International Kite Festival, Gujarat
When :
January 11 -13
Where :
Ahmedabad (Gujarat)
When they tell you to `go fly a kite’ in Gujarat, they actually mean it. And
in January, that means sharing the sky with thousands of other kites.
Coinciding with the Makar Sankranti celebrations, Gujarat’s International
Kite Festival is held every year in Ahmedabad. As you’ve probably guessed, this is
one day when the skies above the city come alive with kites- in a hundred different
colours, shapes and sizes, fluttering and darting
above the rooftops, triumphantly cutting another kite’s string, and soaring way up
above the earth. The Gujarat Tourism Development Corporation organises the International
Kite Festival at a local stadium, where kite enthusiasts from all across the world show
off their skills. A kite market is held, alongside which are food stalls, cultural
performances and special kite displays at night, when illuminated kites- known as tukals-
are flown.
Lohri
When :
January 13
Where : Punjab,
Haryana, Delhi, parts of Himachal Pradesh
Lohri marks the end of the harvest in Northern India, and is characterised by the
worship of fire. Bonfires are lit in the evening, whether in individual households or in
communities, and grain- in the form of peanuts, popcorn, puffed rice and similar goodies-
is ceremonially `fed’ to the fire. What follows, of course, is plenty of feeding of
everybody around as well! Lohri celebrations are never complete without music and dancing,
and the feasting is invariably rounded off with a vigorous bit of shake-a-leg.
Makar Sankranti
When :
January 14
Where :
Northern and Western India
Makar Sankranti marks the end of winter, when the sun moves into the northern
hemisphere- thus symbolising regeneration and the start of a new period. Besides being a
significant date in the zodiac, Makar Sankranti is also a harvest festival and is
celebrated throughout the region as the end of one agrarian cycle.
Traditionally, Makar Sankranti is observed by a ritual bath- in Uttaranchal, in
fact, there’s a local belief that anybody who doesn’t bathe on Makar Sankranti
will end up being born a donkey in his or her next incarnation! The sacred `sangam’
at Allahabad- the confluence of the Ganga and Yamuna- is especially an important place for
ritual baths, and is the venue for a local fair. All across North and West India, flying
kites and feasting on rice and sweets made from sesame seeds is an integral part of the
festivities.
Pongal
When :
January 14
Where :
Karnataka and Tamilnadu
In southern India the end of the harvest is observed as a three-day festival
called Pongal, when newly harvested rice is brought home, and farmers feed their cattle a
rice dish called pongal- hence the name. The first day of Pongal is devoted to the
worship of the deity Indra, while the second day is dedicated to Surya, the Sun God. The
third day is marked by the worship of the Goddess Parvati and her son, the elephant-headed
Lord Ganesh. This is also the day when cattle- an indispensable part of life in all
villages- are bathed and decorated, then paraded through the villages. The procession is
followed by cattle races, and in some instances, bullfights which are locally known as `jallikattu’-
bags full of money are tied to the horns of bulls, and young men endeavour to wrestle with
the bulls to get the bags off (and keep the change for themselves, of course!)
Magh Bihu
When :
January 14 -15
Where :
Assam
The Assamese equivalent of Makar Sankranti and Pongal, Magh Bihu or Bhogali Bihu
too is a harvest festival. Magh Bihu marks the end of the rice harvesting season, and is
especially important in agrarian communities. For the occasion, a hut-like structure,
called a meji ghar, is constructed from thatch and firewood. It’s erected in
the shorn rice fields, and is ritually set aflame during the festivities. Community feasts
are held near the meji ghar, and are accompanied by much merrymaking, including
dance and music, bullfights and birdfights.
Magh Mela
When :
January 14 - March
Where :
Allahabad
According to Hindu belief, the churning of the primordial ocean centuries ago by
the gods resulted in a pot of nectar- a kumbh- which became the bone of contention between
the gods and the demons. Following the squabble, the kumbh fell, spilling nectar at four
places in India: Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain. The event is commemorated by a
mammoth fair, the Maha Kumbh Mela, which is held every twelve years at one of these four
sacred places. Besides the Maha Kumbh, an Ardh Kumbh Mela is held every six years, and a
Magh Mela is held annually. The Magh Mela is the Kumbh on a much smaller scale, but is
nevertheless an important event.
During the Magh Mela, Prayag (Allahabad) becomes even busier than usual, playing
host to the thousands of devotees who come from across the country to offer prayers and
bathe in the waters of the `sangam’, the confluence of the Ganga and the
Yamuna. Traditionally, the Magh Mela begins on Makar Sankranti, and continues for about a
month of prayers, devotional hymns, ritual baths and more. During the time, the fair
grounds- along the banks of the sangam- are flooded with teeming crowds of
pilgrims, sadhus, food sellers, shopkeepers and policemen trying desperately to
maintain order.
Great Elephant March
When :
January 17 - 20
Where :
Kerala
If you’ve a penchant for parading pachyderms, Kerala’s where you
should be headed. Every December- or January, depending upon the Kerala Tourism
Development Corporation. This is when God’s Own Country celebrates not just its
elephants, but also everything else that makes this state the crowd-puller it is. The
Great Elephant March, which continues for three days, begins in Thrissur and traces its
way through Alleppey to the capital, Thiruvananthpuram. The March starts with just that: a
march of a hundred and one elephants, all gloriously decorated and accompanied by ornate,
tinselled umbrellas. What follows is 72 hours of cultural performances and sporting
events: snake boat races, kathakali, bharatnatyam and mohiniattam performances,
kalaripayyatu duels, elephant tug-of-war, fireworks displays and more. It’s a neat
little snapshot of Kerala, and is immensely popular with the droves of tourists- both
Indian and foreign- who follow the march.
Eid Ul Zuha
When :
January 21
Where : Nationwide
Also known as Bakrid or Eid ul Adha, the festival of Eid Ul Zuha is one of the
most important in the Muslim calendar. Observed on the tenth day of the twelfth month in
the Muslim calendar- usually in mid or late February- Eid Ul Zuha derives its significance
from the story of the prophet Ibrahim, who did not hesitate to sacrifice his beloved son,
Ismail, when God demanded Ismail’s life as a sacrifice. Ibrahim’s willingness to
obey pleased God, and before the prophet could sacrifice his son, God provided a ram to be
killed instead. In commemoration of Ibrahim’s devotion to the Almighty, a ram is
ritually slaughtered on Eid. Congregational namaz at mosques across the length and breadth
of India is followed by the consumption and distribution of the meat sacrificed. The
sanctity of the day- and the period preceding it- makes this a popular time for
undertaking the pilgrimage (the Haj) to Mecca.
Bikaner Festival
When :
January 24 -25
Where :
Bikaner (Rajasthan)
Hosted annually by the desert town of Bikaner, this festival is dedicated to the
surly, hardy animal without which the desert would be incomplete- the camel. The festival
opens with a parade of beautifully bedecked camels, and is followed by a number of events
which include camel races and camel beauty pageants (let the least ugly camel win!). Camel
traders and craftsmen from across Rajasthan also converge on Bikaner for the festival, and
there’s plenty of scope for eating, souvenir-shopping and taking some great photos.
Republic Day
When :
January 26
Where :
Nationwide
One of India’s three national festivals, Republic Day commemorates the
date, January 26,1950, when India became a republic. This isn’t a day for great
feasting or festivities, but there’s plenty of patriotism in the air. Armed forces,
including the police, hold parades, and most schools and other institutions have some form
of celebration or the other- parades, recitations of patriotic poetry and what not. But
all of that can’t hold a candle to the impressive parade held in the national
capital, New Delhi. A grand procession of everything from battletanks to marching
contingents, dancing troupes, schoolchildren and gorgeously decorated `floats’ from
each state, wends its way along the heart of New Delhi. The parade, over which the
President presides, is an annual fixture and is easily the most spectacular
`official’ event in India.
The Republic Day celebrations end three days later, on the evening of January 29, with the
Beating of the Retreat by the massed bands of the defence forces. The function is held at
Vijay Chowk in the heart of Lutyen’s Delhi, and it’s every bit as impressive as
the parade itself.
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Surajkund Crafts Mela
When :
February 1 - 15
Where : Surajkund
(Haryana)
8 km from Delhi lies the monument known as Surajkund, `the Well of the Sun’,
supposedly named after a temple to the Sun God which once stood here- a name which was
later applied to a tank built at the same spot. Surajkund is fairly quiet all through the
year, except in the first fortnight of February, when it comes to life for a glorious,
joyous celebration of India’s finest folk arts and crafts. Organised by the Haryana
Tourism Development Corporation, the Surajkund Crafts Mela attracts artisans and craftsmen
from all across India. On display- and sale, obviously- is a colossal range of souvenirs,
from Madhubani paintings and pashmina shawls to exquisite meenakari and bidriware.
Literally any handicraft produced in India is represented at Surajkund, and the blend of
colours, patterns and designs is truly heady. Added to that are continuous performances of
dances, music, puppetry, theatre and other traditional performing arts. All of India in
one easily manageable, memorable dose.
Carnival
When :
February 6 - 8
Where :
Goa
Carnivals are meant to be fun, and Goa’s carnival is definitely that- and
much more. Presided over by a popularly elected `King of Chaos’ called Momo, the
carnival is the last big bash before the season of Lent starts. It’s a time for
unrestrained merrymaking, with dancing, processions, music and unlimited food being part
and parcel of the festivities. Street plays and beach parties are held, on-the-spot farces
are enacted and everybody has a whale of a time.
The three Catholic-dominated talukas of Salcette, Tiswadi and Bardez are
where the carnival’s at its merriest.
Basant Panchami
When :
February 13
Where : Nationwide
Close on the heels of the harvest festivals of Makar Sankranti, Magh Bihu, Pongal
and Lohri follows the advent of spring- heralded by the festival of Basant Panchami.
Basant Panchami celebrates the end of winter in India, and is marked by the worship of the
Hindu Goddess of Learning, Saraswati. Typically, young children are taught their first
letters on Basant Panchami, and special pujas are held in schools or other
educational establishments. In some communities, ancestor worship and the feeding of
brahmins is also an integral part of the celebrations.
Yellow, the colour of spring and of prosperity, is the predominant colour on
Basant Panchami, and is traditionally the colour worn on this day. Food cooked on Basant
Panchami is often coloured with saffron or turmeric, which imparts to it a yellow hue.
Muharram
When :
February 20
Where :
Nationwide
Unlike Eid, Muharram is not a festive occasion, but a solemn one, which mourns
the martyrdom of the revered Hazrat Imam Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet Mohammad.
The festival is observed on the tenth day of the month of Muharram, which is the first
month in the Muslim calendar. Hazrat Imam Hussain died in 61 AH (680 AD) in battle against
the forces of Yazid, and his martyrdom is ceremonially observed by long processions,
especially amongst the Shi’a Muslims of India. Taziyas (bamboo and paper
replicas of the saint’s tomb) and green alams (standards of Imam
Hussain’s army, decorated with silver, gold and brass) are ritually carried in the
procession, which is accompanied by men who beat their breasts, recite marsiyars
(mourning verses) and sometimes resort to self-flagellation to express their sorrow. The
processions continue during Muharram, and culminate on the tenth day of the month, which
is known as Yaum-al-Ashoora. On
Yaum-al-Ashoora, the taziya procession terminates at a local square or a cemetery,
where the taziyas and alams are ritually buried.
Desert Festival
When :
February 21 - 23
Where :
Jaisalmer (Rajasthan)
If you thought Bikaner’s camel festival was the ultimate in exotic Indian
festivals, wait till you see the fiesta at Jaisalmer. A three-day long extravaganza of
dances, music, handicraft fairs and interesting competitions- including really
unusual ones like a `Mr Desert’ pageant, a `turban-tying’ contest and a `best
moustache’ contest- the Jaisalmer Desert Festival is organised by the Rajasthan
Tourism Development Corporation. It’s a fantastic showcase of all things Rajasthani,
and is justifiably popular with tourists, both Indian and foreign. Besides the food, the
music and the cultural performances, there are camel rides, processions, camel polo, and
even a camel tug-of-war. All of it is held against the backdrop of the awesome Jaisalmer
fort. Fireworks displays at night light up the area, and the fort is illuminated too.
Khajuraho Dance Festival
When : February 25 - March 3
Where :
Khajuraho (Madhya Pradesh)
Staged in the setting of the famous 10th century Khajuraho temples,
the Khajuraho Dance Festival is organised by the Madhya Pradesh Kala Parishad as an annual
event which spotlights both the immense diversity of classical Indian dance forms as well
as the architectural brilliance of the temples themselves. The festival goes on for a full
week and includes performances by leading exponents of Indian dance forms- Odissi,
Kuchipudi, Bharatnatyam, Kathakali, and more- even (and this is a recently introduced
element) modern Indian dance. The performances start at dusk, usually at the Chitragupt
Temple or the Vishwanath Temple, with the beautifully illuminated western group of temples
as a backdrop. It’s a treat for anybody who’s keen on Indian dance, and draws
thousands of eager spectators every year.
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Maha Shivratri
When : March
8
Where : Nationwide
Shivratri or Maha Shivratri is traditionally observed by night-long prayers and
the worship of the god Shiva, who is believed to have performed the tandav- the
cosmic dance of destruction, preservation and creation- on this night. Devotees of Shiva
throng Shiva temples through the day, fasting and praying to the deity for salvation from
the cycle of birth and rebirth. Shiva lingams in temples are ritually bathed every three
hours with the `panchgavya’- the five sacred offerings of the cow- butter,
sour milk, milk, urine and dung. This is followed by an offering of the `five foods of
immortality’- honey, yoghurt, sugar, ghee and milk.
Maha Shivratri is considered a significant festival for women, many of whom
believe that prayers on this day will ensure the wellbeing of their husbands and children
(if the woman is married), or ensure a good husband if the woman is unmarried!
Elephant Festival
When : March 25
Where : Jaipur, Rajasthan
Come March, and the Pink City breaks into an exultant celebration of life, a pre-Holi bash
which centres around the elephant. The camel may be the most visible symbol of Rajasthan,
but when it comes to Rajput royalty, the elephant wins hands down. So, while Bikaner
celebrates the Ship of the Desert, Jaipur makes much of the elephant.
Marked by a range of interesting activities, Jaipur's day-long Elephant Festival is an
event not to be missed. Organised every year by the Rajasthan Tourism Development
Corporation, the Elephant Festival is held at the Chaugan stadium in Jaipur, and attracts
thousands of eager tourists from across India and overseas. The festival starts with a
procession; while musicians play folk tunes and dancers whirl in a flurry of colours,
richly caparisoned elephants march along in a parade. This is followed by a `best
decorated elephant' competition, games of elephant polo, elephant races, a special
`elephant decoration' exhibition (see what goes into making these beauties look the way
they do!), and a tug-of-war between humans and an elephant. No prizes for guessing who
wins.
The festivities end with performances of folk dances; with a liberal splashing of Holi
colours on all and sundry, and a spectacular display of fireworks.
Holi
When :
March 25
Where : Nationwide
Holi is the day when everybody sets off to paint the town red- literally. And not
just red, but also blue and green and virulent magenta. Basically a celebration of the
passage of winter and the coming of spring, Holi has mythological connotations too: it
celebrates the death, by fire, of the demon Holika. But that’s not all; Holi is also
associated, in some areas, with the God of Love, Kama, as well as with the love of Krishna
and Radha. Rather a lot of legends behind one festival!
But what really matters is that this is a day for uninhibited fun. People fling
coloured powders or coloured water- along with a lot of other not-so-nice stuff- on
friends, family and even strangers, and this is one day when everybody on the street looks
like they’ve walked through a rainbow. Riotous singing, dancing and the consumption
of huge amounts of bhang-laced lassi or bhang pakoras are also very much a part of Holi
celebrations.
Mathura, in Uttar Pradesh, is especially well-known for its Holi celebrations,
which centres around the love of Krishna and Radha. An interesting variation of Holi, also
in Uttar Pradesh, is in the towns of Barsana and Nandgaon, where `Lathmar Holi’ is
celebrated, with women literally beating the men with wooden sticks. Rather rough, but
it’s all in good humour!
Jamshed-e-Navroz
When :
March 22
Where :
Nationwide
The Parsi New Year, Jamshed-e-Navroz is celebrated on the first day of the first
month of the Shehenshai calendar followed by the Zoroastrian faith. Named after the
Persian ruler Jamshed, in whose reign the festival began, Jamshed-e-Navroz is symbolic of
rejuvenation and rebirth.
As in all the other new year festivals, at Navroz too there’s much
excitement in the air. Homes are cleaned and decorated with ornate rangolis, new clothes
are worn, and greetings- along with the customary sweets- are exchanged. This being the
start of a new year, prayers are offered at the Fire Temple, and it’s usual for
people to go thrice to the temple during the day to worship Khorshed and Meher, the two
divine beings who preside over the sun and the moon respectively.
Good Friday and Easter
When :
March 25 - 27
Where :
Nationwide
Holy Week, the seven days which stretch from Palm Sunday to Easter, is the most
important period in the Christian calendar, for it marks the death and resurrection of
Jesus Christ for the salvation of mankind. Good Friday, which is the day when Christ was
crucified, is a solemn occasion and is observed in churches across the country. Many
Indians fast through the day and end the fast after mass, with hot cross buns
(traditionally decorated with a cross crafted from dough).
On the third day from Good Friday is Easter, the day when Christ rose from the
dead. Traditionally, Easter masses are held not just during the late morning or evening
but also at sunrise, in a local cemetery- symbolic of Christ’s resurrection from the
tomb. Easter services are invariably followed by much rejoicing, which includes feasting
on the well-loved `Easter eggs’- initially
a symbol of fertility, and therefore denoting new life and rejuvenation.
Nauchandi Mela
When : March 27 - April 27
Where : Meerut, Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh is hard to beat for the things it produces- Lucknow's chikankari;
Ferozabad's glassware; Kanpur's leather; Varanasi's silk saris… the list is endless.
And if you want a one-stop shop to buy them, come to the Nauchandi Mela in Meerut. A
historic fair, more than a century old, Nauchandi is a month-long extravaganza of great
shopping, good food, and UP at its noisy best. The Nauchandi Mela begins on the second
Sunday after Holi (this year, it starts on April 7). This is when Meerut becomes much more
than just a small satellite town of Delhi, and takes on a glitter and vivacity which is
highly infectious.
The history behind the Nauchandi Mela is debatable; some say that it began as a cattle
fair way back in 1672; others suggest a British revenue-collection fair as the precursor
of the mela. Many Hindu devotees believe that it began as a religious festival to
commemorate the building of a temple in Meerut by Mandodari, the wife of the demon king,
Ravana.
Whatever may be the antecedents of the Nauchandi Mela, the fact of the matter is that this
is one of the biggest, most colourful and interesting fairs anywhere in the country. Held
for all of a month after Holi, the Nauchandi Mela is held on a 4 sq km area, crowded and
colourful as can be. The area's crisscrossed by pathways; and all through are put up
hundreds of stalls selling handicrafts and machine-made products from all across India.
Textiles, perfumes, jewellery, furniture, ceramics, glassware, leather- the list is
endless. Giant wheels, games, nautankis and cultural performances add to the ambience.
Performances of music and dance have, in fact, become an important part of the Nauchandi
Mela, with maestros such as Pandit Ravi Shankar being among those who have performed here.
Any way you look at it- whether from the point of view of a compulsive shopper, a trader
wanting to do a bit of good business, or a culture-vulture looking for a great experience-
the Nauchandi Mela is worth a visit.
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Ugadi
When :
April 9
Where : Andhra
Pradesh, Karnataka
In Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka, the festival of Ugadi heralds the start of a New
Year. Ugadi is believed to be the day when Brahma- the Creator, in the Hindu Trinity-
formed the universe. It’s also the time when winter is on its way out, and
spring’s round the corner, so the concept of new life and a new year is really very
appropriate. Preparations for Ugadi begin a week in advance; homes are cleaned and
decorated, new clothes are bought, and, on the day of the festival itself, fresh mango
leaves are strung up above doorways to denote prosperity in the new year. Pujas and
feasting are, as in almost all the other festivals of India, an important aspect of the
celebrations.
Gudi Padva
When :
April 9
Where : Maharashtra
When their cousins down south celebrate Ugadi, the Maharashtrians celebrate Gudi
Padva- the Maharashtrian New Year. Gudi Padva is celebrated on the first day of the month
of Chaitra, and marks not just the advent of a new year, but also the victory of the
ancient Satvahana king Shalivahana over his enemies. The ruler’s victory is
commemorated by erecting a pole (the `gudi’), around which is tied a piece of silk. A
metal kalash or pot, decorated with mango leaves and marigold flowers, is balanced atop
the gudi. Colourful rangolis are drawn with coloured powder, and prayers are offered to
the Creator, Brahma.
Gudi Padva counts as one of the four most auspicious days in the Hindu
calendar, and is considered an excellent day for beginning a new venture of any kind.
Gangaur
When :
April 11 - 12
Where : Rajasthan
Rajasthan may be
India’s driest and most arid state, but when it comes to sheer colour and exuberance,
it’s hard to beat. And Rajasthan is best seen in all its colours at the time of
Gangaur, the spring festival dedicated to the goddess of abundance, Gauri (Parvati).
Gangaur is a largely female-centric festival, in that most of the festivities and pujas
are conducted by women. The fortnight leading up to Gangaur is marked by fasting,
daily pujas of Gauri, and on the day of the festival itself, a bejewelled and
beautifully clothed idol of the goddess is the centrepiece of an elaborate procession.
Although Gangaur fairs
are held throughout Rajasthan, some towns in particular are known for the fair: Udaipur
(where a boat procession makes its way across the Pichola Lake), Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner,
Jaisalmer and Nathdwara. Among the Girasia tribals of the Sirohi-Mt Abu region, Gangaur
festivities carry on for more than a month, when devotees carry decorated idols of the
goddess from village to village, finally returning to the village they started from.
During this period, unmarried men and women of the tribe choose their mates and elope- a
custom which has prevailed through the ages and is more or less expected during Gangaur.
Ram
Navami
When :
April 18
Where :
Nationwide
All across India, the
day of Ram Navami is celebrated as the birthday of the god Ram, one of the most familiar
and well-loved deities in the Hindu pantheon. The nine days leading up to Ram Navami are
days of fasting and prayer for the devout, and the day of the festival itself is marked by
pujas and satsangs (public gatherings). Two cities- Ayodhya (in Uttar
Pradesh) and Pondicherry, both of which are mentioned in the epic Ramayana, are especially
renowned for their Ram Navami celebrations. Ayodhya, where Ram was born, is the setting
for showy rath yatras or chariot processions in which expensively decorated idols
of Ram, Sita and Hanuman are carried through the town. The rath yatras in Ayodhya
continue for two days and are accompanied by much fanfare and rejoicing.
Mahavir Jayanti
When :
April 22
Where :
Nationwide
The most important of
all Jain festivals, Mahavir Jayanti celebrates the birth anniversary of Vardhaman Mahavir,
the founder of Jainism and the 24th tirthankar (religious guru) of the
faith. Mahavir was born sometime in the 7th century BC, and his birth
anniversary is celebrated with much fervour at Jain temples across the country. Shrines
and temples are decorated with flags for the occasion, and on the day of the festival, the
idol of the tirthankar is given a ritual bath before being taken out, ensconced in
a cradle, in a grand procession.
The custom of donating
money, food and clothing to the poor is also an important aspect of celebrating Mahavir
Jayanti. In addition, Jain organisations (in some cases, even individuals) arrange for
free food and drink for all passersby.
Important Jain shrines
such as Sri Mahavirji in Rajasthan; Girnar and Palitana in Gujarat; Parasnath Temple
(Kolkata) and Pawapuri in Bihar host major celebrations to mark Mahavir Jayanti.
Baisakhi
When :
April 13
Where :
Punjab
Baisakhi is New
Year’s Day in Punjab. And, like New Year across the world, it’s celebrated with
much gusto. The day, besides being the start of a new year, also marks the maturing of the
winter crop- and the last major festival before farmers roll up their sleeves and begin
harvesting the grain.
For the Sikhs,
Baisakhi holds even greater significance as it commemorates the day, in 1699, when the
tenth Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, founded the Khalsa Panth. The festival is celebrated
with processions of devotees led by the panj piaras, the elected religious heads
who are second only to the gurus. Devotional music is played during the procession, and
hymns are sung, both along the way and at gurudwaras. Religious discourses and kirtans are
held at gurudwaras, and karah prasad (sacramental food) is distributed.
Milad-un-Nabi
When :
April 21
Where :
Nationwide
Eid Milad-un-Nabi, or
Barawafat, marks the birth anniversary (as well as the death anniversary) of the Prophet
Mohammad. Because of the fact that the date represents not just the birth, but also the
death of the Prophet, Milad-un-Nabi festivities are fairly subdued. The twelve days
(`barah’ means `twelve’, therefore `barawafat’) leading up to Milad-un-Nabi
are indicative of the twelve days of sickness before the Prophet was lifted up to heaven.
This period is a time for introspection, prayer and acts of charity. Public meetings are
held at mosques, where religious leaders meditate and preach on the life of the Prophet,
his teachings and the tenets of the faith. In some
places, hymns are sung and marsiyas (mourning verses) recited in mosques.
Furthermore, a ceremony called a `sandal’ is observed in some mosques, where a
stone representation of the `buraq’- a horse-like creature on which the
Prophet ascended to heaven- is anointed with sandalwood paste and fragrant powder.
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Moatsu Mong
When : May 1- 3
Where : Nagaland (Ao tribe)
Between May 1 and 3 this year, the small but immensely beautiful hill state of Nagaland
will come alive with the Motasu Mong festival- a time for much rejoicing, feasting,
dancing, singing and merry-making. A traditional festival of the Ao tribe, Moatsu-Mong
originally stretched over six days- but the modern abbreviated version of three days
doesn't seem to have diminished the festivities in any way!
Traditionally, Moatsu Mong was celebrated only after the biggest (and most time-consuming)
tasks of the community were completed- the sowing of grain, the cleaning of village ponds,
the construction and repair of houses. The days leading up to the festival are, even
today, a period of hectic activity. Homes are cleaned and decorated; rice beer is brewed
(in huge quantities- what is a festival without liquor, after all?!) and cows, pigs and
fowls are fattened for the inevitable feast. For the three days of Moatsu Mong, there is
much rejoicing, singing and dancing; delegations go from one village to the next, bearing
gifts, feasts are held, and eulogies are sung in praise of traditional heroes.
Moatsu Mong is now being promoted by Nagaland Tourism as a national event, and
Chuchuyimlang village is the main showcase for the celebrations- a great place for
visitors from across the country and abroad to get a ringside view of Naga life.
Sikkim Tourism Festival
When : May 1- 31
Where : Gangtok, Sikkim
Breathtakingly beautiful is the first word that comes to mind when Sikkim is mentioned-
for this tiny state tucked away in the Eastern Himalayas packs a punch when it comes to
natural beauty. A heady combination of snow-capped mountains, frothing rivers, forests of
rhododendron and flowers all the way- that's Sikkim for you. And what better way to
celebrate Sikkim than at the annual Sikkim Tourism Festival, held in Gangtok every May?
Flower shows, exhibitions, cultural programmes and interesting competitions are all part
and parcel of this amazing event.
Organised by the Sikkim Department of Tourism, the month-long Tourism festival has been
held every year since 1981. The venue for the festival is the White Hall in Gangtok, and
for the space of thirty days, the entire complex comes alive with performances of
traditional Sikkimese dances, films on tourism, exhibitions of local arts and crafts, and
flower shows which highlight the gorgeous flowers of Sikkim- orchids, rhododendrons and
primulas among them. An interestingly offbeat `yak safari', a local food festival and
white-water rafting on the Teesta are also a part of the festival.
Buddha Purnima
When :
May 22
Where :
Nationwide
The festival of Buddha
Purnima or Buddha Jayanti celebrates the birth of Gautam Buddha in 563 BC. The most
important of all the Buddhist festivals, Buddha Purnima is considered the most auspicious
of all the days in the year. Although there are minor regional variations in the way
Buddha Purnima is observed, the festival is generally observed by lighting oil lamps
before the image of the Buddha, by reciting prayers or reading from the scriptures.
Meditation and offerings of flowers, silk scarves, incense and fruit are also part of the
worship rituals.
Sarnath (Uttar
Pradesh) and Bodhgaya (Bihar) are, in particular, known for the Buddha Purnima
celebrations which are held in these two cities.
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Hemis
Festival
When :
June 13 - 27
Where :
Hemis Gompa, Ladakh (Jammu and Kashmir)
Come summer, and the
cold desert region of Ladakh awakes from a long and harsh winter. This is the time when
tourists from far and wide arrive to trek, to climb mountains, to go river-rafting and to
stare, awe-struck, at some of the most beautiful examples of Indo-Tibetan culture. And if
you go to Ladakh in the summer, you really shouldn’t miss the memorable Hemis
Festival, held at the Hemis Gompa, the largest Buddhist monastery in Ladakh. Hemis is home
to more than 500 monks and, at the time of the festival, plays host to hundreds of eager
devotees, local villagers and tourists. The two-day festival is marked by prayers and the
display of an age-old thangka (religious painting) which is just one of the
treasures housed at Hemis. All through the festival, traditional dances are performed by
masked monks. The dances, which are accompanied by cymbals, drums and trumpets, portray
the triumph of good over evil.
During the Hemis
festival, hawkers and shopkeepers set up stalls outside the monastery, selling a variety
of wares- most of them souvenirs to cater to the crowds of tourists coming to see the
festival.
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Jagannath
Yatra
When :
July 8
Where :
Puri (Orissa)
If you’ve ever
wondered what a juggernaut actually looks like, this is where you can see it- in the great |
