India Festive Fervor

Surajkund Crafts Mela

The Surajkund Crafts Mela first organized in 1981 is now an annual, for night-long event conducted by the Haryana Tourism Department. This Year, the 28th mela has Goa as the theme state and Sri Lanka as the partner country. The Festival has been phenomenal increase in international tourists as well as Domestic tourists. The setting is perfect as master craftsman from across the country sit on raised wooden platforms , exhibiting and selling their products, Handicrafts include wood and inlay work, rosewood and sandalwood  carvings, embroidered materials from different parts of India, jewellery, carpets, paintings, brassware and much more. There is food, music and dance too at the mela. One of the more popular aspects is definitely the chance to sample different types of cuisines. A different kind of Indian food is served here, ranging from Punjabi to south Indian. There is also a special area where traditional foods and sweets of various states and served. The crafts mela also has an open-air-theatre called Natyashala. Folk dance, music and theatre performances are held here every evening.

When: Feb 1-15

Where: Faridabad, Haryana, 8 Km for Delhi

Festival of Sacred Music

The sixth edition of the Festival of Sacred Music, Thiruvaiyaru (Near Thanjavur), which is hosted by the Prakriti Foundation, is all about reviving the best of Thiruvaiyaru – its arts and music, its landscape and the local life. The Festival aims at restoring the pride of the Music Centre that existed at the time of Saint Tyagaraja, and showcase it for the benefit of non-resident Indians tourists as well as the local populace. The festival wishes to expose people to the various forms of sacred music around India and the world, help local artisans find more outlets to increase revenues, and get local musicians to perform more often so that the town can become a destination for tourists, for people who once hailed from this area to come by more often and for artistes to find their own space. The festival will feature Hindustani vocal concert by Vidya shah at the courtyard of an old Maratha Palace on February 21; percussion concert by Sri Umayalpuarmm Shivraman at the Pushya Mahal Ghat, on February 22. And flute concert by Shashank Subrananyam, near the Amman Sannidhi of the Panchanatheeswara Temple on Feb -23.

When: Feb 21-23

Where: Thiruvaiyaru, Tamil Nadu

Goa Carnival

The Goa Carnival, initialized by the legendary King Momo involves dancing, singing, drinking and feasting for three days. Tourists come here to experience the lively Goan traditions and culture. Streets are extravagantly decorated an come to life with the procession of merrymaking. This carnival is the only festival of its kind celebrated in the country. Origins of the festival date back to the enormous hedonistic feasts held in ancient Greece and Rome. The Portuguese and Spanish brought the carnival culture to Goa. It was started by the Portuguese in 1961. Earlier the festival was limited to the natives, but, with a huge impetus in the state’s tourism sector, the festival is thronged by tourists from all over the world. Goa carnival is unique with its huge pardes and bands marching through the city of Panaji. It is meant to be a merrymaking-feasting-drinking orgy before the 40 days of austerity during Lent. The festival comes to a closure with the popular red and black dance performed by Club National on Panajim.

When: Feb 9-12

Where: Panaji, Goa

Khajuraho Dance Festival

This week-long classical dance bonanza is held against the exotic backdrop of the beautifully decorated and lit temples. Renowned dancers come here to perform classical dances such as Odissi, Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, Kathak, Manipuri and Kathakali. Some modern Indian dances have been added to the festival recently. An Open market is also organized beside the dance podiums where handicrafts are on sale.

When: Feb 21-26

Where: Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

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