Fair & Festivals In India
Indian Festivals are much more than celebrations. They are windows into the history of rich Hindu legends. They reveal the mind and philosophy of a nation through the different ages. Festivals have a cultural and social aspect which many feel transcends even their spiritual significance. They bring people together in friendship and love, and help heal broken relationships.
Festivals in India are characterized by color, gaiety, enthusiasm, prayers and rituals. Foreign travelers are struck by the scale and multiplicity of Indian festivals that have evolved in the society. Fairs and festivals are moments of remembrance and commemoration of the birthdays and great deeds of gods, goddesses, hero's, heroine's, gurus, prophet's and saints.
FAIRS & FESTIVALS FROM YEAR 2008 In India
January :
1) Pongal (Tamil Nadu)
A celebration of the harvest-Pongal is observed for three days in January, in Tamil Nadu.
Bhogi Pongal - the first day, is an occasion for festivities at home. Flavoured rice is
offered to the Sun God on the second day. Mattu Pongal, the next day, is celebrated
in a more boisterous fashion. Village cattle are bathed and decorated and cattle races
enliven village festivities.
2) Mamallapuram Dance Festival (Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu)
Once the ancient port of the Pallava, Mamallapuram plays host to a vibrant
festival of dance. Exponents of Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak and Kathakali
perform against the magnificent backdrop of the Pallava rock sculptures.
3) Float Festival (Madurai, Tamil Nadu)
This magnificent festival is celebrated in Madurai. On the night of the
full moon, ornamented icons of goddness. Meenakshi and her consort
are taken out in a colourful procession to the huge Mariamman Teppakulam.
The icons are floated in the tank on a raft decked with flowers and flickering lamps.
4) Pattadakkal Dance Festival ( Pattadakkal, Karanataka)
Delicately carved temples rich in details, stand still at Pattadakkal the ancient capital of the Chalukyan kings. A festival of dance celebrates this marvelous heritage.
March :
1) Shivratri Natyanjali Festival (Chidambaram, Tamilnadu)
Shivratri is the occasion for a five day long festival of classical dance and music
at Chidambaram. The magnificent temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, built a thousand years ago, provides a beautiful backdrop for the event
2) Hoysala Mahotsava(Belur - Halebid, Karnataka)
The dance festival held at Belur and Halebid is a magnificent event. The splendid
Hoysala temples with their sculptural extravaganza make the perfect venue for this
cultural feast. Dates are not finalized.
April :
1) Baisakhi ( In Kerala Vishu)
The Hindu New year finds expression in this exuberant festival, celebrated throughout India.
In Kerala the festival is known as Vishu. 'Vishu Kani' a display of grain,fruits,flowers,gold,new cloth and money, is viewed early in the morning to ensure a prosperous year ahead. Firwork displays and the buying of new cloths are a part of the festivals.
May :
Pooram ( Thrisur, Kerala)
The colourful Pooram Festival is held in Thrissur at its time Vadakkumnathan Temple.
Processions of beautifully caparisoned elephants provide a magnificent spectacle.
The festival is rounded off at night by dazzling firework displays.
August :
1) ONAM (Kerala)
Kerala's most important festival is celebrated in the honour of the ancient asura
king Mahabali. The occasion also heralds the harvest season. The decorating of
houses with carpets of flowers, a sumptuous lunch and songs in praise of the golden
reign of Mahabali, make the ten day long festivities. A major attraction of the Onam
celebrations are the famed snake boat races along the backwaters at Champakulam,
Aranmula and Kottayam. This year
2) Nehru Trophy boat race (Kerala)
Nehru Trophy boat race commences on every second saturday of the month of August. The venue is held in the back waters of Punnamadakayal /Alleppey. The event will be magnificed by the participation of Snake boatsfor the price of Nehru trophy, which was interested by Jawaharlal Nehruthe first Prime Minister of India. The distance between the starting pointand finishing point is almost 08 kms. 05 to 06 boats will participate for competition at a time. This boat race is the most popular locally supportedand tourist attractive event held in Kerala. This event is occurred in Alleppeywhich is located 65 kms from Cochin and 165 kms from Trivandrum( Capital of Kerala ).
November :
1) Hapmi Festival
The Mannificent ruined city of Hampi, once the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire comes alive once again during this lively festival of dance and music, held in the first week of November.
December :
1) Thyagaraja Festival:
Thyagaraja Festival is being conducted on the birth anniversary of Saint Thyagaraja Bhagawathar, the renowned composer of Carnatic Music. Carnatic Music lover of all over the world will take part in the festival and after their tribute to the all time great musician. It is a unique festival of its own being conducting in our country. A Library housed with his collection of Music composition and information about him is available there.
FAIRS AND FESTIVALS IN BENGAL
ID -- CELEBRATES AT THE END OF RAMZAN, THE MUSLIM MONTH OF FASTING.IT IS AN OCCASION OF FEASTING AND REJOICING. – 12TH JAN 2003
HOLI OR DOL YATRA -- IT HERALDS THE END OF WINTER AND THE BEGINNING OF SPRING.IT IS A JOYOUS CELEBRATIONOF THE REJUNEVATIONOF NATURE,AND RENEWED HOPE OF HAPPINESS AND PEACEFUL COEXISTENCE.PEOPLE THROW COLOURED WATER AND POWDER AT EACH OTHER AND MAKE MERRY. 18TH MARCH, 2003.
NABANNA OR BAISAKHI -- CELEBRATED AS BENGALI NEW YEARS DAY ON FIRST DAY OF BAISAKH, WHICH IS FIRST MONTH OF BENGALI CALENDER. CELEBRATION INCLUDES
NEW CLOTH , LIVELY DANCE , MUSIC, AND FEASTING. BENGALI VILLAGERS PREPARED A SPECIAL KIND OF DESERTS FROM NEW RICE KNOWN AS NABANNA. – 14TH APRIL AND WEEK FOLLOWS.
MUHARRAM -- COMMEMORATES THE MARTYRDOM OF IMAM HOSSAIN,THE GRANDSON OF PROPHET MOHAMEDAND OVSERVED ALL OVER BENGAL SPECIALLY IN MURSHIDABAD, HOOGHLY AND KOLKATA COLOURFUL PROCESSIONS AND DECORATED TAZIAS. – 14TH MARCH 2003.
RATHYATRA -- THE SPECTACULAR CHARIOTS WITH LORD JAGANATH, HIS SISTER SUVADRA AND BROTHER BALABHADRA ARE PULLED BY THE MILLIONS OF DEVOTEES.
MAHESH IN HOOGHLY , MAYAPUR IN NADIA, AND KOLKATA ARE FAMOUS FOR THIS FESTIVAL ( SAME AS CHARIOT FESTIVAL AT PURI )
RAKSHABANDHAN -- COMMONLY KNOWN AS RAKSHI, IS A HINDU SISTERS DAY WHEN BROTHER AND SISTERS REAFFIRM THEIR BONDS OF AFFECTIONS.SISTERS TIE COLOURFUL THREADS OR RAKHIS ON THEIR BROTHERS WRIST.THE BROTHERS IN TURN PROMISE TO PROTECT THEIR SISTERS AND GIVE THEM GIFTS. 22ND AUGUST.
DURGA PUJA -- THE MAIN FESTIVAL PERFORMED FOR TEN DAYS. COMMUNITY PUJAS
PARALISE THE LIFE OF KOLKATA WITH DECORATED PANDALS, ILLUMINATIONS AND LARGE CROWD.FAMILIES VISITS EACH OTHER’s HOUSE TO SHARE FEASTS. ON BIJOYA OR THE TENTH DAY THE IDOLS ARE TAKEN WITH BIG PROCESIONS FOR IMMERSION IN THE NEAREST RIVER. 12TH TO 15TH OCTOBER.
KALIPUJA OR DIWALI -- IT IS A FESTIVAL OF GODESS KALI TO KILL THE DEMONES.THOUSANDS OF LAMPS LIT IN HOUSES ALL OVER THE COUNTRY MAKING IT A NIGHT OF ENCHANTMENT. FIREWORKS ARE PARTS OF THIS FESTIVAL. 4TH & 5TH NOVEMBER.
JAGATDHATRI PUJA - IT IS A FESTIVAL OF GODDESS JAGATDHATRI A FORM OF DURGA, A FORM OF MOTHER OF THE EARTH WHO PROTECTS THE EARTH. A FORM OF MOTHER CULT. PERFORMS WIDELY AT CHANDANNAGAR. – 11TH TO 14TH NOVEMBER.
CHRISTMAS -- CELEBRATES BY THE CHRISTIANS WITH CAROL SINGING , GET TOGETHER
AND EXCHANGING OF GIFTS.NONCHRISTIANS ALSO TOOK PART WITH SPECIAL ENTHUSIASM AND FESTIVE MOOD. 25TH DECEMBER.
JHAPAN -- ALSO KNOWN AS SNAKE FESTIVAL HELD IN THE GLORY OF MANASA THE DAUGHTER OF SHIVA AND GODESS OF SNAKES IT REPRESENTS THE SNAKE WORSHIP CULT IN BENGAL. JHAPAN LITERALLY KNOWN AS ASTAGE ERECTED TO EXIBIT TRICKS WITH SNAKES. -- BANKURA AND PURULIA DISTRICT. 17TH AUGUST.
GAJAN -- THIS POPULAR RURAL FESTIVAL OF BENGALBEGINS AT THE END OF A WEEKCULUMINATION IN MONTH LONG RURAL FAIR ON SHIVARATRI DAY - 2ND WEEK OF APRIL.
VASANTA – UTSAV -- IT COINCIDES WITH HOLI. THE STUDENTS OF VISWA-BHARATI
UNIVERSITY AT SHANTINIKETAN IN COLOURFUL DRESS DANCE THEIR WAY INTO THE MANGROVE.AN OPEN AIR VARIETY PROGRAMMEIS STAGE TO WELCOME THE SPRING. 18TH MARCH 2003.
VARSAMANGAL -- CULTURAL SHOWS ARE HELD AND TREE PLANTING CEREMONY PRECEDED BY HALOKARSHAN ( PLOUGHING ) BY THE STUDENTS OF VISWA-BHARATI
AT SHANTINIKETAN. -- JULY-AUGUST.
POUS MELA -- LARGEST VILLAGE FAIR OF BENGAL MARKING THE FOUNDATION DAY OF
VISWA-BHARATI UNIVERSITY FOUNDED BY NOBEL LAURIATE RABINDRA NATH TAGORES
FATHER.TRIBAL DANCE , BAUL SONGS,TRIBAL CRAFTS ANDVARITIES OF BENGALS FOLK-LORE ARE PART OF THE FAIR WITH A LARGE NUMBER OF CROWD. -- 22nd—25th DECEMBER..
GAMVIRA -- IT IS A SPCIAL KIND OF MASK DANCE OF NORTH BENGAL RESTRICTED ONLY IN DISTRICT OF MALDA.THE BASE OF THIS DANCE BASED FOR THE PRAYER OF SUN GOD .-- MID APRIL TO JUNE.
CHOU -- THIS IS A GROUP DANCE WITH MASK REPRESENTING THE STORIES OF RAMAYANA AND MAHABHARATA. – PURULIA DISTRICT OF BENGAL BEFORE HARVESTING.
BANBIBI MELA -- CELEBRATED AMONG THE PEOPLE OF SUNDERBAN AREA OF SOUTH BENGAL BEFORE GOING TO THE FOREST FOR WOOD CUTTING, HONEY COLLECTION AND FISING TO PROTECT THEIR LIVES FROM TIGER AND OTHER EVILS. LAST WEEK OF JAN.
GANGASAGAR MELA -- ONE OF THE LARGEST FAIR OF SOUTH BENGAL HELD IN SAGAR ISLAND WHERE GANGA MEETS WITH BAY OF BENGAL EVERY YEAR IN THE MONTH OF MID JANUARY. MORE THAN 5 LAKS OF PILGRIMS VISIT THAT FAIR TAKE A HOLY DIP IN
THE SEA PRAY TO THE KAPIL MUNI. 14TH JAN 2003.
PARESHNATH FESTIVAL/RASH (GURUPURNIMA) -- 19TH NOVEMBER - BIRTHDAY OF JAIN TIRTHANKAR. FAIR AND FESTIVE PROCESSION.
