World Sufi Spirit Festival

The World Sufi Spirit Festival is an annual event held at Nagaur and Jodhpur in Rajasthan. The festival takes place every year for two days in the second or third week of February. The chief objective of this festival is to explore the mystery behind the Sufi style of music. Sufi artists from India and international destinations like Pakistan, Zanzibar, Iran, China and Egypt are invited to the event to perform for the multitude of international tourists who flock the Rajasthan mahals to listen to the enthralling Sufi artists.

Legend of World Sufi Spirit Festival

The festival is held over a period of two days in the legendary Ahhichatragarh and Mehrangarh forts of Nagaur and Jodhpur respectively. Not only the music but the festival locales also attract thousands of tourists every year.

A visit to the World Sufi Spirit Festival gives visitors some glimpses of structures that date back to 4th century India. The Ahhichatragarh Fort was last renovated in the 12th century during the rule of the Mughals. Nagaur still hosts the school founded by Sufi Hamid al-din Chisti.

The performances at this festival take place on open terraces of the three mahals Abha, Deepak and Bakhat Singh. The works of art engraved on the courtyard walls in these mahals add to the overall ambience of the World Sufi Spirit Festival.

Do not forget to take a look at and take photographs of the Takhat Vilas, Zenana Deodi, Phool Mahal and Chokelao Garden inside the Mehrangarh Fort.

Customs, Traditions and Cultural Importance of the World Sufi Spirit Festival

The World Sufi Spirit Festival not only hosts Sufi concerts, it makes arrangements for mehfils where visitors can indulge in their personal choice of classical music, Sufi lectures, qawali gatherings, yoga and workshops where children are taught about Sufi music and culture. However, children below five years are not allowed to take part in the festivities.

The Jodhpur Royal Family hosts the festival in association with the Mehrangarh Museum Trust that plays an important role in making the arrangements for tourists who visit the festival. The organizers promote the event as an attempt to preserve and encourage the youth to learn about the sacred Sufi art.

Performers at the World Sufi Spirit Festival

This Rajasthani festival has always brought the best names in Sufism under one roof. Some of them are:

  • The Rajasthan Langa Troupe (India)
  • Fareed Ayyaz & Party (Pakistan)
  • Wang Li (China)
  • Tanourah Sufi Dance (Egypt)
  • Mtendeni Maulid Ensemble (Zanzibar)
  • Vahdat Sisters (Iran)


Cultural Events
Ajanta Ellora Bikaner Deccan Festival
India Surf Festival International Yoga Festival Island Tourism Festival
Jaipur Literature Festival Jaisalmer Desert Festival Khajuraho Dance Festival
Storm Music Festival Sulafest Nashik World Sufi Spirit Festival
Navaratri SAARC festival Of Literature Goa Carnival
Chaitra Parva Chhau Festival Nauchandi Mela Jaipur Kite Festival
Sikkim Tourism Festival Summer Festival Mt Abu Sindhu Darshan Festival
Urs Fair Ajmer Elephanta Festival Gangaur Festival
Elephant Festival Jaipur Rath Yatra Puri


New Year 2019
Activities Around The World Books
Countdown Craft Ideas Customs
Dresses Drinks Flowers
Gifts Holidays Invitation
Lyrics Party Recipes
Food Trivia Vacation

Urs Fair, Ajmer

The Urs Fair of Ajmer is organized annually in Rajab, the seventh month of the Islam calendar. The celebrations are arranged at the Holy Shrine of Ajmer. This site remains open for public viewing the whole day and night during the Urs Fair.

Legends behind the Urs Fair, Ajmer

The date of the festival coincides with the day of full moon in the month of Rajab that generally occurs during the first week. The Urs Fair is popular as the largest Muslim fair of India. ‘Urs’ here refers to ‘death’ of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. It is to pay respect to this great Sufi saint that devotees travel to Ajmer from all over the country; thus establishing Urs Fair as one of the largest pilgrimages of India.

The festivities are held for six days which are marked by recitals of Urdu poetry and singing of qawwalis at the holy Shrine. Offerings or nazranas by devotees is a common sight at the Urs Fair.

Customs and Traditions of the Urs Fair, Ajmer

The first day of the fair is marked by hoisting a white flag at the site of the tomb of Sajdanashin, the representative of the Chishtia order after the death of Khwaja Moinuddin. Everyday for the six days of the fair, this tomb must be anointed with sandalwood paste and rosewater in the morning before other festivities begin.

It is a tradition to serve sweet rice at the Holy Shrine for lunch to all the visitors. Two large cauldrons are placed on fire just outside the main dargah premises where the rice is cooked. The rice that is cooked with condiments and dry fruits is known as sanctified food or ‘tabarukh’ in the words of the locals.

Not only songs and poetry but also the art and craft of the region are promoted at the Urs Fair. A bazaar sits outside the precincts of the Holy Shrine selling embroidered prayer caps and rugs, decorative chadars, flowers and other souvenirs.

During the six days of the festival, all other work at the Holy Shrine is suspended. The gates of the shrine are closed from evening time the whole year round; it is only during the festival that the shrine closes for only two hours at night.

Cultural Importance of the Urs Fair, Ajmer

A breathtaking spectacle awaits visitors at the Urs Fair. From participating in the ‘Maghrib’ or sunset prayers on the sixth day of the festival to open looting of ‘kheer’ cooked as ‘tabaruk’ and reserving a passage to heaven through the ‘Jannati Darwaza’ of the Holy Shrine, everything at the festival is a reflection of the rich culture of Rajasthan.

The festival is most important to the fakirs, the followers of Moinuddin Chishti, who are seen begging for alms outside the dargah premises in large numbers. A must visit for tourists is the ‘mehfil khana’ where art performances and religious offerings are conducted.


Cultural Events
Ajanta Ellora Bikaner Deccan Festival
India Surf Festival International Yoga Festival Island Tourism Festival
Jaipur Literature Festival Jaisalmer Desert Festival Khajuraho Dance Festival
Storm Music Festival Sulafest Nashik World Sufi Spirit Festival
Navaratri SAARC festival Of Literature Goa Carnival
Chaitra Parva Chhau Festival Nauchandi Mela Jaipur Kite Festival
Sikkim Tourism Festival Summer Festival Mt Abu Sindhu Darshan Festival
Urs Fair Ajmer Elephanta Festival Gangaur Festival
Elephant Festival Jaipur Rath Yatra Puri


New Year 2019
Activities Around The World Books
Countdown Craft Ideas Customs
Dresses Drinks Flowers
Gifts Holidays Invitation
Lyrics Party Recipes
Food Trivia Vacation

Storm Music Festival

Do you want to experience the beauty of camp out music in India? The state of Karnataka offers you with musical performances that will change the way you arrange parties forever! The Storm Music Festival is an annual celebration of music through the performances of world famous DJs and local artists. Music at the backdrop of nature is the perfect excuse for all enthusiasts to pack their bags and set off for Coorg. The Storm Music Festival makes sure that all performances are staged following rules of eco friendly atmosphere.

Legend behind the Storm Music Festival

The unique name given to this music festival comes from the concept of creating a storm with music in the lap of nature. The organizers had introduced the concept of this festival to celebrate open air music for a period of two days while also educating the people of Karnataka about the importance of an eco friendly atmosphere in spite of festivities that incorporated loud music. Today, the Storm Music Festival is hailed as the first eco conscious music carnival of India.

Not only is music reduced to a non disturbing decibel at the venue, use of plastic goods and drugs are not allowed while watching the performances. It is punishable under the law. Responsible entertainment is what the producers Liquidspace Entertainment want to promote through the Storm Music Festival.

Customs, Tradition and Cultural Importance of the Storm Music Festival

It is a custom that the organizers Liquidspace Entertainment follow every year that the festival be held in the hilly areas of the district of Coorg in Karnataka. The venue is generally fixed at a place within a few kilometers from Bangalore so that traveling for international visitors becomes easier.

The festival is staged during the winter months, anytime between November and February. Since rains are a common factor in the hills of Karnataka, the organizers have to arrange for the festivities when the weather forecast does not record imminent rainfall.

The Storm Music Festival is important not only for music lovers, but also for different sections of the society who want to tour the coffee plantations of Karnataka. Liquidspace Entertainment arranges the music carnival very close to the coffee hills of the South Indian state. The festival is organized with the assistance of well known artiste managers of India, The Syndicate and Submerge.

Every year sees the participation of at least 35 music bands from across the world, who presents a fusion of classical and modern music to the gathering.

Well Known Music Personalities at the Storm Music Festival

Listed below are the names of the most popular performers in different editions of the Storm Music Festival.

Domestic DJs

  • Nikhil Chinnappa
  • Pearl
  • Breed
  • Kay Mikado
  • Arjun Vagale
  • Kalypso
  • Vachan Chinnappa
  • Clement
  • Vishnu
  • Swing (the Official Storm DJ)

International DJs

  • DJ San
  • Sied Van Riel
  • Dale Anderson & Anil Chawla
  • Thomas Gold
  • Julie Thompson & Richard Durand

Music Bands

  • Lesle Lewis
  • Indian Ocean
  • La Pongal
  • The Raghu Dixit Project
  • Swarathma
  • Astitva
  • Ankur and The Ghalat Family
  • Rishi Inc
  • Yodhakaa
  • Project Square


Cultural Events
Ajanta Ellora Bikaner Deccan Festival
India Surf Festival International Yoga Festival Island Tourism Festival
Jaipur Literature Festival Jaisalmer Desert Festival Khajuraho Dance Festival
Storm Music Festival Sulafest Nashik World Sufi Spirit Festival
Navaratri SAARC festival Of Literature Goa Carnival
Chaitra Parva Chhau Festival Nauchandi Mela Jaipur Kite Festival
Sikkim Tourism Festival Summer Festival Mt Abu Sindhu Darshan Festival
Urs Fair Ajmer Elephanta Festival Gangaur Festival
Elephant Festival Jaipur Rath Yatra Puri


New Year 2019
Activities Around The World Books
Countdown Craft Ideas Customs
Dresses Drinks Flowers
Gifts Holidays Invitation
Lyrics Party Recipes
Food Trivia Vacation

Sindhu Darshan Festival

The Sindhu Darshan Festival is a three day celebration held annually in the first week of June in Leh. The festival is an effort to promote communal harmony in India as well as to celebrate the contribution of the Indian military.

Legend behind the Sindhu Darshan Festival, Ladakh

Known merely as the Sindhu Festival, small local associations and religious bodies make arrangements for this event every year at the Shey Manla of Leh. The inauguration of the festival has to coincide with the Guru Purnima or full moon night in June. So the date may vary from one year to another; it is usually fixed after consulting the Hindu calendar.

Through the celebrations, the organizers portray the usefulness of river Indus and its importance in establishing a united India. This is because people living in remote areas of the country also travel undergoing the ‘Sindhu Yatra’ to take part in the religious festivities. The government of India also pays tribute to the greatness of soldiers by felicitating them on the first day of the festival.

Customs and Tradition of the Sindhu Darshan Festival, Ladakh

The festival is organized by the joint efforts of the Shia Majlis, the Ladakh Buddhist Association, the Christian Moravian Church, the Sunni Anjuman, the Sikh Gurudwara Prabhandak Committee and the Hindu Trust. It is therefore a national integration program in the true sense of the term.

On the first day of the festival, which is usually a full moon day, the organizers and participants travel to the banks of river Indus. They traverse the 14 km stretch of the Hemis Gompa-Leh road. Fifty senior Buddhist Lamas start the festival with a prayer. The felicitation of soldiers is followed by a special lunch, a sightseeing tour and a bonfire on the mountaintops at night.

Cultural Importance of the Sindhu Darshan Festival, Ladakh

The Leh, Ladakh and Zanskar regions of India are largely unexplored because of the difficulty of reaching the place and the harsh weather conditions. The Sindhu Darshan Festival is the best opportunity for visitors not only to celebrate harmony and greatness but also to enjoy nature’s beauty. Visits to nearby heritage sites like Buddhist Gompas/monasteries are arranged by the organizers. Few hours drive in a taxi or bus will take tourists to the cultural sites of Namgyal Tsemo, Stok Palace Museum and the legendary Shey Palace.

A Sikh gurudwara managed by the Indian Army and the Hall of Fame, wherein lies the valiant records of the country’s soldiers, are two popular stopovers as you hike or drive around the beautiful landscape of Leh.

Dance and song programs are also hosted during and before the inauguration lunch in order to provide some relaxation for the travelers. The performances also reflect the diverse cultural practices adopted in India and the peaceful coexistence among communities. Traditionally, all visitors carry a clay pot to the banks of the Indus River to collect the holy water originating from the Mansarovar Lake. Devotees can also make religious offerings at the site.


Cultural Events
Ajanta Ellora Bikaner Deccan Festival
India Surf Festival International Yoga Festival Island Tourism Festival
Jaipur Literature Festival Jaisalmer Desert Festival Khajuraho Dance Festival
Storm Music Festival Sulafest Nashik World Sufi Spirit Festival
Navaratri SAARC festival Of Literature Goa Carnival
Chaitra Parva Chhau Festival Nauchandi Mela Jaipur Kite Festival
Sikkim Tourism Festival Summer Festival Mt Abu Sindhu Darshan Festival
Urs Fair Ajmer Elephanta Festival Gangaur Festival
Elephant Festival Jaipur Rath Yatra Puri


New Year 2019
Activities Around The World Books
Countdown Craft Ideas Customs
Dresses Drinks Flowers
Gifts Holidays Invitation
Lyrics Party Recipes
Food Trivia Vacation

SAARC Festival of Literature

Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature (FOSWAL) organize SAARC Festival of literature every year. This four day long festival has no fixed venue – the location keeps shifting within the nine nations. Well-known scholars, intellectuals, laureates, media persons, film makers and social activists from all the SAARC countries flock in during the festival to participate in meetings, debates, seminars, talks, cultural performances and discussions of common concerns. The areas in focus are:

  • Literature
  • Cultural connectivity
  • Environmental issues
  • Social development
  • Human resource development /li>

What is SAARC

SAARC or the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation was founded by Ziaur Rahman in December 1985. This unique and important literary festival is organized by SAARC and the Ministry of External Affairs of the respective countries. SAARC comprises nine neighboring South Asian countries, namely:

  1. India

  2. Pakistan

  3. Sri Lanka

  4. Nepal

  5. Bhutan

  6. Bangladesh

  7. Afghanistan

  8. Maldives

  9. Myanmar

This co-operation aims at solving the sensitive issues between the above mentioned countries by building up collective reliance which facilitates economic, technological, social, and cultural development. They hold several meeting, summits and cultural programs to live up to their objective.

What is FOSWAL

FOSWAL or Foundation of SAARC Writers and Literature, are also honored as SAARC Apex Body works in arenas of literature and culture to establish strong relations among SAARC nations. The foundation’s main objective is to maintain a healthy relationship between the neighboring countries and thus by celebrating this festival they create a platform for multicultural confluence.


What are the Legends behind the SAARC Literature Festival

One year after the formation of SAARC, it was found that the aspect of culture and literature was given the least importance. To utilize this international platform, a number of scholars, authors, poets and intellectuals took this outstanding initiative to celebrate the multiplicity of South Asian literary talents. Therefore, in 1986 SAARC Festival of Literature was set on course.  


What are the Programs included in the SAARC Literature Festival

Programs are so designed that they cover every aspect of literary and cultural aspects of almost all the nations. They include:

1. Paying homage to the great poets of the region.

2. Conducting seminars inviting the eminent authors, poets and philosophers from these countries. The topics include: creativity ion Socio-political conflicts, literacy legacy of Tagore, literature and ground realities, and many such topics of historical and social significance.

3. Performances of the traditional and cultural music and dance are organized

4. Various book fairs are organized


What is the Cultural Significance of SAARC Literature Festival

To Promote Literary Cultures of the Periphery:

Asian countries have so much of cultural diversity, linguistic discourses and forms of writing that most of the cultures are lost in the periphery, getting eclipsed by the mainstream ones. SAARC Literature Festival is a podium to promote these genres and discourses of literature.

For instance, in the SAARC Literature Festival of 2011 held in New Delhi, the focus was on Lepcha Literature, a language and culture belonging to the less developed North Eastern Hilly regions of India.

To Promote Peace and Tranquility through Literature:

It is only through cultural understanding that peace can be observed among the neighboring countries under diplomatic tensions. Literature is the unifying point of compassion and understanding of the human conditions, revealing the fact that however different we are or however our foreign policies are at war with each others’, the emotion and the intellect tie us in a single line of thread across the borders.


Cultural Events
Ajanta Ellora Bikaner Deccan Festival
India Surf Festival International Yoga Festival Island Tourism Festival
Jaipur Literature Festival Jaisalmer Desert Festival Khajuraho Dance Festival
Storm Music Festival Sulafest Nashik World Sufi Spirit Festival
Navaratri SAARC festival Of Literature Goa Carnival
Chaitra Parva Chhau Festival Nauchandi Mela Jaipur Kite Festival
Sikkim Tourism Festival Summer Festival Mt Abu Sindhu Darshan Festival
Urs Fair Ajmer Elephanta Festival Gangaur Festival
Elephant Festival Jaipur Rath Yatra Puri


New Year 2019
Activities Around The World Books
Countdown Craft Ideas Customs
Dresses Drinks Flowers
Gifts Holidays Invitation
Lyrics Party Recipes
Food Trivia Vacation

Rath Yatra Puri

Puri is renowned throughout the world for its Rath Yatra. Puri is a small city in Orissa that revolves around the famous Jagannatha temple and activities related to it. Rath means chariot and Yatra means journey.

Thus it is all about the journey of Shree Jagannatha to Gundicha Mata's Temple via Mausi Maa Temple, his aunt’s home (near Balagandi Chaka in Puri).

Jagannatha along with his sister Subhadra and elder brother Balaram takes this trip during June or July of every year when a large population pull the huge chariots together to its destination. This journey is accompanied by a majestic procession, fairs and feasts. The occasion is telecasted live on Doordarshan, the National TV channel.

Legend behind the festival Rath Yatra Puri:

The festival is known by several names – Gundicha Yatra, Ghosa Yatra, Navadina Yatra, Dasavatara Yatra and many more. The mythological story behind the festival is as follows:

  • According to the mythology in Satya Yuga, the king of Malayava, Indrayumna, was a great devotee of Lord Vishnu. Once, Nilamadhava Vishnu appeared in his dream. To know, where that particular form of Vishnu was worshiped, he sent his messengers to four directions. One of the messengers, Vidyapati was sent to the east towards Utkal (present Orissa).
  • Vidyapati went to a village named Savara in Utkal, where he stayed at the king’s place.  Visvavasu (the king of Savara) had a daughter named Lalita who later fell in love with Vidyapati and both got married. In due course of his stay there, Vidyapati came to know that Visvavasu was an ardent follower of Lord Vishnu and visited the forest frequently to worship the Nilamadhava that was installed in a blue temple.
  • On Lalita’s request her father Visvavasu took Vidyapati to the blue temple but made him blindfolded. The deity then expressed his desire to be worshiped by King Indrayumna and saying so it immediately changed its form from Nilamadhava to Daru.
  • Getting this news from Vidyapati, Indrayumna went to the swargalok (heaven) to invite Viswakarma (the God of construction). Indrayumna had to wait for nine yugas for Viswakarma as the latter was engaged in meditation.
  • Vishnu again appeared in Indrayumna’s dream and instructed him to pick up wooden logs from the river for making his idol. He himself started making his own idol in disguise of a carpenter in condition with the king that no one should enter the temple while he is making it.
  • The queen out of curiosity could not keep the king’s promise and entered the temple midway. Vishnu stopped working and thus the incomplete form of the three deities (Jagannatha, Balarama and Subhadra other forms of Vishnu) was installed and worshiped at the Puri Temple.

Hindu mythology is multilayered, according to other popular hearings – Jagannatha once expressed his desire to visit his Aunt’s place at Gundicha Ghar or Gundicha Mandir for a week. His wish actually came true as he along with his brother and sister visited their aunt’s place and since then every year people of Orissa and other places in India observe this week long festival in June/July.

Tradition and customs of Rath Yatra Puri:

Three wooden chariots are gorgeously adorned. The wooden structure of the chariots resembles that of the Puri temple. The chariots are constructed every year from the wood of locally found trees like Phaasi, Dhausi etc. The logs are brought by the specialized carpenters. They floated in the Mahanadi River to alive the traditional belief.

There are long and strong ropes attached to the chariots which are pulled by thousands of devotees. Pulling the ropes is a much desired action among the devotees as they risk their lives jostling in the crowd to get a hand over the ropes for the divine blessing.

This is the only day of the year when the devotees are not allowed to enter the temple. All devotees and visitors throng the route of the procession to get a glimpse of the deities inside the chariots.

Drums, tambourines, trumpets and devotional songs plays as the chariot proceed along with the massive crowd towards the Gundicha Temple which is about 2 km away from the Jagannatha Temple.

Extensive fun filled Melas or fairs are set during six days of the festival. People of all age, sex, religion and nation enjoy together feeling the ethnic essence of the festival. The sixth day of the festival wraps up with Shree Jagannatha’s return from his Aunt’s house along with his brother and sister.

Cultural significance of Rath Yatra Puri:

The Rath Yatra not only works as a cultural identity for Puri but also for India. ISKCON or the International Society for Krishna Consciousness is in a way responsible for spreading the tradition of Rath Yatra outside Puri.

They have numerous centres strewn over various parts of the world. On the occasion of Rath Yatra decorated Rathas of considerable size, not as huge as the Rathas of Puri, come out of the ISKCON centres and take a symbolic ride through the respective cities.

Moreover, children in many parts of India pull miniature Rathas with three idols within it. Various cultural programs are arranged during the festival as eminent artists, dancers and singers feel privileged to perform on the occasion.


Cultural Events
Ajanta Ellora Bikaner Deccan Festival
India Surf Festival International Yoga Festival Island Tourism Festival
Jaipur Literature Festival Jaisalmer Desert Festival Khajuraho Dance Festival
Storm Music Festival Sulafest Nashik World Sufi Spirit Festival
Navaratri SAARC festival Of Literature Goa Carnival
Chaitra Parva Chhau Festival Nauchandi Mela Jaipur Kite Festival
Sikkim Tourism Festival Summer Festival Mt Abu Sindhu Darshan Festival
Urs Fair Ajmer Elephanta Festival Gangaur Festival
Elephant Festival Jaipur Rath Yatra Puri


New Year 2019
Activities Around The World Books
Countdown Craft Ideas Customs
Dresses Drinks Flowers
Gifts Holidays Invitation
Lyrics Party Recipes
Food Trivia Vacation

Jaipur Literature Festival

The Jaipur Literature Festival is an annual literary fest organized in the capital city of Rajasthan. The fest is a celebration of local Rajasthani writing and Indian and foreign work of literature.



It is held for a period of four days in the month of January every year.

Legends behind the Jaipur Literature Festival

This literary fest was inaugurated in the year 2006. In a span of only seven years, the Jaipur Literature Festival has culminated into the biggest celebration of works of literature in Asia. An article in the Mail by Miranda Seymour applauds this festival as the grandest literary fest in the world. The festival was inaugurated by the Jaipur Virasat Foundation under Faith Singh. The first episode of the literary fest held in the year 2006 was a small part of the Jaipur Heritage International Festival. It was two years later in the year 2008 that the Jaipur Literature Festival acquired its independent status.

The directors of the festival are world renowned authors William Dalrymple and Namita Gokhale. The last edition of the festival held in January 2012 was the most successful with respect to the strength of international media attention.

Customs, Traditions and Cultural Importance of the Jaipur Literature Festival

The venue of the Jaipur Literature Festival every year is the Diggi Palace Hotel situated in the Rajasthan capital. The gardens of this grand hotel and the Hall of Audience, one of the most prominent rooms of this hotel, are reserved for hosting the Jaipur Literature Festival in the month of January each year.
While the first edition of the festival was only to make the general people aware of the prominent literary achievements in the state and country, it was from 2008 that cultural performances, especially in music, also became an integral part of the festival.

The first edition of the Jaipur Literature Festival saw an attendance of only a handful of 100 people; the number has surpassed the 30,000 mark in its last edition of 2012. The 2012 Jaipur Literature Festival was the most popular because the attendees belonged not only to the writer class but also comprised tourists visiting the state for purpose of travel.

Notable Personalities who visited Jaipur Literature Festival

The names of the most popular writers having attended the Jaipur Literature Festival over a span of the last seven years are listed below:

  • Shobhaa De
  • Kiran Desai
  • Orhan Pamuk
  • Prasoon Joshi
  • Suketu Mehta
  • Paul Zacharia
  • Christopher Hampton
  • Vikram Seth
  • John Berendt

Besides, there were international performers like Anoushka Shankar, Paban Das Baul, Karsh Kale and Susheela Raman.


Cultural Events
Ajanta Ellora Bikaner Deccan Festival
India Surf Festival International Yoga Festival Island Tourism Festival
Jaipur Literature Festival Jaisalmer Desert Festival Khajuraho Dance Festival
Storm Music Festival Sulafest Nashik World Sufi Spirit Festival
Navaratri SAARC festival Of Literature Goa Carnival
Chaitra Parva Chhau Festival Nauchandi Mela Jaipur Kite Festival
Sikkim Tourism Festival Summer Festival Mt Abu Sindhu Darshan Festival
Urs Fair Ajmer Elephanta Festival Gangaur Festival
Elephant Festival Jaipur Rath Yatra Puri


New Year 2019
Activities Around The World Books
Countdown Craft Ideas Customs
Dresses Drinks Flowers
Gifts Holidays Invitation
Lyrics Party Recipes
Food Trivia Vacation

Jaipur Kite Festival

When they ask you to fly a kite in Jaipur in January, they do mean it! You can share a colorful Jaipur sky with thousands of other young and old locals and visitors in the month of January every year while you participate in the International Kite Festival. Kites of various sizes and shapes flutter high above the Rajasthan capital’s rooftops. The festival is organized by the Jaipur Tourism Development Corporation in one of the local stadiums of the city. Besides kite art, the festival promotes the culture and food of Rajasthan.

Legend behind the Jaipur Kite Festival

The Jaipur Kite Festival is always held in the second week of January so that it may coincide with the celebrations of Makar Sankranti, another eminent Indian festival. The kites flown at the festival are traditionally known as Tukals. They are made with such precision so as to ensure lots of color and illumination in the Jaipur sky.

Since the entire city gets together in groups to fly their kites, the Jaipur sky remains totally invisible throughout the day. Shouts of ‘woh kata’, a local Rajasthani term, fill the Jaipur environment. It is also a custom with the locals to fly their kites on this day from their terraces.

Customs and Traditions of Jaipur Kite Festival

The day begins early for the locals taking a holy dip in the Jaipur pilgrimage site Galta. People flock to this site to seek the blessings of the Sun God for wealth, good crop yield and good health. Devotees are also seen offering ablutions to the Sun God followed by donation of cash or kind to the temples at the site. Generally sweets made from sesame seeds and clothes are offered as gifts to Sun God.

This day is declared a holiday by the local government authorities of Rajasthan, so all banks and locality shops remain closed too for people to participate actively in flying their kites. The festival is inaugurated every year at the famous Polo Ground of Jaipur.

Cultural Importance of Jaipur Kite Festival

People fly kites to the accompaniment of loud local music. This in a way is a promotion of modern Rajasthani music in front of the thousands of tourists from all parts of the world who meet in Jaipur in January to take a look at and participate in kite flying events like Display Kites and Fighter Kite Competition.

Don’t forget to bite into the local delicacies of til ke laddu, feeni and gajak being sold in the side stalls of the stadium. Sweet dishes made from sesame seeds are a specialty of Rajasthan and they are also the perfect gifts for friends and relatives waiting at home.


Cultural Events
Ajanta Ellora Bikaner Deccan Festival
India Surf Festival International Yoga Festival Island Tourism Festival
Jaipur Literature Festival Jaisalmer Desert Festival Khajuraho Dance Festival
Storm Music Festival Sulafest Nashik World Sufi Spirit Festival
Navaratri SAARC festival Of Literature Goa Carnival
Chaitra Parva Chhau Festival Nauchandi Mela Jaipur Kite Festival
Sikkim Tourism Festival Summer Festival Mt Abu Sindhu Darshan Festival
Urs Fair Ajmer Elephanta Festival Gangaur Festival
Elephant Festival Jaipur Rath Yatra Puri


New Year 2019
Activities Around The World Books
Countdown Craft Ideas Customs
Dresses Drinks Flowers
Gifts Holidays Invitation
Lyrics Party Recipes
Food Trivia Vacation

International Yoga Festival

Relax the body and give rest to your mind and soul at the International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh. This festival takes place for one week and allows visitors to learn and practice different styles of yoga. World class yoga gurus participate in the festival to give advice on yoga to the visitors.

Legend behind the International Yoga Festival

The International Yoga Festival is held at the serene Uttarakhand hill station, Rishikesh. This is both a state sponsored and private event.  The tourism board of the Uttarakhand government and the Parmath Niketan Ashram of Rishikesh work jointly in organizing the festival. Visitors of any age are invited to take part in the festival as there are special trainers who offer practice lessons in yoga.

The local government authorities in Uttarakhand promote the International Yoga Festival as one where you can experience an awakening of senses through meditation in the lap of nature. Rishikesh is famous as the oldest destination for yoga enthusiasts over the world.

Customs, Traditions and Cultural Importance of the International Yoga Festival

Who would not like to experience the magic of yoga in its birthplace? A visit to Rishikesh in the first week of May will help you to rejuvenate the senses by practicing different styles of yoga under the guidance of the experts in this field.

The Parmath Niketan Ashram makes arrangements for over 70 hours of classes to be held during the one week long festival. The different styles taught and practiced here are Kriya Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Iyengar Yoga and Power Vinyasa Yoga. For those who do not want to only practice, but also learn about the various forms of yoga, lecture sessions are held during the course of the festival inside the Ashram.

It is said that the International Yoga Festival plays an important role in making Rishikesh one of the highly visited pilgrimage sites in India. You can stay at the Parmath Niketan Ashram which has lodging facilities.  But you need to do the registration online before the start of the festival for taking part as well as staying at the Ashram.

Yoga capital Rishikesh is home to a number of yoga schools. You can also enroll in these schools while on a visit to the International Yoga Festival.

Notable Yogis at the International Yoga Festival

Spiritual leaders and saints who have provided lessons and lectures on yoga at the International Yoga Festival in Rishikesh are:

  • H H Sri Shankaracharya Swami Divyanand Teerthji
  • H H Swami Veda Bharatiji
  • H H Swami Chidanand Saraswatiji
  • Swami Ramdev
  • Hikaru Hashimoto
  • Mohan Bhandari
  • Dr David Frawley
  • Brahmachari Vishwapal Jayant
  • Gurmukh Kaur Khalsa
  • Vaiyasaki Das & Kaisori


Cultural Events
Ajanta Ellora Bikaner Deccan Festival
India Surf Festival International Yoga Festival Island Tourism Festival
Jaipur Literature Festival Jaisalmer Desert Festival Khajuraho Dance Festival
Storm Music Festival Sulafest Nashik World Sufi Spirit Festival
Navaratri SAARC festival Of Literature Goa Carnival
Chaitra Parva Chhau Festival Nauchandi Mela Jaipur Kite Festival
Sikkim Tourism Festival Summer Festival Mt Abu Sindhu Darshan Festival
Urs Fair Ajmer Elephanta Festival Gangaur Festival
Elephant Festival Jaipur Rath Yatra Puri


New Year 2019
Activities Around The World Books
Countdown Craft Ideas Customs
Dresses Drinks Flowers
Gifts Holidays Invitation
Lyrics Party Recipes
Food Trivia Vacation

India Surf Festival

India is home to 4,349 miles of coastline, most of which is still left unexplored. Surfing as a sporting activity has not gained much popularity in India; the India Surf Festival aims to introduce the activity as well as the international surfing community to the Indian youth. This festival hosted its first edition in the month of February this year in Orissa. The government of Orissa had promoted the event as not only a surfer’s delight but also a travel and photography enthusiast’s unique experience on the pristine beaches of the Indian state.

All about the India Surf Festival 2012

The first and only edition of the India Surf Festival tasted success in Orissa. Tourists, from India and abroad, had come to the beaches of Orissa to have a first time experience of this festival. The festival not only comprised activities in water, but also cultural performances by local artists in dance and music. However, the chief objective of the festival authoritieswas to let a surfer enjoy the waters.

Not only the experienced, but also the amateurs were invited to participate in the India Surf Festival 2012. There were trainers who took lessons at fixed hours during the day to teach the basics of paddling and surfing in the waters of the seas to the young and the old. The trainers comprised expert surfers from different parts of the world. To keep all types of visitors entertained, the government of Orissa kept open options for sun bathing, solar clay therapy, film festival, live performances in music, painting exhibition and organic food displays. According to the organizers, these activities not only helped tourists to connect with mother nature, but also get a taste of the local culture and traditions. While the films and music performances depicted the local talent, the paintings brought out the history of this state. The local organic delicacies on the other hand were cooked and sold in stalls arranged on the Orissa beaches.

Celebrations on the Beach

Among the most notable festivities on the Orissa beaches during the India Surf Festival 2012 were:

  • Music extravaganza by artists from Bhubaneshwar, Mumbai and Argentina
  • Performance by Tribal Flora – This is a music band which specializes in playing of earthy instruments like Jew’s harp, djembes, indigenous drums and didgeridoos. The music played by Tribal Flora at the festival included tribal, folk, Indian classical, electronic, psychedelic and DnB.
  • Folk Dance – The local villagers matched steps to Naga, Tiger and Horse dances, which are little known to the outside world.
  • Sand Art – No Orissa beach celebration is complete without sand art creations. The India Surf Festival saw sand carvings depicting stories of surfing and the ocean by six local artists who are members of the Puri Sand Art Institute.

The government of Orissa also made arrangements for visitors to spend the night on the beaches of the state through the provision of camping tents. However, only 50 tents were available for rent during the first edition of the fest; the remaining tourists had to get accommodation in neighboring resorts and hotels.


Cultural Events
Ajanta Ellora Bikaner Deccan Festival
India Surf Festival International Yoga Festival Island Tourism Festival
Jaipur Literature Festival Jaisalmer Desert Festival Khajuraho Dance Festival
Storm Music Festival Sulafest Nashik World Sufi Spirit Festival
Navaratri SAARC festival Of Literature Goa Carnival
Chaitra Parva Chhau Festival Nauchandi Mela Jaipur Kite Festival
Sikkim Tourism Festival Summer Festival Mt Abu Sindhu Darshan Festival
Urs Fair Ajmer Elephanta Festival Gangaur Festival
Elephant Festival Jaipur Rath Yatra Puri


New Year 2019
Activities Around The World Books
Countdown Craft Ideas Customs
Dresses Drinks Flowers
Gifts Holidays Invitation
Lyrics Party Recipes
Food Trivia Vacation