Pattadakkal Dance Festival

The delicately carved temples at the UNESCO World Heritage site of Pattadakkal (the ancient capital of the Chalukyan kings) in the state of Karnataka form the backdrop for this festival of dance, held to celebrate this marvellous heritage.

Pete De Pondicherry

This cultural pageant, held from 15 th to 17 th August, in Pondicherry, coincides with Pondicherry's Liberation Day. The Park monument is brilliantly lit.

Thrissur Pooram

"Pooram", the two-century-old festival held at the Vadakkunnathan temple in Thrissur, Kerala, in Apr / May, is the most colourful of all the temple festivals held in the state. All the temples in the state send their best elephants to participate. B edecked with golden headpieces coming down over the trunk, the elephants go round the temple in a splendid procession t o the accompaniment of drums, pipes and trumpets. Carrying ceremonial umbrellas and fanned by white whisks, 30 of these gentle giants amble out majestically through the temple gate, to line up in 2 rows, facing each other, in the open ground. An elephant in the center carries the image of Lord Shiva. Each "team of elephants" has its own Panchavadyam (literally "five instruments", i.e., conch, cymbals, trumpet and two kinds of drums) orchestra. The umbrellas are unfurled to the beating of the drums and cheering of the assembled crowds. Specially appointed judges award a prize for the most spectacular display. The festival ends with a magnificient display of fireworks that continues till dawn. Truly, you can call it a mammoth spectacle!

Qutub Festival

Veterans of Indian classical music and folk dance hold audiences enthralled at this festival held in Nov / Dec each year, in Delhi, against the historic ruins of the Qutb Minar, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Kuchipudi, Odissi, Manipuri, Ghazals, Qawalis, Sarangi, Sitar . choose your event and look forward to a memorable evening. Spice it up further with regional cuisines available at the food stalls at the complex.

Rajgir Dance Festival

Rajgir, the ancient capital of the Magadhan empire in Bihar, is held sacred by both Buddhists and Jains for its association with the Buddha and Lord Mahavira. Every October, a colourful festival of dance and music, is held here. Instrumental music, devotional songs, opera, folk dance, ballet, the many myriad schools of classical dance and music . all are on display.

Raksha Bandhan

"Rakhi", as it is popularly called, is celebrated in the month of Shravan (August) on the day of the full moon. Literally meaning "ties of protection", it commemorates the bond between brothers and sisters. On the morning of the festival, women of all ages put a tikka of vermilion on their brother's foreheads, tie a ceremonial rakhi (this may be a colorful thread, a simple bracelet, a decorative string or something really fancy, made of silver and crystals) on their brothers' wrist(s), and offer them mithai (sweets) after an aarti (prayer). The brothers, in return, promise to love and protect their sisters, and gift them some money as a token of their affection. The practice often extends more generally to people of the opposite sex who are not biologically related. It has also been interpreted as a pledge by the strong to protect the weak.

Republic Day

All of India celebrates 26th of January, the day the constitution of India came into force. The evening before, the President addresses the nation. Medals are conferred to recognise feats of exceptional bravery, on the part of members of the armed forces in the field, as well as civilians, in everyday life. Then comes the grand parade, from Rajghat to Vijaypath, with regiments from the armed services marching in all their finery, followed by folk dancers, school children who have won awards for bravery and floats with tableux from different states. A foreign Head of State is invited to be the Chief Guest at this impressive display of India's finest. The parade ends with a fabulous flypast. The "Beating the Retreat" ceremony held at sunset the next day, at Vijay Chowk, marks the end of celebrations.

Rose Festival

A huge variety of roses are on show at this 2 day event, the biggest flower show in the country, held at the famous Rose Garden at Chandigarh.