India is particularly land of fairs and festivals. The word “Fest” literally means joy and celebration. India is a mix of diverse culture and religions and this is probably the reason India has more festivals than any other country. These festivals are mainly religious in nature, national in character or seasonal in occurrence. These festivals occur according to the calendars followed by different religions. However, the national festivals do occur on fixed calendar dates. 

In India mainly two calendars are followed to determine the festivals- the Hindu calendar or the Islamic calendar. Both these calendars are based on lunar months which correspond to the phases of moon. The lunar and solar positions mainly determine the festivals. 

The month of January marks celebrations of harvest festivals throughout the country. Makar Sankranti which marks the celebration of spring time. Women distribute sweets and hold get-togethers. Around the same time in Gujarat and other western states National Kite Festival is celebrated. Lohri in the north of India is also a seasonal harvest festival. In the evenings families gather around bonfires, distribute sweets among friends and family. In Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh Pongal is celebrated. The harvest celebrations last for three days in honor of Lord Indra. In Rajasthan the colorful festival in Bikaner is celebrated, beautifully decorated camels, music and several competitions are the highlights of the Bikaner Festival. During the same time all over the country Id-ul- Fitr is celebrated which marks the end of Ramzan. Prayers are offered in mosques and Idgahs and elaborate festivities are held. On the 26th of January every year the country celebrates its Republic Day grand military parade and dance processions are held in the capital. 

The month of February mainly marks the celebration of fairs and carnivals. In Rajasthan Desert Festival of Jaisalmer is celebrated, this is three day long extravaganza of music, color and festivity. The highlight of the festival is the turban tying competition. In Haryana Surajkund Crafts Mela held for 15 days. This is an annual event which highlights some of the countries finest handloom and handicrafts. The Nagaur Fair is one of the largest cattle fairs in the country. The day begins with earnest bargaining’s between buyers and sellers, the day draws to an end with exciting games and camel races. In Rishikesh around the same time International Yoga Week is organized, demonstrations are held on the banks of river Ganga, various lectures and sessions on yoga are also organized. In Agra a 10 day carnival is held at Shilpgram near TajMahal known as the Taj Mahotsav. This festival commences with a spectacular procession, bedecked elephants and camels, folk artists and master craftsmen together recreate the glorious past of the Mughals. Around the same time Mardi Gras or Goa Carnival is celebrated. The processions last for three days and nights the streets come alive with colorful revelry.

The month of March one the biggest Hindu festival is celebrated- Holi. This is also known as the festival of colors. People throw colored water and powder on each other and make merry. Another attraction of the month is the Khajuraho Dance Festival. This is a week long celebration wherein classical dance performances are held at the Khajuraho temples. Around the same time another music and dance festival is organized in Maharastra known as the Ellora Festival, organized in the splendid surroundings of the Ellora Caves. In the south Hoysala Festival is celebrated this is also a dance festival held at the temples of Hoysala and Halebid. Yet another colorful festival is the Elephant Festival of Rajasthan. The highlights of the festival are the procession of elephants, camels and horses, followed by lively folk dancers. The most hilarious highlight of the festival is a tug of war between elephants and men.

The Hindu Solar New Year starts in the month of April. It is celebrated in the form various festivals throughout the country yet convey the same message of merry making. In the northern part of the country it’s celebrated as Baisakhi in Kerala the festival is known as Vishu and is Assam it is known as Rangali Bihu.

Mainly two festivals are celebrated in the month of June. Firstly, Ganga Dussehra, this festival is celebrated for ten days devoted to the worship of Holy River Ganga. Places such as Rishikesh, Haridwar and Varanasi where Ganga flows hold special significance on this day. Secondly, the Hemis Festival the courtyard of Hemis Gompa-the biggest Buddhist monastery in Ladakh is the stage for the famous ‘Hemis’ festival. Lamas called ‘chhams’ perform splendid masked dances and sacred plays to the accompaniment of cymbals, drums and long horns. of Ladakh.

Onam is the most important harvest festival of Kerala, celebrated in the month of August and is an attraction for thousands of people within and outside the state. Ranging from four days to ten days, all the activities during this season are cantered around worshipping, music, dances, sports, boat races and good food. 15th August the red letter day in the Indian calendar is celebrated as the Independence Day of India. On this day India finally achieved freedom from British rule. 

In the month of October, the festival of Dussehra is celebrated in many parts of the country. It is celebrated with great fanfare in most parts of North India and in the form of Durga Puja in West Bengal. Dussehra is a very popular Hindu festival, which marks the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama. Another important festival around this time is Diwali, the Festival of Lights, celebrated with fervor and gaiety among all races and religions. It symbolizes the victory of light over darkness; darkness refers to ignorance and light refers to knowledge. During the same time in Rajasthan, Marwar Festival is celebrated. The festival has on display the music and dance of the Marwar region. The spirited folk dancers assembled here, perform with gusto and entertain the audience with Rajasthani folklore. in Jodhpur. 

In the month of November mainly fairs are celebrated throughout the country. Pushkar Fair of Ajmer, Rajasthan is perhaps the largest cattle fair in the world, it attracts more than one lakh people, from all over Rajasthan as well as tourists from different parts of India and abroad. Another fair celebrated around the same time is the Hampi Festival of Karnataka. The festival includes dance, drama, music, fireworks, puppet shows, spectacular processions; all combine to recreate the grandeur of the bygone era. 

The month of December marks the celebration of mainly two festivals. Firstly, this is a Muslim festival of sacrifice. On this day Muslims sacrifice a goat to commemorate the sacrifice of Prophet Ibrahim, who willingly agreed to kill his son at the behest of God. This festival coincides with the Haj pilgrimage in Mecca. Secondly, Christmas birth anniversary of Jesus Christ. Christmas celebrations vary in different parts of India. In some parts, small clay oil-burning lamps, mango leaves etc are used as Christmas decorations and mango and banana trees are decorated.

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