| Event | Descrition |
Location | Date |
| Pongal |
In South Sankranti becomes Pongal. It is a celebration of the harvest, which is observed for
three days in January. Bhogi Pongal, Surya Pongal and Mattu Pongal, are the three days of Pongal
festivities on successive days. In certain parts cattle races still enliven the village
festivities. Pongal is a colourful and traditional festival with many a ceremony devoted to
various deities.
|
Tamil Nadu
Andra Pradesh |
Jan 13th - 16th |
| Keralavillage Fair |
Mid January is the time for cultural events in the lush villages around Kovalam every year.
Traditional thatched houses are decorated during this ten day long festival and are the venue
for folk dances, music and festivities.
|
Kovalam, Kerala |
Mid of Jan |
| Pattadakkal Dance Festival |
Delicately carved temples rich in detail stand still at Pattadakkal, the ancient capital of the
Chalukyan kings. A festival of dance celebrates this marvellous heritage.
|
Pattadakkal, Karnataka |
Jan 1st - 31st |
| Republic Day |
Commemorating the day India became a republic, 26th of January every year is witness to a
colourful affair with soldiers marching in unison, followed by folk dancers, school children and
floats from different states. The beating retreat that marks the end of celebrations on the 29th
of January is a moving ceremony with military bands playing at Vijay Chock, New Delhi.
|
All over India |
Jan 26th |
| Float Festival |
This magnificent festival is celebrated in Madurai on the night of the full moon. The ornamented
icons of the goddess Meenakshi and her consort are taken out in a colourful procession from the
Meenakshi Temple to the Huge Mariamman Teppakulam. The icons are floated in the tank on a raft
decked with flowers and flickering lamps.
|
Madurai, Tamil Nadu |
Jan 1st-31st |
| Thai Pusam |
This festival usually takes place in the temples dedicated to the Kartikeya or Mariamman.
Trenches of burning coal are laid out for the devotees to walk over. People who volunteer to
undertake this experience with faith, come away unharmed and unscathed
|
Tamil Nadu |
Feb 1st |
| Mahasivaratri |
On this day, the great night of the Lord Shiva, devotees stay awake throughout the night offering
prayers to Lord Shiva. They offer special food made from the fruits of the season, root vegetables
and coconut to the Lord. Special celebrations are held in some of the major Shiva temples at
Varanasi, Kalahasti (Andhra Pradesh) and Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu)
|
All over India |
Feb 26th |
| Nishagandhi Dance Festival |
The Nishagandhi open-air theatre in the palace compound holds a dance festival every year.
Renowned dancers perform Bharathanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kathak, Odissi, modern ballet and other
folk forms. Artist and connoisseurs of dance from all over India come to enjoy this cultural treat.
The festival organised by the Tourism Development Corporation is free and is usually accompanied
with music. It gives a fascinating glimpse of India's rich dance heritage
|
Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala |
Feb 1st - 28th |
| Hoysala Mahotsava |
The dance festival held at Belur and Halebid is a magnificent event. The splendid Hoysala temples
with their sculptural extravaganza, make the perfect venue for this cultural feast.
|
Belur,halebid,Karnataka |
Mar 1st - 31st |
| Vishu |
The dance festival held at Belur and Halebid is a magnificent event. The splendid Hoysala temples
with their sculptural extravaganza, make the perfect venue for this cultural feast.
|
Kerala |
Apr 14th |
| Champakkulam Boat Race |
The traditional annual boat race of Kerala begin in July at Champakulam. This festival is known as
' Moolam Vallamkali'. Moolam signifies a Malayalam asterism (star or Nakshathram), Moolam of the
month Mithunam
|
Kerala |
Jul 10th |
| Ganesh Chathurthi |
Ganesh or Vinayaka Chaturthi is dedicated to Lord Ganesh (son of Shiva), the elephant -headed god
of all good beginnings and success. The festival celebrated as the birth day of Lord Ganesha,
held annually in South India especially with great fervor in Maharashtra, is a ten day long event.
|
South India |
Mid Aug |
| NehruTrophy Boat Race |
Alappuzha is famous for its annual boat race, held on the second Saturday of August every year.
The long elegant snakeboats, with crews of over hundred men vying to win the coveted trophy,
attract spectators from all over
|
Kerala |
Aug 12th |
| Janmashtami |
In South India, Janmashtami or Gokulashtami, is celebrated with prayers, devotional renditions
and offering of fruits and special prasadams to Lord Krishna. In some houses, a typical setting
of 'Gokulam' is arranged with mud images of Devaki, Vasudeva with little Krishna perched in a
basket on his head, a cow, besides other things related to Krishna's legends.
|
All over India |
Aug 16th |
| Onam |
Onam, Kerala's most important festival heralds the harvest season. Onam lasts ten days and
welcomes King Mahabali's spirit from eternal exile once every year. Main celebrations are held
for four days and People wear new clothes, visit temples and offer prayers. Girls perform the
Kaikottikkali (Thiruvathirakkali) in the open, dancing around the traditional brass lamp. A major
attraction of the onam celebrations are the famed snake boat races along the backwaters at
Champakulam, Aranmula and Kottayam. About a hundred oarsmen in each boat row huge and graceful
odee (snake boats) to the rhythm of drums and cymbals and songs praising Mahabalis reign. Cultural
festivities are held throughout the state at different venues with displays of the famed Kathakali
, kaikottikali, Mohiniyattom dances etc.
|
Kerala |
Sep 5th |
| Dussehra |
This Hindu festival is celebrated all over India to mark the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama.
Dussehra symbolises the triumph of good over evil. The 'Ramlila' - an enactment of the life of Lord
Rama, is held during the nine days preceding Dussehra. On the tenth day, larger than life effigies
of Ravana, his son and brother -Meghnath and Kumbhakarna, are set alight.
In Mysore, South India the Mysore palace is illuminated for a whole month during Dusshera and
caparisoned elephants lead a colourful procession through the gaily-decorated streets of the city.
A torch light parade and dance and musical events enliven the tranquil city.
|
All over India |
Oct 2nd |
| Chennai Dance & Music Festival |
Chennai music and dance festival is a celebration of classical music and dance of South India
(Carnatic Music) held during mid December to mid January in the capital city of Chennai. The
festival is held at a number of venues around the city by various sabhas or organizations
|
Chennai, Tamil Nadu |
Mid Dec-Mid Jan |
| Mamallapuram Festival |
Once the ancient port of the Pallavas, Mamallapuram plays host to a vibrant festival of Dance.
Exponents of Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak and Kathakali performed against the magnificent
backdrop of the Pallava Rock Sculpture.
|
Mamallapuram
Tamil Nadu |
Mid Dec-Mid Jan |