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Indian Cultural Festivals Biography
Colorful and lively, the fairs and festivals of India are major attractions of the country. Reflecting the vibrant culture of the country, these events occupy a prime place in the Indian tourism industry, as many people visit the country in order to participate in them. The culture of India is aptly reflected through its numerous festivals and fairs. Bringing out the true spirit of the Indian people and their society, the Indian festivals find their roots in the traditions, religious beliefs, myths and the seasons of the country.
The fairs and festivals either celebrate the change of seasons or are of a religious nature. For instance, Mewar Festival and Holi are celebrated to mark the coming of the spring season. Teej of Rajasthan marks the onset of the monsoon. On the other hand, Onam in Kerala and Bihu in Assam are celebrated to mark the harvesting season. Other festivals, like the konark Dance Festival, promote the culture of India. Religious festivals are innumerable over here. Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, Janmastami, Christmas, Eid-ul-Fitr, Rath Yatra, Vasant Panchami, Ram Nabami and others are some of the popular religious festivals of India. Apart from these, the other festivals that are celebrated include Desert Festival, Elephant Festival, Raksha Bandhan, Nouroz, Diwali and Dusssehra amongst others.
A large number of fairs are also held in India from time to time. People from far and wide come to take part in these fairs. In fact, many tourists plan their vacations according to the time of occurrence of these fairs. Pushkar Fair, Urs Ajmer Fair and Surajkund Crafts Fair are some of the famous fairs of India. The Kumbh Mela and the colorful and grand Goa Carnival are extremely popular among the locals as well as the tourists. The fairs and festivals of India are held according to the lunar calendar. During these colorful events people of all sects, castes and religions come together and join in the revelry. Processions are held, prayers are offered, gifts are exchanged and people dance and sing during these multicolored events. Bringing out the true colors of the rich Indian culture, the fairs and festivals of India play an important role in attracting tourists to the country. These festivals are an integral part of the life of the people of the country.
Konark Dance Festival
The jingling of ankle bells, the rhythm of percussion instruments and the lilting voices reverberating through the still and starry night against the backdrop of an ancient monument on a beautiful seashore – too picture perfect to be true! The Sun Temple at Konark, on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, is a magnificent representation of the Surya's (the Sun God) chariot. Every year the beautifully designed Natya Mandir or the dancing hall of this shrine becomes the venue for the world-renowned festival of dance called the konark Dance Festival. For five days, this World Heritage Site resounds with the beats and melodies of music and dance against the backdrop of ancient sculptures in dance poses synchronizing with the rhythmic sound of the waves lashing against the shores of the Chandrabhaga beach. Described as a poem in stone, the sun temple at Konark is the crowning glory of the temple architecture of Orissa. A solitary splendour par excellence, oral history and folk mythology have created layers of legends shrouding the genesis of this world heritage monument built in the 13th century A.D.
The exquisite 'Natamandir' or the 'dancing hall' of this 700-year old shrine is an architectural wonder. Every inch of its walls are laced with fine artistic designs. Musicians playing drums, cymbals and other musical instruments accompany the well-adorned sculptures in Odissi dance posses. It is blessed with changing intensity and a range of emotions.
As a fitting tribute to the majestic monument, eminent classical dancers of India get together every year during the Konark Festival from 1st to 5th December to present live performance. When the sun sets in the horizon and the stars appear in the sky, the open-air auditorium against the backdrop of the floodlit temple reverberates with the beats of 'Raga' and 'Tala' to fill the air. The classical extravaganza is a journey through eternal ecstasy.
The festival provides a platform for both to the performing artiste and the dance connoisseurs in appreciating the essence of various classical dance forms of the country. The stage for the dancing event glows in pristine glory of much admired Odissi, Bharat Natyam, Manipuri, Kathak and Chhow Dance - a lavish feast for the eyes and ears. This experience of a lifetime will no doubt be a cocktail of Art & Craft, Dance & Music, Sun & Frolic - a total package for five eventful and memorable days.
Mahabalipuram Dance Festival
The annual dance festival of Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram is a grand festival in the Tamil Nadu region. This festival presents the Indian classical dance in a huge scale. Every year in the month of December or January with the co-incidence of Pongal, the artists from all over India gather there to perform their traditional dance form. The shore temple in Mahabalipuram forms the back drop for the festival. This event witnesses performances on the Indian classical dances such as the Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Mohiniattam, Odissi and Kathakali. The prominent people from their respected fields gather for this cultural event that is also promoted by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department as one of the major cultural attraction to these parts of India.
This four week Mamallapuram Dance Festival is held at the venue of Arjuna's penance, a bass-relief sculpted on the face of two enormous adjacent rocks, in Mamallapuram. The magnificent backdrop that is provided by the Pallava Rock Sculptures provide a aesthetic touch to this cultural dance festival.
The open air stage and the dancers from far and wide come to watch the best folk dancers in India perform in front of them under the open skies in an open air theatre style ambience. This open air stage was created about thirteen centuries ago, the incredible monolithic rock sculptures of the Pallavas, next to the sea in this ancient city of Mamallapuram.
Goa Carnival
Come February and Goa is bubbling with activity as preparations for the carnival are on in full swing. One of the most popular festivals of India, the Goa carnival, is a three-day fest that began during the era of King Momo.Goa carnival begins just before the Lent season (Lent is the period of fasting and penance in the Christian calendar and corresponding somewhat to the Mohammedan fast before Ramzan Id).
This Indian festival in Goa usually starts off on Sabado Gordo (Fat Saturday) and concludes on Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday)-the eve of Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of the season of Lent.
Carnival is a time for gallivanting. Singing, dancing and masked people mark the uproarious and flamboyant Goan celebration. Carnivals are celebrated by people of all the nations but Goa carnival is different because the people of Goa have inculcated different items in the carnival that makes us see what Goa is all about.
The preparations for this grand carnival begin in January itself. Goans rehearse for the plays to be enacted during the carnival. These short plays are composed by the Goans themselves and consists of music, songs and dance. The plays always have a hint of history in it. The cast consisting of men only performs the roles of women too.
The streets are crowded for three days and it is nothing but a huge party that transports the tourists in Goa to an entirely different world. A person who has tasted fun at Goa carnival cannot help but ask for more.
Sonepur Cattle Fair
A visual extravaganza awaits all at the Sonepur Fair, where multitudes congregate on Kartik Purnima to offer obeisance to Harihar Nath and participate in the biggest cattle fair in Asia. Festivities stretch over a fortnight, giving visitors a feel of the pulse of Bihar.
According to the Indian almanac, the full moon day or Purnima of the month of Kartik, which usually falls in November, is one of the most auspicious days. A number of big fairs are held at important paces of pilgrimage and the Harihar Kshetra Mela, as the Sonepur Fair is also known, is one of the biggest.
Sonepur is located in Saran district in the northern part of Bihar. Three mighty rivers - the Ganga, Gandak, and Ghagra, demarcate this district, which is shaped like a triangle. Sonepur stands on the confluence of the Ganga and Gandak.
The Sonepur Fair is of great importance and in the olden times, it attracted traders from as far as Central Asia. Like the origin of the Harihar Nath Temple, the reason for the inception of the Sonepur Fair is lost in the labyrinth of time. The site of the present fair was originally at Hajipur, and only the pujas used to be offered in the temple at Sonepur. During the reign of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, the fair was shifted to Sonepur. In the pre-independence era, the European indigo planters used it as an occasion for social and sports gathering.
The original temple is believed to have been built by Lord Rama on his way to the court of King Janak to win Sita. The age and origin of the present temple has puzzled scholars but it is said that Raja Man Singh had it repaired. The builder of the present temple was Raja Ram Narain, a prominent figure during the late Mughal period. The Birlas recently conducted repairs and extension work in the temple.
Visiting the temple of Harihar Nath is naturally the main objective of the visitors to the fair after they have taken their ritual bath in the swirling waters of the Gandak. As in many other famous places of worship, a number of smaller temples of other deities surround the temple of Harihar Nath Mahadeo.
Pushkar Camel Fair
Pushkar Fair or Pushkar Camel Fair, as it is also known as, is one of those events when people from all over Rajasthan make their way to this small town of Pushkar. This is more so for camel drivers, people with a religious bent of mind and not to forget tourists from all over the world. For traders, it is a unique opportunity to meet traders from different parts of the state and earn some profit while for devotees, it is a means to purify their soul by taking a dip in the holy Pushkar lake.
The small and beautiful town of Pushkar is set in a valley just about 14 km off Ajmer in the north Indian state of Rajasthan. Surrounded by hills on three sides and sand dunes on the other, Pushkar forms a fascinating location and a befitting backdrop for the annual religious and cattle fair which is globally famous and attracts thousands of visitors from all parts of the world.
One of the most popular and colorful fairs of the Thar desert is the Pushkar fair, which begins on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi & goes on for five days till Kartik Purnima. The time of the fair coincides with the bright half of the moon during the months of October-November. The lake at Pushkar is one of the most sacred in India.
This small town is transformed into a spectacular fair ground, as rows of make shift stalls display an entire range of objects of art to daily utility stuff. Decoration items for Cattle, Camel and women, everything is sold together.
The fair attracts a great number of tourists from far and wide. The fair grounds reverberate with festivity, as rows of make shift stalls display a bewildering array items. Body tattooing is yet another favorite activity. The profusion of colors that run riot in the desert sand, the glee and the contagious enthusiasm of the village folk are a unique experience for every visitor.
Business in Pushkar actually begins a week before the actual fair starts. It is a good opportunity for those who wish to see trading in full swing, however, once the fair begins, business no longer remains so important. It is the festivity that takes over the commercial aspect of the fair.
As per legend, Lord Brahma (the creator of the universe) was once in search of a place to perform his holy yagna. During his search, a lotus accidentally dropped from his hand and lead to water sprouting from the place where it fell. Lord Brahma performed his yagna there. Today, the otherwise quiet town of Pushkar in known as housing the only Brama temple of the country. During Kartik Purnima, devotees come to take a dip in the water of the holy Pushkar lake (the place where the lotus fell).
The fair is replete with colours and joyous activities. Camels form an intrinsic part of these activities. There are camel shows, race and a competition for best decorated camel. Apart from this, folk dances of Rajasthan also draw huge crowd. Women have other attractions to look forward to inform of jewellery stalls. Few items that make for good purchase in the fair include woolen blanket, bead necklace, textiles,brassware. Tourists can pick up these items as memorabilia of the fair. For domestic visitors, saddles, ropes and other household items are also on sale. People make it a point to visit the 52 ghats of the Pushkar Fair and the only Brahma temple of the town.
Indian Cultural Festivals Biography
Colorful and lively, the fairs and festivals of India are major attractions of the country. Reflecting the vibrant culture of the country, these events occupy a prime place in the Indian tourism industry, as many people visit the country in order to participate in them. The culture of India is aptly reflected through its numerous festivals and fairs. Bringing out the true spirit of the Indian people and their society, the Indian festivals find their roots in the traditions, religious beliefs, myths and the seasons of the country.
The fairs and festivals either celebrate the change of seasons or are of a religious nature. For instance, Mewar Festival and Holi are celebrated to mark the coming of the spring season. Teej of Rajasthan marks the onset of the monsoon. On the other hand, Onam in Kerala and Bihu in Assam are celebrated to mark the harvesting season. Other festivals, like the konark Dance Festival, promote the culture of India. Religious festivals are innumerable over here. Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, Janmastami, Christmas, Eid-ul-Fitr, Rath Yatra, Vasant Panchami, Ram Nabami and others are some of the popular religious festivals of India. Apart from these, the other festivals that are celebrated include Desert Festival, Elephant Festival, Raksha Bandhan, Nouroz, Diwali and Dusssehra amongst others.
A large number of fairs are also held in India from time to time. People from far and wide come to take part in these fairs. In fact, many tourists plan their vacations according to the time of occurrence of these fairs. Pushkar Fair, Urs Ajmer Fair and Surajkund Crafts Fair are some of the famous fairs of India. The Kumbh Mela and the colorful and grand Goa Carnival are extremely popular among the locals as well as the tourists. The fairs and festivals of India are held according to the lunar calendar. During these colorful events people of all sects, castes and religions come together and join in the revelry. Processions are held, prayers are offered, gifts are exchanged and people dance and sing during these multicolored events. Bringing out the true colors of the rich Indian culture, the fairs and festivals of India play an important role in attracting tourists to the country. These festivals are an integral part of the life of the people of the country.
Konark Dance Festival
The jingling of ankle bells, the rhythm of percussion instruments and the lilting voices reverberating through the still and starry night against the backdrop of an ancient monument on a beautiful seashore – too picture perfect to be true! The Sun Temple at Konark, on the shores of the Bay of Bengal, is a magnificent representation of the Surya's (the Sun God) chariot. Every year the beautifully designed Natya Mandir or the dancing hall of this shrine becomes the venue for the world-renowned festival of dance called the konark Dance Festival. For five days, this World Heritage Site resounds with the beats and melodies of music and dance against the backdrop of ancient sculptures in dance poses synchronizing with the rhythmic sound of the waves lashing against the shores of the Chandrabhaga beach. Described as a poem in stone, the sun temple at Konark is the crowning glory of the temple architecture of Orissa. A solitary splendour par excellence, oral history and folk mythology have created layers of legends shrouding the genesis of this world heritage monument built in the 13th century A.D.
The exquisite 'Natamandir' or the 'dancing hall' of this 700-year old shrine is an architectural wonder. Every inch of its walls are laced with fine artistic designs. Musicians playing drums, cymbals and other musical instruments accompany the well-adorned sculptures in Odissi dance posses. It is blessed with changing intensity and a range of emotions.
As a fitting tribute to the majestic monument, eminent classical dancers of India get together every year during the Konark Festival from 1st to 5th December to present live performance. When the sun sets in the horizon and the stars appear in the sky, the open-air auditorium against the backdrop of the floodlit temple reverberates with the beats of 'Raga' and 'Tala' to fill the air. The classical extravaganza is a journey through eternal ecstasy.
The festival provides a platform for both to the performing artiste and the dance connoisseurs in appreciating the essence of various classical dance forms of the country. The stage for the dancing event glows in pristine glory of much admired Odissi, Bharat Natyam, Manipuri, Kathak and Chhow Dance - a lavish feast for the eyes and ears. This experience of a lifetime will no doubt be a cocktail of Art & Craft, Dance & Music, Sun & Frolic - a total package for five eventful and memorable days.
Mahabalipuram Dance Festival
The annual dance festival of Mahabalipuram or Mamallapuram is a grand festival in the Tamil Nadu region. This festival presents the Indian classical dance in a huge scale. Every year in the month of December or January with the co-incidence of Pongal, the artists from all over India gather there to perform their traditional dance form. The shore temple in Mahabalipuram forms the back drop for the festival. This event witnesses performances on the Indian classical dances such as the Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Mohiniattam, Odissi and Kathakali. The prominent people from their respected fields gather for this cultural event that is also promoted by the Tamil Nadu Tourism Department as one of the major cultural attraction to these parts of India.
This four week Mamallapuram Dance Festival is held at the venue of Arjuna's penance, a bass-relief sculpted on the face of two enormous adjacent rocks, in Mamallapuram. The magnificent backdrop that is provided by the Pallava Rock Sculptures provide a aesthetic touch to this cultural dance festival.
The open air stage and the dancers from far and wide come to watch the best folk dancers in India perform in front of them under the open skies in an open air theatre style ambience. This open air stage was created about thirteen centuries ago, the incredible monolithic rock sculptures of the Pallavas, next to the sea in this ancient city of Mamallapuram.
Goa Carnival
Come February and Goa is bubbling with activity as preparations for the carnival are on in full swing. One of the most popular festivals of India, the Goa carnival, is a three-day fest that began during the era of King Momo.Goa carnival begins just before the Lent season (Lent is the period of fasting and penance in the Christian calendar and corresponding somewhat to the Mohammedan fast before Ramzan Id).
This Indian festival in Goa usually starts off on Sabado Gordo (Fat Saturday) and concludes on Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday)-the eve of Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of the season of Lent.
Carnival is a time for gallivanting. Singing, dancing and masked people mark the uproarious and flamboyant Goan celebration. Carnivals are celebrated by people of all the nations but Goa carnival is different because the people of Goa have inculcated different items in the carnival that makes us see what Goa is all about.
The preparations for this grand carnival begin in January itself. Goans rehearse for the plays to be enacted during the carnival. These short plays are composed by the Goans themselves and consists of music, songs and dance. The plays always have a hint of history in it. The cast consisting of men only performs the roles of women too.
The streets are crowded for three days and it is nothing but a huge party that transports the tourists in Goa to an entirely different world. A person who has tasted fun at Goa carnival cannot help but ask for more.
Sonepur Cattle Fair
A visual extravaganza awaits all at the Sonepur Fair, where multitudes congregate on Kartik Purnima to offer obeisance to Harihar Nath and participate in the biggest cattle fair in Asia. Festivities stretch over a fortnight, giving visitors a feel of the pulse of Bihar.
According to the Indian almanac, the full moon day or Purnima of the month of Kartik, which usually falls in November, is one of the most auspicious days. A number of big fairs are held at important paces of pilgrimage and the Harihar Kshetra Mela, as the Sonepur Fair is also known, is one of the biggest.
Sonepur is located in Saran district in the northern part of Bihar. Three mighty rivers - the Ganga, Gandak, and Ghagra, demarcate this district, which is shaped like a triangle. Sonepur stands on the confluence of the Ganga and Gandak.
The Sonepur Fair is of great importance and in the olden times, it attracted traders from as far as Central Asia. Like the origin of the Harihar Nath Temple, the reason for the inception of the Sonepur Fair is lost in the labyrinth of time. The site of the present fair was originally at Hajipur, and only the pujas used to be offered in the temple at Sonepur. During the reign of the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, the fair was shifted to Sonepur. In the pre-independence era, the European indigo planters used it as an occasion for social and sports gathering.
The original temple is believed to have been built by Lord Rama on his way to the court of King Janak to win Sita. The age and origin of the present temple has puzzled scholars but it is said that Raja Man Singh had it repaired. The builder of the present temple was Raja Ram Narain, a prominent figure during the late Mughal period. The Birlas recently conducted repairs and extension work in the temple.
Visiting the temple of Harihar Nath is naturally the main objective of the visitors to the fair after they have taken their ritual bath in the swirling waters of the Gandak. As in many other famous places of worship, a number of smaller temples of other deities surround the temple of Harihar Nath Mahadeo.
Pushkar Camel Fair
Pushkar Fair or Pushkar Camel Fair, as it is also known as, is one of those events when people from all over Rajasthan make their way to this small town of Pushkar. This is more so for camel drivers, people with a religious bent of mind and not to forget tourists from all over the world. For traders, it is a unique opportunity to meet traders from different parts of the state and earn some profit while for devotees, it is a means to purify their soul by taking a dip in the holy Pushkar lake.
The small and beautiful town of Pushkar is set in a valley just about 14 km off Ajmer in the north Indian state of Rajasthan. Surrounded by hills on three sides and sand dunes on the other, Pushkar forms a fascinating location and a befitting backdrop for the annual religious and cattle fair which is globally famous and attracts thousands of visitors from all parts of the world.
One of the most popular and colorful fairs of the Thar desert is the Pushkar fair, which begins on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi & goes on for five days till Kartik Purnima. The time of the fair coincides with the bright half of the moon during the months of October-November. The lake at Pushkar is one of the most sacred in India.
This small town is transformed into a spectacular fair ground, as rows of make shift stalls display an entire range of objects of art to daily utility stuff. Decoration items for Cattle, Camel and women, everything is sold together.
The fair attracts a great number of tourists from far and wide. The fair grounds reverberate with festivity, as rows of make shift stalls display a bewildering array items. Body tattooing is yet another favorite activity. The profusion of colors that run riot in the desert sand, the glee and the contagious enthusiasm of the village folk are a unique experience for every visitor.
Business in Pushkar actually begins a week before the actual fair starts. It is a good opportunity for those who wish to see trading in full swing, however, once the fair begins, business no longer remains so important. It is the festivity that takes over the commercial aspect of the fair.
As per legend, Lord Brahma (the creator of the universe) was once in search of a place to perform his holy yagna. During his search, a lotus accidentally dropped from his hand and lead to water sprouting from the place where it fell. Lord Brahma performed his yagna there. Today, the otherwise quiet town of Pushkar in known as housing the only Brama temple of the country. During Kartik Purnima, devotees come to take a dip in the water of the holy Pushkar lake (the place where the lotus fell).
The fair is replete with colours and joyous activities. Camels form an intrinsic part of these activities. There are camel shows, race and a competition for best decorated camel. Apart from this, folk dances of Rajasthan also draw huge crowd. Women have other attractions to look forward to inform of jewellery stalls. Few items that make for good purchase in the fair include woolen blanket, bead necklace, textiles,brassware. Tourists can pick up these items as memorabilia of the fair. For domestic visitors, saddles, ropes and other household items are also on sale. People make it a point to visit the 52 ghats of the Pushkar Fair and the only Brahma temple of the town.
Indian Cultural Festivals
Indian Cultural Festivals
Indian Cultural Festivals
Indian Cultural Festivals
Indian Cultural Festivals
Indian Cultural Festivals
Indian Cultural Festivals
Indian Cultural Festivals
Indian Cultural Festivals
Indian Cultural Festivals
Indian Cultural Festivals
Indian Cultural Festivals
Indian Cultural Festivals
