them from all hardships. The celebration of Bhaiya Dooj in this state can be redefined as a bond that speaks of sensitivity and timeless relationship. so it's wholly dedicated to brothers and sisters.
Eid-ul-Fitr - read more..
Eid-ul-Adha - read more..
Jharkhand also celebrates various tribal festivals which are described below :
Sohrai - The Sohrai festival is a popular and much-awaited festival of the tribes of Jharkhand. It is associated with the cattle and is celebrated during the festival of Diwali, which falls in the month of November. During the festive celebrations the cattle are washed and worshipped. This is a time for great amusement and performances of cattle such as bullfights are organized to multiply the fun and excitement.
Karma - The festival of Karma, also known to be a religious festival, calls for huge celebration among the tribals of Jharkhand. On the day of this festival devotees keep fast of complete 24 hours. The cultural performances are observed keeping a branch of a Sal tree in the middle of an open ground.
Sarhul - Sarhul is main festival of the tribal population of Jharkhand. The verbal meaning of Sarhul is worship of the Sal tree. Sarhul can also be redefined as worship of nature in which local people worship Sita, the wife of Lord Rama as `Dhartimata`. They also worship the Sal tree, which is believed as the abode of Goddess Sarna who protects the village from all kinds of natural calamities and disasters.
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Festivals of Himachal Pradesh | Culture of Himachal Pradesh HP
The state of Himachal Pradesh has a long procession of festivals. This state astonishingly combines both antiquity and plenitude. The people in this state participate in all the festivals with equal amount of enthusiasm and traditional fervor. Most of the festivals in this state are in close connection with the various seasonal changes. Each district in this state indulges themselves in their distinct plethora of festivals, which are in turn associated with the historical and sociological background of that area. The festivals of Himachal Pradesh would not only enliven your spirits but also would be a warm welcome from the monotonous schedule of your regular life. The festivals of the state of Himachal Pradesh are in fact characterized by joyous ceremonies, enthusiasm paralleled with ample fun and celebration. Not only that during the festive celebrations the rich and the poor alike assemble together to enhance the spirit of their festive moods. There are some festivals, which are even linked with the lifestyle of the people, change of seasons and harvesting. And during this festivals the farmers do not work in the fields. But whatever the festival is, the people in Himachal Pradesh make for unrestrained merrymaking during the festivities.
Following are festivals celebrated in Himachal Pradesh :
Pori : This festival of the Lahaul valley is truly remarkable in all its aspects. Pori is celebrated at the temple of Trilokinath in a much traditional manner. The religious rituals and traditions are followed with much veneration. The statues of the Lord is bathed with milk and yogurt on this special day at about ten in the morning and then a congregation of both male and female goes around the synagogue beating drums and blowing conch shells. According to the local myths and beliefs a horse is taken round the temple because it is believed that the God sits on its back. This also sums up as the reason as to why the horse is drenched in sweet after the ritual. The people then visit the palace of the local ruler who then rides the horse and visits the fair ground. Throughout the day of this festival a butter lamp burns within the temple.
Dussehra :
Holi :
Baisakhi :
Lossar : This festival is celebrated in the Lahaul district in the state of Himachal Pradesh and is also known as the Tibetan New Year. It is celebrated to welcome the season of winter. The blessing of the local deity is desired by the people of this region to make the season happy and prosperous for the people. The traditional dances and an unbelievable rich imagery form a special feature of the Lossar festival. The most spectacular cultural performances takes place in the Buddhist monasteries of Lahaul.
Phulaich : The festival of Phulaich is celebrated throughout the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh in the month of September according to the English Calendar. This festival is locally known as `Ookayand` of `Ukyam`, a combination of two words `Oo` and `Kaayang`. This is also known as the `Festival of Flowers`. This is an eight-day festival during which the local God is embellished with colorful cloths and jewels and on the last day of this festival the local deity is brought back to the temple and a goat and lamb is sacrificed.
Diwali :
International Himalayan Festival : This much-awaited festival is celebrated in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh in the month of December. This festival can be redefined as a winter extravaganza. It is also a celebration of the ancient cultural diversity, which the Himalayas have nurtured and sustained over the centuries. It is also a global attempt to bring the rich and gentle cultures of the Himalayan Mountains.
Halda : It is observed in the month of January according to the English calendar as the New Year festival of the district of Lahaul. The Lamas always decide the exact date of this festival. This festival is observed in the honor of `Shiskar Apa` the Goddess of Wealth in the Lamaisthic pantheon. The localites of Lahauli indulge themselves in a private celebration during this festival.
Lohri :
Following are festivals celebrated in Himachal Pradesh :
Pori : This festival of the Lahaul valley is truly remarkable in all its aspects. Pori is celebrated at the temple of Trilokinath in a much traditional manner. The religious rituals and traditions are followed with much veneration. The statues of the Lord is bathed with milk and yogurt on this special day at about ten in the morning and then a congregation of both male and female goes around the synagogue beating drums and blowing conch shells. According to the local myths and beliefs a horse is taken round the temple because it is believed that the God sits on its back. This also sums up as the reason as to why the horse is drenched in sweet after the ritual. The people then visit the palace of the local ruler who then rides the horse and visits the fair ground. Throughout the day of this festival a butter lamp burns within the temple.
Dussehra :
Holi :
Baisakhi :
Lossar : This festival is celebrated in the Lahaul district in the state of Himachal Pradesh and is also known as the Tibetan New Year. It is celebrated to welcome the season of winter. The blessing of the local deity is desired by the people of this region to make the season happy and prosperous for the people. The traditional dances and an unbelievable rich imagery form a special feature of the Lossar festival. The most spectacular cultural performances takes place in the Buddhist monasteries of Lahaul.
Phulaich : The festival of Phulaich is celebrated throughout the Kinnaur district of Himachal Pradesh in the month of September according to the English Calendar. This festival is locally known as `Ookayand` of `Ukyam`, a combination of two words `Oo` and `Kaayang`. This is also known as the `Festival of Flowers`. This is an eight-day festival during which the local God is embellished with colorful cloths and jewels and on the last day of this festival the local deity is brought back to the temple and a goat and lamb is sacrificed.
Diwali :
International Himalayan Festival : This much-awaited festival is celebrated in the Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh in the month of December. This festival can be redefined as a winter extravaganza. It is also a celebration of the ancient cultural diversity, which the Himalayas have nurtured and sustained over the centuries. It is also a global attempt to bring the rich and gentle cultures of the Himalayan Mountains.
Halda : It is observed in the month of January according to the English calendar as the New Year festival of the district of Lahaul. The Lamas always decide the exact date of this festival. This festival is observed in the honor of `Shiskar Apa` the Goddess of Wealth in the Lamaisthic pantheon. The localites of Lahauli indulge themselves in a private celebration during this festival.
Lohri :
Festivals of Bihar | Bihar cultural Events
Festivals and fairs have always been an integral part of the Indian civilization. Festivals of Bihar serve as a good break from the monotony of regular life and inspire us to promote love and brotherhood. Not only that the festivals are also meant to work for the social cause for the upliftment of the society. The state of Bihar also has a long list of celebrations. The festivals of Bihar can be broadly categorized into two kinds, religious festivals and tribal festivals. Both the kinds of festivals have connection with some or the other legend. The festivals of Bihar are in fact characterized by joyous ceremonies, enthusiasm paralleled with ample fun and celebration. The religious festivals of Bihar draw pilgrims from the remotest parts of the country. The tribal festivals showcase the cultural wealth of the state, which can be observed vibrantly in myriad colors and forms. There are some festivals, which are even linked with the lifestyle of the people, change of seasons and harvesting.
Following are festivals celebrated in Bihar which represent culture of Bihar :
Chhath Puja : During this festival the setting Sun is worshipped with utmost sincerity and devotion. The inhabitants of Bihar have immense faith on this auspicious festival, which is celebrated two times a year once in the month of Chaitra or March, and the other time in which it is celebrated is the month of Kartik, which falls in the month of November. During this festival the locals of Bihar sing folk songs in the honor of ‘Surya Dev’ and ‘Chatti Maiyya’ and the harmonious melody of the lyrics lets one immerse in the sanctity and the purity of this auspicious occasion. Besides the Hindus, some of the Muslims also actively participate in the holy ceremony. If we opt for redefining this festival then we can say that it is an expression of seeking blessings from the forces of the nature, thus representing the amalgamation of the Vedic and non-Aryan religion.
Sama Chakeva : This festival is celebrated during the winter season in the district of Mithila of Bihar. It is during the season that the birds from the Himalayas migrate towards the plains and it is with the advent of these colorful birds that the celebration of Sama Chakeva is done. The people of the Mithila region dedicates this festival to the celebration of the brother sister relationship. Different kinds of rites and rituals are performed during this festival and the festive celebrations delightedly end with the ‘vidai’ of Sama, with a wish that these birds return to this land the next year.
Ram Navami : This religious Hindu festival is celebrated in the whole country along with the state of Bihar. This auspicious day is observed to mark the birth of Lord Rama. The people of Bihar celebrate this sacred festival by observing fasts and observing prayers in his honor. In the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh early morning rituals marks this sacred ceremony. During this festival the people of Bihar sing and chant the name of Lord Rama. The devotees indeed have a highly colorful ceremony to mark the beginning of the wedding celebrations.
Diwali : read more
Holi : read more..
Nag Panchami Festival : read more...
Madhushravani : This festival is celebrated in the month of Sawan or in the month of August in the Mithilanchal of Bihar with much exuberance and veneration. This festival of Bihar carries a special message with itself and teaches how to blend together both religion and tradition in regular life.
Bihula : The festival of Bihula is a very prominent one in Eastern Bihar. It is especially famous all over the Bhagalpur district. This widely popular festival has a lot of myths surrounding it. The people of this region pray to Goddess Mansa for the welfare and well being of their family, relatives and friends.
Following are festivals celebrated in Bihar which represent culture of Bihar :
Chhath Puja : During this festival the setting Sun is worshipped with utmost sincerity and devotion. The inhabitants of Bihar have immense faith on this auspicious festival, which is celebrated two times a year once in the month of Chaitra or March, and the other time in which it is celebrated is the month of Kartik, which falls in the month of November. During this festival the locals of Bihar sing folk songs in the honor of ‘Surya Dev’ and ‘Chatti Maiyya’ and the harmonious melody of the lyrics lets one immerse in the sanctity and the purity of this auspicious occasion. Besides the Hindus, some of the Muslims also actively participate in the holy ceremony. If we opt for redefining this festival then we can say that it is an expression of seeking blessings from the forces of the nature, thus representing the amalgamation of the Vedic and non-Aryan religion.
Sama Chakeva : This festival is celebrated during the winter season in the district of Mithila of Bihar. It is during the season that the birds from the Himalayas migrate towards the plains and it is with the advent of these colorful birds that the celebration of Sama Chakeva is done. The people of the Mithila region dedicates this festival to the celebration of the brother sister relationship. Different kinds of rites and rituals are performed during this festival and the festive celebrations delightedly end with the ‘vidai’ of Sama, with a wish that these birds return to this land the next year.
Ram Navami : This religious Hindu festival is celebrated in the whole country along with the state of Bihar. This auspicious day is observed to mark the birth of Lord Rama. The people of Bihar celebrate this sacred festival by observing fasts and observing prayers in his honor. In the states of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh early morning rituals marks this sacred ceremony. During this festival the people of Bihar sing and chant the name of Lord Rama. The devotees indeed have a highly colorful ceremony to mark the beginning of the wedding celebrations.
Diwali : read more
Holi : read more..
Nag Panchami Festival : read more...
Madhushravani : This festival is celebrated in the month of Sawan or in the month of August in the Mithilanchal of Bihar with much exuberance and veneration. This festival of Bihar carries a special message with itself and teaches how to blend together both religion and tradition in regular life.
Bihula : The festival of Bihula is a very prominent one in Eastern Bihar. It is especially famous all over the Bhagalpur district. This widely popular festival has a lot of myths surrounding it. The people of this region pray to Goddess Mansa for the welfare and well being of their family, relatives and friends.
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Festivals of Arunachal Pradesh | Arunachal Pradesh events
Arunachal Pradesh, the eastern most state of the Indian subcontinent is recognized as a calendar of a long procession of festivals. The festivals of Arunachal Pradesh are not only characterized by color, jollity, fervor, feasts and an assortment of prayers and rituals but also bears testimony to its rich cultural heritage. Agriculture is the main occupation of the state and hence the festivals celebrated by the inhabitants of the state are in a close relation with their occupation. Some of the important festivals celebrated with much exuberance in this state are Solung, Losar, Mopin, Dree, Nechi Dau, Boori Boot, Loku, Longte Yullo, Khan, Kshyatsowai, Ojiale, Moi, Nyokum, Reh, Sanken, Si-Donyi and Tamladu. The most common ritual observed in the festivals of Arunachal Pradesh, particularly among the Non-Bodic tribes is animal sacrifice. The state festivals are also finely blended with the lifestyle of the people. The specific aim behind the celebration of these festivals is to bring all the people together who might otherwise be scattered in far-flung villages. The festive celebrations are also a reminder of the cultural heritage of the state of Arunachal Pradesh. The celebration of the springtime festivals mainly takes place during the period from January to April by the various communities. In the festive celebrations the religious rites and sacrifices are generally performed by the priests assisted by some selected male members.
Reh Festival - The Reh festival is celebrated in Arunachal Pradesh for six days during which appeasement of the deities who control peace and prosperity is through. This festival is essentially associated with the Idu Mishmis and requires a number of sacrificial buffaloes. The arrangements of this festival have to be made four or five years prior to the actual celebrations, as it is quite an elaborate and expensive affair.
Losar Festival - The New Years Day in the state of Arunachal Pradesh is celebrated as the Losar Festival for a span of consecutive five days. During this festival the people indulge themselves in cleaning their household to welcome the new and to usher out the old. During these five days prayers are offered for good health and prosperity. People also opt for hoisting religious flags atop their homes during these festive celebrations. Buddhist scriptures are read in almost all homes and butter lamps are lit in almost all houses and the campuses.
Tamladu Festival - The Tamladu festival is one of the ancient festivals of Arunachal Pradesh and is observed in the Lohit district of the state. This festival is celebrated on the 15th of February and essentially forms a part of the festive celebrations of the Digaru Mishis. During this festival prayers are offered to the ‘God of the Earth’ and the ‘God of the Waters’. The tribal dance and the traditional customs make the festivals even more attractive towards the tourists as they get the opportunity to enjoy the old heritage of the state.
Khan Festival - The Khan festival of Arunachal Pradesh bears a unique tradition and encourages all the locals to participate in it irrespective of caste and creed. This festival is mainly of the Mijis, one of the tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and is essentially observed as a religious festival where the holy priest ties a holy thread around the neck of the natives. The wonderful blend of cultural heritage is thus reflected in the Khan festival of Arunachal Pradesh as people from different backgrounds come together and participate in the festive celebration.
Saga Dawa Festival - The Saga Dawa festival of Arunachal Pradesh is mainly celebrated by the Buddhist sects of the state. It is believed universally that on this very day Buddha has achieved ‘Enlightenment’. The Buddhists carry the holy book of Buddhism and from the Tsuklakhang Monastery the procession goes around the city with the holy teachings of the Lord.
Sanken Festival - The Sanken festival is another important festival of Arunachal Pradesh. This grand ceremony stands as an auspicious ritual. The image of Lord Buddha is royally bathed with holy water. It is of course not only a religious festival but also lot more as this festival marks the New Year. Joy, merriment and bliss enlace this fiesta as people sprinkle holy water on each other to illustrate happiness.
Mol Festival - The Mol festival is another widely popular festival in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. This particular festival is celebrated for three days to welcome the New Year. People from all across the state indulge themselves in pure fun and frolic. Visiting relatives, feasting on sumptuous delicacies commemorates the festive celebration of this particular occasion.
Apatani Festival - The Apatani tribes of Arunachal Pradesh sincerely observe a series of agricultural rites and festivals by sacrificing domestic fowls, animals and eggs in different periods for ensuring the bumper yield of crops. The divinities associated with the Dree festival or Apatani festival are collectively known as ‘Dree or Dri-Wuhi’.
Mongpa Festival - The Mongpa Festival of Arunachal Pradesh reflects the true tradition of the state as well as that of the Monpa tribe. This tribe follows the lunar calendar and hence this festival is celebrated according to the dates of the lunar calendar. This festival is generally associated with harvest and is celebrated to ask the favor of the Almighty on granting of his blessings for the health of the crop.
Mopin Festival - One of the tribal groups of Arunachal Pradesh, the Gallong community celebrates the Mopin festival to please the Goddess of welfare, wealth, peace, prosperity and wisdom. This festival is celebrated for a span of five days in order to get rid of natural calamities, diseases, effects of evil spirits and for good harvest, wealth, health and prosperity. The smearing of rice powder on each other’s faces commemorates the beginning of this festival.
Brahmaputra Darshan Festival - The Brahmaputra Darshan Festival is organized in Arunachal Pradesh every third year at Roing, from the 28th to 31st of the month of January in the English Calendar. This festival aims at projecting the River Brahmaputra as a symbol of unity and communal concordance. This festival begins with a Puja at the site of the river and various events form a part of the celebrations. This festival not only helps in achieving social unity but also serves as a medium to showcase the rich tradition and the cultural heritage of the communities living in this state.
Myokoh - Myokoh is a highly solemnized community festival of the Apatani society. It is observed for the general well being of the whole Apatani society. It is celebrated every year during the month of March and lasts for the whole month.
Reh Festival - The Reh festival is celebrated in Arunachal Pradesh for six days during which appeasement of the deities who control peace and prosperity is through. This festival is essentially associated with the Idu Mishmis and requires a number of sacrificial buffaloes. The arrangements of this festival have to be made four or five years prior to the actual celebrations, as it is quite an elaborate and expensive affair.
Losar Festival - The New Years Day in the state of Arunachal Pradesh is celebrated as the Losar Festival for a span of consecutive five days. During this festival the people indulge themselves in cleaning their household to welcome the new and to usher out the old. During these five days prayers are offered for good health and prosperity. People also opt for hoisting religious flags atop their homes during these festive celebrations. Buddhist scriptures are read in almost all homes and butter lamps are lit in almost all houses and the campuses.
Tamladu Festival - The Tamladu festival is one of the ancient festivals of Arunachal Pradesh and is observed in the Lohit district of the state. This festival is celebrated on the 15th of February and essentially forms a part of the festive celebrations of the Digaru Mishis. During this festival prayers are offered to the ‘God of the Earth’ and the ‘God of the Waters’. The tribal dance and the traditional customs make the festivals even more attractive towards the tourists as they get the opportunity to enjoy the old heritage of the state.
Khan Festival - The Khan festival of Arunachal Pradesh bears a unique tradition and encourages all the locals to participate in it irrespective of caste and creed. This festival is mainly of the Mijis, one of the tribes of Arunachal Pradesh and is essentially observed as a religious festival where the holy priest ties a holy thread around the neck of the natives. The wonderful blend of cultural heritage is thus reflected in the Khan festival of Arunachal Pradesh as people from different backgrounds come together and participate in the festive celebration.
Saga Dawa Festival - The Saga Dawa festival of Arunachal Pradesh is mainly celebrated by the Buddhist sects of the state. It is believed universally that on this very day Buddha has achieved ‘Enlightenment’. The Buddhists carry the holy book of Buddhism and from the Tsuklakhang Monastery the procession goes around the city with the holy teachings of the Lord.
Sanken Festival - The Sanken festival is another important festival of Arunachal Pradesh. This grand ceremony stands as an auspicious ritual. The image of Lord Buddha is royally bathed with holy water. It is of course not only a religious festival but also lot more as this festival marks the New Year. Joy, merriment and bliss enlace this fiesta as people sprinkle holy water on each other to illustrate happiness.
Mol Festival - The Mol festival is another widely popular festival in the state of Arunachal Pradesh. This particular festival is celebrated for three days to welcome the New Year. People from all across the state indulge themselves in pure fun and frolic. Visiting relatives, feasting on sumptuous delicacies commemorates the festive celebration of this particular occasion.
Apatani Festival - The Apatani tribes of Arunachal Pradesh sincerely observe a series of agricultural rites and festivals by sacrificing domestic fowls, animals and eggs in different periods for ensuring the bumper yield of crops. The divinities associated with the Dree festival or Apatani festival are collectively known as ‘Dree or Dri-Wuhi’.
Mongpa Festival - The Mongpa Festival of Arunachal Pradesh reflects the true tradition of the state as well as that of the Monpa tribe. This tribe follows the lunar calendar and hence this festival is celebrated according to the dates of the lunar calendar. This festival is generally associated with harvest and is celebrated to ask the favor of the Almighty on granting of his blessings for the health of the crop.
Mopin Festival - One of the tribal groups of Arunachal Pradesh, the Gallong community celebrates the Mopin festival to please the Goddess of welfare, wealth, peace, prosperity and wisdom. This festival is celebrated for a span of five days in order to get rid of natural calamities, diseases, effects of evil spirits and for good harvest, wealth, health and prosperity. The smearing of rice powder on each other’s faces commemorates the beginning of this festival.
Brahmaputra Darshan Festival - The Brahmaputra Darshan Festival is organized in Arunachal Pradesh every third year at Roing, from the 28th to 31st of the month of January in the English Calendar. This festival aims at projecting the River Brahmaputra as a symbol of unity and communal concordance. This festival begins with a Puja at the site of the river and various events form a part of the celebrations. This festival not only helps in achieving social unity but also serves as a medium to showcase the rich tradition and the cultural heritage of the communities living in this state.
Myokoh - Myokoh is a highly solemnized community festival of the Apatani society. It is observed for the general well being of the whole Apatani society. It is celebrated every year during the month of March and lasts for the whole month.
Uttarakhand Festivals | Festivals of Uttrakhand
The love for color and joyous celebrations of the people of Uttarakhand is well reflected by the elaborate rituals and the gay abandon with which they surrender themselves to the numerous festivals of the region. The people of Uttarakhand with much enthusiasm and ebullience celebrate all the major festivals of the nation. The colorful festivals celebrated in the state therefore curb the culture of Uttarakhand out. The festivals of Uttarakhand have contributed to the enrichment of the state.
Following are festivals and there description which are celebrated in Uttrakhand :
Basant Panchami - This is one of the most important religious festivals of Uttarakhand and celebrates the coming of the spring season. The festive season marks the end of the winters which symbolizes death and decay. It usually falls in the Hindu month of Magh or English months of January/February. During this auspicious occasion the people worship Goddess Saraswati with much veneration. The locals adorn themselves in yellow outfits and some even put yellow `tikas` on their foreheads. This grand festival in some places marks the beginning of Holi baithaks.
Bhitauli - This festival of Uttarakhand is feted in the month of Chaitra according to the Hindu calendar. it falls on the very first day of Shravan and is celebrated with much pomp and show all over the state. It is a grand festival of sharing gifts from the brothers to their sisters. The religious rites and rituals during this festival are celebrated with much veneration.
Phool Dei - This is one of the most special festivals of Uttarakhand and is celebrated on the first day of the month of Chaitra in mid March. This special day belongs to the young girls as they are seen conducting most of the ceremonies. The festive celebrations in some regions are observed for the whole month with the advent of the spring. The young girls during this festival goes to the all the houses in the locality with plates consisting of rice, coconut, jaggery, flowers and green leaves and offer their good wishes for the prosperity of the household. They are also given blessings and presents and return. A pudding made of curd, flour and jaggery is a special delicacy of this festival. Spring songs sung during this festival enhance the festive spirit.
Makar Sankranti - read more..
Olgia/Ghee Sankranti - This festival is celebrated on the first day of the Bhado month according to the Hindu calendar. It is during this time that the harvest is lush and green and vegetables grow in abundance. It is regarded as a very important festival of the agriculturalists and they celebrate this festival with much pomp and show. Various agricultural tools are exchanged on this day. People put ghee on their foreheads and also consume chapattis made of ghee and stuffed with `urad` dal. It is also believed by the people of Tripura that walnuts become sweeter after this festival. Though this festival marks the produce of the land, it is now seldom celebrated.
Bat Savitri - This splendid festival is celebrated with much ebullience on the last day of the dark half of the month of Jyestha according to the Hindu calendar. On this special day the married females worship Savitri and Bat or Banyan tree to seek blessings for the welfare and the prosperity of their beloved husbands. The married women also observe a fast for the whole day in remembrance of Savitri and Satyavan and also remember how Savitri with her extreme dedication saved her husband from the scrabble of death.
Ganga Dussehra/Dasar - This festival is celebrated on the Shukla Dasami of the Jyestha month according to the Hindu calendar or the months of May/June according to the English calendar. On this special day the sacred River Ganga is worshipped and Dussehra posters adorn the doors of houses and temples. The hands of the much-honored Brahmins once wrote these posters but now with the progress of time they are available in an assortment of printed designs. On this auspicious day the people of Uttarakhand also bathe in the holy rivers.
Hill Yatra - It can be regarded as a festival of pastoralists and agriculturalists. This festival came from the Sorar region of West Nepal to the Sor valley and was first introduced in the Kumaour village. It is regarded by the locals of Uttarakhand as a living tradition and care should be taken to preserve its style in a rapidly changing society. Animal sacrifices also form an important aspect of this much-awaited festival. Recitation of religious hymns and performance of circle dance also known as `Chanchari` are added attractions.
Chhipla Jaat - This is one of the main festivals of Chhiplakot situated in the heartland of Kali and Gori rivers. This much-awaited festival expresses different aspects of human faith. The religious rites and rituals include barefoot journey, bath, worship, traditional songs and dances, collective food and the possession of the body of Bonia by the folk God are the essential parts of this festival.
Kandali - This is one of the most unique festivals of Uttarakhand and the people of the state celebrate this festival when the Kandali flower blooms once in every twelve years, in the months of August and October. The festive celebration spreads over a week and the Shaukas or the Rangs participate in it with much vigor and enthusiasm. This auspicious ceremony commences with the worship of the linga of Lord Shiva made of barley and buckwheat flour mixture. The courtyard of every house is beautifully adorned and the locals perform the puja with much veneration for prosperity and well-being. A procession is also taken out where the woman who leads it is armed with a ril. The cultural performance of the people echoes in the valley thus enhancing the atmosphere of joy.
Nandadevi - This is one of the most popular festivals of Uttarakhand. People from all the remotest corners of the state as well as the country comes to participate in this festival in which the main deity of worship is Goddess Nanda Devi. Worship, traditional dances and the ritual of collecting Brahkamals form a main feature of this grand festival.
Janopunya - This is one of the most important religious festivals of Uttarakhand and the people of Kumaon celebrate the Raksha Bandhan and the Janopunya on the same day. On this special day the people of the state exchange their local threads. The famous Bagwal fair is organized in the region of Devidhura in the district of Champavat. People from all the remotest corners of the state participate in this festival and fair with much fun and excitement.
Kumaon Holi - This is one of the most unique festivals of Uttarakhand and its uniqueness lies in the fact of it being a musical affair. The festive celebrations begin in the premises of the temples where the professional singers gather to sing traditional lyrics to the accompaniment of the classical music. This festival is known by two different names, Baithki Holi and the Khari Holi. The former one is celebrated with much vigor in the temple premises while the later one is celebrated in the rural areas of Kumaon.
Following are festivals and there description which are celebrated in Uttrakhand :
Basant Panchami - This is one of the most important religious festivals of Uttarakhand and celebrates the coming of the spring season. The festive season marks the end of the winters which symbolizes death and decay. It usually falls in the Hindu month of Magh or English months of January/February. During this auspicious occasion the people worship Goddess Saraswati with much veneration. The locals adorn themselves in yellow outfits and some even put yellow `tikas` on their foreheads. This grand festival in some places marks the beginning of Holi baithaks.
Bhitauli - This festival of Uttarakhand is feted in the month of Chaitra according to the Hindu calendar. it falls on the very first day of Shravan and is celebrated with much pomp and show all over the state. It is a grand festival of sharing gifts from the brothers to their sisters. The religious rites and rituals during this festival are celebrated with much veneration.
Phool Dei - This is one of the most special festivals of Uttarakhand and is celebrated on the first day of the month of Chaitra in mid March. This special day belongs to the young girls as they are seen conducting most of the ceremonies. The festive celebrations in some regions are observed for the whole month with the advent of the spring. The young girls during this festival goes to the all the houses in the locality with plates consisting of rice, coconut, jaggery, flowers and green leaves and offer their good wishes for the prosperity of the household. They are also given blessings and presents and return. A pudding made of curd, flour and jaggery is a special delicacy of this festival. Spring songs sung during this festival enhance the festive spirit.
Makar Sankranti - read more..
Olgia/Ghee Sankranti - This festival is celebrated on the first day of the Bhado month according to the Hindu calendar. It is during this time that the harvest is lush and green and vegetables grow in abundance. It is regarded as a very important festival of the agriculturalists and they celebrate this festival with much pomp and show. Various agricultural tools are exchanged on this day. People put ghee on their foreheads and also consume chapattis made of ghee and stuffed with `urad` dal. It is also believed by the people of Tripura that walnuts become sweeter after this festival. Though this festival marks the produce of the land, it is now seldom celebrated.
Bat Savitri - This splendid festival is celebrated with much ebullience on the last day of the dark half of the month of Jyestha according to the Hindu calendar. On this special day the married females worship Savitri and Bat or Banyan tree to seek blessings for the welfare and the prosperity of their beloved husbands. The married women also observe a fast for the whole day in remembrance of Savitri and Satyavan and also remember how Savitri with her extreme dedication saved her husband from the scrabble of death.
Ganga Dussehra/Dasar - This festival is celebrated on the Shukla Dasami of the Jyestha month according to the Hindu calendar or the months of May/June according to the English calendar. On this special day the sacred River Ganga is worshipped and Dussehra posters adorn the doors of houses and temples. The hands of the much-honored Brahmins once wrote these posters but now with the progress of time they are available in an assortment of printed designs. On this auspicious day the people of Uttarakhand also bathe in the holy rivers.
Hill Yatra - It can be regarded as a festival of pastoralists and agriculturalists. This festival came from the Sorar region of West Nepal to the Sor valley and was first introduced in the Kumaour village. It is regarded by the locals of Uttarakhand as a living tradition and care should be taken to preserve its style in a rapidly changing society. Animal sacrifices also form an important aspect of this much-awaited festival. Recitation of religious hymns and performance of circle dance also known as `Chanchari` are added attractions.
Chhipla Jaat - This is one of the main festivals of Chhiplakot situated in the heartland of Kali and Gori rivers. This much-awaited festival expresses different aspects of human faith. The religious rites and rituals include barefoot journey, bath, worship, traditional songs and dances, collective food and the possession of the body of Bonia by the folk God are the essential parts of this festival.
Kandali - This is one of the most unique festivals of Uttarakhand and the people of the state celebrate this festival when the Kandali flower blooms once in every twelve years, in the months of August and October. The festive celebration spreads over a week and the Shaukas or the Rangs participate in it with much vigor and enthusiasm. This auspicious ceremony commences with the worship of the linga of Lord Shiva made of barley and buckwheat flour mixture. The courtyard of every house is beautifully adorned and the locals perform the puja with much veneration for prosperity and well-being. A procession is also taken out where the woman who leads it is armed with a ril. The cultural performance of the people echoes in the valley thus enhancing the atmosphere of joy.
Nandadevi - This is one of the most popular festivals of Uttarakhand. People from all the remotest corners of the state as well as the country comes to participate in this festival in which the main deity of worship is Goddess Nanda Devi. Worship, traditional dances and the ritual of collecting Brahkamals form a main feature of this grand festival.
Janopunya - This is one of the most important religious festivals of Uttarakhand and the people of Kumaon celebrate the Raksha Bandhan and the Janopunya on the same day. On this special day the people of the state exchange their local threads. The famous Bagwal fair is organized in the region of Devidhura in the district of Champavat. People from all the remotest corners of the state participate in this festival and fair with much fun and excitement.
Kumaon Holi - This is one of the most unique festivals of Uttarakhand and its uniqueness lies in the fact of it being a musical affair. The festive celebrations begin in the premises of the temples where the professional singers gather to sing traditional lyrics to the accompaniment of the classical music. This festival is known by two different names, Baithki Holi and the Khari Holi. The former one is celebrated with much vigor in the temple premises while the later one is celebrated in the rural areas of Kumaon.
UP Festivals | Festivals of Uttar Pradesh
The festivals of Uttar Pradesh can be redefined as a spiritual canvas of soul stirring celebration. Since times immemorial the state of Uttar Pradesh has been attracting the whole world with her rich cultural heritages and spirituality. Festivals of almost all religions are celebrated with equal splendor and cheer in the state of Uttar Pradesh. Various communities of the Indian subcontinent celebrate as many as forty festivals with complete communal harmony. No one can shy away from the simple but the enthralling charm of the festive season of Uttar Pradesh. The festivals celebrated in Uttar Pradesh embody the robust and composite cultural heritage of our nation. The time of festivals is the ideal time to listen and watch the world’s renowned artists performing live; it will be a thrilling experience to listen the traditional music and folklore in the perfect ambiance.
Diwali - It is also biggest and grandest indian festival more about diwali..
Janmashtami - birthday of Krishna - incarnation of Vishnu read more..
Navaratri - read more..
Maha Shivratri - read more..
Ganga Festival - Ganga festival is a much-awaited festival in the town of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. This festival is celebrated on the banks of the river Ganga to worship the river. This festival is held in the month of October- November.
Hoy Ashtami - This festival comes four days after the celebration of Karva Chauth and is generally celebrated by the women for the welfare of their children.
Shitla Ashtami - Shitla Ashtami falls on the eighth day after the ‘festival of colors’, Holi and is dedicated to the goddess of smallpox. This festival is followed by Ram Navami on Chaitra Sudi Navami, which marks the birthday celebrations of Lord Rama.
Bhaiya Dooj - Bhaiya Dooj is a popular festival in Uttar Pradesh when sisters apply vermilion tika (auspicious mark) on the forehead of their brothers to mark their long lives. In turn the brothers reward them with money and other gifts. On Bhaiya Dooj weapons, pen and inkpot are also worshipped.
Karva Chauth - read more..
Bharat Milap - Bharat Milap is celebrated during the months of October/November and is carried out at Nati Imli on the day following Vijayadashmi or Dussehra. It pertains to the episode of the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, and his reunion with his brother Bharat.
Yoga Festival - This art of meditation and alternative medication has heavily influenced the Indian subcontinent and other parts of the world. The path of yoga is considered to be a perfect way to find peace of mind and solace without demeaning the soul. The yoga Festival held at Varanasi and Allahbad in Uttar Pradesh marks the movement, which got popular in the west as a counter-revolution to the Hippie movement.
Eid-ul-Fitr - read more..
Eid-ul-Adha - read more..
Muharrum - read more..
Diwali - It is also biggest and grandest indian festival more about diwali..
Janmashtami - birthday of Krishna - incarnation of Vishnu read more..
Navaratri - read more..
Maha Shivratri - read more..
Ganga Festival - Ganga festival is a much-awaited festival in the town of Varanasi in Uttar Pradesh. This festival is celebrated on the banks of the river Ganga to worship the river. This festival is held in the month of October- November.
Hoy Ashtami - This festival comes four days after the celebration of Karva Chauth and is generally celebrated by the women for the welfare of their children.
Shitla Ashtami - Shitla Ashtami falls on the eighth day after the ‘festival of colors’, Holi and is dedicated to the goddess of smallpox. This festival is followed by Ram Navami on Chaitra Sudi Navami, which marks the birthday celebrations of Lord Rama.
Bhaiya Dooj - Bhaiya Dooj is a popular festival in Uttar Pradesh when sisters apply vermilion tika (auspicious mark) on the forehead of their brothers to mark their long lives. In turn the brothers reward them with money and other gifts. On Bhaiya Dooj weapons, pen and inkpot are also worshipped.
Karva Chauth - read more..
Bharat Milap - Bharat Milap is celebrated during the months of October/November and is carried out at Nati Imli on the day following Vijayadashmi or Dussehra. It pertains to the episode of the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after 14 years of exile, and his reunion with his brother Bharat.
Yoga Festival - This art of meditation and alternative medication has heavily influenced the Indian subcontinent and other parts of the world. The path of yoga is considered to be a perfect way to find peace of mind and solace without demeaning the soul. The yoga Festival held at Varanasi and Allahbad in Uttar Pradesh marks the movement, which got popular in the west as a counter-revolution to the Hippie movement.
Eid-ul-Fitr - read more..
Eid-ul-Adha - read more..
Muharrum - read more..
Festivals of Rajasthan | Rajasthani Festivals
The Rajasthanis love for color and joyous celebrations is well reflected by the elaborate rituals and the gay abandon with which they surrender themselves to the numerous festivals of the region. In fact the love for fun and frolic during the festive celebrations makes this the most colorful deserts in the world. Many traditional fairs are held after the respective festival comes to an end. The festivals of Rajasthan are well known all over the globe and marked with the largest participation of all. The state festivals of Rajasthan are marked with as much exuberance and ebullience as the religious festivals.
Kite Festival - This festival is celebrated as Makar Sankranti by the Rajasthanis on the 14th of January every year and heralds the transition of the Sun into the Northern hemisphere. This is also regarded as a big kite day in most parts of the Indian subcontinent and on this special day the young as well as the old are seen with their heads turned towards the sky. Every member of the family joins in the joyous celebration and shouts of `"Who Kata Hai!" This is a three days festival and the inauguration of the festival is held at the Polo ground. The last day of the festival can be witnessed in the exquisite lawns of the Umaid Bhawan Palace, the royal residence of the Maharaja of Jodhpur.
Elephant Festival - During this festival one can witness a stunning spectacle of rows of elephants, all groomed to perfection and glittering in gold cat walking before a spellbound audience. It is in fact a festival time for the elephants that not only move gracefully in procession but also run races, play the royal game of polo and participate in the `festival of colors`. The Elephant Festival of Rajasthan is one of the major tourist attractions of the state and reflects the ancient splendor of the bygone imperial era. In fact the inhabitants of Rajasthan revived the tradition by including the Elephant Festival in the cultural calendar.
Desert Festival - Desert Festival is one of the most important events of Rajasthan and is held in the months of January/February. In this much-awaited festival, performing arts of the region is showcased with much enthusiasm and vigor. Numerous turban tying competitions and camel races are some added attractions of this festival. During this festival the city reverberates to the sound of the melodious tunes and rhythms. Colorful craft bazaars are also set up during this much-awaited occasion and folk artists from the remotest corners of the state can be seen performing against the splendiferous backdrop of the far-famed sand dunes on the full moon night.
Mewar Festival - This grand festival is celebrated to welcome the season of spring. Though it has a unique charm about it, it coincides with the festival of Gangaur in Udaipur. It holds a special symbolic significance for the women of Rajasthan. They adorn themselves in best clothes and gather together to dress the images of Isar and Gangaur, which are then carried in a ceremonial procession through the different parts of the city. The cultural events take place once the religious part of the festival comes to an end. In the cultural programmes one can witness the beauty of the Rajasthani culture.
Marwar Festival - This festival is held in the month of October in the region of Jodhpur in Rajasthan. It is grandly celebrated to showcase the art and culture of the region and is also devoted exclusively to songs and dances. It is observed for two days during the full moon of Sharad Purnima. Horse riding, horse polo and various other competitions marks this hugely popular festival of the state.
Camel Festival - The camel festival event, organized by the Department of Tourism, Art and Culture, Government of Rajasthan every year in the first month of the English calendar. The folk dances and songs enhances the spirit of the festival and the activities of the camels fascinate tourists from all over the world with their movements, beguile and gracility. The Camel Pageant is observed on the first day and the best-decorated camel is awarded. The tea and sweets prepared from camel milk are made available to the visitors who are interested in trying them out. The conclusion of the festival is marked by a magnificent display of fireworks, which illuminates the desert city of Bikaner
Kite Festival - This festival is celebrated as Makar Sankranti by the Rajasthanis on the 14th of January every year and heralds the transition of the Sun into the Northern hemisphere. This is also regarded as a big kite day in most parts of the Indian subcontinent and on this special day the young as well as the old are seen with their heads turned towards the sky. Every member of the family joins in the joyous celebration and shouts of `"Who Kata Hai!" This is a three days festival and the inauguration of the festival is held at the Polo ground. The last day of the festival can be witnessed in the exquisite lawns of the Umaid Bhawan Palace, the royal residence of the Maharaja of Jodhpur.
Elephant Festival - During this festival one can witness a stunning spectacle of rows of elephants, all groomed to perfection and glittering in gold cat walking before a spellbound audience. It is in fact a festival time for the elephants that not only move gracefully in procession but also run races, play the royal game of polo and participate in the `festival of colors`. The Elephant Festival of Rajasthan is one of the major tourist attractions of the state and reflects the ancient splendor of the bygone imperial era. In fact the inhabitants of Rajasthan revived the tradition by including the Elephant Festival in the cultural calendar.
Desert Festival - Desert Festival is one of the most important events of Rajasthan and is held in the months of January/February. In this much-awaited festival, performing arts of the region is showcased with much enthusiasm and vigor. Numerous turban tying competitions and camel races are some added attractions of this festival. During this festival the city reverberates to the sound of the melodious tunes and rhythms. Colorful craft bazaars are also set up during this much-awaited occasion and folk artists from the remotest corners of the state can be seen performing against the splendiferous backdrop of the far-famed sand dunes on the full moon night.
Mewar Festival - This grand festival is celebrated to welcome the season of spring. Though it has a unique charm about it, it coincides with the festival of Gangaur in Udaipur. It holds a special symbolic significance for the women of Rajasthan. They adorn themselves in best clothes and gather together to dress the images of Isar and Gangaur, which are then carried in a ceremonial procession through the different parts of the city. The cultural events take place once the religious part of the festival comes to an end. In the cultural programmes one can witness the beauty of the Rajasthani culture.
Marwar Festival - This festival is held in the month of October in the region of Jodhpur in Rajasthan. It is grandly celebrated to showcase the art and culture of the region and is also devoted exclusively to songs and dances. It is observed for two days during the full moon of Sharad Purnima. Horse riding, horse polo and various other competitions marks this hugely popular festival of the state.
Camel Festival - The camel festival event, organized by the Department of Tourism, Art and Culture, Government of Rajasthan every year in the first month of the English calendar. The folk dances and songs enhances the spirit of the festival and the activities of the camels fascinate tourists from all over the world with their movements, beguile and gracility. The Camel Pageant is observed on the first day and the best-decorated camel is awarded. The tea and sweets prepared from camel milk are made available to the visitors who are interested in trying them out. The conclusion of the festival is marked by a magnificent display of fireworks, which illuminates the desert city of Bikaner
Festivals of Tamil Nadu | Tamil Festivals
Festivals of Tamil Nadu is therefore the reflection of the rich Tamil culture and ethnicity. The fairs and festivals of Tamil Nadu are considered to be very striking with the abundance of striking colors in the backdrop of snow capped peaks and evergreen forests. In fact this is a state where festivals are regarded as a way of life. The festive season comes too often in this state to be missed by any visitor.
Festivals celebrated in Tamil Nadu -
State Festivals of Tamil Nadu -
Silk Festival - Silk Festival is one of the most famous festivals of Tamil Nadu. This festival is again one of the most popular festivals of Tamil Nadu and is celebrated in the English month of October in Kanchipuram. The popularity of the festival lies in the display of silk saris in all its resplendent glory and the skilled craftsmanship of the weavers of the region characterizes this much-admired festival. People who share a special inclination towards the subtle elegance of silk saris visit this festival.
Natyanjali Dance Festival - The Natyanjali Dance festival commences from the day of Mahashivratri and is celebrated for a stretch of five days. This festival not only provides the dancers with the best opportunity to showcase their talents but also pays a tribute to the `Lord of Dances, Lord Shiva. The festival has special importance in Chidambaram and jointly organized by The Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu, The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and The Natyanjali Trust, Chidambaram.
Thiruvaiyaru Music Festival - This grand festival is attended by the ardent lovers of the classical music and is indeed a delightful spectacle to watch the various musicians performing on the stage. The traditional singers consider it as a great opportunity and honor to participate in this renowned festival. Thousands of participants display their performance here with great vigor to seek the blessings of the saint Thyagaraja.
Kavadi Festival - During this festival the people of the state take a vow to offer the Lord a Kavadi for the sake of tiding over a great calamity. Dancing to the rhythms of drums in a hypnotic trance and carrying the Kavadi all the way to the Palani hills to fulfill their vow is one of the major features which characterize this festival. Strange and ghastly traditions like piercing of lips with mini silver lace, the locking of the mouth with metal ring, and the drawing of small make shift chariots with hooks attached to the back of the devotees strike the visitors with awe.
Summer Festival - This hill station of Tamil Nadu provides a magnificent view and fills the tourist with sensations of delight. When the Summer Festivals are held in the months of May/June, the hills are even better. Various cultural programmes, adventurous sports, flower shows, boat races adds to the splendor and glory of the festival.
Cape Festival - The Cape festival is one of the most popular festivals of Tamil Nadu and is celebrated with much pomp and show in Kanyakumari, which is in the southern tip of the Indian sub-continent. This festival usually falls on the month of October and it is during this auspicious occasion that the Hindus consider a bath in this confluence as very sacred. A series of cultural programmes marks the Cape Festival with much excitement and vigor.
Pongal - It is observed for a period of four days and is a festival of thanksgiving to nature. This traditional occasion falls typically on 14th or 15th January and grandly celebrates the life cycle that gives us grain. The first day is celebrated as Bhogi festival in the honor of Lord Indra while on the second day ceremonial worship of the Sun God is performed. The third day is popularly known as the Pongal for cows while the fourth day is known as Knau or Kannum Pongal day. The festive celebrations of Pongal are generally confined to people` homes.
Karthigai Deepam - Grandly celebrated in the months of November/December or on the full moon day of the Tamil month of Karthigai. Being a very big and prominent festival of the state it stretches on a period of nine days. It is also known as an extended Diwali and is one of the most ancient as well as elaborately celebrated festivals of Tamil Nadu. A wide assortment of lamps lit in all sizes, shapes and colors adorns the temples and the courtyards of the houses. This festival is considered as an auspicious occasion and is also believed to ward off the evils and usher in prosperity and joy.
Chitra Pouurnami - This is one of the most delightful festivals of Tamil Nadu and is celebrated in the Thanjavur and Nagapattinam districts of the state on the full moon day in April or the month of Chittirai of the Tamil year. Celebrated to welcome the spring season, this special day holds a religious significance in the Hindu mythology. The locals make special offerings to please Chitragupta and the idols of the deities are taken out in colorful procession heading towards the bed of the river Vaigai. This auspicious day also marks the divine union of Meenakshi with Lord Shiva and special worship ceremonies are performed in all the shrines where people gather in large numbers to offer prayers.
Pudhu Varusha Pirappu - popularly known as the Tamil New Year. Celebrated in the month of April or the month of Chittirai according to the Tamil calendar this festival is filled with much fun and exuberance. The entrances of all the houses are decorated with colorful Kolam and lavish feasts are organized in which pulses and cereals form a part of the chief menu.
Saral Festival - Celebrated in the Courtallam region of Tamil Nadu in the month of July, the Saral festival makes a celebration out of a simple, daily ritual bathing. The waterfalls of the region of Courtallam are very famous and the `fog like` appearance given out by the tiny droplets of water, which falls on the rocks and are sprinkled on the air is indeed mesmerizing. This falls is also known for its medicinal importance. Competitions, cultural programmes, fun and frolic make this one of the remarkable festivals of Tamil Nadu.
Festivals celebrated in Tamil Nadu -
State Festivals of Tamil Nadu -
Silk Festival - Silk Festival is one of the most famous festivals of Tamil Nadu. This festival is again one of the most popular festivals of Tamil Nadu and is celebrated in the English month of October in Kanchipuram. The popularity of the festival lies in the display of silk saris in all its resplendent glory and the skilled craftsmanship of the weavers of the region characterizes this much-admired festival. People who share a special inclination towards the subtle elegance of silk saris visit this festival.
Natyanjali Dance Festival - The Natyanjali Dance festival commences from the day of Mahashivratri and is celebrated for a stretch of five days. This festival not only provides the dancers with the best opportunity to showcase their talents but also pays a tribute to the `Lord of Dances, Lord Shiva. The festival has special importance in Chidambaram and jointly organized by The Department of Tourism, Government of Tamil Nadu, The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India and The Natyanjali Trust, Chidambaram.
Thiruvaiyaru Music Festival - This grand festival is attended by the ardent lovers of the classical music and is indeed a delightful spectacle to watch the various musicians performing on the stage. The traditional singers consider it as a great opportunity and honor to participate in this renowned festival. Thousands of participants display their performance here with great vigor to seek the blessings of the saint Thyagaraja.
Kavadi Festival - During this festival the people of the state take a vow to offer the Lord a Kavadi for the sake of tiding over a great calamity. Dancing to the rhythms of drums in a hypnotic trance and carrying the Kavadi all the way to the Palani hills to fulfill their vow is one of the major features which characterize this festival. Strange and ghastly traditions like piercing of lips with mini silver lace, the locking of the mouth with metal ring, and the drawing of small make shift chariots with hooks attached to the back of the devotees strike the visitors with awe.
Summer Festival - This hill station of Tamil Nadu provides a magnificent view and fills the tourist with sensations of delight. When the Summer Festivals are held in the months of May/June, the hills are even better. Various cultural programmes, adventurous sports, flower shows, boat races adds to the splendor and glory of the festival.
Cape Festival - The Cape festival is one of the most popular festivals of Tamil Nadu and is celebrated with much pomp and show in Kanyakumari, which is in the southern tip of the Indian sub-continent. This festival usually falls on the month of October and it is during this auspicious occasion that the Hindus consider a bath in this confluence as very sacred. A series of cultural programmes marks the Cape Festival with much excitement and vigor.
Pongal - It is observed for a period of four days and is a festival of thanksgiving to nature. This traditional occasion falls typically on 14th or 15th January and grandly celebrates the life cycle that gives us grain. The first day is celebrated as Bhogi festival in the honor of Lord Indra while on the second day ceremonial worship of the Sun God is performed. The third day is popularly known as the Pongal for cows while the fourth day is known as Knau or Kannum Pongal day. The festive celebrations of Pongal are generally confined to people` homes.
Karthigai Deepam - Grandly celebrated in the months of November/December or on the full moon day of the Tamil month of Karthigai. Being a very big and prominent festival of the state it stretches on a period of nine days. It is also known as an extended Diwali and is one of the most ancient as well as elaborately celebrated festivals of Tamil Nadu. A wide assortment of lamps lit in all sizes, shapes and colors adorns the temples and the courtyards of the houses. This festival is considered as an auspicious occasion and is also believed to ward off the evils and usher in prosperity and joy.
Chitra Pouurnami - This is one of the most delightful festivals of Tamil Nadu and is celebrated in the Thanjavur and Nagapattinam districts of the state on the full moon day in April or the month of Chittirai of the Tamil year. Celebrated to welcome the spring season, this special day holds a religious significance in the Hindu mythology. The locals make special offerings to please Chitragupta and the idols of the deities are taken out in colorful procession heading towards the bed of the river Vaigai. This auspicious day also marks the divine union of Meenakshi with Lord Shiva and special worship ceremonies are performed in all the shrines where people gather in large numbers to offer prayers.
Pudhu Varusha Pirappu - popularly known as the Tamil New Year. Celebrated in the month of April or the month of Chittirai according to the Tamil calendar this festival is filled with much fun and exuberance. The entrances of all the houses are decorated with colorful Kolam and lavish feasts are organized in which pulses and cereals form a part of the chief menu.
Saral Festival - Celebrated in the Courtallam region of Tamil Nadu in the month of July, the Saral festival makes a celebration out of a simple, daily ritual bathing. The waterfalls of the region of Courtallam are very famous and the `fog like` appearance given out by the tiny droplets of water, which falls on the rocks and are sprinkled on the air is indeed mesmerizing. This falls is also known for its medicinal importance. Competitions, cultural programmes, fun and frolic make this one of the remarkable festivals of Tamil Nadu.
Festivals of karnataka | kannada_Festivals
Karnataka is a south indian state which shares it's territorial borders with Maharashtra in north, Andhra Pradesh in east, Kerala and tamil Nadu in south.
About culture of Karnataka - South indian state of Karnataka has a multi-religious population and many religious festivals are celebrated harmoniously. People of different faiths seem to immerse themselves completely in following the religious traditions with utmost veneration. This state in fact shares equal enthusiasm and fervor of celebrating the religious and traditional festivals with the rest of the country. Besides the religious festivals there are some festivals, which showcases the cultural wealth of the state, which is again represented vibrantly in myriad colors and forms. Then there are a host of festivals, which are linked, with the life style of the people and are celebrated with great pomp and show.
State festivals of karnataka -
Rajvotsava Day - This state festival of Karnataka is celebrated on the first day in the month of November according to the English calendar. This grand day marks the formation of the state of Karnataka. The people treat themselves with excessive indulgence in various cultural performances. Fun and excitement scales every height and achieves a new dimension.
Dussehra - One of the main Hindu festivals of Karnataka is Dussehra. The rulers of the Vijayanagar Dynasty used to celebrate this festival in a much extravagant manner. In the following years the celebration became a tradition. The festival was celebrated at Mysore with much pomp and show. A Durbar was held for consecutive nine days and on the tenth day a procession was taken out with elephants, colorful folks and much more. Dussehra of Mysore is very famous and i was lucky to visit mysore during dussehra celebrations it's a really nice celebrations in mysore on occasion of dussehra.
Makar Sakaranti - Makar Sankranti is a day of goodwill and friendship. This festival is a celebration of the occasion of the `ascent` of the sun to the north (Uttarayana). Sesame Ladoos and sugar drops are distributed among the masses as a symbol of the need to be generous and kind to everyone. The ancient customs and the spiritual rites are also observed with great veneration. Women wear new clothes, new glass bangles and hold get-togethers to share sweets and gifts. A new bride is given ornaments made of sugar drops and her new relatives are invited to meet and welcome her at a turmeric and mercury celebration.
Ganesh Chaturthi - Ganesh Chaturthi is another important festivals of Karnataka. This festival is observed in the honor of the elephant-God Lord Ganesh who is believed to the remover of all obstacles and bestower of prosperity and success. This is a festival held annually and is celebrated in the month of September. It is a ten days long event. Huge effigies of Lord Ganesh are established and worshipped. On the last day of the festival processions are taken out and then the idols are immersed in water. The seashore packed with a congregation of both male and female is a spectacular sight.
Yugadi - In the Kannada tradition Yugadi is known as the New Year`s Day and is one of the traditional festivals of Karnataka. This festival is celebrated in the month of March or early April according to the English calendar. On the special day the supper is lovingly prepared and the meal starts with jaggery and neem leaves. The mood of exuberance and ebullience is highly reflective of the fact that this festival is nothing but a bundle of joy.
Karaga - Festival of Karaga is celebrated with much fun and frolic in the Darmaraya temple in Bangalore. It is observed on the full moon day of the month of Chaitra, which is the first month according to the Hindu calendar. This popular festival is observed in the honor of Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas.
Hampi - The magnificent city of Hampi comes alive with a symphony of colors during the festival of Hampi in the state of Karnataka. This festival is held in the first week of November and the people of Hampi, once the capital of Vijayanagara, the greatest empire of the Indian subcontinent indulges themselves in the festive spirit with an assortment of cultural performances.
Hoysala Mahotsava - This magnificent dance festival is held at Belur and Helebid. The splendidly sculpted temples of Hoysala with their grace and splendor make the venue perfect for this much-awaited cultural feast. This popular festival is celebrated in the third month of the English calendar, March.
Vairamudi - Vairamudi festival of Karnataka is a widely popular and a much-awaited occasion and takes place in the month of March. This festival is observed in the honor of Lord Cheluvarayaswamy who is adorned with the diamond-studded crown brought from the Mysore palace. People take part in the popular procession with great vigor and enthusiasm. The whole area is decorated with lights especially the temples of Raya Gopura Tirunarayana, Bhuvaneshwari and Yoganarasimha. People from all corners of the state come to get a glimpse of the deity.
Tula Sankramana - Celebrated in the Coorg or Kodagu district of Karnataka and is celebrated in the month of October every year. it is universally believed that Goddess Cauvery appears on this day in the sudden rush of the water in the small tank there. The locales of this region worship have renamed this event as Theerthodbhava and they bathe in the auspicious water of the tank. They also carry the holy water in bottles for other spiritual purposes.
Diwali - Diwali is celebrated in the state of Karnataka in one manner and is reckoned as one of the well accepted festivals of Karnataka. The endless zest for living that grips the young and old alike during this festival is worth noticing. This festival is marked in this state by the innumerable lamps lighted in the courtyard of every house and the bursting of firecrackers. The people of Karnataka mainly indulge in the festivities during early morning and late night. New clothes and an assortment of mouth-watering delicacies are existent in the same manner as in other festivals. It may be noted that Diwali is also the biggest and grandest indian festival.
Eid-ul-Adha - This festival popularly known as Bakri-Id or Eid-ul-Adha or Eid-Ul-Zuha is one of the most important festivals in the Muslim calendar. It is observed on the tenth day of the twelfth month in the Muslim calendar. The holiness of the day and the period preceding it makes this a popular time for undertaking the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Muharrum - The most solemn and colorful Muslim function held in the state of Karnataka is Muharram. This is definitely one of the most important festivals in Karnataka. Muharram commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Holy Prophet. In all cities and towns Muslims take out impressive processions of colorfully decorated tazias, replicas of the martyr`s tomb at Karbala. In this state also Muharram is observed by taking out gold and silver replicas of old Nawabi times and men are seen beating their breasts in mourning constantly until blood oozes out.
Eid-ul-Fitr - This festival occurs at the end of the month of Ramzan, is the gayest and falls on the first day of the tenth month of the Hijrah or Muslim calendar. The Muslims residing in the state of Karnataka celebrates this popular festival with much pomp and gaiety.
About culture of Karnataka - South indian state of Karnataka has a multi-religious population and many religious festivals are celebrated harmoniously. People of different faiths seem to immerse themselves completely in following the religious traditions with utmost veneration. This state in fact shares equal enthusiasm and fervor of celebrating the religious and traditional festivals with the rest of the country. Besides the religious festivals there are some festivals, which showcases the cultural wealth of the state, which is again represented vibrantly in myriad colors and forms. Then there are a host of festivals, which are linked, with the life style of the people and are celebrated with great pomp and show.
State festivals of karnataka -
Rajvotsava Day - This state festival of Karnataka is celebrated on the first day in the month of November according to the English calendar. This grand day marks the formation of the state of Karnataka. The people treat themselves with excessive indulgence in various cultural performances. Fun and excitement scales every height and achieves a new dimension.
Dussehra - One of the main Hindu festivals of Karnataka is Dussehra. The rulers of the Vijayanagar Dynasty used to celebrate this festival in a much extravagant manner. In the following years the celebration became a tradition. The festival was celebrated at Mysore with much pomp and show. A Durbar was held for consecutive nine days and on the tenth day a procession was taken out with elephants, colorful folks and much more. Dussehra of Mysore is very famous and i was lucky to visit mysore during dussehra celebrations it's a really nice celebrations in mysore on occasion of dussehra.
Makar Sakaranti - Makar Sankranti is a day of goodwill and friendship. This festival is a celebration of the occasion of the `ascent` of the sun to the north (Uttarayana). Sesame Ladoos and sugar drops are distributed among the masses as a symbol of the need to be generous and kind to everyone. The ancient customs and the spiritual rites are also observed with great veneration. Women wear new clothes, new glass bangles and hold get-togethers to share sweets and gifts. A new bride is given ornaments made of sugar drops and her new relatives are invited to meet and welcome her at a turmeric and mercury celebration.
Ganesh Chaturthi - Ganesh Chaturthi is another important festivals of Karnataka. This festival is observed in the honor of the elephant-God Lord Ganesh who is believed to the remover of all obstacles and bestower of prosperity and success. This is a festival held annually and is celebrated in the month of September. It is a ten days long event. Huge effigies of Lord Ganesh are established and worshipped. On the last day of the festival processions are taken out and then the idols are immersed in water. The seashore packed with a congregation of both male and female is a spectacular sight.
Yugadi - In the Kannada tradition Yugadi is known as the New Year`s Day and is one of the traditional festivals of Karnataka. This festival is celebrated in the month of March or early April according to the English calendar. On the special day the supper is lovingly prepared and the meal starts with jaggery and neem leaves. The mood of exuberance and ebullience is highly reflective of the fact that this festival is nothing but a bundle of joy.
Karaga - Festival of Karaga is celebrated with much fun and frolic in the Darmaraya temple in Bangalore. It is observed on the full moon day of the month of Chaitra, which is the first month according to the Hindu calendar. This popular festival is observed in the honor of Draupadi, the wife of the Pandavas.
Hampi - The magnificent city of Hampi comes alive with a symphony of colors during the festival of Hampi in the state of Karnataka. This festival is held in the first week of November and the people of Hampi, once the capital of Vijayanagara, the greatest empire of the Indian subcontinent indulges themselves in the festive spirit with an assortment of cultural performances.
Hoysala Mahotsava - This magnificent dance festival is held at Belur and Helebid. The splendidly sculpted temples of Hoysala with their grace and splendor make the venue perfect for this much-awaited cultural feast. This popular festival is celebrated in the third month of the English calendar, March.
Vairamudi - Vairamudi festival of Karnataka is a widely popular and a much-awaited occasion and takes place in the month of March. This festival is observed in the honor of Lord Cheluvarayaswamy who is adorned with the diamond-studded crown brought from the Mysore palace. People take part in the popular procession with great vigor and enthusiasm. The whole area is decorated with lights especially the temples of Raya Gopura Tirunarayana, Bhuvaneshwari and Yoganarasimha. People from all corners of the state come to get a glimpse of the deity.
Tula Sankramana - Celebrated in the Coorg or Kodagu district of Karnataka and is celebrated in the month of October every year. it is universally believed that Goddess Cauvery appears on this day in the sudden rush of the water in the small tank there. The locales of this region worship have renamed this event as Theerthodbhava and they bathe in the auspicious water of the tank. They also carry the holy water in bottles for other spiritual purposes.
Diwali - Diwali is celebrated in the state of Karnataka in one manner and is reckoned as one of the well accepted festivals of Karnataka. The endless zest for living that grips the young and old alike during this festival is worth noticing. This festival is marked in this state by the innumerable lamps lighted in the courtyard of every house and the bursting of firecrackers. The people of Karnataka mainly indulge in the festivities during early morning and late night. New clothes and an assortment of mouth-watering delicacies are existent in the same manner as in other festivals. It may be noted that Diwali is also the biggest and grandest indian festival.
Eid-ul-Adha - This festival popularly known as Bakri-Id or Eid-ul-Adha or Eid-Ul-Zuha is one of the most important festivals in the Muslim calendar. It is observed on the tenth day of the twelfth month in the Muslim calendar. The holiness of the day and the period preceding it makes this a popular time for undertaking the pilgrimage to Mecca.
Muharrum - The most solemn and colorful Muslim function held in the state of Karnataka is Muharram. This is definitely one of the most important festivals in Karnataka. Muharram commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Holy Prophet. In all cities and towns Muslims take out impressive processions of colorfully decorated tazias, replicas of the martyr`s tomb at Karbala. In this state also Muharram is observed by taking out gold and silver replicas of old Nawabi times and men are seen beating their breasts in mourning constantly until blood oozes out.
Eid-ul-Fitr - This festival occurs at the end of the month of Ramzan, is the gayest and falls on the first day of the tenth month of the Hijrah or Muslim calendar. The Muslims residing in the state of Karnataka celebrates this popular festival with much pomp and gaiety.
Regional festivals of India | Indian Festivals list
India is country which comprises of most diverse cultures and landscapes as well as Indians are very diverse with lots of religious festivals, cultural festivals around now and then. The main reason for India being too diverse is because pre independent india consisted of numerous princely states present in different geographies and all of them were different in culture, race from the oyher princely states . All the regional pre indepent princely states became modern sovereign states of india hence there are lot of regional festivals celebrated in all the 31 states and Union territories.
Here i have tried to provide you information about regional festivals of india in single post, the festivals are divided according to the states in which they are celebrated.
So here we go...just click on the state link to see the festivals celebrated in that indian state
Regional festivals celebrated in india -
1. Festivals of Karnataka
2. Festivals of Kerala
3. Festivals of Punjab
4. Festivals of Maharashtra
5. Festivals of Goa
6. Festivals of Madhya Pradesh
7. Festivals of Tamil Nadu
8. Festivals of Andhra Pradesh
9. Festivals of Orissa
10. Festivals of Gujarat
11. Festivals of West Bengal
12. Festivals of Assam
13. Festivals of Rajasthan
14. Festivals of Haryana
15. Festivals of Uttar pradesh
16. Festivals of Uttarakhand
17. Festivals of Jammu & Kashmir
18. Festivals of Bihar
19. Festivals of Jharkhand
20. Festivals of Sikkim
21. Festivals of Arunachal Pradesh
22. Festivals of Tripura
23. Festivals of Chattisgarh
24. Festivals of Nagaland
25. Festivals of Mizoram
26. Festivals of Meghalaya
27. Festivals of Himachal Pradesh
Here i have tried to provide you information about regional festivals of india in single post, the festivals are divided according to the states in which they are celebrated.
So here we go...just click on the state link to see the festivals celebrated in that indian state
Regional festivals celebrated in india -
1. Festivals of Karnataka
2. Festivals of Kerala
3. Festivals of Punjab
4. Festivals of Maharashtra
5. Festivals of Goa
6. Festivals of Madhya Pradesh
7. Festivals of Tamil Nadu
8. Festivals of Andhra Pradesh
9. Festivals of Orissa
10. Festivals of Gujarat
11. Festivals of West Bengal
12. Festivals of Assam
13. Festivals of Rajasthan
14. Festivals of Haryana
15. Festivals of Uttar pradesh
16. Festivals of Uttarakhand
17. Festivals of Jammu & Kashmir
18. Festivals of Bihar
19. Festivals of Jharkhand
20. Festivals of Sikkim
21. Festivals of Arunachal Pradesh
22. Festivals of Tripura
23. Festivals of Chattisgarh
24. Festivals of Nagaland
25. Festivals of Mizoram
26. Festivals of Meghalaya
27. Festivals of Himachal Pradesh
Sunday, August 16, 2009
Flower festivals list - USA
USA is land which depicts unity in diversity , with 50 states comprising a single country and there are lots of festivals celebrated through out USA like Beer festivals, Flower festivals of USA are very famous and displays some of the best flower shows of world during the festivals, here is the list of Flower festivals celebrated in USA throughout the year.
Other related posts -
- Major Festivals/Events across globe 2009
- Major Festivals/Events in Europe
- Regional Festivals of USA
National Cherry Blossom Festival — Washington, D.C.
Philadelphia Flower Show — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Portland Rose Festival — Portland, Oregon
Texas Rose Festival — Tyler, Texas
Washington State Apple Blossom Festival — Wenatchee, Washington
Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival — Winchester, Virginia
Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Lilac Festival, Rochester, New York
Other related posts -
- Major Festivals/Events across globe 2009
- Major Festivals/Events in Europe
- Regional Festivals of USA
National Cherry Blossom Festival — Washington, D.C.
Philadelphia Flower Show — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Portland Rose Festival — Portland, Oregon
Texas Rose Festival — Tyler, Texas
Washington State Apple Blossom Festival — Wenatchee, Washington
Shenandoah Apple Blossom Festival — Winchester, Virginia
Subaru Cherry Blossom Festival of Greater Philadelphia — Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Lilac Festival, Rochester, New York
SCIENCE FESTIVAL OF USA - Science festivals list of USA
USA is very technology oriented democracy and has some world renowed tech hubs like Silicon valley, Automotive hubs like Detroit etc and there are lots of Science festivals celebrated in USA through out the year, Following is the list of Science festivals celebrated in United States of America.
Other related posts -
- Major Festivals/Events across globe 2009
- Major Festivals/Events in Europe
- Regional Festivals of USA
Cambridge Science Festival — Cambridge, Massachusetts
Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival — Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York
SciTech Spectacular — Pittsburgh
Wonderfest — San Francisco Bay Area
World Science Festival — New York City
Other related posts -
- Major Festivals/Events across globe 2009
- Major Festivals/Events in Europe
- Regional Festivals of USA
Cambridge Science Festival — Cambridge, Massachusetts
Imagine RIT: Innovation and Creativity Festival — Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York
SciTech Spectacular — Pittsburgh
Wonderfest — San Francisco Bay Area
World Science Festival — New York City
Religious Festivals of USA
There are lots of festivals celebrated through out the year in USA as it is very diverse and consists of 50 different states you can also see list of regional festivals of USA click here
Other related posts -
- Major Festivals/Events across globe 2009
- Major Festivals/Events in Europe
- Regional Festivals of USA
Cornerstone Festival — Bushnell, Illinois
Creation Festival— George, Washington The Gorge Amphitheater and Mount Union, Pennsylvania Agape Farm
LifeLight Festival — Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sonshine Festival — Willmar, Minnesota
X-Day (Church of the SubGenius) — Sherman, New York Brushwood Folklore Center
Xfest NW — Stevenson, Washington Skamania County Fairgrounds
Other related posts -
- Major Festivals/Events across globe 2009
- Major Festivals/Events in Europe
- Regional Festivals of USA
Cornerstone Festival — Bushnell, Illinois
Creation Festival— George, Washington The Gorge Amphitheater and Mount Union, Pennsylvania Agape Farm
LifeLight Festival — Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Sonshine Festival — Willmar, Minnesota
X-Day (Church of the SubGenius) — Sherman, New York Brushwood Folklore Center
Xfest NW — Stevenson, Washington Skamania County Fairgrounds
Pagan Festivals of USA - list
USA is a country which is very diverse and all the 50 states has it's own festivals and events, there are loads of Pagan Festivals celebrated in USA here is the list of Pagan Festivals celebrated in United States of America(USA).
Mountain Mysteries Mabon & Harvest Festival — Virginia
Florida Pagan Gathering — Central Florida
Free Spirit Gathering — Maryland
Harvest Home Gathering — Connecticut
Heartland Pagan Festival — Tonganoxie, Kansas
Pagan Spirit Gathering - Wisteria, Ohio
Starwood Festival — Sherman, New York Brushwood Folklore Center
Pagan Fyre — Quitman, Arkansas
PantheaCon— San Jose, CA
WytcheHaven Weekends — Salem, Arkansas
Mother Earth Gathering Silverfalls, OR
Middle Earth Gathering Silverfalls, OR
Moondance — Dragon Hills, near Atlanta, GA
FallFling — Dragon Hills, near Atlanta, GA
Mountain Mysteries Mabon & Harvest Festival — Virginia
Florida Pagan Gathering — Central Florida
Free Spirit Gathering — Maryland
Harvest Home Gathering — Connecticut
Heartland Pagan Festival — Tonganoxie, Kansas
Pagan Spirit Gathering - Wisteria, Ohio
Starwood Festival — Sherman, New York Brushwood Folklore Center
Pagan Fyre — Quitman, Arkansas
PantheaCon— San Jose, CA
WytcheHaven Weekends — Salem, Arkansas
Mother Earth Gathering Silverfalls, OR
Middle Earth Gathering Silverfalls, OR
Moondance — Dragon Hills, near Atlanta, GA
FallFling — Dragon Hills, near Atlanta, GA
Holiday Festivals of USA
USA is land of diversity and there are loads of festivals celebrated on USA which are as diverse as our planet earth, so here is the list of Holiday festivals of USA the list might not be complete and need regular upgradations.
Other related posts -
- Major Festivals/Events across globe 2009
- Major Festivals/Events in Europe
- Regional Festivals of USA
Christmas on the River — Demopolis, Alabama
First Night On New Year's Eve — Salt Lake City, Utah
New Orleans Mardi Gras — New Orleans, Louisiana
Spirit of America Festival — Decatur, Alabama
Tacoma Holiday Food and Gift Festival — Tacoma, Washington
Colorado Country Christmas Show — Denver, Colorado
Salt Lake Family Christmas Gift Show — Salt Lake City, Utah
LGBT(Lesbians, Gays, Bisexual festivals) Festivals of USA
There are number of festivals celebrated in USA and LGBT festivals stands for festivals celebrated by lesbians, gays and bisexuals of USA , here is the list of LSBT festivals celebrated in United States of America
Other related posts -
- Major Festivals/Events across globe 2009
- Major Festivals/Events in Europe
- Regional Festivals of USA
Capital Pride (Washington) — Washington, D.C.
Fantasia Fair[10] — Provincetown, Massachusetts
Frameline — San Francisco, California
Newfest — New York City
Outfest — Los Angeles, California
Provincetown Bear Week[11] — Provincetown, Massachusetts
PeaceOUT World Homo Hop Festival — Oakland, California
Southern Decadence — New Orleans, Louisiana
Utah Pride Festival — Salt Lake City, Utah
Thursday, April 23, 2009
World Festivals Art, Dance, regional, cultural, National, beer festivals from all over the world
January Events 2009
January - February '09
CHINA Harbin Ice and Snow Festival - includes illuminated ice sculptures and sports. Beware extreme cold.
1 day early January 2009
JAPAN Wakakusa Yamayaki, Nara.The traditional and spectacular burning of an entire hill, with attendant fireworks.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
3 days in mid January 2009
JAPAN Toka Ebisu nationwide, but especially Kyoto, Osaka and Fukuoka - a shrine oriented event with parades and lots of peculiar rituals.
8-10 January 2009
MALI Festival in the Desert, Essakane, in the dunes 40 miles outside Timbuktu [Tombouctou]. A fantasy mix of traditional north African desert music, international players, camels, dance and sword play in stunning surroundings and with a mostly local audience.
10 January
INDIA Madurai Float Festival. Incredible temples and spectacular floats on the night of the full moon.
10-11 January 2009
INDIA Bikaner Camel Festival at Bikaner, Rajasthan - much less touristy than February's Desert Festival, but in an equally gorgeous fortified desert town location. Endless colourful camel activities, including a beauty competition, but human fun stuff too - dancing, fireworks, music etc.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
14 January 2009
INDIA International Kite Festival. A zillion kites and fights in the lovely but busy city of Jaipur, Rajasthan, or Ahmedabad.
15 January 2009
INDIA Pongal [Harvest] Festival, Tamil Nadu state.
3rd weekend of January 2009
TURKEY Camel Wrestling at Selcuk near Ephesus - the camels wrestle, not humans vs. camels!
One day late January 2009
MALAYSIA Thaipusam at Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur - a huge, Hindu procession into the caves, with many penitents pierced by hooks, skewers through various body parts. Similarly in Singapore, same day.
25-28 Jan 2009
VIETNAM Tet [New Year] Festival nationwide - for one week, the most important annual event of the country and a wild and noisy time is had by all.
26 January 2009
CHINA New Year Parade, Hong Kong - nationwide but especially potent in Hong Kong's Tsim Sha Tsui East, as psychedelia hits the 'scrapers and parades hit the streets.this is the best Chinese celebration, with floats, musicians, dancers, explosions and dragons galore.
26 January 2009
INDIA Republic Day in Delhi - pompous but splendid parade and festival.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
February 2009 Festivals
30 Jan - 15 February 2009
CANADA Carnaval de Québec in Quebec City - a vigorous winter celebration with parades, themed parties, ice sculptures and, bien sûr, winter sports of every description in a pretty Francophile city.
2 - 11 February 2009
PERU Virgen de la Candelaria in Puno, not a pretty city but with amazing surroundings such as Lake Titicaca and the Altiplano. This colourful, local event offers vigorous dancing, music, masks and insane fireworks. And Cuzco's not far by splendid train ride...
5 - 11 February 2009
JAPAN Sapporo Snow Festival - a mass of superb, huge, imaginative ice sculptures in this pleasant Hokkaido town. Hot springs and hot saké take the edge off the cold!
6 - 22 February 2009
CANADA Winterlude Festival in Ottawa [Ontario], weekends only - features parades, dances, snow races, ice sculptures, sleigh rides and more, but especially skating on the 7km Rideau Canal. If skating is your thing, then this is your festival.
7 - 9 February 2009
THAILAND Flower Festival, Chiang Mai. A must for floraphiles, this interesting city is bedecked by thousands of flowers, including 1,000 species of orchid. Parades and sculptures too.
7 - 9 February 2009
INDIA Desert Festival, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan - touristy but terrific location near the Disneyesque town of Jaisalmer, under a full moon. Dance, music, local contests and camels. Nearest airport is Jodhpur, 280kms away.
9 February 2009
CHINA Spring Lantern Festival, nationwide. Lanterns - many of strange design - are lit and carried all over China.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
19 - 24 Feb 2009
11-16 Feb '10
MEXICO Carnival, nationwide but especially Veracruz, Cozumel, Mazatlan and two towns near Mexico City - Huejotzingo and Tepoztlan - huge, wild party time with dance, music, masks, mock battles and parades.
20 - 24 Feb. in Rio
21 - 24 Feb. in Salvador
Brazil Carnivals 2009
BRAZIL Rio de Janeiro Carnival - it's wild spectacle for sure, but not in the street - it's in a huge stadium and thus not so involving; it's also expensive and caution is needed outside. So perhaps try carnivals in other cities which will be almost as wild but a lot more user friendly, touchy/feely - such as Salvador and Olinda in the north-east, both beautiful, lively and with good beaches nearby or even try Trinidad [island] see above [19-20th].
21 February 2009
JAPAN Naked Festival [Hadaka Matsuri] in Inazawa, Aichi - a Shinto man strips off, is shaved completely then runs through the town while thousands of semi-naked men in loin cloths try to touch him. Butt, butt...
22 February
EGYPT Abu Simbel - 2 days a year [also 22 October] when the light is just right in this incredible temple complex. Just you and 1,000 other tourists!
23-24 February 2009
15-16 February 2010
7-8 March 2011
TRINIDAD Carnival, [an island in the Caribbean] where the carnival is on the street and mad in the nicest possible way, though if you want a nice beach too you'll have to nip over to neighbouring Tobago.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
February or March
INDIA Goa Carnival. An Indo-Latin fusion of music, dance and wild revelry.
25 February 2009
TIBET Losar [Tibetan New Year] nationwide. An extremely colourful occasion with stunning traditional costumes worn by monks and many fascinating rituals, though beware the altitude and cold.
25 Feb - 2 March 2009
INDIA Khajuraho Dance Festival, fine and fluid art among the staggeringly high porn temples.
March Events 2009
1 - 14 March 2009
JAPAN Omizutori Festival - at the Todaiji temple in Nara - 1,200 year old ceremonies, especially spectacular on the last night, full of huge, blazing torches and noise-making monks.
early March
JAPAN Lantern and Flower Festival in Kyoto - A perfect arrangement of flowers and massed lanterns, including a 4.6 km path between shrines and temples. Lit lanterns from 6pm - 9.30pm. Dance and other arts too.
7-12 April 2009
MEXICO Semana Santa [Easter Week] nationwide but esp. Chiapas - state processions, costumes, fireworks, music, dance and some weird rituals.
10 April 2009
PHILIPPINES Crucifixion in San Fernando on Good Friday. Locals play out Christ's agony, all dressed up, beaten by whips and some finally nailed - for real - to crosses.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
11 March 2009
Nepal, [Khatmandu] and India, [Jaipur]
NEPAL & INDIA Holi [Festival of Colour]. The ultimate in colourful festivals, everyone throwing coloured water or paint over everyone else, including you. It's a kaleidoscopic madhouse.
12-19 2009
SPAIN Las Fallas in Valencia - a wild and explosive [literally] carnival/fiesta combination that will blow your socks off, locals spend 5 days partying with parades, pageants and moderate fireworks then, on the last night, they turn off all the city lights and set fire to hundreds of massive statues stuffed with fireworks around the city. Kaboom.
4 days in mid-March 2009 TBA
MEXICO Cumbre Tajin in Veracruz. A unique mind, body and soul celebration in the spiritually correct Tajin park. A mass of alternative therapies as well as art, music, dance and adventure sports [eh?].
20 March 2009
MEXICO Kukulcan Snake God in Chichen Itza [Yucatan] - see the snake appear in this spectacular pyramid complex, plus varied entertainments. Couple of days before and after too.
25 - 31 March
JAPAN Cherry Blossom Time especially in Tokyo's Ueno park or Aoyama cemetery - all over Japan pink and white cherry trees herald springtime and just about every Japanese person, including - or especially - office workers, gets totally blotto on beer and saké under the trees.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
April 2009 Festivals/events
5 April 2009
1st Sunday in April
JAPAN Kanamara Penis Festival in Kawasaki, near Tokyo. An hilarious, good-feeling event loaded with music, double-entendres, huge portable dongs and little willy lollies.
During April
MALI Mask Festival in Dogon Country. Spooky and crude animist event in spectacular, surreal surroundings.
13 - 15 April 2009
THAILAND Songkran [New Year Water Festival] nationwide - especially lively in Chiang Mai. Four days of parades, fancy dress and water being thrown everywhere, including over tourists.
13 - 15 April 2009
CHINA Water Splashing Festival in Jinghong, beautiful Yunnan province. Much dragon boat racing, fireworks, dancing and throwing water over everyone, but everyone.
14 - 15 April 2009
and 9 -10 October
JAPAN Takayama Spring Festival in pleasant Takayama, near Nagoya - A dozen ancient, elaborate floats get dragged around the old town; with traditional music and costumes.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
18 April - 17 May 2009
MEXICO Feria de San Marcos in Aguascalientes [the North] - large and long established celebration of Mexican music and machismo, with rodeos, bull fights, folk dancing, parades, mariachi and mucho more.
28 April - 3 May 2009
SPAIN La Feria de Abril [April Fair] in Seville - Seville's best party with traditional dress, parades, dancing and boisterous parties in a spectacular environment.
May Events 2009
2 May 2009
CHINA Bun Festival on Cheung Chau Island, Hong Kong. Yes, real, edible buns treated with enormous pomp in this fishing island, huge bun towers, bun parades and something to eat too. Hong Kong Guide
4 May 2009
24 April 2010
INDIA Thrissur Pooram in Thrissur, Kerala. A day of fireworks, raucous music and fantastically decorated elephants continues way into the night during this, the biggest festival in Kerala.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
5 May
MEXICO Cinco de Mayo in Puebla, just north of Mexico City - the glorious battle of Puelbla [1862] is celebrated with mock military dress, parades and mock battles in the main square of lovely Puebla.
9 May 2009
INDONESIA Waisak Festival at Borobudur temple, the world's largest Buddhist structure. A quiet but stunningly spiritual event with acres of saffron-robed monks praying under the full moon at the incredible Borobudur.
mid May 2009
THAILAND Rocket Festival [Bung Fai] in Yasothon [NE Thai]. Crazed rocket builders compete - with total disregard for safety - for the highest flier.
15-17 May 2009
JAPAN Sanja Matsuri in Tokyo - crowded processions of elaborate mini-shrines are vigorously carried around the streets near Tokyo's venerable Asakusa shrine, well fuelled by saké and beer.
18 May 2009
JAPAN Sennin Gyoretsu in Nikko - a massive parade of samurai-dressed folk and dancers around a supremely beautiful shrine in a gorgeous country town of hot springs and waterfalls.
June 2009 Festivals/Events
June - November 2009
MADAGASCAR Famadihana 'turning the bones' - reburying the dead ceremonies, interesting but independent travel required.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
6 - 14 June 2009
MOROCCO Festival of Sacred Music in Fez [Fes] - a huge variety of weird sounds from around the world, Sufi chants though Egyptian odes to whirling dervishes, but not excluding musicians from developed countries.
8 June 2009
CHINA Dragon Boat Festival [Tuen Ng] around Hong Kong's islands and rivers, but also some other Chinese towns/cities. Spectacularly decorated boats loaded with rowers and drums race.
mid June - mid July
one month long 2009
INDONESIA Bali Arts Festival, a celebration of Balinese traditional arts, particularly dance, music and wood carving, on a fascinating island.
One week but esp. the last day, 24 June
PERU Inti Raymi in Cusco. A traditional Inca sun worship occasion colourfully performed in front of the wonderful Sacsuhuayman fort, above the lovely town of Cuzco.
30 June - 7 July 2009
TURKEY Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne - 1,000 oily fat boys get a good slapping.
July Events 2009
3 - 9 July [Santiago]
July - August [Havana]
CUBA Fiesta del Fuego [Carnival]. Santiago - a gorgeous town with ever lively people goes bananas for a week. Havana - tatty and fascinating does the same for longer but only at weekends. Cubans are noted for their natural music and dance ability, not to mention rum- though HOT!
6 - 14 July 2009
SPAIN Los Sanfermines [Bull Running] in Pamplona - don't be bored, be gored! Six bulls are released into the streets every morning of this 7 day Basque rite-of-manhood party. You too can battle the big horns.
1 day early July
US Redneck Games in East Dublin, Georgia. Tongue-in-cheek competitions such as the Mud Pit Belly-Flop, Hubcap Hurl, Dumpster Dive. It will be hot and dirty.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
3 - 12 July 2009
CANADA Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta - a 10 day world-class rodeo riot, a wild yet comradely festival enjoyed by the whole of 'Cowtown'. Events include Chuck Wagon racing, rodeos, a spectacular parade, country music performances and free pancake breakfasts!
11 - 15 July 2009
MOROCCO Popular Arts [Folklore] Festival in Marrakech - a week of strange and exotic music mixing it with more contemporary sounds in a very strange and exotic location, Marrakesh's El Badi Palace.
mid July - mid August
TUNISIA International Carthage Festival in Tunis, the country's biggest arts event, mixing local and international sounds in the old Roman amphitheatre.
24 June 2009
INDIA Rath Yatra [Chariot Festival], Puri, home of Krishna. A juggernaut [literally] of a festival in the ancient holy city of Puri in Orissa state. Pilgrims pull 15m high chariots across the city.
1 - 31 July 2009
JAPAN Gion Matsuri in Kyoto - a citywide celebration with lots of street action, but the big day is July 17 with the Yamaboko Parade, a procession of monstrous but delicately decorated Hoko [which are two-story houses on wheels].
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
mid-late July
Generally the last two Mondays in July
MEXICO La Guelaguetza in Oaxaca - a lively and traditional folk dance, music, and costume festival in a pretty town.
24 - 25 July
JAPAN Tenjin Matsuri [Boat Festival] in Osaka - no, not a boat show. This event involves processions, costumes and hundreds of decorated boats with lights, a million spectators with torches and fireworks.
25 July 2009
JAPAN Sumida River Fireworks in Tokyo. Seriously big display, lasts for an hour. Get there early, you will not be alone.
August 2009 Festivals
INDONESIA Funeral Ceremonies at Tanatoraja in south central Sulawesi, special invites needed [not hard to get by travel agents] but these massive, peculiar events are fascinating - new villages built, effigies carried, dancing and eating in very picturesque environments.
10 - 16 August
TIBET Horse Racing Festival in Nakchu. A relaxed and kaleidoscopic Tibetan event with large numbers of Tibetans displaying extreme horsemanship, but also enjoying folk songs and dance. Based in a brilliant tent town next to Nakchu. Beware - few hotels, high altitude.
4 days in mid August
JAPAN O-Bon Festival [Festival of the Dead] nationwide - precise date depends on local council. Festival of the Dead, paper lanterns on water, candle ceremonies, lots of kimonos in the streets, dancing etc.
mid August
INDIA Naag Panchami [Hindu Snake Festival] nationwide but best in Jodhpur.
15- 16 August 2009
[similar is the Goroka Cultural Show 14 - 15 September]
PAPUA NEW GUINEA Mt Hagen Cultural Show - a gathering of PNG's clans, touristy but with sensational outfits [birds of paradise feathers, human hair, cat skins...], especially after a trip into the highlands to see the truly bizarre lifestyles. Hair schools for growing wigs, trench warfare, shell/pig/feather currency etc.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
25 - 27 August '09
MOROCCO Imilchil Engagement Festival - 3 days of Berber instant marriages, a marital mind bender in the Atlas Mountains, with no shortage of exotic music and traditional costumes.
31 Aug - 7 Sept [Labor Day] 2009
USA Burning Man Black Rock Desert near Reno, Nevada - a week of unique, liberal and artistic madness, culminating in the torching of many structures. Expensive and organisation will be required, but this could be a life changing experience. Burning Man Pictures and Information
26 August 2009
SPAIN La Tomatina at Buñol town in Valencia - a huge and incredibly messy public fight with 25 tons of tomatoes, one day. You can participate, in fact you should if you take the trouble to go there.
28 - 31 August TBC
ISRAEL Red Sea Jazz Festival in Eilat. Excellent open air music in a dramatic environment.
September Events 2009
31 Aug - 10 Sept 2009
MEXICO International Mariachi and Charreria Festival in Guadalajara [Jalisco state] - flashy trousers, fat guitars and gritos galore in this celebration of Mexican music. 'Ayyy!'
2 Sept 2009
INDIA Onam Festival in Kerala, with boat racing, outrageous outfits, processions, dancing, music - the usual mad Indian jamboree.
August to October
INDONESIA Funeral Ceremonies at Tanatoraja in south central Sulawesi, special invites needed [not hard to get by travel agents] but these massive, peculiar events are fascinating - new villages built, effigies carried, dancing and eating in very picturesque environments.
14-15 Sept 2009
PAPUA NEW GUINEA Goroka Show - a gathering of PNG's clans, touristy but with sensational outfits [birds of paradise feathers, human hair, cat skins...], especially after a trip into the highlands to see the truly bizarre lifestyles. Hair schools for growing wigs, trench warfare, shell/pig/feather currency etc.
October 2009 Festivals
2 - 10 October
NEPAL Dasain [or Dashain] Festival mainly Khatmandu, but also Bhaktapur, Patan for 10 days. The last few days will be the best. A very lively, blood-letting [mostly sheep], dancing, kite flying festival.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
4 October 2009
THAILAND Buffalo Races in Chonburi, near Pattaya. All sorts of different water buffalo contests, including fancy dress.
6-9 October 2009
INDIA Dussehra, nationwide but Mumbai probably best. An important Hindu festival notable mainly for public battles between giant paper monsters filled with fireworks. Not for those of a nervous disposition.
9 -10 October
Also 14 - 15 April
JAPAN Takayama Autumn Festival in pleasant Takayama, near Nagoya - A dozen ancient, elaborate floats get dragged around the old town; with traditional music and costumes.
18 - 28 October
PERU Procession of the Lord of Miracles in Lima. Celebrating Jesus Christ, aka Señor de los Milagros, the whole of Lima turns out to sing, dance, pray, wear purple clothes and watch parades.
29 Sept - 8 October 2009
THAILAND Vegetarian Festival in Phuket and Trang. Innocuous name... actually most of the event involves men piercing themselves with metal rods, strolling over red-hot coals and other multinational activities.
22 October
EGYPT Abu Simbel - 2 days a year when the light is just right in this incredible temple complex. Just you and 1,000 other tourists! 22 February also.
30 October - 2 November 2009
18 - 21 November 2010
INDIA Pushkar Camel Fair in Pushkar, Rajasthan - a zillion camels gather to race, put on fancy kit, change owners, and take tourists for rides and generally liven up this quiet little lakeside town beside the Thar desert. Singing, dancing and exotic foodstuffs for two-legged animals.
31 October - 2 Nov
MEXICO Dias de los Muertos [Days of the Dead] mainly in the states of Michoacan [esp. Patzcuaro] and Oaxaca [Oaxaca town is a great base] - lots of different ceremonies to link the dead with the living, plus sand sculptures, fancy dress, decorated altars, sugar skulls etc. Visit cemeteries late night Nov 1-2 to see the candles, flowers, music, family parties. In Oaxaca the more spacious new cemetery is livelier than the old one.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
November Events 2009
1 - 2 November 2009
MEXICO Dias de los Muertos.
2 November
ECUADOR All Soul's Day - one of the country's most colourful religious festivals, with flowers and offerings to ancestors.
11-13 November 2009
CAMBODIA Bonn Om Touk [Water Festival] - the country's biggest festival. Locals go bananas celebrating a natural phenomenon - the reversing of the current of Tonle Sap River - with wild, decorated boat races and fireworks. Nationwide but Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are best.
21 - 12 November 2009
THAILAND Surin Elephant Roundup in Surin, including elephant football, tug-of-war, and psychedelic parades.
29 November 2009
THAILAND Banquet for Monkeys in Khmer ruins near Lop Buri [central Thailand] - one day with 600 monkeys sitting down to lunch.
December 2009 Festivals/events
Through December [every year]
MALI Crossing of the Cattle at Diafarabé - an ancient tradition celebrating, you've guessed it, desert herds crossing the river. Lively and fascinating.
2 - 3 December 2009
JAPAN Chichibu Night Festival [Yomatsuri] in Chichibu, a small town not far from Tokyo. In one of Japan's most impressive night parties teams of costumed men drag six massive, illuminated floats around the town's narrow streets while kids perform dances and dramas on board, all backed by drums, flutes, fireworks and fuelled by barrels of saké. Crowded of course, but the crowds are fun and friendly.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
10 - 17 December
TURKEY Whirling Dervishes Festival, Konya - awesome spinning dance to trance in honour a Sufi saint, Mevlana. Attended by up to a million people.
mid December until New year's day TBA
BRAZIL Christmas Festival in Salvador - a pretty, warm city loaded with decorations, music, parades, shows and kid's stuff.
end of December
TUNISIA Sahara Festival in Douz - camel racing and other colourful desert events, as well as varied music and merrymaking. Warm? Not at night!
31 December
BRAZIL New Year in Rio de Janeiro - Like Edinburgh, this is one of THE places to be at this time. Various curious seaside rituals dedicated to Iemanja - Goddess of the Sea and Carnal Pleasure - during the day, then wild parties on the beaches accompanied by samba bands at night.
January - February '09
CHINA Harbin Ice and Snow Festival - includes illuminated ice sculptures and sports. Beware extreme cold.
1 day early January 2009
JAPAN Wakakusa Yamayaki, Nara.The traditional and spectacular burning of an entire hill, with attendant fireworks.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
3 days in mid January 2009
JAPAN Toka Ebisu nationwide, but especially Kyoto, Osaka and Fukuoka - a shrine oriented event with parades and lots of peculiar rituals.
8-10 January 2009
MALI Festival in the Desert, Essakane, in the dunes 40 miles outside Timbuktu [Tombouctou]. A fantasy mix of traditional north African desert music, international players, camels, dance and sword play in stunning surroundings and with a mostly local audience.
10 January
INDIA Madurai Float Festival. Incredible temples and spectacular floats on the night of the full moon.
10-11 January 2009
INDIA Bikaner Camel Festival at Bikaner, Rajasthan - much less touristy than February's Desert Festival, but in an equally gorgeous fortified desert town location. Endless colourful camel activities, including a beauty competition, but human fun stuff too - dancing, fireworks, music etc.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
14 January 2009
INDIA International Kite Festival. A zillion kites and fights in the lovely but busy city of Jaipur, Rajasthan, or Ahmedabad.
15 January 2009
INDIA Pongal [Harvest] Festival, Tamil Nadu state.
3rd weekend of January 2009
TURKEY Camel Wrestling at Selcuk near Ephesus - the camels wrestle, not humans vs. camels!
One day late January 2009
MALAYSIA Thaipusam at Batu Caves near Kuala Lumpur - a huge, Hindu procession into the caves, with many penitents pierced by hooks, skewers through various body parts. Similarly in Singapore, same day.
25-28 Jan 2009
VIETNAM Tet [New Year] Festival nationwide - for one week, the most important annual event of the country and a wild and noisy time is had by all.
26 January 2009
CHINA New Year Parade, Hong Kong - nationwide but especially potent in Hong Kong's Tsim Sha Tsui East, as psychedelia hits the 'scrapers and parades hit the streets.this is the best Chinese celebration, with floats, musicians, dancers, explosions and dragons galore.
26 January 2009
INDIA Republic Day in Delhi - pompous but splendid parade and festival.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
February 2009 Festivals
30 Jan - 15 February 2009
CANADA Carnaval de Québec in Quebec City - a vigorous winter celebration with parades, themed parties, ice sculptures and, bien sûr, winter sports of every description in a pretty Francophile city.
2 - 11 February 2009
PERU Virgen de la Candelaria in Puno, not a pretty city but with amazing surroundings such as Lake Titicaca and the Altiplano. This colourful, local event offers vigorous dancing, music, masks and insane fireworks. And Cuzco's not far by splendid train ride...
5 - 11 February 2009
JAPAN Sapporo Snow Festival - a mass of superb, huge, imaginative ice sculptures in this pleasant Hokkaido town. Hot springs and hot saké take the edge off the cold!
6 - 22 February 2009
CANADA Winterlude Festival in Ottawa [Ontario], weekends only - features parades, dances, snow races, ice sculptures, sleigh rides and more, but especially skating on the 7km Rideau Canal. If skating is your thing, then this is your festival.
7 - 9 February 2009
THAILAND Flower Festival, Chiang Mai. A must for floraphiles, this interesting city is bedecked by thousands of flowers, including 1,000 species of orchid. Parades and sculptures too.
7 - 9 February 2009
INDIA Desert Festival, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan - touristy but terrific location near the Disneyesque town of Jaisalmer, under a full moon. Dance, music, local contests and camels. Nearest airport is Jodhpur, 280kms away.
9 February 2009
CHINA Spring Lantern Festival, nationwide. Lanterns - many of strange design - are lit and carried all over China.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
19 - 24 Feb 2009
11-16 Feb '10
MEXICO Carnival, nationwide but especially Veracruz, Cozumel, Mazatlan and two towns near Mexico City - Huejotzingo and Tepoztlan - huge, wild party time with dance, music, masks, mock battles and parades.
20 - 24 Feb. in Rio
21 - 24 Feb. in Salvador
Brazil Carnivals 2009
BRAZIL Rio de Janeiro Carnival - it's wild spectacle for sure, but not in the street - it's in a huge stadium and thus not so involving; it's also expensive and caution is needed outside. So perhaps try carnivals in other cities which will be almost as wild but a lot more user friendly, touchy/feely - such as Salvador and Olinda in the north-east, both beautiful, lively and with good beaches nearby or even try Trinidad [island] see above [19-20th].
21 February 2009
JAPAN Naked Festival [Hadaka Matsuri] in Inazawa, Aichi - a Shinto man strips off, is shaved completely then runs through the town while thousands of semi-naked men in loin cloths try to touch him. Butt, butt...
22 February
EGYPT Abu Simbel - 2 days a year [also 22 October] when the light is just right in this incredible temple complex. Just you and 1,000 other tourists!
23-24 February 2009
15-16 February 2010
7-8 March 2011
TRINIDAD Carnival, [an island in the Caribbean] where the carnival is on the street and mad in the nicest possible way, though if you want a nice beach too you'll have to nip over to neighbouring Tobago.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
February or March
INDIA Goa Carnival. An Indo-Latin fusion of music, dance and wild revelry.
25 February 2009
TIBET Losar [Tibetan New Year] nationwide. An extremely colourful occasion with stunning traditional costumes worn by monks and many fascinating rituals, though beware the altitude and cold.
25 Feb - 2 March 2009
INDIA Khajuraho Dance Festival, fine and fluid art among the staggeringly high porn temples.
March Events 2009
1 - 14 March 2009
JAPAN Omizutori Festival - at the Todaiji temple in Nara - 1,200 year old ceremonies, especially spectacular on the last night, full of huge, blazing torches and noise-making monks.
early March
JAPAN Lantern and Flower Festival in Kyoto - A perfect arrangement of flowers and massed lanterns, including a 4.6 km path between shrines and temples. Lit lanterns from 6pm - 9.30pm. Dance and other arts too.
7-12 April 2009
MEXICO Semana Santa [Easter Week] nationwide but esp. Chiapas - state processions, costumes, fireworks, music, dance and some weird rituals.
10 April 2009
PHILIPPINES Crucifixion in San Fernando on Good Friday. Locals play out Christ's agony, all dressed up, beaten by whips and some finally nailed - for real - to crosses.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
11 March 2009
Nepal, [Khatmandu] and India, [Jaipur]
NEPAL & INDIA Holi [Festival of Colour]. The ultimate in colourful festivals, everyone throwing coloured water or paint over everyone else, including you. It's a kaleidoscopic madhouse.
12-19 2009
SPAIN Las Fallas in Valencia - a wild and explosive [literally] carnival/fiesta combination that will blow your socks off, locals spend 5 days partying with parades, pageants and moderate fireworks then, on the last night, they turn off all the city lights and set fire to hundreds of massive statues stuffed with fireworks around the city. Kaboom.
4 days in mid-March 2009 TBA
MEXICO Cumbre Tajin in Veracruz. A unique mind, body and soul celebration in the spiritually correct Tajin park. A mass of alternative therapies as well as art, music, dance and adventure sports [eh?].
20 March 2009
MEXICO Kukulcan Snake God in Chichen Itza [Yucatan] - see the snake appear in this spectacular pyramid complex, plus varied entertainments. Couple of days before and after too.
25 - 31 March
JAPAN Cherry Blossom Time especially in Tokyo's Ueno park or Aoyama cemetery - all over Japan pink and white cherry trees herald springtime and just about every Japanese person, including - or especially - office workers, gets totally blotto on beer and saké under the trees.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
April 2009 Festivals/events
5 April 2009
1st Sunday in April
JAPAN Kanamara Penis Festival in Kawasaki, near Tokyo. An hilarious, good-feeling event loaded with music, double-entendres, huge portable dongs and little willy lollies.
During April
MALI Mask Festival in Dogon Country. Spooky and crude animist event in spectacular, surreal surroundings.
13 - 15 April 2009
THAILAND Songkran [New Year Water Festival] nationwide - especially lively in Chiang Mai. Four days of parades, fancy dress and water being thrown everywhere, including over tourists.
13 - 15 April 2009
CHINA Water Splashing Festival in Jinghong, beautiful Yunnan province. Much dragon boat racing, fireworks, dancing and throwing water over everyone, but everyone.
14 - 15 April 2009
and 9 -10 October
JAPAN Takayama Spring Festival in pleasant Takayama, near Nagoya - A dozen ancient, elaborate floats get dragged around the old town; with traditional music and costumes.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
18 April - 17 May 2009
MEXICO Feria de San Marcos in Aguascalientes [the North] - large and long established celebration of Mexican music and machismo, with rodeos, bull fights, folk dancing, parades, mariachi and mucho more.
28 April - 3 May 2009
SPAIN La Feria de Abril [April Fair] in Seville - Seville's best party with traditional dress, parades, dancing and boisterous parties in a spectacular environment.
May Events 2009
2 May 2009
CHINA Bun Festival on Cheung Chau Island, Hong Kong. Yes, real, edible buns treated with enormous pomp in this fishing island, huge bun towers, bun parades and something to eat too. Hong Kong Guide
4 May 2009
24 April 2010
INDIA Thrissur Pooram in Thrissur, Kerala. A day of fireworks, raucous music and fantastically decorated elephants continues way into the night during this, the biggest festival in Kerala.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
5 May
MEXICO Cinco de Mayo in Puebla, just north of Mexico City - the glorious battle of Puelbla [1862] is celebrated with mock military dress, parades and mock battles in the main square of lovely Puebla.
9 May 2009
INDONESIA Waisak Festival at Borobudur temple, the world's largest Buddhist structure. A quiet but stunningly spiritual event with acres of saffron-robed monks praying under the full moon at the incredible Borobudur.
mid May 2009
THAILAND Rocket Festival [Bung Fai] in Yasothon [NE Thai]. Crazed rocket builders compete - with total disregard for safety - for the highest flier.
15-17 May 2009
JAPAN Sanja Matsuri in Tokyo - crowded processions of elaborate mini-shrines are vigorously carried around the streets near Tokyo's venerable Asakusa shrine, well fuelled by saké and beer.
18 May 2009
JAPAN Sennin Gyoretsu in Nikko - a massive parade of samurai-dressed folk and dancers around a supremely beautiful shrine in a gorgeous country town of hot springs and waterfalls.
June 2009 Festivals/Events
June - November 2009
MADAGASCAR Famadihana 'turning the bones' - reburying the dead ceremonies, interesting but independent travel required.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
6 - 14 June 2009
MOROCCO Festival of Sacred Music in Fez [Fes] - a huge variety of weird sounds from around the world, Sufi chants though Egyptian odes to whirling dervishes, but not excluding musicians from developed countries.
8 June 2009
CHINA Dragon Boat Festival [Tuen Ng] around Hong Kong's islands and rivers, but also some other Chinese towns/cities. Spectacularly decorated boats loaded with rowers and drums race.
mid June - mid July
one month long 2009
INDONESIA Bali Arts Festival, a celebration of Balinese traditional arts, particularly dance, music and wood carving, on a fascinating island.
One week but esp. the last day, 24 June
PERU Inti Raymi in Cusco. A traditional Inca sun worship occasion colourfully performed in front of the wonderful Sacsuhuayman fort, above the lovely town of Cuzco.
30 June - 7 July 2009
TURKEY Kirkpinar Oil Wrestling Festival in Edirne - 1,000 oily fat boys get a good slapping.
July Events 2009
3 - 9 July [Santiago]
July - August [Havana]
CUBA Fiesta del Fuego [Carnival]. Santiago - a gorgeous town with ever lively people goes bananas for a week. Havana - tatty and fascinating does the same for longer but only at weekends. Cubans are noted for their natural music and dance ability, not to mention rum- though HOT!
6 - 14 July 2009
SPAIN Los Sanfermines [Bull Running] in Pamplona - don't be bored, be gored! Six bulls are released into the streets every morning of this 7 day Basque rite-of-manhood party. You too can battle the big horns.
1 day early July
US Redneck Games in East Dublin, Georgia. Tongue-in-cheek competitions such as the Mud Pit Belly-Flop, Hubcap Hurl, Dumpster Dive. It will be hot and dirty.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
3 - 12 July 2009
CANADA Calgary Stampede in Calgary, Alberta - a 10 day world-class rodeo riot, a wild yet comradely festival enjoyed by the whole of 'Cowtown'. Events include Chuck Wagon racing, rodeos, a spectacular parade, country music performances and free pancake breakfasts!
11 - 15 July 2009
MOROCCO Popular Arts [Folklore] Festival in Marrakech - a week of strange and exotic music mixing it with more contemporary sounds in a very strange and exotic location, Marrakesh's El Badi Palace.
mid July - mid August
TUNISIA International Carthage Festival in Tunis, the country's biggest arts event, mixing local and international sounds in the old Roman amphitheatre.
24 June 2009
INDIA Rath Yatra [Chariot Festival], Puri, home of Krishna. A juggernaut [literally] of a festival in the ancient holy city of Puri in Orissa state. Pilgrims pull 15m high chariots across the city.
1 - 31 July 2009
JAPAN Gion Matsuri in Kyoto - a citywide celebration with lots of street action, but the big day is July 17 with the Yamaboko Parade, a procession of monstrous but delicately decorated Hoko [which are two-story houses on wheels].
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
mid-late July
Generally the last two Mondays in July
MEXICO La Guelaguetza in Oaxaca - a lively and traditional folk dance, music, and costume festival in a pretty town.
24 - 25 July
JAPAN Tenjin Matsuri [Boat Festival] in Osaka - no, not a boat show. This event involves processions, costumes and hundreds of decorated boats with lights, a million spectators with torches and fireworks.
25 July 2009
JAPAN Sumida River Fireworks in Tokyo. Seriously big display, lasts for an hour. Get there early, you will not be alone.
August 2009 Festivals
INDONESIA Funeral Ceremonies at Tanatoraja in south central Sulawesi, special invites needed [not hard to get by travel agents] but these massive, peculiar events are fascinating - new villages built, effigies carried, dancing and eating in very picturesque environments.
10 - 16 August
TIBET Horse Racing Festival in Nakchu. A relaxed and kaleidoscopic Tibetan event with large numbers of Tibetans displaying extreme horsemanship, but also enjoying folk songs and dance. Based in a brilliant tent town next to Nakchu. Beware - few hotels, high altitude.
4 days in mid August
JAPAN O-Bon Festival [Festival of the Dead] nationwide - precise date depends on local council. Festival of the Dead, paper lanterns on water, candle ceremonies, lots of kimonos in the streets, dancing etc.
mid August
INDIA Naag Panchami [Hindu Snake Festival] nationwide but best in Jodhpur.
15- 16 August 2009
[similar is the Goroka Cultural Show 14 - 15 September]
PAPUA NEW GUINEA Mt Hagen Cultural Show - a gathering of PNG's clans, touristy but with sensational outfits [birds of paradise feathers, human hair, cat skins...], especially after a trip into the highlands to see the truly bizarre lifestyles. Hair schools for growing wigs, trench warfare, shell/pig/feather currency etc.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
25 - 27 August '09
MOROCCO Imilchil Engagement Festival - 3 days of Berber instant marriages, a marital mind bender in the Atlas Mountains, with no shortage of exotic music and traditional costumes.
31 Aug - 7 Sept [Labor Day] 2009
USA Burning Man Black Rock Desert near Reno, Nevada - a week of unique, liberal and artistic madness, culminating in the torching of many structures. Expensive and organisation will be required, but this could be a life changing experience. Burning Man Pictures and Information
26 August 2009
SPAIN La Tomatina at Buñol town in Valencia - a huge and incredibly messy public fight with 25 tons of tomatoes, one day. You can participate, in fact you should if you take the trouble to go there.
28 - 31 August TBC
ISRAEL Red Sea Jazz Festival in Eilat. Excellent open air music in a dramatic environment.
September Events 2009
31 Aug - 10 Sept 2009
MEXICO International Mariachi and Charreria Festival in Guadalajara [Jalisco state] - flashy trousers, fat guitars and gritos galore in this celebration of Mexican music. 'Ayyy!'
2 Sept 2009
INDIA Onam Festival in Kerala, with boat racing, outrageous outfits, processions, dancing, music - the usual mad Indian jamboree.
August to October
INDONESIA Funeral Ceremonies at Tanatoraja in south central Sulawesi, special invites needed [not hard to get by travel agents] but these massive, peculiar events are fascinating - new villages built, effigies carried, dancing and eating in very picturesque environments.
14-15 Sept 2009
PAPUA NEW GUINEA Goroka Show - a gathering of PNG's clans, touristy but with sensational outfits [birds of paradise feathers, human hair, cat skins...], especially after a trip into the highlands to see the truly bizarre lifestyles. Hair schools for growing wigs, trench warfare, shell/pig/feather currency etc.
October 2009 Festivals
2 - 10 October
NEPAL Dasain [or Dashain] Festival mainly Khatmandu, but also Bhaktapur, Patan for 10 days. The last few days will be the best. A very lively, blood-letting [mostly sheep], dancing, kite flying festival.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
4 October 2009
THAILAND Buffalo Races in Chonburi, near Pattaya. All sorts of different water buffalo contests, including fancy dress.
6-9 October 2009
INDIA Dussehra, nationwide but Mumbai probably best. An important Hindu festival notable mainly for public battles between giant paper monsters filled with fireworks. Not for those of a nervous disposition.
9 -10 October
Also 14 - 15 April
JAPAN Takayama Autumn Festival in pleasant Takayama, near Nagoya - A dozen ancient, elaborate floats get dragged around the old town; with traditional music and costumes.
18 - 28 October
PERU Procession of the Lord of Miracles in Lima. Celebrating Jesus Christ, aka Señor de los Milagros, the whole of Lima turns out to sing, dance, pray, wear purple clothes and watch parades.
29 Sept - 8 October 2009
THAILAND Vegetarian Festival in Phuket and Trang. Innocuous name... actually most of the event involves men piercing themselves with metal rods, strolling over red-hot coals and other multinational activities.
22 October
EGYPT Abu Simbel - 2 days a year when the light is just right in this incredible temple complex. Just you and 1,000 other tourists! 22 February also.
30 October - 2 November 2009
18 - 21 November 2010
INDIA Pushkar Camel Fair in Pushkar, Rajasthan - a zillion camels gather to race, put on fancy kit, change owners, and take tourists for rides and generally liven up this quiet little lakeside town beside the Thar desert. Singing, dancing and exotic foodstuffs for two-legged animals.
31 October - 2 Nov
MEXICO Dias de los Muertos [Days of the Dead] mainly in the states of Michoacan [esp. Patzcuaro] and Oaxaca [Oaxaca town is a great base] - lots of different ceremonies to link the dead with the living, plus sand sculptures, fancy dress, decorated altars, sugar skulls etc. Visit cemeteries late night Nov 1-2 to see the candles, flowers, music, family parties. In Oaxaca the more spacious new cemetery is livelier than the old one.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
November Events 2009
1 - 2 November 2009
MEXICO Dias de los Muertos.
2 November
ECUADOR All Soul's Day - one of the country's most colourful religious festivals, with flowers and offerings to ancestors.
11-13 November 2009
CAMBODIA Bonn Om Touk [Water Festival] - the country's biggest festival. Locals go bananas celebrating a natural phenomenon - the reversing of the current of Tonle Sap River - with wild, decorated boat races and fireworks. Nationwide but Phnom Penh and Siem Reap are best.
21 - 12 November 2009
THAILAND Surin Elephant Roundup in Surin, including elephant football, tug-of-war, and psychedelic parades.
29 November 2009
THAILAND Banquet for Monkeys in Khmer ruins near Lop Buri [central Thailand] - one day with 600 monkeys sitting down to lunch.
December 2009 Festivals/events
Through December [every year]
MALI Crossing of the Cattle at Diafarabé - an ancient tradition celebrating, you've guessed it, desert herds crossing the river. Lively and fascinating.
2 - 3 December 2009
JAPAN Chichibu Night Festival [Yomatsuri] in Chichibu, a small town not far from Tokyo. In one of Japan's most impressive night parties teams of costumed men drag six massive, illuminated floats around the town's narrow streets while kids perform dances and dramas on board, all backed by drums, flutes, fireworks and fuelled by barrels of saké. Crowded of course, but the crowds are fun and friendly.
Also Read -
US Federal holidays list
Festivals of Britain
Festivals of India
Chinese Festivals Calendar
Regional festivals of USA
Indian Holidays list
10 - 17 December
TURKEY Whirling Dervishes Festival, Konya - awesome spinning dance to trance in honour a Sufi saint, Mevlana. Attended by up to a million people.
mid December until New year's day TBA
BRAZIL Christmas Festival in Salvador - a pretty, warm city loaded with decorations, music, parades, shows and kid's stuff.
end of December
TUNISIA Sahara Festival in Douz - camel racing and other colourful desert events, as well as varied music and merrymaking. Warm? Not at night!
31 December
BRAZIL New Year in Rio de Janeiro - Like Edinburgh, this is one of THE places to be at this time. Various curious seaside rituals dedicated to Iemanja - Goddess of the Sea and Carnal Pleasure - during the day, then wild parties on the beaches accompanied by samba bands at night.
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