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Bold colours, vibrant sights, beautiful sounds and myriad scents all combine together in India to form one of the most unique places in the world. Long seen as a land of spiritual enlightenment and meditation, India proudly represents its vast array of religions and cultures in its festivals. A personal travel manager is a great guide to give budding partygoers the tips and tricks they need to enjoy the festivities.
Diwali
Diwali or ‘The Festival of Lights’ is the annual celebration that extravagantly brings in the Hindu New Year. Diwali is scheduled on lunar cycles and is held over a five day period, with the festival taking place over most parts of India with the main party in Onam. Visitors to the festival can expect to see fireworks illuminate the night sky and clay lamps with candles light up homes and streets. The diya clay lamps are lit by all attendees of the festival and placed in homes to signify the victory of good over evil. The festival is renowned for its warm atmosphere and overall sense of happiness, as the lights and fireworks create a buzzing party atmosphere.
Holi
Similar to Diwali, Holi has an emphasis on good over evil and vibrancy. Holi is perhaps the most well known Indian festival thanks in part to the many images of revelers smearing one another in coloured powder and water. Holi got its name as ‘The Festival of Colours’ from the story of Lord Krisna playing pranks on village girls by drenching them in coloured water. The festival also marks the end of winter and the huge harvests that are expected to follow in spring. The daytime Holi party offers revelers the chance to dance below water sprinklers, throw coloured powders and party away. Holi is celebrated each March all over India with the best party occurring in Mathura, which is approximately four hours drive from Delhi. With all the paint and water flying around it’s a good idea to wear old clothes to this festival!
Pushkar Camel Fair
A festival for the animal lovers, the Pushkar Camel Fair annually hosts over 50,000 camels and 200,000 visitors. Held in the small town of Pushkar each November, the fair has fast become a major spectacle for tourists. The fair was originally a trade event for local camel and cattle traders but has evolved into a large scale production. The locals leave no stone unturned in preparing for this fair as they dress up and parade their camels in beauty contests. No longer a simple village fair, the festival now includes musicians, magicians, dancers, acrobats and snake charmers.
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