March
Fairs & Festivals
HOLI (All over North India)
Is
the most boisterous of all Hindu festivals, observed all over the North. It
heralds the end of winter and the beginning of the Spring. The night before
the full moon, crowds of people gather together and light huge bonfires to burn
the residual dried leaves and twigs of the winter. People throw coloured water
and powders (gulal and kumkum) at each other and make merry. Singing and dancing
add to the gaiety of the occasion.
In the northern, western as well as eastern regions, Holi celebrates the joyful
raasleela of Krishna and the gopis. They play phag which is a game of many colourful
hues. It is a joyous celebration of the rejuvenation of nature, and renewed
hope of happiness and peaceful coexistence. Especially famous is the Lathmaar
Holi of Barsana and Nandgaon. In Anandpur Sahib, Sikhas celebrate a special
festival Hola Mohalla on the day after Holi . It marks a display of ancient
martial arts and mock battles.
Holi is also an occasion for the celebration of the burning of Kama, the Hindu
cupid, with the fire that emanated from Lord Shiva's third eye.
GANGAUR
Is dedicated to Gauri, a manifestation of Goddess Parvati and lasts for 18 days.
The festival is celebrated girls and married women throughout Rajasthan. The
images of Gauri are ornamented and offerings are made. This is also and auspicious
day for young people to select their life partners. Colourful processions with
the town band playing, horses and elaborate palanquins make it a fascinating
spectacle.
JAMSHED-E-NAVROZ
The Parsis don their new clothes and decorate their homes with rangoli patterns
drawn with metal moulds and flowers. Sweets are exchanged and later Parsis visit
the fire temple where thanksgiving is performed.
RAMNAVAMI (All over India)
The birthday of Lord Rama, the celebrated hero of the famous epic, the Ramayana,
is enthusiastically celebrated on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the month
of Chaitra. Temples are decorated, religious discourses are held and the Ramayana
is recited for ten days. People gather in thousands on the banks of the sacred
river Saryu for a dip. People sing devotional songs in praise of Rama and rock
images of him in cradles to celebrate his birth. Rathyatras or chariot processions
of Rama, his wife Sita, brother Lakshmana and devotee Hanuman, are taken out
from many temples.
ID-UL-ZUHA
(All over India)
Is a muslim festival celebrated all over India. Prayers are offered in the mosques
and special delicacies are prepared and served among family and friends on the
occasion.
MAHAVIR JAYANTI (All over India)
The birth anniversary of the 24th Tirthankara of the Jains, Mahavir, the founder
of Jainism, is celebrated by the Jain community. Lectures are held to preach
the path of virtue. People meditate and offer prayers. Donations are collected
to sace the cows from slaughter. Pilgrims from all parts of the country visit
the ancient Jain shrines at Girnar and Palitana in Gujarat, on this day.
KHAJURAHO DANCE FESTIVAL (Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh)
Is a week-long festival of classical dances held at the Khajuraho Temples, built
by the Chandella Kings.
ELEPHANT FESTIVAL (Jaipur, Rajasthan)
A festival where elephants are the centre of attraction. They stride majestically
parading their decorated trunks and tusks. The festival begins with aa procession
of elephants, camels and horses, followed by lively folk dancers at their entertaining
best. Elephant races and elephant-polo matches are special features. The most
hilarious highlight of the festivals is a tug of war between elephants and men.
HOYSALA MAHOTSAVA (Karnataka)
Is a dance festival held at the Hoysala temples of Belur and Halebid in Karnatka.
ELLORA FESTIVAL (Ellora caves, Maharashtra)
Is a festival of dance and music organised in the splendid surroundings of the
magnificent Ellora caves
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