KITE FESTIVAL
Some festivals are revivals of popular celebrations. Makar Sankranti in Ahmedabad is one example. Popularly known as the Kite Flying Festival, the sky is dotted with kites of all hues and sizes. The festival also includes cultural shows, a food festival and an exhibition of exciting handicrafts. With the introduction of the "International Kite Festival" a new dimension has been added to this occasion [Ahmedabad, Gujarat] January 13 – 15.

GANDHI JAYANTI
The birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, Father of the Nation [All India] October 2.



INDEPENDENCE DAY
Day of India's independence. Solemn ceremonies in all cities mark the occasion. In Delhi, the Prime Minister addresses the nation from the ramparts of the historic Red Fort and unfurls the National Flag[All India] August 15.




PONGAL
A three day harvest festival, the first day is confined to domestic festivities, and on the second day rice cooked in milk is offered to the Sun God. On the third day the cattles are washed, their horns painted and decorated. They are then fed with the rice offered to the Sun God. Festivities involve bull-fights and snatching bags of money tied between the horns of ferocious bulls [Tamil Nadu] January 14.


REPUBLIC DAY
The Republic Day, commemorates the forming of the Indian Republic and is celebrated with a spectacular parade of awesome grandeur as tableaux from all states of India are displayed to thousands of spectators. In Delhi, the President of India takes the salute from an impressive parade consisting of the Armed Forces, School Childern and NCC youth, Folk Dancers and floats, which move down from the Rajpath to the Red Fort via India Gate [All India] January 26.

BEATING THE RETREAT
A breath taking ceremony at Vijay Chowk, set against the Rashtrapati Bhawan, when the combined bands of the Armed Forces play martial music and march in intricate patterns. This is followed by a colorful display of flares and illuminations of the Rashtrapati Bhawan and the buildings around [New Delhi] January 29.

BASANT PANCHAMI
Dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of learning, the festivities are particularly remarkable in north India, where it is celebrated as a spring festival, with yellow-clad revelers vying with the bloom of the mustard flower. In Bengal, the Goddess of Learning - Saraswati, is worshipped and her image is taken out in a colorful procession [All India] February 02.

ID-UL-ZUHA (Bakr-Id)
Depends on lunar dates which change every year, celebrated by Muslims, this occasion commemorates the offering made by Prophet Ibrahim to God. Prayers and the ceremonial slaughter of a lamb and greetings mark this festival throughout India [All India] January 11.


MUHARRAM
Depends on lunar dates which change every year, on this day of mourning, Muslims commemorates the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Mohammed, Tazias, gorgeous replicas of the martyr's tomb are carried in procession through the streets, and men beat their chests and wail as an expression of grief and distress [All India (especially Lucknow / Hyderabad)] February 09.


MAHASHIVRATRI
Celebrated by Hindus all over India Mahashivratri is a solemn festival devoted to the worship of the most powerful deities of the Hindu pantheon, Lord Shiva. Festival of fasting and chanting, it is believed, Shiva danced the "Tandav" on this night.


RAMNAVAMI
Lord Ram's birthday is observed throughout the country with great devotion [All India (particularly Uttar Pradesh)] April 06.


ELEPHANT FESTIVAL
A majestic procession of caparisoned elephants moves through the streets to
the Chauhan Stadium. All the Elephants are looking very beautiful. There is
elephant polo and race interspersed with Rajasthani folk dances,
songs and entertainment [Jaipur, Rajasthan] March 14.

HOLI
Holi is the festival of spring when crowds of merrymakers spray colored powder on one another in an atmosphere of exuberance. On the evening before, bonfires are lit to symbolize the destruction of evil. Particularly interesting celebrations are held near the home of Lord Krishna at Mathura and also in Punjab [All India] March 14 / 15.

BAISAKHI
An important day for the Sikh community, Baisakhi is of special significance, when their tenth teacher, Guru Gobind Singh, founded the Khalsa sect. It also marks the beginning of the solar New Year for the Hindus. There is a lot of feasting, dancing and jubilation especially all over north India [All India (particularly Punjab)] April 13.

EASTER
Christians all over India celebrate resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ to heaven, day for rejoicing and merriment and is celebrated by Christians all over India [All India] April 16.

BUDDHA PURNIMA
Celebrated by Buddhists throughout India, this full moon day is believed to be the birthday of the Lord Buddha. It is a day of prayer, and gatherings at temples or Viharas, where ceremonial offerings are made to Buddha [All India] May 13.

RATH YATRA
The Rath Yatra or Car Festival at the Jagannath temple in Puri, the eastern state of Orissa is one of the greatest temple festival of India. The city reverberates with activity when spectacular wooden images of the deities kept at the temple are taken out in the streets on giant chariots nearly 14 metres high, in honour of Lord Jagannath amidst mammoth gathering [Puri, Orissa] June 27.

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