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When visiting India, it is worth checking the dates of the
multitude of festivals the country has to offer. There are
virtually no festivals in May and June. The wedding season lasts
from November to March and at this time one is very likely to
see the lively processions of Indian weddings parading through
the streets. |
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Some would say it would be a crime to miss the majority of
festivals that litter India’s festive calendar. The celebrations
kick off in January with the Republic Day parade in Delhi
displaying the strength of the military and Indian princely splendour with floats representing each and every state in the
country. |
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Holi is next in the schedule falling in February and is
one of the most colourful and exuberant Hindu festivals in the
north of India. Marking the end of winter and the birth of
spring, Holi is celebrated by throwing coloured water and
powders over friends, family and strangers! This marks the end
of enmity and rejuvenates old friendships. |
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Don't mistake the great Rath Yatra (literally
translated into Chariot Procession) for a modern rally race.
This spectacle is held in Puri in June/July and involves the 60’
high chariots of Lord Jagannath, Baladeva and Subhadra all
making their annual journey, pulled by thousands of eager
devotees of Lord Krishna. |
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The Nehru Cup Snake Boat Race is one of the big events
of the year that takes place on the backwaters at Alappuzha
river (Alleppey) in Kerala, falling on the second Saturday of
August. |
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The 10-day Muharram festival commemorates the martyrdom
of the Prophet Mohammed's grandson. It is marked by a grand
parade during which dedicated penitents scourge themselves with
whips in a religious fervor. Its timing varies due to the
Islamic lunar calendar. |
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The
massive Kumbh Mela [festival] commemorates the ancient
battle between the Gods and the demons for a pitcher (kumbh)
containing the nectar of immortality. According to the legend,
during the fight four drops of nectar fell from the pitcher and
landed in Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain. The mela
(fair) is therefore rotated over these four cities once every
three years. |
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The
festival of Ganesh Chaturthi which is dedicated to the
popular elephant-headed God, Ganesha, is celebrated in
August/September. It is celebrated with fireworks and creation
of shrines, but with particular enthusiasm in Mumbai. After the
ceremony, clay idols are immersed in the nearby rivers or seas. |
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Dussehra (Durga Puja) Festival is observed in
September/October. It is celebrated throughout the country but
is most spectacular in Kullu, Mysore, West Bengal and Ahmedabad. |
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The
Camel Fair at Pushkar in Rajasthan is a very colourful
festival with Camel trading and racing taking place in November.
Animals are brought from all over the country to participate and
decorated with jewellery and beads. |
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Diwali (Deepavali) the festival of lights is celebrated in
November. It is the most significant festival of the Hindu
calendar and marks the beginning of the New Year. Distributing
gifts to family and friends, sweets, oil lamps and fireworks all
play a major part in this celebration in honour of a number of
Gods. |
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