Visiting India? 5 All Round Holiday Experiences You Must Not Miss!
It is not without a reason that travel pundits believe that the best way to explore India is by visiting one of its festivals. Vivid, colorful and cultural – here are 5 cultural festivals you have to visit when in India.
What: Kumbh Mela
When: January 27-February 25, 2013
Where: Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
Why:The biggest of all festivals in India, the Maha Kumbh Mela is visited by more than 5 million people within the span of a month. The Mela is coming together of Hindu devotees who swarm to the ghats of Allahabad to offer their reverences by taking a dip in the holy Ganga water. An absolute visual treat is the morning Aarti. You get yummy street food, though everything’s vegetarian.
What: Bikaner Camel Festival
When: January 26-27, 2013
Where: Bikaner, Rajasthan
What : Pattadakal Dance Festival
When : January 25-27, 2013
Where : Pattadakal, Karnataka
What : International Kite Festival
When : January 14, 2013
Where : Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Why :Coinciding with the Hindu festival of Makar Sankranti, the International Kite Festival is attended by kite makers and kite flying enthusiasts from all over the world.
What :DSC Jaipur Literature Festival,
When : January 24 to 28, 2013
Where : Jaipur, India
It is not without a reason that travel pundits believe that the best way to explore India is by visiting one of its festivals. Vivid, colorful and cultural – here are 5 cultural festivals you have to visit when in India.
When: January 27-February 25, 2013
Where: Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh
Why:The biggest of all festivals in India, the Maha Kumbh Mela is visited by more than 5 million people within the span of a month. The Mela is coming together of Hindu devotees who swarm to the ghats of Allahabad to offer their reverences by taking a dip in the holy Ganga water. An absolute visual treat is the morning Aarti. You get yummy street food, though everything’s vegetarian.
When: January 26-27, 2013
Where: Bikaner, Rajasthan
Why: The Camel Festival in Bikaner is comparatively a little subdued. The Festival sees participation by folk singers, dancers and traders who dress up their camels in colorful attire. Besides bridled camels and dazzling performances by folk artists, the Bikaner Camel Festival is a foodie’s delight, with sweets and beverages made from camel mare’s milk on offer.
When : January 25-27, 2013
Where : Pattadakal, Karnataka
Why : The 3 day Pattadakal Dance Festival hosts mesmerizing dance performances against the backdrop of the majestic temples of Pattadakal, the capital of the erstwhile Chalukya kingdom. Only fittingly, this dance fest is also called the Chalukya Festival. Some prominent events if the festival are Aihole and Badami.
What : International Kite FestivalWhen : January 14, 2013
Where : Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Why :Coinciding with the Hindu festival of Makar Sankranti, the International Kite Festival is attended by kite makers and kite flying enthusiasts from all over the world.
What :DSC Jaipur Literature Festival,When : January 24 to 28, 2013
Where : Jaipur, India
Why : The biggest literary meet in India is an annual 5 day event help in Jaipur. Last year, the festival was attended by none other than Oprah Winfrey. The 2013 edition of the event will see participation of notable literary figures like Farrukh Dhondy, Hari Kunzru and Gulzar. The themes for this year’s edition are Russian Literature and Alternative Sexuality.