When it comes to festivals, celebrations in India never stop. While most of the world finds a few days of festivities, in India it’s the other way around; there are hardly a handful of days when there aren’t any festivities happening! As a part of our monthly series on festivals and events around the country, we help you plan your travels according to festivals celebrated in all parts of India. January 2016 has no doubt been an eventful month, but February is not far and has a lot in store too. So here is our list of festivals and events that will ensure an action-packed February!
1. Surajkund International Crafts Mela
What: This craft fair is one of the most famous events in Haryana. Craftsmen and artistes from across the country display their works of art at the Surajkund Craft Mela. Each year, the fair has a state theme. This year, for the 30th Surajkund Mela, theme is Goa. While China is the partner nation, Sri Lankan artistes will display their artwork too.
When: February 1 to February 15, 9.30 am to 7.30 pm
Where: Faridabad, Haryana
2. Kila Raipur Rural Olympics
Photograph courtesy: Punjab Tourism
What: The Killa Raipur Sports Festival is often referred to as Rural Olympics. It is the destination to be at for every sports enthusiast. Each year, there are various rural sports competitions conducted and people are observed to have participated in them with great passion. This is the time of the year, when Punjab is flocked by tourists who leave in awe of sportsmanship they witness here.
When: February 4 to February 7
Where: Kila Raipur, near Ludhiana, Punjab
3. Sufi Sutra International Sufi Music Festival
Photograph courtesy: Sufi Sutra/Facebook
What: Sufi music is one of the genres of music that is said to liberate the soul beyond boundaries. The Sufi Sutra Music Festival was started in 2011. Currently in its sixth edition, the festival is host to performers from over 15 countries. Various troupes from different parts of the world come to India to be a part of the festival.
When: February 5 to February 7, Workshops: 11 am to 2 pm, Concerts: 6 pm to 10 pm
Where: Rabindra Sadan-Nandan campus, Kolkata, West Bengal
The Kala Academy, Goa from February 10 to February 12, 2016
How much: Free
CHECK OUT: These music festivals that will drive your New Year’s blue away!
4. Indian Derby Weekend
Photograph courtesy: Wikimedia Commons
What: Run since 1943, the Indian Derby Weekend is held at the Mahalaxmi Race Course and is one of the most elite sports hosted in the city. Apart from horse racing, there’s live music and dance, that will keep you entertained through the weekend.
When: February 6 to February 14
Where: Mahalaxmi Race Course, Mumbai, Maharashtra
5. SulaFest
Photograph courtesy: sulafest.net
What: SulaFest is often addressed as the Gourmet World Music Festival, with loads to eat, drink and shop for. How can we forget the cool line-up for festival, there’s all sorts of genres that you can sway to. From Kailasa to Madboy Mink, the options are abundant and you get to camp out, under the stars! Add a glass of wine to this and you’re good to go!
When: February 6 to February 7
Where: Sula Vineyards, Nashik, Maharashtra
How much: One Day Pass: RS 2200, Two Day Pass: RS 3300
6. Goa Carnival
Photograph courtesy: Goa Tourism/Facebook
What: Goa Carnival is one of Goa’s most important festivals. A time of the year when everyone is feasting, ends a day before Lent, which is 40 days of abstinence. The carnival has been celebrated in Goa since the 18th century. Elaborate parades and feasts, three days of enthusiasm that set the mood for merriment with singing songs and dancing. However, the most important part of the celebrations is the appointment of King Momo who parades around the city on the eve of the carnival called Fat Saturday.
When: February 6 to February 9
Where: Panaji, Goa
7. Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
Photograph courtesy: Kala Ghoda Arts Festival/Facebook
What: The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival is a brainchild of the Kala Ghoda Association that came up with this utterly quirky festival to celebrate everything that Mumbai has. From cinema and music to contemporary art and food, the festival builds up a chilled out scene for everyone who loves the city.
When: February 6 to February 14
Where: Kala Ghoda, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra
How much: Free
8. Losar
Photograph: Shutterstock
What: It marks the Tibetan New Year and is very important to several Indian communities as well. The festival is celebrated for a whole of 15 days with different rituals performed by people in order to welcome the New Year. Though it is largely celebrated by Buddhists, the festival dates back to the pre-Buddhist era. the festival has been celebrated right since the first king’s enthronement.
When: February 8 onwards
Where: All around India
ALSO SEE: Losar Festival in India
9. Ragasthan
Photograph courtesy: Ragasthan.com
What: No doubt, the most awaited folk and fusion music festivals in India, Ragasthan is hosted near Jaisalmer. The venue is the desert, specifically, the sand dunes of Khuri. From pop rock and folk music to some adventure sports, brilliant Rajasthani food and how can you forget the hospitality that will make your experience all the most worth your time? Popular as the Craziest Music Festival the country has in store for you, this one can’t be missed; especially, if your hunger for good music is insatiable.
When: February 11 to February 14
Where: Khuri Sand Dunes, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
10. Shekhawati Festival
What: The Shekhawati Festival is meant for anyone and everyone who loves to admire the beauty of all things rustic, vintage and with a story that makes it what it is today. If you consider yourself to be a part of this category, you’ll probably fall in love with the art and heritage at Shekhawat, of course, apart from never wanting to leave the havelis you’ll be strolling around.
When: February 12 to February 14
Where: Surya Mandal Stadium, Shekhawati, Nawalgarh, Rajasthan
11. Mahindra Blues Festival
What: Asia’s largest and finest Blues festival was started in 2011. . It was started in the year 2011 with the sole aim of bringing to you some of the best blues sets from across the world. From Joss Stone to Soulmate and Malina Moye, this two day festival will get you swaying to Blues music like you’ve always wished you could.
When: February 13 to February 14
Where: Mehboob Studios, Bandra, Mumbai, Maharashtra
How much: One Day Regular Pass: Rs 2500, Season pass: Rs 4000, Premium Pass: Rs 13,000
DON’T MISS: 10 Indian Festivals that made it international
12. Nagaur Fair
What: After the Pushkar Fair, the Nagaur Fair is the second biggest fair and the first cattle fair of the year. The Nagaur Village hosts this trade fair with over 70,000 camels, cows, horses and bullocks.
When: February 13 to February 16
Where: Nagaur, Rajasthan
12. Chettikulangara Bharani
Photograph courtesy: chettikulangara.org
What: Dedicated to Goddess Bhagwathy, the Chettikulangara Temple hosts the most visually appealing festivals in all of Alleppey. Kuthiyottam (a dance prepared by children) and Kettukazhcha (five sculpted and decorated forms that represent horse chariots) are the main highlights of the festival. An elaborate procession with the deity is carried out through the streets of the taluka so that all the villagers can offer their prayers and seek the goddesses blessings.
When: February 14
Where: Chettikulangara temple, Mavelikara, Alleppey, Kerala
13. Taj Mahotsav
Photograph courtesy: Taj Mahotsav/Facebook
What: The Taj Mahotsav is organized at Shilpgram, near the Taj Mahal. This year, the festival’s theme is Hum Ek Sanskruti Anek. Over 400 artisans from across the country get the opportunity to display their works of art at the festival. Across a span of 15 days, you can also witness performances by artistes who’ll leave you spellbound. A fortnight of fun for shopaholics and appreciators of art, with the Taj Mahal in the background, what else could you ask for?
When: February 18 to February 27
Where: Agra, Uttar Pradesh
How much: Children: Rs 10, Adults: Rs 50
ALSO SEE: These interesting facts about Taj Mahal you probably didn’t know
14. India Bike Festival
What: The India Bike Festival is the biggest and most awaited biking carnival in India. Apart from stunts and bike races, there is a great deal of music that will keep you entertained through the weekend.
When: February 19 to February 20
Where: Vagator, Goa
How much: Season Pass: Rs 3500
15. Pariyanampetta Pooram
What: This day marks the end of the seven day feats at the Pariyanampetta Temple. A procession with 21 elephants is carried out in the village. Elephants are considered holy in Kerala and are decorated intricately before devotees gather around them, offering prayers and seeking blessings. The procession is followed by music, dance and puppet performances.
When: February 20
Where: Pariyanampetta Bhagavathy Temple, Kattukulam, Palakkad, Kerala.
16. Jaisalmer Desert Festival
What: The Jaisalmer Desert Festival is colorful, exuberant and full of surprises for travelers. Not only is it a great time to visit Jaisalmer, but it gives you a plethora of recreational options. From a desert safari, to camping under the stars at a desert or merely grooving to some kickass folk music and digging into some finger licking Rajasthani food.
When: February 20 to February 22
Where: Sam Sand Dunes, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
17. Khajuraho Dance Festival
Photograph courtesy: khajurahodancefestival.com
What: Khajuraho is home to some of the most intricately designed temple complexes in the world. The UNESCO World heritage Site is primarily known for the erotic carvings on walls and facades of temples. Apart from the world renowned temples, Khajuraho is also known for its Dance Festival that attractspeople from all around the world. The Khajuraho temple grounds host the dance festival each year. this year, the festival will be hosted for the 41st time, since 1975 and will give a platform to various folk dancers from all around India. The festival, for some years now has been organized by the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation.
When: February 20 to February 26, 7 pm onwards
Where: Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
How much: Free
18. Attukal Poongala
What: This festival is the biggest gathering of women for religious purposes. In the late ’90s the festival earned a spot in the Guinness World Record, as an estimate of over 1.5 million women had gathered in Trivandrum for cewlebrating the festival. A special offering of Pongala is made with rice, jagerry, coconut and dried fruits is prepared for Goddess Attukamala. The preparations for the festival begin an entire day in advance, when thousands of women assemble at the temple in order to perform all the rituals with utmost faith. Men are not allowed to be apart of this festival.
When: February 23
Where: Attukal Bhagwathy Temple, Trivandrum, Kerala
19.Deccan Festival
Photograph courtesy: Ron Hansen
What: Every year, the city of pearls, Hyderabad celebrates the Deccan Festival with huge fairs, highlighting the art, culture and specialities of Hyderabad. Most importantly, you’ll be introduced to Nawabi Cuisine at its best. This is one of the festivals hosted by Hyderabad that will ensure you feel like staying back just a little bit longer than you planned to.
When: February 25 to February 29
Where: Hyderabad, Telangana
HERE IS Our list of the best places to visit in Hyderabad
20. India Surf Festival
Photograph courtesy: India Surf Festival/Facebook
What: The India Surf Festival is not only a surfing festival. It has a splendid combination of surfing, yoga, nature, music and ones well being. There are Yoga workshops, an d several other adventure sports like longboarding and kitesurfing. There is a lot to look out for at the India Surfing Festival, so hold your horses till the dates are announced.
When: Dates to be announced
Where: Ramchandi Beach, near Puri, Odisha
ALSO READ 9 most mesmerizing beaches of Odisha
21. Udyanotsav
What: This is the time of the year, when the Mughal gardens at the President’s residence are open for the public to visit and take a good look at the flowers assembled from different parts of the world. Though the dates for this, are yet to be announced, it usually marks the end of the winters in India which is also the best time of the year to visit the capital.
When: Dates to be announced (Mid February to Mid March), 9.30 am to 4 pm, closed on Mondays
Where: Rashtrapati Bhawan, Delhi NCR
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