Fair Festivals February India

This is a good time to be in India, with balmy weather in most non-mountainous areas. It’s still peak travel season, and sunbathing and skiing are still on.

1) Kala Ghoda Festival
One of the most prominent cultural events in Mumbai, Kala Ghoda festival is organised by the Kala Ghoda Association. This cultural feast celebrates varied art forms, including music, dance, theatre etc., and also involves seminars and workshops related to arts. The nine-day long festival is a prominent attraction for thousands of visitors from all over the country as well as from the world. Kala Ghoda festival is held annually in the months of January or February in the Kala Ghoda region of Southern Mumbai. Since its origin in 1999, the popularity of the festival has been growing, attracting plenty of tourists. The festival is also celebrated with an intention to draw attention towards the development of the area by improving the infrastructure of the region and restoring the beauty of the buildings and constructing people-friendly street furniture. Read further to know more about the Kala Ghoda festival and its major attractions.

2) Khajuraho Festival
The Khajuraho Dance Festival is the celebration of the Indian traditional dance forms. Classical Indian dance originated in the ancient temples. The intriguing temples of Khajuraho have a mesmerizing association with dance as the art form has been glamorized and immortal in the exquisite stone carvings here. Khajuraho temples therefore serves as the idyllic backdrop of the art genre. As the hard winters make for warm spring, the Khajuraho Dance Festival is organized. Audiences from all over the world are drawn to the cultural extravaganza of Indian classical dance forms, music and art. Celebrate the art of dance against the backdrop of the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Khajuraho.

3) Hampi Festivals
Hampi Festival or Hampi Utsav is also popular as Vijaya Utsav and has been very old for Vijayanagar reign. It is beautifully organized by the Government of Karnataka on a large scale, and its main draw includes traditional Kannadigas dance, drama, fireworks, puppet shows, spectacular parades, and musical instruments like drums and pipes are played to renew the brilliance of yesteryear. It is a cultural event of UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hampi, presenting elephants, as well as local lads and horses wearing spectacular outfits pointing out military fashion of the Golden Era. All are placed below the red, yellow, blue and white cloth Gopuras along the lanes of Hampi village. Besides, pay a special visit to the adjoining Virupaaksha temple, earlier known as the Raja Marga, is situated at the distance of two kms, and is also tastefully bedecked thought the festive time like the Vijayanagar theme. Nevertheless, collect some fond memories of the performances by classical Indian dancers and carnatic vocalists in several avenues.

4) Goa Carnival
Goa Carnival is the most famous festival in the state and has been celebrated since the 18th century as a precursor to the abstinence of Lent. The 'Carnaval' is exclusive and unique to Goa, and was introduced by the Portuguese who ruled over Goa for over five hundred years.

5) Taj Mahotsav
Taj Mahotsav Agra, one of the most eagerly awaited festivals, is celebrated from 18th to 27th February every year at Shilpgram near the Eastern gate of “Taj Mahal”.This 10 days long carnival is actually a vibrant platform that gives you information of India where you can find India’s rich arts, crafts, cultures, cuisine, dance and music. Taj Mahal is the most beautiful historical place of India which tells about incredible India. Taj Mahotsav is organized by UP Tourism and it is a source to increase Indian Tourism.

6) Desert Festival
The Jaisalmer Desert Festival is an annual event that take place in February month in the beautiful city Jaisalmer. It is held in the Hindu month of Magh (February), three days prior to the full moon. The festival is celebrated amidst the beautiful dunes of the Thar Desert in the Sam dunes (42 kilometers from Jaisalmer). Romantic, remote and unspoiled, the location comes to life during the three day extravaganza of the delights of the desert.

7) Baneshwar Fair
Baneshwar Fair is a tribal celebration held in a small district of Dungarpur of Rajasthan. This fair celebrates traditional rituals, religious elements and is fun-filled. The name ‘Baneshwar’ denotes Lord Shiva of Hinduism. This name specifically denotes the Shivalinga present in Mahadev temple of the region. Baneshwar also denotes the Delta region, which is formed by Soma River and other two rivers.

8) Konark Dance Festival
Konark Dance Festival is an event held annually in the backdrop of the exquisite Konark Sun Temple in Odisha. Classical performers of every age group descend on Konark to showcase their musical and dancing skills, to promote this age-old monument. Handicrafts and sculptures are also put on display to showcase the hidden talent of the region. Held every year between 19 and 21 February, this festival brings together dancers, musicians and cultures from all around the country in a scintillating display of different art forms.

9) Natyanjali Dance Festival
Natyanjali is one of the famous festival or occasion for the Indians; especially it is very much special for those people who are involved in classical dance. The Natyanjali is a celebration or an annual festival where different kind of Indian classical dance forms are performed. This dance festival is celebrated on the time of Maha Shiv Ratri. Originally, this festival was introduced at the temple of Chidambaram. After that it is celebrated in different place like Chennai, Thanjavur, Mayavaram, Thirunallar etc. from past many years, Sri Subramania Samaj from Chembur of Mumbai, also celebrate this festival in their temple complex on every Shiv Ratri.

10) Maha Shivaratri Festival
Maha Shivaratri is celebrated all over the country, and in different places and ways in different states. In the state of Andhra Pradesh, the Maha Shivaratri is celebrated at mainly Kalahasti, in Sri Kalahasteshwara Temple. It is also celebrated at Srisailam in the temple of Bharamarambha Malikarjunaswamy Temple. The Maha Shivaratri means ‘Night of the Shiva’ and it is believed to be the day when Lord Shiva married Parvati. The Maha Shivaratri festival is celebrated in Andhra Pradesh when pilgrims go all the way to Kalahasti and Srisailam to visit the temples there. There is a strict fast observed throughout the day. Throughout the night, the Shiva Lingam is worshipped by washing it every three hours with milk, curd, honey, rose water etc with the holy chant of ‘Om Namah Shivaya’ chanted at the background with devotion and concentration.

11) Surajkund Crafts Fair
A splash of colours, rhythm of drum beats and joy de-vivre merge at Surajkund in Faridabad, Haryana during the first fortnight of each February. The curtains go up on the acclaimed annual Surajkund International Crafts Mela from 2nd February onwards, a celebration of Indian folk traditions and cultural heritage. Occupying a place of pride on the international tourist calendar, more than a million visitors throng the Mela during the fortnight including thousands of foreign tourists. The Surajkund Mela is unique as it showcases the richness and diversity of the handicrafts, handlooms and cultural fabric of India, & is the largest crafts fair in the world. The Mela is organized by the Surajkund Mela Authority & Haryana Tourism in collaboration with Union Ministries of Tourism, Textiles, Culture and External Affairs. For the 33rd Surajkund International Crafts Mela, the state of Maharashtra has been chosen to be the Theme State. At least 20 countries & all the states of India will be participating in the Mela.

12) Deccan Festival
The Deccan Festival brings the spirit of Hyderabad city to life. The festival essentially celebrates the Qutab Shahi era. The love of art and literature of the city is reflected in the Deccan Festival. The festival is organized every year by the department of tourism of Andhra Pradesh. The five day long festival marks the advent of several cultural programs. Talents of the city of Hyderabad is showcased in this festival. Performances of Ghazals, Mushairas and Qawwalis are a specialty of this festival. There are recitation of poetry and dance performances also happens in the festival. The Deccan Festival also highlights the rich crafts of Hyderabad. The nawab special cuisine is also prepared during the festival.Another festivity that occurs in the course of the Deccan Festival, is the fair of bangles and pearls. The decorative pearls and the multi hued bangles of Hyderabad that are renowned over the world is exhibited in the Deccan Festival.