Tulips, camels and dolls – India the land of festivals
I have not been too much of a planner, especially as a traveller. While it is a bit adventurous to go with the flow, I have often realized that it has always made the trips more expensive especially when it comes to booking flights at the last minute. I learnt my lesson when I paid through my nose for my flights to Bhubaneshwar during my last trip. This year however I am focussing on my travel plans well in advance . India, the land of festivals is forever celebrating and this year, I would like to include some of the famous festivals of India in my travel calendar. From tulips festival to camel festival, there are several regional festivals in India. And there are many cultural festivals like Konark Dance festival, Mysore Dasara Festival, Madikeri Dasara among others.
The Palace all lit up for the Dussehra
I have always been fascinated by festivals and I would like to experience some of them this year. There is a plethora of festivals today that are being celebrated in our country and I am not referring to just the religious celebrations. From cultures to cuisine, birds to wildlife, art and architecture to folklore – India is forever celebrating. Here is a list of four famous festivals of India that I would like to experience this year
Tulip festival, Srinagar
I have been unlucky twice with the tulip festival in Srinagar. When I visited Srinagar, I was late by a few days and the tulip festival had got over. I had to be contended by being captivated by other flowers, but there were no tulips. Last year I got an opportunity to visit Srinagar for the tulip festival exclusively but it got cancelled at the last minute. The tulip festival is one of the famous festivals of India that draws a lot of tourists to Kashmir. And the most beautiful, delicate and fragile state of India looks prettier during the summer when this festival begins. This year however I plan to keep my date with the tulips – who is joining me ?
Konark dance festival , Odisha
The Sun Temple in Konark is one of the most majestic temples to be built and every year the destination comes alive with music and dance. The Konark dance festival is one of the popular regional festivals in India and it began in 1980s and recreates the magnificence of the shrine as the dancing hall reverberates to the rhythm of music. The Konark dance festival usually happens in the first week of December and I would like to see the sand art festival, which is one of the famous festivals of India on the Chandrabhaga beach which is barely a few kms from Konark . There are several dance festivals in Indian destinations like Khajuraho, Chidambaram , Pattadakkal, Mahabalipuram to name a few. No wonder, India, the land of festivals is forever filled with celebrations
Pushkar camel fair
The Pushkar cattle fair, one of the most famous festivals of India which is very touristy has been on my bucket list for a long time. I visited Pushkar for the first time over a decade ago but it was not during the cattle festival. I got a chance to visit Pushkar but it was to attend another Pushkar festival called The Sacred, a music festival. The camels seem to be eluding me. Although Pushkar is known for the renowned Brahma temple, it is the camel fair that has put the destination on the international tourist circuit. Hopefully this year I will get to attend the Pushkar cattle fair
Madikeri Dussehra, Coorg
Dussehra , one of the biggest and most famous festivals of India is mainly known for the Durga Puja that is synonymous with West Bengal and Kolkatta. While I have always wanted to go there to experience the festival, I have been equally fascinated by a celebration that happens closer home. While Mysore Dasara festival is held with great fanfare, it is the Madikeri Dasara in Coorg that has been on my bucket list for a while. Hopefully, I will be able to attend the same this year and participate in the celebrations.
So what are the festivals and destinations on your agenda ? Would you like to explore these famous festivals of India from a cultural or a tourist perspective ? Besides these festivals, there are several regional festivals in India as well. No wonder, the India the land of festivals is always colourful. To me I would like to soak in the festivities and be a part of the unique cultures. I am already planning to start booking the flights at the earliest as invariably the prices soar around the festivals. What are your travel plans for this year ?
I am really excited to plan trip for Rajasthan but the problem is warm weather in May, So, i have postponed my trip for winters,