September
Tarnetar Mela(Saurashtra,
Gujarat):Is an exciting and a 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 a marriage
market for the local tribals the Kolis, Bharwads and Rabaris. The traditional
costumes, exquisite jewellery and wonderful Tarnetar "Chhatris" (umbrellas) with
intricate embroidery and mirror work are sold. An added attraction is the lively folk
dance performances such as garba, ras, haro.
October

Navratri(All Over India):Navratri is the longest Hindu festival that continues
for nine consecutive nights in praise of Lord Rama. Continuous chanting from the great
epic Ramayana, along with evening performances from the episodes of his life, is held for
nine days.It is a combination of many concepts. It is believed that Durga, the Goddess of
power and vitality, has nine forms called Navadurga and on each day of the nine days, she
takes a new form, with an arsenal of weapons, to ride a lion and fight the demon
Mahishasura. Vijaydashmi or Dussehra, the 10th day, is celebrated with
feasting and rejoicing as her day of victory. Lord Rama is said to have worshipped the
Goddess, seeking her blessing in order to overpower the evil force of Ravana, the abductor
of his beloved Sita.The most joyous celebration of Navaratri is seen in Gujarat,
Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Bengal. Every night people gather in courtyards to dance the
dandiya raas and garba, a community dance in which men and women dressed in festive
clothes, dance in pairs with dandiyas or painted wooden sticks.
Durga Puja(Bengal):Is
performed during the nine days of Navratri. Community pujas in Bengal are organised in
every locality. Families visit each other to share feasts. On Bijoya day, the idols are
taken in elaborate processions for immersion in the river or the sea.
Dussehra(All over
India):Is celebrated to mark the homecoming of Lord Rama. The Ramlila-an enactment of the
life of Lord Rama, is held nine days before Dussehra.
On the tenth day, larger than life effigies of Ravana, his brothers Meghnath and
Kumbhkarna filled with different fire crackers are set alight to celebrate the victory of
good over evil.In Himachal Pradesh, a week long fair at Kullu is a part of the Dussehra
celebrations. From the little temples in the hills, deities are brought in procession to
the Kullu Maidan with lot of gaiety, music and colour. The presiding deity is Lord
Raghunathji.
Mysore is illuminated with lights for Dussehra. Majestic processions, a torch light
parade and dance and musical events enliven the tranquil city.
Marwar Festival(Jodhpur):Is a festival devoted mainly to the music and dance of
the Marwar region. The festival was originally known as the Maand festival.
Held for two days on full moon-sharad purnima, folk artists bring to life the myth, legend
and folklore of the area. 