INDIAN FESTIVALS IN: Jan | Feb | March | April | May | June | July | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec

Colorful and lively, THE FAIRS AND FESTIVALS OF INDIA are major attractions of the country. Indian festivals speak of India's rich cultural and traditional background.

1. Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Snake boat race, Alleppey, Kerala:  Alappuzha is famous for its annual boat race, held on the second Saturday of August every year. The long elegant snake boats, with crews of over hundred men vying to win the coveted trophy, attract spectators from all over.

This was started in 1952 when India's first Prime Minister, Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru, visited Alappuzha, and inaugurated the function in which the gigantic snake boats with over 100 rowers in each raced one another. Having gone through the tremendous excitement of sailing in a snake boat popularly known as Chundan he donated a rolling trophy to be awarded to the winner of the Snake Boat Races to be held every year.



2. Independence Day, All over India: On 15 August 1947, India attained freedom from the British Rule. Every year, August 15 is celebrated as the Independence Day in India. This national festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over the country.

The Independence Day of any country is a moment of pride and glory. On this special occasion, rich tributes are paid to the freedom fighters who sacrificed their lives and fought to free their motherland from the clutches of the oppressors - British who ruled the country.





3. Teej Festival - All over North India: A unique festival for women, Teej is primarily celebrated in Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar. Teej festival is dedicated to the re-union of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva. Mostly celebrated among women, Teej festival is celebrated for longevity and well-being of husband and children.

Long swings decorated with flowers, colorfully dressed young girls and women, glittering jewellery, delicious feasts, tough fasting, religious processions and songs & dance mark the gaiety of Teej festival.

Teej festival is celebrated with much enthusiasm. Falling on the onset of monsoon after a long season of oppressive heat, Teej festival in India is also known as 'Sawan Festival'.

4. Onam - Harvest festival of Kerala: Onam is the most important harvest festival of Kerala and is an attraction for thousands of people within and outside the state. Ranging from four days to ten days, all the activities during this season are centered around worshipping, music, dances, sports, boat races and good food. It is celebrated in the Malayalam month Chingam (ending of August and beginning of September). Onam is a harvest festival, and celebrates the bounty of nature after a year of hard labour. Elaborate procession of Trichur and spectacular snake boat races on River Pampa mark the merry-making nature of the festival. Women dress up in new saris and heavy jewellery and make elaborate and intricate designs of 'rangolis' (with coloured rice paste) and 'pookkalam' (with flowers) in front of their homes. 



5. Raksha Bandhan- The Thread of Love festival:Rakshabandhan or Rakhi which is celebrated on a full moon day in the month of Sravan (August) is a day when brothers and sisters reaffirm their bonds of affection. It is usually a festival of the Hindus though today people from different religions participate as well.

Sisters tie colourful threads or rakhis on their brother's wrists. The brothers in turn promise to protect their sisters and give them gifts.

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