India is a land of fair and festivals. There are all kind of festivals celebrated in all part of the country We are giving detail of few fairs and festivals, which are truly colorful as well, give one a true glimpse Of Indian culture.

DURGA PUJA

The sprawling sea of humanity that lines the banks of the Ganges at India's eastern edge, the City of Calcutta, sparkles in strings of electric lights of every color under the black velvet of a clear night.Unnumbered "mics"--metallic speakers driven to a seizure of clipping, force out an endless droning melange of film music swimming in an acoustic jungle of traffic noise, drumming and announcements.

The streets are alive with people, drummers from the hinterland villages, expatriots visiting family and friends, people off to visit a neighborhood pandal; a glittering but temporary temple which serves as the focal point of the celebration. The shops are busy, and new clothes and new shoes are everywhere in evidence.

It is the time of the Durga Puja, celebrating the ten-armed goddess of fertility and plants and the third embodiment of the Devi, Durga. It was Durga who vanquished the buffalo-demon Mahish. Ironically perhaps, Mahish may have founded the Durga Puja when upon learning of his impending demise at the hands of the goddess he said; "Durga, I have dreamed of you and in the dream I worshipped you. I will be glad to die in your hands. I only ask that you ensure that along with you I am worshipped by all."

Durga replied, "In three of my forms you will forever be at my feet and worshipped by the gods, by humanity, and by demons."

DUSSEHRA FESTIVAL (MYSORE)

Vijayadashmi or Dussehra, the day of victory, after nine days of battle is celebrated by all Hindu families. Dussehra is one of the four auspicious days of the year. On the same day, Rama, an avatar of Vishnu fought Ravana, a ten headed demon and restored dharma (righteousness) on earth. In the second half of Ashwin, Diwali lights up the sky, the festival of lights that celebrates the return of Rama and his coronation in Ayodhya.

People light lamps and adorn doorways with flower garlands to welcome Rama, Sita and Lakshmana home after fourteen years of exile. Dhanteras follows Diwali when wealth in worshipped. Narakchaturdashi is a festival that honours the heroic Krishna who rescued 16,000 princesses from Naraka's bondage.

RATH YATRA

At the temple town of Puri in Orissa, the image of the god Krishna (known as Jagannath in the State) is taken out with great ceremony in June-July each year. Images of the God and his brother Balbhadra and sister Subhadra are placed in giant large yellow chariots or raths which are then drawn by pilgrims. The chariots are 45 feet high and have 6 wheels. The procession or rath yatra draws huge crowds from all over the country.
An atmosphere of almost hysterical devotion prevails on this day and in earlier years, devotees were known to have thrown themselves under the wheels of the rath in the hope of obtaining instant salvation.

PUSHKAR MELA

The idyllic township housing the sacred lake of Pushkar, lies 11 km from Ajmer & it is -----Kms from Jaipur or ----Kms from Delhi. Pushkar is separated from Ajmer, by the Nag Pahar (Snake Mountain). This beautiful lake surrounded by bathing ghats, has its religious significance, rooted in a myth. A lovely and gigantic fair is held every year, on Kartik Poornima (full moon in October-November).

About 1,00,000 pilgrims gather here, to take a dip in the holy lake. The fair is also the biggest camel market. Besides camels, horses and bullocks are sold here. The colourfully dressed people enhance the exuberant mood of the fair. Pushkar abounds in temples, the special attraction being, the temple of Lord Brahma, the only temple in India, dedicated to Brahma.

This somewhat somnolent town, reverberates with hectic activity during the festivities. Extensive arrangements are made to cope with the large attendance. A host of cultural programmes are staged to enthrall the audience. The biggest draws of the events, are the cattle auction and the camel race. Puppet shows are the other major crowd - pullers.

HARIDWAR KUMBH KA MELA

Haridwar town is the gateway to the abode of Gods - the , 'Uttarakhand' region of 'Uttar Pradesh'. The mythological and religious importance of Haridwar is well known. The 'Kumbh' and the 'Ardh Kumbh' fairs are held periodically on every sixth/twelveth year in Haridwar ,when a large number of pilgrims and devotees converge to commemorate this divine event. According to astrologers, the 'Kumbh Fair' takes place when the planet Jupiter enters Aquarius and the Sun enters Aries.

According to mythology , 'Devas' and 'Asuras' churned the ocean to obtain Nectar and when the coveted 'Kumbha' of Nectar (Amrita) which gave immortality was obtained,one of the 'Devas' whisked away the 'Kumbha' away from the 'Asuras' and evading the 'Asuras' only, stopped at four places viz. Hardwar,Prayag,Nasik and Ujjain before he finally arrived into the safety of heaven.A few drops of Nectar are supposed to have spilled over on the water at these four places and sages, saints and piligrims started periodically to flock to each of these 'Tirthas' to celebrate the divine event. In fact , it is a unique event that blends religious and social features alike

HEMIS FESTIVAL

Just 45 kms from Leh, the capital of Ladakh, is the Hemis Gompa, the largest Buddhist monastery in the area. It is famous for its 3 day festival held every year in June/ July. Crowds gather here to commemorate the birth anniversary of Padmasambhava, the Buddhist saint.

Dramatic masked dancers, swirling around to the music of pipes, enact the battle between the good and the evil spirits. Around the monastery a fair springs up during the festival where local handicrafts are sold .

DANCE FESTIVAL OF KHAJURAHO

The temples of Khajuraho are an expression of Indian sculptors of yore. A World Heritage site, these temples of Khajuraho were built by the Chandela kings following the tradition of Tantric art. Although famed for their erotic sculptures, the philosophy behind the temples is much more vast and encompassing. They are in fact a celebration of life!

The construction of Khajuraho temples began in the reign of King Yasovarman. Eighty five of these temples were built of which around twenty two survive today. These temples are divided into three geographical blocks: the western, eastern and the southern. The western block is the biggest and the richest in artistry.

The sheer elegance and grace seems to have been chiseled by the craftsmen. Their patient hands have transformed even the mundane to excellence, from a maiden stretching her limbs in the morning, to one wringing water out of her hair after a bath to a surasundari taking out a thorn out of the sole of her foot. Besides erotic sculptures there are court scenes and scenes of battle and advice to the citizens of the kingdom. It is very interesting to note the tremendous eye for detail in these sculptures like the depiction of strained muscles and cuts on the calf muscles or the biceps.

Every year the spirit of these marvelous sculptures is celebrated in the form of Khajuraho Dance Festival, in which artistes from all over the country perform here. This include traditional Indian dances which are a feast to the eyes. One can appreciate all the dance forms of India in one place. It is once in a life-time experience.

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