TEEJ
An important festival in Rajasthan that welcomes the advent of the monsoons. Primarily it is a women's festival, the presiding diety of the festival is the Goddess Parvati. A procession of her idol seated on a palanquin is carried out on two separate days in a sea of vibrantly dressed women, accompanied by musicians, dancers, drummers and caprisoned elephants, horses and camels. Decorated swings are put up, and women swing on them, singing in praise of the Goddess [Rajasthan (particularly Jaipur)] July 28 – 29.


NAAG PANCHAMI
It is the festival of Sesha, the mythical thousand headed serpent called Sesha or Ananth (which means infinite). Live cobras or their images are worshipped with offerings of milk. In Rajasthan huge cloth effigies of the serpent are displayed at colourful fairs [All India (especially Bengal/Rajasthan)] July 30.


AMARNATH YATRA
Up in the Himalayas, the cave at Amarnath enshrines a naturally formed ice Linga, a symbol of Lord Shiva which waxes and wanes with the moon. It is believed, Lord Shiva explained the secret of salvation to his consort Parvati [Amarnath Cave, Kashmir] August 09.

RAKSHA BANDHAN
Glittering amulets or 'rakhis' are tied to the wrist of brothers by sisters in a gesture which symbolises the seeking and granting of brotherly protection. The Sea God Varuna is also worshipped by many on this day, by the throwing of coconuts into the sea, which is why the day is also known as Narial Purnima [All India (mainly North)] August 09.



JANAMASHTAMI
Birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated throughout the country, with great festivity and enthusiasm. A day of fasting for the devotees. At Mathura, his birth is symbolically enacted and at adjoining Brindavan, colourful song and dance dramas depicting the life of Lord Krishna are performed all day and night (Vaisnava) [All India(especially Brindavan)] August 16.



GANESH/VINAYAK CHATURTHI
The birthday of the elephant-headed Lord Ganesha. He is worshipped to remove all obstacles and ensure smooth progress in all ventures. In Mumbai, small, big and gigantic images of Lord Ganesha are worshipped for days, after which they are taken out in mammoth processions to the water front and immersed. On the main immersion day the sight at the sea fronts where the idol is immersed is packed with people, as thousands of idols are brought by devotees [All India (particularly Maharashtra)] August 27.


ONAM
A picturesque harvest festival, heralding the annual visit of Mahabali, the favourite mythical king of Kerala and also the end of the monsoons; is celebrated with feasting, singing, dancing and processions. A major attraction are the famed snake-boat races Vallam Kalli held on the picturesque back- waters [Kerala] September 05.



DUSSHERA/NAVRATRI
One of the most colourful celebrations in India. A ten day festival, of which nine days are spent in worship and the tenth day in celebration of the triumph of good over evil. In Delhi and other parts of north India, the effigies of Ravana are consigned to flames. At Kulu, in Himachal Pradesh, local deities from neighbouring villages converge where colourful festivities mark the occasion. Mysore witnesses a magnificent procession with caparisoned elephants and horses as the erstwhile Maharaja goes from his palace to the temple [All India] October 02.


DIWALI/LAKSHMI PUJA
Festival of lights, when all of India is a glitter. Lord Rama's homecoming at the end of 14 years of exile is celebrated and Lakshmi, the goddess of prosperity, propitiated. People illuminate their houses. Fireworks and crackers in the night lend it an exclusive festival tone. New clothes are worn and sweets distributed [All India] October 21.

CHANDRABHAGA KARTIK FAIR
Second only to Pushkar in size, this large cattle fair takes place on the banks of the river Chandrabhaga, where on the full moon, thousands of pilgrims take a dip in its holy waters. Livestock traded are cows, bullocks, buffaloes and camels [Jhalawar, Rajasthan] November 04 – 06.

SONEPUR MELA
At Sonepur on the banks of river Ganga near Patna,the largest cattle fair in Asia, where thousands of cattle and hundreds of elephants are displayed for sale, the fair goes on for a month usually in November [Near Patna, Bihar] November 05.

GURU PARVA
The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak, the first teacher and founder of Sikh faith is jcelebrated by the sikhs with the "Akhand Path" or the continue reading of the "Granth" - the holy book. The "Granth", martial displays and floats are taken out in processions [All India (mainly Punjab)] November 05.




CHRISTMAS
The birth anniversary of Jesus Christ is celebrated by the Christians throughout India and holy mass held in all Churches.Christmas is observed in much splendour and festivity in carol singing,dances and balls [All India] December 25.

ID-UL-FITR
Dates depend on the lunar calender so they change every year. Celebrated to mark the end of Ramzan, the Muslims gather in mosque to pray, friends and relatives meet to exchange greetings followed by feasting and rejoicing [All India] November 4.

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