The
Great Elephant March
(Kerala)
While caparisoned elephants
go out in procession, boat races on the backwaters and cultural events
lend colour to the festivities. The festival takes place in some of
Kerala's major towns – Thrissur, Alappuzha and Thiruvananthapuram.
Mamallapuram
Dance Festival
(Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu)
Once the ancient port of the
Pallavas, Mamallapuram plays host to a vibrant festival of
dance. Exponents of Bharata Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak
and Kathakali perform against the magnificent backdrop of the
Pallava rock sculptures.
Pongal
(Tamil Nadu)
A celebration of the harvest-Pongal
is observed for three days in January, in Tamil Nadu. Bhogi Pongal
– the first day, is an occasion for festivities at home. Flavoured
rice is offered to the Sun God on the second day. Mattu Pongal,
the next day, is celebrated in a more boisterous fashion. Village
cattle are bathed and decorated and cattle races enliven village festivities.
International
Kite Festival
(Ahmedabad, Gujarat)
On Makara Sankranti,
Ahmedabad is at its colourful best as kites of all colours, patterns
and dimensions soar into the sky. Special kites with little paper
lamps fill the night sky with a myriad flickering lights. Special
Gujarati cuisine, exhibitions of handicrafts and folk art enhance
the festive spirit.
Republic
Day
(Delhi and state capitals)
Commemorating the day India
became a Republic (26th January), the Republic Day is celebrated in
Delhi with a splendid parade a colourful affair with soldiers marching
in unison, followed by folk dancers, school chiildren and floats from
various states. The Beating Retreat which marks the end of the celebrations
on 29th January, is a moving cermony with massed military bands playing
at Vijay Chowk.
Float Festival
(Madurai, Tamil Nadu)
This magnificent festival is
celebrated in Madurai. On the night of the full moon, ornamented
icons of goddess Meenakshi and her consort are taken out in
a colourful procession to the huge Mariamman Teppakulam. The
icons are floated in the tank on a raft decked with flowers and flickering
lamps.
Kerala
Village Fair
(Kovalam, Kerala)
Every year, in the lush villages
around Kovalam (18 km from Thiruvananthapuram), mid
January is the time for cultural events. The traditional thatch houses
are decorated during this ten day long festival and are the venue
for folk dances, music and festivities.
Bikaner
Festival
(Bikaner, Rajasthan)
Dedicated to the indispensable
'ship of the desert', the festival starts off with a magnificent procession
of bedecked camels. There are displays and competitions together with
all the colour, music and rhythm unique to a fair in Rajasthan.
Calcutta
Festival
(Calcutta, West Bengal)
Held every year in the centrally
located maidan area of the city of Calcutta. Ethnic
food stalls displaying Bengali cuisine and cultural
events make this a lively occasion.
Pattadakkal
Dance Festival
(Pattadakkal, Karnataka)
Delicately carved temples rich
in detail, stand still at Pattadakkal, the ancient capital of the
Chalukyan kings. A festival of dance celebrates this marvellous
heritage.
