Makar Sankranti : (Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh)

Is a celebration of spring on the occasion of the ‘ascent’ of the sun to the north (Uttarayana). In Maharashtra, Karnataka as well as parts of Andhra, Makar Sankranti is a day of goodwill and friendship. Sesame ladoos and sugar drops are distributed as a symbol of the need to be generous and kind to everyone. Women wear new clothes, new glass bangles and hold get-togethers to share sweets and gifts. A new bride is given ornaments made of sugar drops and her new relatives are invited to meet and welcome her at a Haldi Kumkum celebration.

Lohri(Punjab):In the North Makar Sankranti is called Lohri. It is the only Hindu festival which falls regularly on the 14^th of January every year. Lohri is the time after which the biting cold of winter begins to taper off. On this day the children go from door to door to collect funds for community bonfires which are lit in the evening. Lohri is more of a community festival, where the birth of a son or the first year of marriage is celebrated with great fun and frolic. People gather around the bonfires and offer sweets, crisp rice and popcorn to the flames. Songs are sung to the beat of vigorous claps and greetings are exchanged.

Pongal(Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh):In the South Sankranti becomes Pongal. It is a celebration of the harvest which is observed for three days in Tamil Nadu as well as in Andhra Pradesh. The first day is the Bhogi Pongal which is celebrated as a family festival. Surya Pongal, the second day, is dedicated to the Sun (surya) when pongal (rice cooked in milk and jaggery) is boiled by women and offered to the sun. Friends greet one another by asking "Is it boiled?" and the answer given is "It is." It is followed by great rejoicing.

Mattu Pongal, the third day, is a day dedicated to the worship and veneration of cattle (mattu). The pongal that has been offered to the local deities is given to the cattle to eat. The cattle are bathed and decorated. Coloured balls of the pongal are also made and left in the open for birds. In Madurai, Tiruchirapalli and Tanjore, a kind of bullfight, called the "Jellikattu" is held. Bundles containing money are tied to the horns of ferocious bulls, and unarmed villagers try to wrest the bundles from them. With ingredients provided by the freshly gathered harvest, community meals are held at night.

Thai Pusam(Tamil Nadu)

This festival usually takes place in the temples dedicated to Kartikeya or Mariamman where trenches of burning coal are laid out for the devotees to walk over. It has been seen that people who volunteer to undertake this experience with faith, come away unharmed and unscathed.

The chief priest of the temple and the twelve "hero-youths", who are to perform this feat, first go out in a procession from the temple to bathe, smear themselves with turmeric, powder, and begin the dance. Then they walk over a long pit covered with burning coals and come out unscathed. This is followed by singing and feasting which continues till late night.

Float Festival(Tamil Nadu):This magnificent festival is celebrated in Madurai on the night of the full moon. The ornamented icons of the two deities, the God Sundaresa (incarnation of Shiva) and the Goddess Meenakshi (incarnation of Parvati), with pearl crowns on their heads and riding on a golden bull are taken out in a splendid procession from the Meenakshi temple. The God Alagar (incarnation of Vishnu) gives his sister Meenakshi, in marriage to Sundaresa amidst great rejoicing. Devotees clothed in yellow and red dance among the processionists and spray coloured water on them. The icons are floated in the tank on a raft decked with flowers and flickering lamps.

National Kite Festival(Gujarat):In Gujarat and other western states the change in the direction of winds on Makar Sankranti is marked by thousands of colourful kites of all patterns and dimensions which dot the blue sky. Young men vie with each other to win community kite-flying competitions. The kites are hand made and the thread is given a coating of glass powder mixed in either resin or a paste made of refined wheat flour. The day also witnesses kite flying tournaments in which handsome cash, cups and shields are awarded as prizes to the winners. Special kites with paper lamps fill the night sky with myriad flickering lights.

Kerala Village Fair:Mid-January is the time for cultural events in the lush villages around Kovalam, every year. Traditional thatch houses are decorated during this ten day long festival and are the venue for folk dances, music and festivities.

Bikaner Festival:The festival starts off with a magnificent procession of bedecked camels. It is a colourful spectacle of beautifully decorated camels that fascinates the onlookers with their charm and grace. Several competitions are held, marked with typical Rajasthani colour, joyous music and lilting rhythms and gay festivities.

Pattadakal Dance Festival:Is a festival of dance held at Pattadakal (Karnataka), the ancient capital of the Chalukyan kings.

Id-ul-Fittr(All over India):Celebrates the end of Ramzan, the Muslim month of fasting. It is an occasion of feasting and rejoicing. The faithful gather in mosques to pray, friends and relatives meet to exchange greetings. Prayers, family get-togethers and feasts are the major highlights of the celebrations. Idi or presents of money are given to the youngsters by the family elders, conveying their blessings.

Vasant Panchami(North India and West Bengal):Is a ceremonial welcome to spring on the fifth day of the waxing moon of Magh, when Saraswati, Shiva-Durga and Vishnu-Lakshmi are worshipped. People wear colourful attires, especially in bright shades of yellow and they dance, sing and make merry.

In West Bengal, ‘Saraswati’ – the Goddess of learning is worshipped. The festival is celebrated with great fervour in the university town of Shantiniketan.

 February

Mahashivratri:(All over India)On the 14^th night of the dark half of Magh occurs the festival of Mahashivratri, the great night of Lord Shiva. The devotees stay awake throughout the night offering their prayers to Lord Shiva. They offer special food made from the fruits of the season, root vegetables and coconuts to Lord Shiva. Having observed the requirements of the all night fast, devotees eat the prasad offered to Shiva. Special celebrations are held in some of the major Shaivite temples at Varanasi, Kalahasti (Andhra Pradesh) and Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu).

Desert Festival(Jaisalmer):The Desert Festival is a three day long extravaganza of colour, music and festivity, held at the golden city of Jaisalmer. Gair and fire dances swaying to traditional tunes, a turban-tying competition and a Mr. Desert contest are part of the fun and frolic. The grand finale is a trip to the sand dunes at Sam where one can enjoy the pleasure of a camel ride and even view the folk dancers and musicians perform at the sand dunes.

International Yoga Week:(Rishikesh)

Yoga sessions are held along the banks of the Ganga at Rishikesh. Organised by U.P. Tourism, lectures and demonstrations are held by prominent exponents of yoga throughout the week.

Elephanta Festival(Elephanta Island):This festival is held across the Mumbai harbour, on the Elephant Island, near the world renowned Elephanta Caves. This feast of music and dance, celebrated under the stars, transforms the entire island into a large auditorium.

Deccan Festival:(Hyderabad)Every year gracious Hyderabad comes alive during the Deccan Festival. Cultural programmes with ghazal nights, qawalis and mushairas are held. A pearl and bangle fair displays creations in lustrous pearls and multi-hued bangles that are local specialities. A food festival serves the best of Hyderabad’s famed cuisine to the visitors.

Goa Carnival(Goa):February heralds the carnival at Goa. For three days and nights, the legendary king Momo takes over the state and the streets come alive with colour. The week long event is a time of festivity.

Nagaur Fair(Nagaur):Nagaur bustles with life during its annual cattle fair which is one of the largest in the country. The Nagaur bulls are renowned for their fleetfootedness and attract buyers from all over. The day begins with earnest bargaining between the buyers and the sellers. Once the price of a horse, bullock or camel has been settled, the day draws to a close followed by exciting games, tug of war, camel races and strains of ballads which create a joyful atmosphere.

Taj Mahotsav:(Agra)A ten day event, the Taj Mahotsav at Agra is a culturally vibrant platform that brings together the finest Indian crafts and cultural nuances. It is a festive introduction to India and Uttar Pradesh. Folk music, shayari (Poetry), and classical dance performances as well as elephant and camel rides, games and food festival – all form part of the festivities.

Surajkund Crafts Mela:(New Delhi)In order to promote the traditional Indian handicrafts, a delightful handloom and handicrafts fair is held annually at Surajkund. Skilled artisans and craftsmen display their skills and crafts in a rural setting. Cultural programmes and rural cuisine are also a part of this colourful fair.

Chapchar Kut:(Mizoram)A lively festival in Mizoram which celebrates the arrival of spring. It is an occasion for dance, music and feasting.

Island Tourism Festival:(Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Islands)Is a ten day long festival of dance, drama and music. Exhibitions displaying arts and crafts, flora and fauna and marine life, are part of the event. Aqua sports, tele-games and parasailing are added attractions.