KHAJURAHO DANCE FESTIVAL

A Fusion of the body and the sprit, as dusk falls over the ancient Chandela Shrines at Khajuraho the stillness is suddenly pierced by the sound of Ghungroos and the staccato beat of the tabla. Once again the Khajuraho festival of dance begins amidst the famous temples to create for the audience, the most spectacular and exhilarating cultural experience of the year. The juxtaposition of the dancers with the ancient temple background is a means of a spiritual communion, which is experienced not only by the performers but by the audience as well. The Khajuraho dance festival is a major attraction for lovers of art and culture of North India. Khajuraho in itself is a major tourist attraction otherwise and can be a part of a regular North India itinerary. The routing can be Delhi, Jaipur, Agra, Khajuraho, Varanasi and Kathmandu - returning to Delhi for final departure [Khajuraho] February 25 - March 3.


NAGAUR FAIR
The sands of this desert out-post stir with life annually as thousands of camels, horses and cattle assemble here for the ritual buying and selling. Colorful stalls sell items used in the every day life of the Rajasthani people, and there is entertainment in the form of the local circus and Nautanki. The Nagaur fair can be built into any Rajasthan itinerary as Nagaur is within easy access from Bikaner ( an important tourist centre in Rajasthan) about 2 1/2 hours drive. The routing can be Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Bikaner, Nagaur, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur and exit from Delhi or Mumbai [Nagaur, Rajasthan] February 04 – 07.


DESERT FESTIVAL
With the "golden" fort of Jaisalmer in the back-ground, the desert is brought to life as dancers in vibrant skirts and dresses and famous bands of the region echo the rhythm of the people. The festivities include a pageant, camel races and acrobatics, camel polo and dances. There is also the thrill of the turban tying competition, and an unique sound and light show on the desert sands. The desert festival takes place in Jaisalmer and can therefore be a part of any Rajasthan itinerary. The routing can be Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur and exit from Delhi or Mumbai [Jaisalmer] February 10 – 12.


PUSHKAR FAIR
The most colorful fair of Rajasthan, mainly a cattle fair where about 50,000 heads of cattle are traded, a mammoth 200,000 people take a dip in the holy waters on Kartik Poornima day, signifies ritual purification. It is an unparalleled glimpse of India at its most exotic. The most well known festival of Rajasthan, it is extremely popular and therefore, a programme including Pushkar Fair stay has to be booked well in advance. The routing can be: - Delhi, Agra, Jaipur Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Pushkar and then return to Delhi via Jaipur by train [Pushkar, Rajasthan] October 29 - November 05.

MEWAR FESTIVAL
The Mewar festival of boats and floats is a major event in Udaipur when the entire Lake Pichola looks like a riot of colors. Udaipur, being an integral part of any Rajasthan circuit, can be included in any standard itinerary - The routing can be Delhi, Jaipur, Jodhpur Udaipur or a longer version which will also include Bikaner and Jaisalmer [Udaipur, Rajasthan] March 26.


GANGAUR FESTIVAL
Gangaur is the most colorful spring festival of Rajasthan festival celebrated in Jaipur, with processions carrying the idols of Ishar and Gangaur to the Lake Pichola where a cavalcade of floats on Pichola Lake honors Gauri, bringing to Pichola all the colors of the rainbow [Jaipur, Rajasthan] April 01 - 02.


SURAJKUND CRAFTSMELA
India's spectacular handloom and handicrafts fair, organized in the rural settings of Surajkund. The week long mela shows crafts people from all over the country, bringing alive the age old crafts traditions. Items made before your eyes are offered for sale. Surajkund is within easy access, about an hours drive from Delhi. It can be included as a day excursion during stay in Delhi (Surajkund, New Delhi) February 1 - 20.

HEMIS FESTIVAL
A big fair held at the Hemis Gompa, 50 kms from Leh, celebrates the birthday of Padmasambhava, the founder of Lamaism. The ritual dances by masked dancers are the main attraction, as are the local handicrafts. This is one of the most important festivals of Ladakh which gives us a kaleidoscope of the life and culture of the Ladakhi people. The Hemis monastery is about an hours drive from Leh so this festival can be visited during stay in Leh itself. Leh can be included in the following itinerary: Delhi, Nalagarh, Manali, Jispa, Sarchu, and Leh traveling all the way by surface up to Leh and then flight from Leh to Delhi [Hemis, Ladakh] June 17 – 18.