India, the land of different cultures and religions, hosts Sindhu Darshan Festival every year at Leh of Ladakh district in Jammu and  Kashmir state. The festival is organized on the banks of the river Sindhu in the month of June. The three day long festival is an event to showcase the different cultures of India coming together and thus displaying India’s unity in its diversity. The festival is held on the banks of Sindhu River also known as river Indus which is presented at the occasion as a symbol of communal harmony among people of different religion and cultures.

Ever since the inception of Sindhu Darshan Festival way back in 1997, the festival has gained worldwide popularity with thousands of tourists from different parts of the world attending it every year.  Celebration of the Sindhu Darshan Festival is an indeed proud moment for Jammu and Kashmir state. It serves to be an occasion when people belonging to different religion, cultures and different parts of India are seen showcasing their folk arts, dance, music and thereby displaying multi dimensional cultures of the country. On the occasion of the festival people bring water from different rivers of their regions in earthen pots and pours it into Indus River thus symbolizing the multi cultures of India merging together at one place. Delhi serves to be the main airbase to land at for the visitors coming from other countries. Leh, the place of Sindhu Darshan Festival, is easily accessible from Delhi.

First day of the festival sees wide reception ceremony for the thousands of the tourists come from across the world. The reception ceremony is arranged by the joint association of different religious groups. About fifty lamas are seen performing the prayer as part of ritual on the bank of the river. Then many people and artists from different parts of the country take part in the several cultural activities. Sight- seeing tour is also organized for the visitors on the occasion.

There are many fair and festival celebrated in Bikaner which shows ancient tradition and culture. Bikaner city located in the northwest of the Rajasthan state, India. Bikaner celebrates some of the traditional Rajasthani festivals such as Gangaur, Kartik Poornima and Paryushan. However the city attracts people for its Camel Festival every year.

                                                      Camel festival:
Camel festival is held in the month of January for three days. The celebrations include acrobat show, puppet show, camel race and dance shows. Camel dance show is the main attraction. Trained camels dance to the tune of music. One would get an opportunity to watch the ballad singers, and folk dancers performing on the stage.



                                                      Gangaur :

Gangaur is a festival of Gauri –the consort of Shiva. The festival is one of the popular festivals of Rajasthan. It falls in March or April. Women of the region (married and unmarried) do Puja to Gauri Devi.





                                                      Karni Mata Fair :
The fair is celebrated twice a year in the small town Deshnok in honour of Goddess Karni Mata.This fair held during the months of March-April and again second time in September-October in Karni Mata Temple which is famous in Rajasthan.





Rammat is a part of Holi (festival of colors) festivities that is celebrated uniquely in Bikaner. People spray colors on each other reminding us of s carnival.  Special dramas would be performed based on some of their legends, Dhola Marvaani for instance.

Vata Pournima is a Hindu festival celebrated mainly in Maharashtra state. It is the women’s festival which comes in the month of June (the month of Jyeshta according to Hindu lunar calendar) on a full moon day. The festival takes its origin from the story of the devoted wife named Savitri which is why the festival is also known as ‘Vata Savitri Pournima’. Savitri –a devoted wife follows her husband (Satyavan) even after his death and gets back his life from the clutches of the death deity (Yama). So it is said that by performing that ritualistic ‘Vrita’ the women would be wishing for their husbands’ long life.

The day would be celebrated by the married women especially. They celebrate it for the good health of their husbands. This festival is most popular in Maharashtra state. The women keep fast on the previous day and visit a nearby banyan tree (Vata tree) in groups. All those who are gathered there around the banyan tree would wrap a cotton thread around the tree and then do the ‘parikrama’ (circumambulation) for seven times. The women recite the story of Satyavan and Savitri and do puja to the banyan tree. The story is this:  Satyavan and Savitri were newlywed couple and they were told that Satyavan would be dying soon. Savitri decides to get back Satyavan’s life. Yama, the deity of death tries to dissuade her from following the dead husband. But, Savitri refuses to listen. Yama sanctions three boons to her. He grants her a son in the last boon. Savitri, then, demands her husband back since without him she could not have had a son. Pleased with her devotion Yama grants her Satyavan’s life back. She is known as ‘Sati Savitri’ in India.

 Khajuraho Dance Festival is one of the most acclaimed events in the travel itinerary of India. It is held annually at Khajuraho, one of the most magnificent tourist destinations of India. The festival is organized at two of the most popular temples of Khajuraho – The Chitragupta and the Vishwanath Temple. The festival is a charming event attended by Indian as well as other tourists from world over. Khajuraho Dance Festival has become a cultural showcase event where the wonderful culture of Indian dances like Kathak, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Bharatnatyam, Mohniattam and Manipuri is displayed with the glorious backdrop of India’s heritage temples. Many renowned and promising young classical dancers from across the country spellbind the audience with their brilliant performances.
 Shivratri is a prominent festival celebrated in Madhya Pradesh and other parts of India with great religious fervor. Khajuraho is also famous for its massive celebration of Shivratri festival. The festival marks the marriage event of Lord Shiva and his consort Parvati. On the occasion of the festival 2.5 meter high Lingam of Kandariya Mahadev Temple in Khajuraho is adorned with white and saffron dhoti and conical and silver paper crown. The night- long ceremony witnesses the anointing of the Lingam with water of holy rivers of India and chanting of hymns. At the end Bel leaves and flowers are thrown on the Lingam as a mark of successful completion of the marriage. On the occasion of the festival thousands of devotees from Madhya Pradesh and other parts of the country throng there to take the blessing of Lord Shiva. Other major festivals of India like Holi, Dussera and Diwali are also celebrated in Khajuraho with much pomp and show.

Alleppey is known as the Venice of India especially for its backwaters channels.located in Kerala state in India. The major event of Alleppey is the boat festival to be held every year. The most famous Nehru trophy boat festival would be held every year in the month of August. The festival attracts thousands of tourists from all across the world.

The first of its kind was held in 1952 in the presence of Jawaharlal Nehru. Since then it has been known as the Nehru Trophy boat race. Many groups would partake in this race. It is a very prestigious race for them.  The rowers singing the Vanchi Pattu (traditional song sung by the rowers) row their boats. These are called the snake boats of hundred feet long. The occasion calls for other merriments including watching the Kahthakkali performances and tasting the typical Kerala cuisine.

Another boat festival to be held in every September is the Payippad Boat festival. This is a three day festival in honor of the deity Subrahmanya of Haripad.  Arthungual Perunal and Edatuva Perunal are the two Christian fairs celebrated every year.

Others than these boat races Alleppy also celebrates the traditional festivals of Kerala. Onam and Vishu are the two important festivals of Kerala. Onam falls in the last week of August normally lasting for ten days.

Situated amidst the Aravalli Mountain ranges, the city of Ajmer is home to a composite culture and traditions. This green oasis surrounded by barren region boasts of rich history and culture. Ajmer had witnessed to several kingdoms which have left behind their marks on culture and traditions of the city. As a result the city of Ajmer has turned into an amalgam of diverse cultures and traditions. Revered by both Hindu and Muslim, the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer serves to be a place where one gets to see the rare blend of diverse religions.

The state of Rajasthan is known as the land rich of culture and traditions. Ajmer which serves to be the fifth largest city of the state is no exception to it.  Moreover, Ajmer happens to be the cultural center of Rajasthan which is known for its colorful fairs and festivals. Culture of Ajmer is mainly reflected in its arts, crafts, dance, music, etc. The people of Ajmer and Rajasthan state as a whole are most hospitable and are known for their traditional colorful attires. They are also known for their beautiful folk dance and songs which they mostly perform on the occasion of several festivals and culture events.

Fairs and festivals celebrated in Ajmer are integral parts of its culture and traditions. The city of Ajmer like other parts of Rajasthan state celebrates several festivals with great religious fervor. Among the major religious event organized in the city, the Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is the most significant one. Ajmer also host many other religious and cultural events which provide us glimpses of its rich culture and tradition.        

 Ajmer is a prominent pilgrimage city in the state of Rajasthan. Perched amidst the Aravalli Mountains, the city of Ajmer is famous for the Shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti which attracts a number of devotees from all over the world. Enriched with historical and cultural legacy, Ajmer is known for its annual Urs (fair) of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.  Rajasthan is famous for its culture, tradition and colorful festivals and fairs. Ajmer which happens to be the fifth largest city of Rajasthan celebrates several festivals and fairs with great religious fervor.
Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti in Ajmer is a famous fair held in at the shrine of a Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. It is held every year in the month of May to mark the death anniversary of the Sufi saint.  On the occasion of the fair thousands of devotees belonging to different religions and different parts of the globe throng the Dargah Sharif to pay homage to the saint. Pushkar which lies just 15 km away from Ajmer is famous for camel fair popularly known as Pushkar Fair. Pushkar Mela (fair) is five days long fair held annually from Kartik Ekadashi to Kartik Purnima (Oct-Nov). It serves to be the world’s largest camel fair. The fair witnesses the trading of thousand of camels and other live stocks brought from different part of Rajasthan state. Several competitions, cultural and entertaining programs are organized on during this five day-long fair. 
 Along with Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Ajmer also hosts and celebrates many other festivals with much fanfare. Teej, Holi, Dussera, Diwali, Id etc are some of the festivals celebrated in Ajmer with great zeal and zest.  Festivals celebrated in Ajmer and in Rajasthan state as a whole present us rich culture and traditions of the people of the state.

 Situated in the eastern part of Uttar Pradesh state, Gorakhpur is home to several religious sites of Hindu, Buddhist and Muslim. The city of Gorakhpur which lies near the border of Nepal is one of the very few places in India where one get to see the confluence of different religious faiths. The place is rich in its culture and tradition. Several festivals celebrated in Uttar Pradesh are celebrated in Gorakhpur too.

Khichadi Mela is a major religious fair of Gorakhpur. The fair is held during the festival of Makar Sakranti. It is organized at the shrine of Gorakhnath, a prominent place of worship in Gorakhpur. The city has also has derived its name from this saint Gorakhnath. The temple premise is spread over an area of about 52 acres. Khichadi Mela starts from the 14th January and last for a month. Thousands of devotees throng there from different parts of the Uttar Pradesh state.

Apart from the major festivals like Deepawali, Dussera and Holi, the city of Gorakhpur celebrates many other festivals with great religious fervor. Shivratri, Janmashtami and Chhath Puja other prominent festivals celebrated in Gorakhpur with great zeal and zest. Besides, Gorakhpur also celebrates several Muslim and Buddhist festivals. On the occasion of Buddha Purnima, a number of religious and cultural programs are organized at several Buddhist sites in Gorakhpur.

Events in Varanasi revolve around the rituals concerned with the deities revered there. The city celebrates almost all Indian festivals. Almost every month there would be a festival. Some of them are:

Bharat Milap: This is a festival marking the reunion of Rama and Bharata after 14 years of exile. This falls in the months of October and November, coinciding with the Dassara festival. Kashi Naresh attends the festivities connected with this festival.

Buddha Purnima: It is an important festival for the Buddhists. It marks the birth of Gautam Buddha. The full moon day of the Vaisakh (April/May) would be celebrated as Buddha Purnima. Saranath near Varanasi would be crowded that day.

Dev Deepawali: The full moon day in the month of Kartik is celebrated as Kartik Purnima and the same festival is known as Dev Deepawali in Varanasi. Even Jains celebrate this festival. The Ghats would be lit with clay lamps, and aarati would be done at the Ghats. Government of Uttar Pradesh holds three day cultural festival on this occasion which is known as Ganga Festival.

Hanuman Jayanti, and Maha Shivratri are the two other festivals to be celebrated in Varanasi with great fervor. Naga Nathaiya is another unique festival of Varanasi meant to celebrate the day when Krishna did Kalinga Mardan.

Nakkatayya and Ram Lila are the two events related to the story of the Ramayana. People of Varanasi rejoice these two celebrations. The episode of Shurpanakha would be enacted during the Nakkatayya celebration in October/November. Ram Lila is uniquely celebrated in Varanasi. It was started by Kashi Naresh Udit Narayan Singh based on Ramacharitamanas of Tulasidas. Different stages would be built up at different spots of Varanasi and for 15 nights there would be performances on these different stages.

Like in other places all the festivals are celebrated in Chandigarh. The cultures of the city being lively and enthusiastic people wait for each festival with eagerness and celebrate all to enjoy. The festivals allow people to know each other and learn about other cultures. The chief festivals and fairs celebrated in Chandigarh are discussed here.


                                                   
Baisakhi: 
Baisakhi is the harvest festival of Punjab when people finished with their winter crop production try to pray relax and enjoy food, dance and music on 13Th April every year. 





                                                     
Lohri:
Extremely  popular agricultural winter festival celebrated by the Punjabis. This is celebrated throughout Punjab and it's a thanks giving festival for abundant crops held on 13Th January every year. Fire is worshipped on this day. People enjoy by dancing and singing songs. 





                                                      
Holla Mohalla:
It is the festival of Arsenal celebrated in March when people dance and celebrate. Mock battles of sword and spear are fought, Competitions of poetry, music and wrestling are held.



                                                    
Teeyan :
is the women's dance festival of the Punjab region clebrates in the month of Sawan means in summer.
Dancing usually takes place on the bank of river or under big trees.The festival continues from the 3rd lunar day in the month of Sawan to the full moon day.




Other festivals are Gurpurab, Bhaiya Dooj (Tikka),  Karwa Chauth, Dusshera & Diwali.

Kota is a princely city of the state of Rajasthan. Rajasthan is known for its rich culture and colorful tradition. Kota offers no exception to it. Fairs and festival forms an integral part of the culture and hence the fairs and festivals celebrated in Kota serves a platform for the tourists to witness the rich and colorful culture and traditions of the people of Kota. Kota celebrates all major festival like Deepawali, Dussera, holi etc with much enthusiasm. Along with these festivals Kota hosts many other fairs and festivals with much pomp and show.

Gangaur festival is a major festival of the state of Rajasthan. The city of Kota also celebrates the festival with much fanfare. The festival is celebrated in honor of goddess Gauri the consort of lord Shiva. It is the festival of maiden and married women and starts from the following day of holi and continues for eighteen days. It is the uniqueness of the festival in different places. For example in Bikaner married women and maidens fast and prepare sweet dishes for the festival. In Jaipur 'ghewar' a sweet dish is made specially during this festival and people buy this to eat and distribute it amoung their relatives. The festival of Dussera is celebrated in Kota with great enthusiasm. On the occasion of the festival a large effigy of demon king of Ravana is set alight in the public place. The event is witnessed by thousands of people gathered on the occasion.

Chambal Adventure sport festival in Kota is annual event organized in the month of February. The festival is participated by many professional sportsmen and army men. The festival includes the sports activities like water skiing, rafting, wind surfing, etc. Thrilling performances of sportsmen leave the audience spellbound. Chambal River on the bank of which the city of Kota is situated serves as the venue of the festival.  Kota also hosts the Handicraft Mela (fair) every year in the month of December.  Beautiful tribal artifacts, handmade articles, fabrics, paintings, etc can be seen on display and for sale in the fair.

Visakhapatnam, the port city of Andhra Pradesh state, is known for hosting several cultural events and festivals. Also known as Vizag, the city of Visakhapatnam is famous for its Visakha Utsav (festival). Visakha Utsav is a three day long festival organized by Andhra Pradesh Tourism Department. The festival starts every year from third Friday of January and last for the next three days. To promote tourism in and around Visakhapatnam is the main purpose of hosting this cultural event. Folk dance, music, arts, crafts and cuisines are the main highlights of this festival. Rama Krishna beach serves to be the main venue of Visakha Utsav. A number of artists from different parts of Andhra Pradesh take part in the festival and display their arts and skills. Exhibition, fashion show and food fairs are other noteworthy features of Visakha festival
Chandana Yatra, also known as Chandanostavam, is major religious festival celebrated at Sri Varaha Laxminarasimha temple situated at Simachalam near Visakhapatnam. Held every year in the month of March-April, Chandanostavam witnesses a large number of devotees thronging there from all over Andhra Pradesh and some parts of neighboring states. On the occasion of the festival the idol of the main deity which is kept covered with sandal paste all the time is removed ceremoniously and is covered with new and fresh layer of sandalwood.
Rishikonda Beach Festival is another major cultural event of Visakhapatnam organized every year in the month of December. Exhibition stores, craft Bazaar and food shows are the key attractions of the festival. Another interesting festival of Visakhapatnam is Lumbini festival associated with Buddhism. Organized every year in the month of December, Lumbini festival is marked with various religious and cultural activities.

 

Known for its rich culture and tradition, Rajkot is the third largest city of Indian state of Gujarat.  The city is famous for hosting several cultural events and festivals. Rajkot is often referred as Rangilu Rajkot meaning colorful Rajkot and that could be seen in its colorful celebration of its festivals. Though Rajkot is rapidly growing into a multicultural city, it still continues to preserve its traditional customs and rituals. Festivals celebrated in Rajkot offers us insights of its rich cultures and tradition.

Navratri, the festival of nine nights, is the most charming festival of Gujarat. Being a part of Gujarat state, the city of Rajkot also celebrates Navratri with great fanfare. The festival is celebrated for nine days which witnesses daily prayers and other religious activities. The main attraction of Navratri festival is colorful Garba dance. Garba dance serves to be the main folk dance form of Gujarat state. It is mainly performed on the occasion of Navratri festival. People of all ages and different strata of society take part in this beautiful and charming Garba dance.

Kite festival is another prominent cultural event celebrated on the occasion of Makar Sankranti which usually falls on 14th January. On the occasion of festival people of Rajkot are seen flying there kites high in the sky. The blue sky of the city fills with thousand of colorful kites competing with each other.  Similar kind of festival are celebrated on large scale in Ahmedabad and other major cities of Gujarat. There are many other major festivals like holi, Dussera, and Deepawali which are celebrated in Rajkot with great religious fervor.

Guntur, the fourth largest city of the state of Andhra Pradesh, is known for its diverse culture. Festival is one of the vital parts of the culture and therefore the city of Guntur celebrates multi religious and multi-cultural festivals with equal zest. Along with the major festivals like Deepawali, Dussera, Holi etc Guntur also celebrates Id-ul-fitr and Christmas with great enthusiasm.  Apart from these important festivals Guntur also hosts some of its regional fairs and festivals with much pomp and show.

Mulathaneswaraswami Kalyanothsavam is five-day festival celebrated in the month of March-April at the temple of Tadikonda situated near Guntur. The festival is a prominent religious event and on the occasion of the festival devotees offers the coconut, flowers, fruits and betel leaves to the deity of the temple. Sri Narsimhaswami Kalyanothsavam is another major festival celebrated for 16 days in the month of March-April at Lakshami Narasimhaswami temple in Guntur. Hazart Sayed Bajit Shahi Aulia Urs is Muslim fair held every year in the month of Ramzan at Pedakani near Ramzan. The fair is visited by many Muslim devotees from far and wide. Sri Ramlingeswaraswami Lakshabilvarchana and Sri Ramakoti Mahothsvam are other major fairs and festivals celebrated full zest in Guntur.

Rich in history and culture, the city of Jaisalmer is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the state of Rajasthan, India. Famous for its several historic monuments, structures and picturesque sand dunes, Jaisalmer has another interesting facet that make the city a special place to visit. Fairs & festivals of Jaisalmer are known for their cultural extravaganza. Jaisalmer celebrates several prominent festivals with great fanfare.

Jaisalmer Desert festival is the most important cultural festival of Jaisalmer. The festival is organized by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and is known for its myriads of cultural and entertainment activities. Jaisalmer Desert Festival serves to be a platform from where one can have the insights of rich culture and tradition of the people of the region. Beautifully adorned camels, colorful traditional attires of the people, attractive folk dance and songs are the main highlights of the desert festivals of Jaisalmer.

Jaisalmer celebrates many other major festivals celebrated in other parts of Rajasthan. Among other festivals celebrated in Jaisalmer the festival of Gangaur is prominent one. Holi and Dussera are other major festivals of Jaisalmer celebrated with much pomp and show. Colorful festivals of Jaisalmer attract thousands of tourists from all over the globe.

 
Trichy known for its rich culture and traditions celebrates several festivals and cultural events. Fairs and festivals celebrated in the city serve the occasions which offer the insights of traditional customs and rituals followed by the people of Trichy. Along with the major national festivals the city of Trichy celebrates its regional festivals with much fanfare. Pongal serves to be the most important festival of the state of  Tamil Nadu. Being a part of the state Trichy also celebrates the festivals with much pomp and show.

Samayapuram Mariamman Temple festivals are prominent religious events held in Trichy. Poochoriyal, Pancha Prakaram and Bramhostavam are famous festivals celebrated at the temple of Samyapuram. During these festivals Samayapuram temple witnesses the thousands of people thronging there from across the country. Jallikattu is another prominent cultural event organized in several villages near Trichy. Jallikattu is bull catching event organized mainly during the celebration of Pongal festival.  Allur Jallathiru Vizha and Vaikunta Ekadasi are other prominent festivals celebrated in Trichy with much fanfare.

Gadda Jatra, or Nandi Dhwaja (decorated bamboo pole) Procession is the main event of Solapur. This is a fair of the local tradition associated with a story of the spiritual leader Siddharameshwara. Siddarama who was influenced by the teachings of Basaveshwara of Kalyana (he was the person who propagated Veerashaiva Dharma) had lived here. The villagers consider him as a deity. A young girl of the village had wished to marry him. But, Siddeshwara asked her to marry one of his disciples. Siddeshwara conducted their marriage and the day is celebrated as the Gadda fair now.

The fair is celebrated for three days in the month of January around the Makara Sankranti festival.  A day before and after the Makara Sankranti festival are the festival days in Solapur. It is a Marriage ritual. Two Nandi Dhwajas will be taken out for procession symbolizing bride and groom and on the Sankranti day the marriage ritual would take place. A fifteen day cultural fair would be arranged on this occasion.

Other than the above said event, Solapur also celebrates festivities related to Tulaja Bhavani and the Vithoba of Pandharapur. Navaratri is the most favored festival here.

Mysore, the second largest city of Karnataka state, celebrates its fairs and festivals with great religious fervor. Fairs and festivals are essential parts of culture and tradition of Mysore. People of Karnataka believe in making every event a special one. Celebration of the festivals and fairs in Mysore offer insights of rich culture and traditions which have percolated from the time immemorial to this modern day.  Unaltered and unchanged by modern civilization, fairs and festivals in Mysore are still celebrated with same religious and traditional touch.
  Mysore has turned into a cosmopolitan city housing people of different faiths, religions and regions. As a result the city is seen celebrating festivals of all religions with equal zeal and zest. However, so far as the traditional fairs and festivals of the region are concerned, the city of Mysore which once was a princely state of Mysore kingdom is known for its celebration of Dussera and Yugadi. Ten day festival of Dussera in Mysore involves several religious and cultural activities. In ancient times, the mighty ruler Vijayanagar Empire used to take out a large procession of elephants on the occasion of the festival. In modern day too people of Mysore take out colorfully dressed elephant in the procession which goes round the city.

  Yugadi is major festival of Karnataka state. Mysore, being a part of Karnataka, also celebrates Yugadi with much pomp and show. The festival marks the beginning of New Year for the people of Karnataka and hence the festival is celebrated with much fanfare. The festival usually comes in the end of March month or in the beginning of April. Besides Dussera and Yugudi, other major festivals like Deepawali and Holi are celebrated Mysore with much pomp and show.

The diverse culture of Ahmedabad is known all over the world. The people here are very obsessive regarding their celebration of every festival. Be it Navratri or for that matter Kite flying festival, the people of Ahmedabad celebrates each and every festival with same zeal and gusto. People of Ahmedabad are generally food loving people. The cookery of Ahmedabad is very famous. Ahmedabad is heavenly for food lovers. A Gujrati Thali food has many mouth watering dishes. The food is mainly vegetarian, though non vegetarian food is also available.

The people of Ahmedabad are very active and simple in their nature. During festivity time the whole city is on its toe to celebrate enthusiastically. The people are generally food lover therefore the city restaurants and cafes are always full. As Ahmedabad lies in the state of Gujarat the main language spoken here is Gujarati, while other languages spoken here are Hindi and English.
Ahmedabad is also known for its folk and classical music and folk arts and dance. The Garba, a beautiful folk dance of Gujarat state is mainly performed on the occasion of the Navratri festival. The festivals and fairs of Ahmedabad form an integral part of Ahmedabad culture. Festival celebrated there also offers insights of rich cultures and tradition of Ahmedabad people.