CelebratingCelebrating Indian Indian FestivitiesFestivities

Festive DatesName of festival 2012 2013

Pushkar FairPushkar, near Ajmer in Rajasthan

02 -10 Nov 20-28 Nov

Desert festival Jaisalmer in Rajasthan 16-18 Feb 05-07 Feb

Dushera and Ramlila Kullu, Himachal Pradesh and Mysore, Karnataka.

04-06 Oct 22-24 Oct

DeepawaliFestival of lights, all over India

26 Oct 13 Nov

HoliFestival of Colors; Jaipur, Jodhpur and Mathura

8 Mar 27 Mar

Ganesh ChaturthiMaharashtra

19 Sept 19 Sept

Nagaur festivalNagaur in Rajasthan

10 -13 Feb 30 Jan – 02 Feb

Gangaur festivalJaipur in Rajasthan

06 – 08 Apr 25 -27 March

RIFF, Jodhpur 26 – 30 Oct Dates to be advised

Kumbh Mela, Allahabad N.A. 27 Jan – 25 Feb

Pushkar• The Pushkar Cattle Fair is one of the largest in India and the only one

of its kind in the entire world. During the fair, Lakhs of people from rural India flock to Pushkar, along with camel and cattle for several days of livestock trading, horse dealing, pilgrimage and religious festival.

• Pushkar is located 145 Km from Jaipur and 185 Km from Jodhpur.

Nearest railway station is Ajmer, located at a distance of 15 Km.

Desert Festival • Once a year in winter and in the middle of the continually rising

and falling stark yellow sands of the great Thar Desert, the empty sands around Jaisalmer come alive with the brilliant color, music and laughter of the Desert Festival. It is a two day fair involving many cultural and musical performances.

• Desert festival is held every year at Jaisalmer and is located at a

distance of 268 km from Jodhpur.

Dussehra• Its one of the big festivals celebrated in most parts of India.

Dussehra marks the victory of Ram over the demon king Ravana, and the rescue of his wife Sita. In north India, gigantic effigies of the ten-headed Ravana and his brothers are set aflame amidst bursting of crackers.

• Best Places to enjoy Dusseha are Kullu in Himachal and Mysore in Karnataka.

Deepawali • This Hindu festival brings excitement and joy to the hearts of people. Its

the festival of Laxmi, the Goddess of prosperity and wealth. It is believed that Goddess Laxmi brings peace and prosperity to all. Celebrated all across India, every year in October-November Diwali is perhaps the most popular of all Indian festivals. It is a celebration of light, both literally and metaphorically. The origin of this festival can be traced back to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, when Lord Rama returned to his kingdom Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.

• Best Places to enjoy Deepawali are Delhi, Jaipur, Bhopal and Jodhpur.

Holi

Ganesh Chaturthi

• Holi is one of the major festival of India and is the most vibrant of all. The festival is filled with lots of fun and frolic. It is also known as Festival of Colors. The most celebrated Holi is in the Mathura, Vrindavan, Jaipur and Udaipur. The Elephant Festival is organized at Jaipur the capital city of Rajasthan, this day coincides with day of Holika Dahan, just a day before Dulendhi, when this festival of color and joy Holi is celebrated all over India.

• Jaipur is 265 Km from Delhi and is well connected by air, rail and road.

• Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birthday of Lord Ganesh. Lord Ganesha is one of the most popular deities in the Hindu religion, and the son of Shiva and Parvati. People buy idols of Ganesha and place them in their houses for worship from one to ten days, after that idols are taken out ritually and immersed into the river, sea or well. The festival was promoted by Lokmanya Bal Ganga Dhar Tilak, the man behind who took the festival as a tool to unite people for the cause of independence. He was the first person to install large public image of Ganesha.

• The festival is celebrated mainly in Maharashtra and the best place to be in is Mumbai.

Nagaur Festival• This eight-day fair held every year during the month of Jan-Feb, is

popularly known as the cattle fair and is the second largest in Rajasthan. Nagpur becomes a sea of animals, trading over 70,000 bullocks, camels and horses every year. The bullocks are known for their fleetness. Not only are the animals lavishly decorated, even their owners flaunt their colorful turbans and long moustaches.

• Nagaur is located 140 Km from Jodhpur, 250 Km from Jaipur and 113 Km from Bikaner.

Gangaur Festival • Gangaur is one of the most important local festivals in Rajasthan.

“gan” is a synonym for Lord Shiva and “gauri” or “gaur” stands for Goddess Parvati, the heavenly consort of Lord Shiva. Gangaur celebrates the union of the two and is a symbol of conjugal and marital happiness.

• Gangaur is celebrated in the month of Mar-Apr, the first month of the Hindu calendar. This month marks the end of winter and the onset of spring. Best place to witness Gangaur Festival is Jaipur.

Rajasthan International Folk Festival• The RIFF brings together more than 250 Musicians and artists

from across Rajasthan and around the world to honor their musical heritage and create new sounds through innovative collaborations, for 5 days in Oct each year. It is timed to coincide with the brightest full moon of the year in North India, Sharad Poornima, RIFF features a series of spectacular concerts and events in and around Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur.

• Jodhpur is located 331 Km from Jaipur. It can also be reached by direct flight from Delhi.

Kumbh Mela • The Kumbh Mela is a festival held in Allahabad every twelve

years. Year 2013 will witness the congregation of Sadhus, Saints and Nomadic Tribes from across India. Allahabad is located in Uttar Pradesh at bank of river Ganges and Yamuna.

• Kumbh Mela will start from 27 Jan to 25 Feb 2013. Important Bathing date is 10th Feb 2013. Allahabad is located 202 Km from Lucknow and 320 Km from Varanasi.

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