Tarnetar
Mela
(Saurashtra)
An exciting and unique fair
held annually at Tarnetar in Saurashtra. The fair coincides
with the festival at the Trineteshwar Temple, celebrating the
wedding of the legendary Mahabharat hero, Arjuna
with Draupadi. The fair is a kind of marriage market for
the local tribals – the Kolis, Bharwads and Rabaris.
The traditional costumes, exquisite
jewellery and lively folk dances – garba, ras, haro, are the
special attractions of the fair, not forgetting the wonderful Tarnetar
"Chhatris" – umbrellas with intricate embroidery
and mirror work.
Ganesh
Chaturthi
(Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka)
This day is dedicated to the
Lord Ganesha, the elephant-headed god of all good beginnings
and success. Held annually, this festival is a ten day long event.
The images of Lord Ganesha are installed and worshipped and
on the last day these are taken in processions to be immersed in flowing
water. The sea front at Mumbai, packed with people, is a spectacular
sight.
Ganesh
Festival
(Pune, Maharashtra)
Celebrated with a lot of merrymaking
and gaiety, the Ganesh Festival is dedicated to the Lord
Ganesha- the harbinger of good fortune and success. This cultural
feast is held to coincide with Ganesh Chaturthi. With classical
dance and music performances, a theatre and film festival and folk
dances, this is the most popular festival in Pune.
