The March of the Great Elephant, Kerala
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The cities of kerala are lively decorated, while caparisoned elephants go out in procession, boat races on the backwaters and cultural events lend colour to the festivities. The festival takes place in some of Kerala's major towns - Thrissur, Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram.
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Mamallapuram Dance Festival, Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu
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Once the ancient port of the Pallavas, 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. This wonderful performance will make you spellbound and mesmerized by their sheer elegance.
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Pongal, Tamil Nadu
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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.
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International Kite Festival,
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
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On Makara Sankranti, Ahmedabad is at its colourful best as kites of all colours, patterns and dimensions soar into the sky. In India kite flying is very common especially in the northern part of the country, where unlike the west, there are kite dual's in the sky, which is a fascinating experience, and interesting to watch. Special kites with little paper lamps fill the night sky with myriad flickering lights. Special Gujarati cuisine, exhibitions of handicrafts and folk art enhance the festive spirit.
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Republic Day,
Delhi and state capitals
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India became a republic 26th January, Commemorating this day, the Republic Day is celebrated in Delhi with a splendid parade-a colourful affair with soldiers marching in unison, followed by folk dancers, school children and floats from various states. The parade is telecast live on television, but the real flavour you can have by being a witness to this grand occasion specially if you are in New Delhi the Capital; of India. The Beating Retreat, which marks the end of the celebrations on 29th January, is a moving ceremony with massed military bands playing at Vijay Chowk.
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Float Festival,
Madurai, Tamil Nadu
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The fascinating and sparkling view of the tank, which is glamorized by the beauty and mystic of the floating flowers and the flickering lamps is a sight that will leave you spellbound. This magnificent festival is celebrated in Madurai. On the night of the full moon, ornamented icons of goddess Meenakshi and her consort are taken out in a colorful procession to the huge Mariamman Teppakulam. The icons are floated in the tank on a raft decked with flowers and flickering lamps.
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Kerala Village Fair,
Kovalam, Kerala
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The village festival will bring you the rare chance to be close to the rituals and performances of classical keralan folk lore and also give you the insight to the cultural feast that will delight your appetite for this cultural extravaganza. Every year, in the lush villages around Kovalam 18 km from Thiru-uvananthapuram, mid Januarv is the time for cultural events.the traditional thatch houses are decorated during this ten-day long festival and are the venue for folk dances, music and festivities.
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Bikaner Festival,
Bikaner, Rajasthan
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The camel is the main theme of the festival. These indispensable 'desert ships' are bedizened in beautiful colors and attire, are the main attraction of this beautiful extravaganza. The festival starts off with a magnificent procession of bedecked camels. There are displays and competitions together with all the color, music and rhythm unique to a fair in Rajasthan.
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Calcutta Festival,
Calcutta, West Bengal
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The festival of Calcutta is full of fun and frolic; the festival attracts the local crowd, as well as people from neighboring districts. It is held every year in the centrally located maidan area of the city of Calcutta. Ethnic food stalls displaying Bengali cuisine and cultural events make this a lively occasion. There is lot of amusement games and enchanting gadgets, which brings the much desire gaiety for one and all.
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Pattadakkal Dance Festival,
Pattadakkal, Karnataka
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You are going to be transpired into this world of Magic which will carry you to the heritage of this ancient capital of Chalukyan Kings.Delicately carved temples rich in detail, stand still at Pattadakkal, which gives the beautiful and mystical look of this great festival of music and dance.
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