India: Uttarayan and Kite Festival of Gujarat
by Backpacking Tips Asia
(Oslo, Norway)
Photo courtsy of newshopper.sulekha.com
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Uttarayan (also known as Makar Sakranti) is the day when the sun starts to travel northwards marking the end of winter in India. This day Indians of all ages fly their kites in a fierce competition, from sunrise to sunset!
This is also a day where they focus on traditional food, and selling traditional sweets (jalebi).
Although you can experience the Kite festival in all major cities of Gujarat state, Ahmadebad is supposed to be a great place to witness this festival! The day before the kite festival, the kite market (Patang Bazaar) in Ahmadebad gets busy and sells colorful kites, in all shapes and designs.
Dates: Jan 14 each year, ex: Jan 14, 2013
The Kite Festival is well-known all over India, but it's mainly in the Northern part they celebrate it! You can also experience the Kite festival in Jaipur (same date).
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Indian Festival: Pushkar Camel Fair
by Backpacking Tips Asia
(Oslo, Norway)
Photo courtesy of Kyeungwoo Kim
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If it is one festival I want to experience in Rajasthan, it is the Pushkar fair held at Pushkar town. The Pushkar fair is one of the world's largest camel fair where men buy and sell decorated camels, bulls, cows, sheep, goats and horses. We're not talking about 10 camels and 10 horses, but probably up to 20 000 camels! Not only animals are bought and sold, but also handicrafts.
There are all sorts of activities to watch or join! There are camel races and displays, dancing and music competitions. You can even watch people take a holy dip in Pushkar lake.
The fair for 2012 starts at Nov 20 and lasts until Nov 28.
Future Pushkar camel fair dates:
2012: Nov 20-28
2013: Nov 9-17
2014: Oct 30-Nov 6
Last updated: Oct 26, 2012
Read my articles on Pushkar here
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India, Tamil Nadu: Mamallapuram Dance Festival
by Backpacking Tips Asia
(Oslo, Norway)
Photo courtesy of tour-sites-blogspot.com
This Dance Festival is dedicated to classical and folk dances like Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak and Kathakali - bringing you closer to Indian culture! :-) A popular event among tourists and travelers, and with good reason.
The dancers perform on open-air stage, located against the Pallava Rock Sculpture.
Where: Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu
Dates: Usually starts in late December each year and ends in January each year. The last Mamallapuram Dance festival was from Dec 27, 2011 to Jan 26, 2012.
How to get to Mamallapuram:
Buses connect with Mamallapuram from Chennai (Madras), Pondicherry, Kanchipuram, Chengalpattu and other towns in Tamil Nadu.
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Dussehra festival India
by Backpacking Tips Asia
(Oslo, Norway)
Courtesy of blogspot
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The 10th day of the Navaratri festival (festival to honor Mother Goddess) is called Dussehra. Dance performances and plays depict the life of Rama. Who is Rama? He's one of the most popular figures in Hinduism, while Ravana is the one who kidnaps Rama's wife. So, huge look-a-likes of the demon Ravana is burned across India, to celebrate its defeat.
Dussehra is a typical North Indian festival and you can join the festives in Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh, and Uttarakhand (just to mention a couple of places).
Best places to see Dussehra: Definitely Mysore in south India! But also Varanasi and Delhi.
Dates:
2012: Oct 24
2013: Oct 14
2014: Oct 4
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India: Kumbh Mela/Sacred Bathing
by Backpacking Tips Asia
(Oslo, Norway)
Photo courtesy of Dipesh Dey
Kumbh Mela is popular for being the world's largest religious congregation. Kumbh Mela is huge at these four places in India: Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh), Haridwar (Uttarakhand), Ujjain (Madhya Pradesh) and Nasik (Maharashtra).
It's not an annual event, and the next Kumb Mela will be in 2013, from Jan 27th to Feb 25th.
Otherwise, here are some other dates:
2015-2016: July 14th to Aug 11th in 2016.
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India: Ladakh Confluence July 15-18, 2010 - cancelled
by Backpacking Tips Asia
(Oslo, Norway)
Photo Courtesy of Confluence.in
The Ladakh Confluence will take place in the trans-Himalayas, high up in the mountains. A great, cultural event where musicians, artists and travelers from all over the world will unite for a 4-days of entertainment. This is an amazing opportunity for you to soak the fresh air of Himalayas, and to involve yourself in unique cultural experiences! ;-)
Updated info about Ladakh Confluence: Unfortunately, the Confluence was cancelled due to Ladakhi political groups that opposed the event. Then the Tourism Ministry decided to withdraw its support. 4000 visitors was expected at this Confluence and over 20 music shows were planned for the event.
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