Republic Day
(State capital of Delhi )

The Republic Day is a national holiday of India, celebrated every year on 26th January. This day celebrates the anniversary of the Constitution of India and the transition of India from a British Dominion to a republic on 26th January, 1950. 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.

Independence Day
(All over India)

The Independence Day in India is celebrated every year on the 15th of August in honor of the birthday of the nation. On 15th August 1947, India achieved her independence from British rule and became a sovereign nation.
On the eve of 15th August 1947, India tricolor (saffron, green and white) flag was first hoisted by Jawahar Lal Nehru, the first Prime Minister of India, at the Red Fort of Delhi.

International Yoga Week
(North India , Rishikesh, Uttar Pradesh)

In the 7-day immersion and celebration, you have the opportunity to embrace every major style of yoga and learn from enlightened Spiritual Leaders, Master Yoga Teachers, Evolutionary Thought Leaders, and Wellness Specialists from around the world. Awaken to the best version of yourself and ignite your inner light through this not-to-be-missed event at Parmarth Niketan Ashram, the largest ashram in Rishikesh and one of the largest interfaith yoga institutions in India.
The programme offers an extensive schedule of possibility, starting with Kundalini sadhana at 4 a.m. for the intensely committed and ending at 9:30 pm with traditional cultural song and dance, kirtan and enlightened entertainment on the banks of Ganga. You can customize each day as per your personal needs. We also have a Sacred Sound Stage for you to come, unwind and awaken through the power of sound.

Holi
(North India)

Holi is not only the festival of colours,It is a festival of togetherness, it is a festival of forgetting all differences, And it is a festival of eating delicious dishes. The festivities of Holi bring thousands of people out onto the streets in a dazzling display of colour and good cheer. Celebrated every year in March, the ancient Hindu festival of Holi originated as a celebration of the end of winter and beginning of spring in honour of Prahlada, who was protected from the flames by Vishnu when he was tricked to his near death by his father King Hiranyakashipu.

Christmas
(All over India)

Christmas is an annual holiday celebrated by the Christians, on 25th December, in the major part of the world, to celebrate the Nativity of Jesus Christ. Christians believe that Jesus is the son of God, the Messiah sent from Heaven to save the world.
It is believed that Jesus was born to Mary in Bethlehem around two thousand years ago. Jesus was born in a manger because there was no room for him and for his parents, Mary and Joseph. The word Christmas comes from Cristes maesse, an early English phrase that means Mass of Christ

Mamallapuram Dance Festival
(South India Tamil Nadu)

The Mamallapuram Dance Festival is held every year during Dec-Jan in Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu. This dance festival is organised by Department of Tourism, Govt. of Tamilnadu. Mamallapuram was once the ancient port of the Pallavas. Mamallapuram is the renowned and ancient 7th century centre for Pallava culture and art. Exponents of Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Odissi, Mohini Attam and Kathakali perform against this magnificent backdrop of the Pallava rock sculptures.
Mamallapuram was once the ancient port of the Pallavas. It now 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.
Mamallapuram is a popular beach resort and a culture front, especially for the tourists, who come from the world over who love to imbibe and soak in the rich traditions. This town beach is full of ancient monuments, sculptures, caves, monolithic temples and beaches.

Surajkund Crafts Mela
(Haryana , Surajkund)

A delightful handloom and handicrafts fair is held annually at Surajkund. Skilled artisans from all over the country display the rich crafts tradition of India in the typical setting of a rural Indian marketplace. Cultural programmes and rural cuisine are also a part of this colourful fair.

Goa Carnival
(Goa)

Enjoy the four day festival in different cities that will keep you on your toes all through the festivity. Enjoy the parades, the dances and the Goan traditional music that will keep you energetic and enthralled throughout the show.

Pongal
(South India Tamil Nadu)

India is mainly an agricultural country. There are many festivals which are dedicated to harvest and to Mother Nature. Pongal is one of them. Pongal is a harvest festival, it is a special occasion for giving thanks to nature for giving us grains. It holds a special
significance for the farmers. It is a most popular Hindu festival, celebrated all over the India by its different names. In south, it is known as Pongal, MakerSankranti in entire north, Lohri in Punjab,Bhogali Bihu in Assam and Bhogi in Andhra Pradesh. This four day long harvest festival "Pongal" is mainly celebrated by the Tamil people in Indian state of Tamil Nadu, the Union Territory of Puducherry and Sri Lanka.

International Kite Festival
(West India , Gujarat, Ahmedabad)

Since 1989, the city of Ahmedabad has hosted the International Kite Festival as part of the official celebration of Uttarayan, bringing master kite makers and flyers from all over the world to demonstrate their unique creations and wow the crowds with highly unusual kites. In past years, master kite makers from Malaysia have brought their wau-balang kites, llayang-llayanghave come from Indonesia, kite innovators from the USA have arrived with giant banner kites, and Japanese rokkaku fighting kites have shared the skies with Italian sculptural kites, Chinese flying dragons, and the latest high-tech modern wonders. A master kite maker and famous kite flyer Rasulbhai Rahimbhai of Ahmedabad trains of up to 500 kites on a single string have come to be a classic attraction.

Vasant Panchami
(North India & West Bengal)

Vasant Panchami day is dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of knowledge, music, arts, science and technology. Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on Vasant Panchami day. Vasant Panchami is also known as Shri Panchami and Saraswati Panchami.
People worship Goddess Saraswati to get enlighten with knowledge and to get rid of lethargy, sluggishness and ignorance. This ritual of initiating education to children is known as Akshar-Abhyasamor Vidya-Arambham/Praasana which is one of the famous rituals of Vasant Panchami. Schools and colleges arrange pujas in the morning to seek blessing of the Goddess.

Desert Festival
(West India , Rajasthan , Jaisalmer)

The Jaisalmer Desert Festival is an annual event organized by the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation each February at the Golden Desert City of Jaisalmer. It is held in the Hindu month of Magh three days prior to the full moon. The festival starts off with a procession in the morning from the Jaisalmer Fort to the Shahid Poonam Singh Stadium. The people dress in bright and colourful costumes, and sing and dance depicting the tragedies and accomplishments of the desert. Delicious food, interesting stalls displaying beautiful artifacts, handicrafts and other things. One can also enjoy a safari at the desert and do camping at the desert festival.

Nagaur Fair
(Nagaur, Rajasthan)

The Jodhpur Nagaur Fair is the second biggest fair in India. The fair goes on for eight days. Nagaur Fair of Jodhpur, Rajasthan is held every year during the month of Jan-Feb.
It is popularly known as the Cattle fair of Nagaur. This is because the Nagaur Fair is mainly all about trading of animals. Approximately 70,000 bullocks, camels and horses are traded every year in this fair. The animals lavishly decorated and even their owners dress up wearing colorful turbans and long moustaches. Other trading in the Nagaur Fair in Jodhpur, India consists of sheep to Marwari horses to spices. Some other attractions include the Mirchi bazaar (largest red-chilly market of India), wooden items, iron-crafts and camel leather accessories.
There is a lot of sports activity also in the fair. The sports range from tug-of-war, camel races to bullock races to cock fights. Nagaur fair is also famous for its jugglers, puppeteers, storytellers, etc. For further entertainment, there is the folk music of the Jodhpur echoing throughout the fair.

Float Festival
(Madurai, Tamil Nadu)

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 colourful procession to the huge Mariamman Teppakulam. The icons are floated in the tank on a raft decked with flowers and flickering lamps

Kerala Village Fair
(Kovalam, Kerala)

Every year, in the lush villages around Kovalam (18 km from Thiruvananthapuram), mid-January is the time for cultural events. The traditional thatch houses are decorated during this ten day long festival and are the venue for folk dancers, music and festivities.

Bikaner Festival
(Bikaner, Rajasthan)

Dedicated to the indispensable 'ship of the desert', the festival starts with a magnificent procession of bedecked camels. There are displays and competitions together with all the colour, music and rhythm unique to a fair in Rajasthan.

Calcutta Festival
(Calcutta, West Bengal)

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.

Pattadakkal Dance Festival
(Pattadakkal, Karnataka)

Delicately carved temples rich in detail, stand still at Pattadakkal, the ancient capital of the Chalukyan kings. A festival of dance celebrates this marvelous heritage.

Elephanta Festival
(Mumbai, Maharashtra)

This festival is held across the Mumbai harbour, on the Elephanta Island, near the world renowned Elephanta Caves (A World Heritage Site). This feast of music and dance, celebrated under the stars, transforms the entire island into a large auditorium.

Deccan Festival
(Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh)

Every year gracious Hyderabad comes alive during the Deccan Festival. There are cultural programmes with ghazal nights, qawalis and mushairas, typical of the city. A pearl and bangle fair displays creations in lustrous pearls and multi-hued bangles that are local specialties. A food fest serves the best of Hyderabad's fames cuisine to visitors.

Taj Mahotsav
(Agra, Uttar Pradesh)

A ten day event that starts on 18th February each year in Shilpgram, the Taj Mahotsav is a much awaited event. India's extensive arts, crafts and culture are on display. Folk music, shayari and classical dance performances along with elephant and camel rides, games and a food festival, all add to the excitement of the occasion.

Chapchar Kut
(East India, Mizoram)

A ten day event that starts on 18th February each year in Shilpgram, the Taj Mahotsav is a much awaited event. India's extensive arts, crafts and culture are on display. Folk music, shayari and classical dance performances along with elephant and camel rides, games and a food festival, all add to the excitement of the occasion.

Rose Festival
(North India, Chandigarh)

The biggest Rose Show in the country is held at the famous Rose Gardens at Chandigarh. Varieties of magnificent roses are on display during this two-day festival.

Island Tourism Festival
(Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands)

A ten day long festival of dance, drama and music. Exhibitions, displaying arts and crafts, flora and fauna and marine life, are part of the event. Aqua sports, tele games and parasailing are added attractions

Khajuraho Dance Festival
(Central India , Madhya Pradesh, Khajuraho)

Khajuraho Festival of Dances is celebrated at a time when the hardness of winter begins to fade and the king of all seasons, spring, takes over. The most colourful and brilliant classical dance forms of India with their roots in the ling and rich cultural traditions across the country, offer a feast for the eyes during a weeklong extravaganza here. Since times immemorial, myriad forms of dance have been adsorbed into the classical dance styles. Watching these performances reveal the age-old trends, traits and nuances that are firmly established in dance in various regions of India.

Shivratri
(All over India)

Fasting is an important activity on Mahashivratri day. All through India, people fast on the day of Mahashivratri. Unlike other Hindu festivals, where food is eaten after performing the puja of the deity, on Shivaratri the fast continues all through the day and night.
Fasting detoxifies the body and purifies the mind. The body feels lighter and the mind’s restlessness is curtailed. At the same time the mind becomes alert. When the mind becomes alert, it is better prepared for prayer and meditation, which is central to the celebration of Mahashivratri.
When the mind and body are detoxified, the strength of one’s intentions and prayers also increases. So, on Mahashivratri, fasting and meditation together increase the possibility of desires getting manifested. That is why it is said that one who fasts on Mahashivratri with sincerity and love for lord Shiva, lord’s grace bestows upon him/her and their wishes are fulfilled.

Gangaur
(Rajasthan)

The most important local festival in Rajasthan, Gangaur celebrations last for eighteen days. It is dedicated to Gauri, a manifestation of goddess Parvati. The festival is celebrated by girls and married women throughout Rajasthan. the images of Gauri are ornamented and offerings are make. This is also an auspicious day for young people to select their life partners. Colourful processions with the town band playing, horses and elaborate palanquins make it a fascinating spectacle

Mewar Festival
(Udaipur, Rajasthan)

An exhilarating welcome to spring this festival is a visual feast with Rajasthani songs, dances, processions, devotional music and firework displays. It is celebrated in the romantic city of Udaipur during the Gangaur Festival. A procession of colourfully attired women carrying the images of the goddess Gauri make their way to the Lake Pichola. an unusual procession of boats on the lake offers a fitting finale to this splendid celebration.

Pooram
(Thrissur, Kerala)

The colourful Pooram festival is held in Thrissur at its fine Vadakkumnathan Temple-Processions of beautifully caparisoned elephants provide a magnificent spectacle. The festival is rounded off at night by dazzling firework displays.

Urs
(Ajmer, Rajasthan)

The Urs are held every year at the dargah of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, commemorating his symbolic union with God. Pilgrims from all over the world gather here to pay homage. Qawalis and poems are presented in the saint's honour. At the huge fair that springs up at this time, religious objects, books, rosaries, embroidered carpets and silver ornaments are on sale.

Urs
(Ajmer, Rajasthan)

The Urs are held every year at the dargah of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, commemorating his symbolic union with God. Pilgrims from all over the world gather here to pay homage. Qawalis and poems are presented in the saint's honour. At the huge fair that springs up at this time, religious objects, books, rosaries, embroidered carpets and silver ornaments are on sale.

International Flower Festival
(Gangatok, Sikkim)

A rare show of exotic varieties of flowers, orchids and other plants native to Sikkim. Held every summer during the peak flowering season, this is a spectacular event, attracting people from all over India

Hemis Festival
(Leh, Ladakh)

Hemis festival is one of the biggest and the most famous religious festivals of Ladakh and is an attraction for both the tourist and the local people. The festival of Hemis is a colorful two-day affair that falls on the 10th day (called Tse-Chu in the local language) of the Tibetan lunar month. This festival is a celebration of the birth anniversary of spiritual leader Padmasambhava, the founder of Tibet Tantric Buddhism. The main venue and stage for this festival is the courtyard of Hemis Gompa-the biggest Buddhist monastery in Ladakh.

Puri Rath Yatra
(Puri, Orissa)

This spectacular chariot festival is held at the famous Jagannath Temple at Puri. Images of Lord Jagannath- the Lord of the Universe, his sister Subhadra and brother Balbhadra are taken out in procession in three immense chariots. The main chariot is 14 meters high and 10 meters square with 16 wheels. Thousands of devotees pull these chariots to Gundicha Mandir, a temple 1.5 km away.

Janmashtami
(All over India)

The birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated with great fervour all over the country. In Mathura and Brindavan - where Lord Krishna sp-spent his childhood and youth, the Janmashtami celebrations are quite elaborate. The Krishna Leela - stories of his eventful youth are enacted. In Maharashtra, earthen pots of curd and butter are hung high up over the streets. Young men enacting an episode from Krishna's childhood form human pyramids by climbing on each others' shoulders and try to break these pots.

Teej
(Rajasthan and Chandigarh)

This swing festival welcomes the advent of the monsoon. Swings are hung from trees and decorated with flowers. Women, colourfully attired, swing on them and sing songs in celebration.

Independence Day
(All over India)

Commemorating the day India Attained freedom (15th August), Independence Day is celebrated with flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programmes in the sate capitals. The Prime Minister's speech at the Red Fort in Delhi is the major highlight.

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Raksha Bandhan
(North India)

Brothers and sisters reaffirm their bonds of affection on this day. Sisters tie colourful threads or rakhis on their brothers' wrists. The brothers in turn promise to protect their sisters and give them gifts.

Tarnetar Mela
(Saurashtra)

An exciting and unique fair held annually at Tarnetar in Saurashtra. The fair coincides with festival at the Trineteshwar Temple, celebrating the wedding of the legendary Mahabharat hero, Arjuna with Draupadi. The fair is a kind of marriage market for the local tribals - the Kolis, Bharwads and Rabaris. The traditional costumes, exquisite jewellery and lively folk dancers - garba, ras, haro, are the special attractions of the fair, not forgetting the wonderful Tarneter "Chhatris"- umbrellas with intricate embroidery and mirror work.

Dussehra
(All over India)

Dussehra, also known as Vijayadashmi, is a major Indian festival celebrated on the tenth day of Ashvin month according to the Hindu calendar. This day falls in the month of September or October. The day culminates a 9 day fasting period of Navratri in the Hindu culture. The day also coincides with immersion of the idol of Goddess Durga. The day is celebrated to commemorate the killing of Ravana by Lord Rama. The day also celebrates the killing of demon Mahishasur by Goddess Durga. Dussehra celebration spreads the message of the victory of good over sin.
It is believed that the celebration of Dussehra started in the 17th century, when the king of Mysore ordered the celebration of the day on a grand scale. Ever since, the day is celebrated with great fervor and energy. There are a lot of mythological tales associated with the day.

Ka Pomblang Nongkrem
(Shillong, Meghalaya)

The most important festival of the Khasis in Meghalaya. This five day long festival, held annually near Shillong, is an occasion for thanksgiving for a good harvest and the time to pray for peace and prosperity. Khasi men and women, dressed in traditional splendour, perform the famous Nongkrem dance.

Lucknow Festival
(Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh)

This festival celebrates Lucknow's living culture. The capital city of Uttar Pradesh is alight with excitement during this ten day long event. Colourful processions, traditional dramas, Kathak dances in the style of the famous Lucknow gharana,sarangi ad sitar recitals alongwith ghazals, qawalis and thumri create a festive atmosphere. Exciting events like ekka races, kite flying, cock fighting and other traditional villages games recreate an atmosphere of Avadh's nawabi days.

Shilpgram Crafts Mela
(Udaipur, Rajasthan)

Some of the magnificent crafts of Rajasthan are on display at a colourful festival, held in the royal city of Udaipur.

Vishnupur Festival
(Vishnupur, West Bengal)

The festival celebrates the rich heritage of the town of Vishnupur, noted for its beautiful terracotta temples and elegant silk sarees.

Kurukshetra Festival
(Kurukshetra, Haryana)

The festival coincides with Gita Jayanti, signifying the birth of the Srimad Bhagvad Gita. Pilgrims gather here to take a dip in the sacred tanks of Brahma Sarovar and Sannehit Sarover. Week-long Bhagwad katha, dance, dramas and 'deep daan' are part of the religious festivities.

Elephant Festival
(Jaipur, Rajasthan)

A festival where elephants are the centre of attraction. The festival begins with a procession of elephants, camels and horses, followed by lively folk dancers. Elephant races, elephant-polo matches and a most interesting tug of war between elephants and men, are all part of this spectacular event.

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.

Pataliputra Mahotsava
(Patna, Bihar)

Patna, an ancient city with a glorious past, celebrates its rich heritage with this lively festival.

Jhansi Festival
(Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh)

This week-long, annual event is a display of the arts, crafts and culture of a splendid city - Jhansi. the cultural programmes include folk songs, dances, mushairas and ghazals.

Good Friday
(All over India)

Good Friday is observed by Christians nationwide with special services in the churches.

Ellora Festival
(Aurangabad, Maharashtra)

The magnificent rock-cut caves at Ellora-34 in number, were excavated between 600 and 1000 AD. They include Buddhist, Hindu and Jain caves. Every March, a festival of dance and music is organised here with the caves forming a splendid backdrop.

Baisakhi
(All over India)

The Hindu New Year finds expression in this exuberant festival, celebrated throughout India. Baisakhi celebrations in Punjab are spectacular, as this is a very special day for the Sikhs. It was on this day that Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa. Robust revelry and feasting mark the celebrations and dancers perform the vigorous Bangra to the rhythmic beat of the drums.
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. Firework displays and the buying of new clothes are a part of the festivities. Known as Rangali Bihu in Assam, the festival is celebrated with lively dances, music and feasting.

Mahavir Jayanti
(All over India)

The birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, is observed by the Jain community. Special prayers are offered at temples and shrines.

Ramanavami
(All over India)

The anniversary of Lord Rama's birth is celebrated as Ramnavami by the Hindus. The epic 'Ramayana' is read for eight days preceding the festival.

Id-ul-Fitr
(All over India)

The festival marks the end of 'Ramzan' - a month when Muslims fast throughout the day and eat only at night. Prayers, family get-togethers and feasts are the major highlights of the celebrations.

Buddha Purnima
(North India)

This festival commemorates the birth of Lord Buddha - 'the enlightened one'.

Summer Festival
(Major hill stations)

The advent of summer in the major hill resorts ushers in colourful festivity. Lively cultural events, flower shows, regattas and exhibitions brighten the summer season at the picturesque hill stations of Ooty, Shimla, Darjeeling, Mount Abu, etc.

Id-ul-Zuha (Bakr-Id)
(All over India)

This Muslim festival is celebrated all over the country. Prayers are offered in the mosques and special delicacies are prepared and served among family and friends on the occasion.

International Mango Festival
(Delhi)

Savour innumerable varieties of mango-the king of fruits, at the unique Mango Festival in Delhi. Cultural programmes make this a lively event.

Nag Panchami
(West Bengal, maharashtra and South India)

This festival, which is usually celebrated in West Bengal, Maharashtra and South India, venerates snakes.

Onam
(Kerala)

Onam is a Hindu festival, celebrated with a great enthusiasm throughout Kerala between August and September.
Onam is the most popular festival of Kerala (a southern coastal state of India). This is a Hindu festival, celebrated with a great enthusiasm throughout Kerala for a period of ten days. Every year this festival falls on the Malayalam month of Chingam - between August and September and also known as the harvest festival of Kerala.

Nehru Trophy Boat Race
(Kerala))

Alappuzha is famous for its annual boat race, held on the second Saturday of August every year. The long elegant snakeboats, with crews of over hundred men vying to win the coveted trophy, attract spectators from all over.

Amarnath Yatra
(Jammu & Kashmir)

In the month of Shravan, thousands of pilgrims make an arduous trek up to the Amarnath cave in the Kashmir Himalayas. They come to worship the sacred ice lingam - a symbol of Lord Shiva, which is a natural phenomenon.

Ganesh Chaturthi
(Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka)

This day is dedicated to the Lord Ganesh,the elephant-headed god of all good beginnings and success. Held annually, this festival is a ten day long event. The images of Lord Ganesha are installed and worshipped and on the last day these are taken in processions to be immersed in flowing water. The sea front t at Mumbai, packed with people, is a spectacular sight.

Ganesh Festival 
(Pune, Maharashtra)

Celebrated with a lot of merrymaking and gaiety, the Ganesh Festival is dedicated to the Lord Ganesha - the harbinger of good fortune and success. This cultural feast is held to coincide with Ganesh Chaturthi. With classical dance and music performances, a theatre and film festival and folk dances, this is the most popular festival in Pune.

Muharram
(All over India)

Muharram refers to the first month of the Islamic Calendar. The complete month of Muharram is sacred according to the Muslims. However, it is the tenth day which is of most significance. Different factions of the Muslim community observe this day for different reasons. While the Shia Muslims celebrate this day to mourn the death of Husayn Ibn Ali, the Sunni Muslims observe this day to celebrate the victory of Moses over Egyptian Pharaoh.

Marwar Festival
(Marwar, Rajasthan)
The festival celebrates the 'Maand' style of folk music - an evolved classical style that describes the romantic life of Rajasthan's rulers. Held during Sharad Purnima, the folk artistes bring alive the legends and folklore of earlier times.

Diwali
(All over India)
Diwali is a major festival of India. It is celebrated on a new moon night sometime in the months of October and November. The exact day of the festival is decided according to the Hindu calendar. The day is primarily celebrated to commemorate the return of Lord Rama from his 14 years of exile. However, there are various other stories associated with the festival.
According to popular legend, when Lord Rama returned from his 14 years of exile after defeating Raavana, the people of Ayodhya lighted candles and diya to celebrate his return to the kingdom. The festival gets its name from the lines of diya that were celebrated the return of Lord Rama, and hence the name Deepavali, literally translating to "lines of light." The name has gotten convoluted to Diwali over the years. This day symbolizes the victory of light over dark.

Gandhi Jayanti
(All over India)
The birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi - the 'Father of the nation' (2nd October). The President and Prime Minister, along with other eminent political leaders, pay homage at Raj Ghat - the samadhi of Mahatma Gandhi. All the offices and schools, throughout the country, remain closed on this day.

Rajgir Mahotsav
(Rajgir, Bihar)
This colourful festival of dance and music is held at Rajgir, the ancient capital of the Magadha kings - the land where the Buddha meditated and preached.

Sonepur Mela
(Sonepur, Bihar)
Asia's biggest cattle fair is held at Sonepur, on the banks of the River Ganga. During this month-long fair, cattle, decorated for the occasion, throng the venue.

Pushkar Mela
(Pushkar, Rajasthan)
Tranquil Pushkar is transformed into a spectacular fair ground for twelve days in the month of Kartik. Trading of cattle, camel races and dazzling displays of bangles, brassware, clothes, camel saddles and halters are the major attractions of this colourful event. Devotees come in their thousands to take a ritual dip in the lake on the day of the Kartik Purnima and to worship at the Brahma temple.

Guru Purab
(All over India)
The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak - the first guru of the Sikhs, is celebrated with great fervour. The 'Akhand Path' - recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib, is held in gurdwaras all over the country. taking the holy book out in procession, is also an integral part of the celebrations.

Hampi Festival
(Hampi, Karnataka)
The magnificent 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.
designed as the chariot of the Sun God, drawn by seven exquisitely carved horses, stands in solitary splendour on the beach at Konark. This is the venue of a joyous festival of classical dance and music which is held annually. A host of celebrated dancers from all over the country perform in the open air auditorium. The sound of ghungroo bells, flute and pakhauj fill the air and a marvelous crafts mela, with a variety of handicrafts and delectable cuisine, adds to the festive mood.