Re-connect to your roots: Four cultural festivals you should attend in India

There’s immense satisfaction in bringing about a change in society. Helping rural communities and participating in their lifestyle to form a tangible support system is the way forward. Thanks to the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of leading corporate houses in India, positive changes have begun.

The choice of CSR initiatives that you can choose to be a part of are plenty. To get started, witness a local fest of the community you can relate with. Our India Page today will help you further. This is another impactful way to re-connect with your own roots.

Enjoy the compilation of upcoming local fests where you can enjoy India’s vivid diversity and of course, then begin with your social responsibility towards a local community.

Khajuraho dance festival

When: Feb 25 to March 2, 2016

Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh has been celebrated for its erotic sculptures and aesthetic temples that date back to many eons ago. What can boost your interest further is that annually, a cultural dance festival comes to the fore to welcome the spring season. Reputed dance troupes and famed classical dancers are invited to a large discerning audience.



(Image: Agencies)

The performance includes Bharatnatyam, Odissi, Mohini Attam, Chhau, Kathak, Kuchipudi and more. It is a week-long event and each day is scheduled with different form of classical dance programs.

Purmandal mela

Region: Kashmir

When: March 6 & 7, 2016

Purmandal Temples are dedicated to Shiva and the annual mela and festival is held during Phalgun Krishna Paksha Trayodasi and Chaturdasi, which coincides with Maha Shivratri. It’s the Purmandal Mela that attracts many tourists to visit Kashmir during this season. It’s a photographers’ delight. Also known as Choti Kashi, you must visit a few shrines in Utterbani.



(Image: Agencies)

Some of the popular temples in this area include the Ranbireshwar Temple, Panjbhaktar Temple and Peer Khoh.

Purmandal Mela celebrates the wedding of Shiva and Parvati. Naturally, the fair looks like a procession or baraat with people in traditional colourful festive attire. The ancient temples of Purmandal are located on the banks of the Devak River. Many Kashmiri Pandits from India and abroad make it to be a part of the mela. Purmandal Temple is about 40 kms from Jammu. Visit soon!

Chithirai festival

Region: Madurai TempleMadurai Temple

When: April 14, 2016

An occasion that must not be missed is the Chithirai Festival in Madurai. It continues for two weeks and represents the re-enactment of the wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar (Lord Shiva). The festival takes place on the 5th day of the Tamil month Chithirai (April). The spectacle is so mesmerising as thousands of lamps are lit and drum beats reverberate throughout the Meenakshi Temple premises. In fact, the city adorns a festive look with traditional parades on the streets of Madurai.Chithirai Festival in Madurai. It continues for two weeks and represents the re-enactment of the wedding of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Sundareswarar (Lord Shiva). The festival takes place on the 5th day of the Tamil month Chithirai (April). The spectacle is so mesmerising as thousands of lamps are lit and drum beats reverberate throughout the Meenakshi Temple premises. In fact, the city adorns a festive look with traditional parades on the streets of Madurai.



(Image: Agencies)

Legend has it

According to Legend, Lord Kallazhaga (Lord Vishnu), brother of Goddess Meenakshi, came mounted on a golden horse to Madurai from Azhagar Kovil to participate in the celestial wedding of his sister. However, he misses the wedding as he arrived late. Infuriated, he gets into the river and goes back home. The entire festival revolves around this legend.

Celebrations

Beginning with the flag hoisting ceremony, rituals take-off. A chariot is decorated, which carries the two idols of the couple. It is then taken around in a procession accompanied by drumbeats. As the procession passes through the streets, devotees put forward offerings of flowers, coconuts, camphor and incense sticks. In the city, this is a good time to witness fairs and local exhibitions.

The festival is celebrated with immense excitement and seems like a real wedding. The celebrations spread out all over the city and the streets remain crowded with devotees. Prime rituals that we suggest you definitely see include: The coronation, the procession, the Celestial wedding of God and Goddess, the Procession of temple chariots and the Return of Lord Kallazhaga.

Jaisalmer desert festival

Region: Sahid Poonam Singh Stadium and SAM Dunes, Jaisalmer

When: Feb 20 – 22, 2016

Every year, usually in the month of February, the sandy dunes of Rajasthan come alive at the Jaisalmer Desert Festival. The festival is a unique showcase of its vibrant folk culture. Once you are there you will be welcomed by the folk singers, puppeteers, acrobats, fire dancers and many more in their colourful costumes. Between all this traditional glitters you will find a special place for the ship of the desert — the camel. Go ahead and enjoy a camel ride. Also, don’t miss out on watching a round of camel polo and the camel decoration. One can even participate in competitions like Tug of War and Matka Phod Race.



(Image: Agencies)