Fairs & Festivals
JANUARY
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Pongal (Tamil Nadu,Andhra Pradesh)
In the South Sankranti becomes Pongal. It is
harvest celebration which is observed for three fays in Tamil Nadu and
Andhra Pradesh. In Madurai, Tiruchirapalli and Tanjore a kind of bullfight,
called the "Jellikallu" is held. Bundles containing money are
tied to the horns of ferocious bulls, and unarmed villagers try to wrest
the bundles from them.
Thai Pusam (Tamil Nadu)
This festival takes place in the temples dedicated
to Kartikeya or Mariamman where trenches of burning coal are laid out
for the devotees to walk over. It has been seen that people who volunteer
to undertake this experience with faith, come away unharmed and unscathed
this followed by singing and feasting which continues till late into the
night
Float Festival(Tamil Nadu) 
It is celebrated in Madurai, where the ornamented
icons of the two deities, the God Sundaresa and the Goddess Meenakshi
are taken out in a procession from the Meenakshi temple. The icons are
floated in the tank on a raft decked with flowers and flickering lamps.
Kerala Village Fair
Traditional thatch houses are decorated
during this ten - day long festival and are the venue for folk dances,
music and festivities.
FEBRUARY
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Mahashivaratri (All over India)
It is the great night of Lord Shiva
when devotees offer their prayers all night. Special celebrations are
held in some of the major Shaivite temples at Varanasi, Kalahasti (Andhra
Pradesh) and Chidambaram (Tamil Nadu). 
Goa Carnival (Goa)
For three days and nights, legendary king Momo
takes over the slate and the streets come alive with colorful revelry.
This is a week long event.
Deccan Festival (Hyderabad)
Cultural programmes with ghazal nights, qawalis
and mushairas are held. A food festival and pearl and bangle fair are
part of the festival.
Island Tourism Festival (Port Blair, Andaman & Nicobar Island)
Is a ten day long festival of dance, drama and
music. Exhibitions displaying arts and crafts, flora and fauna and marine
life, are part of the event. Aqua sports, tele-games and parasailing are
added attractions.
MARCH
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Rama navami (all over India)
The birthday of Lord Rama, the
hero of the famous epic, The Ramayana, is enthusiastically celebrated.
Temples are decorated, religious discourses are held and the Ramayana
is recited for ten days.
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.
Hoysala Mahotsava (Karnataka)
Is a dance festival held at the Hoysala
temples of Belur and Halebid in Karnataka.
APRIL
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Good Friday (All
over India)
Is observed all over
India by the Christians who offer special prayer services in the Churches.
Easter (All over
India)
Is a festival of rejuvenation of life and
living. On this day Lord Christ rose again after his death. Prayer services
are held in the churches to end the mourning period.
Trichur Pooram ( Kerala )
The famous Pooram festival is
celebrated at the Vadkkunatha temple every year during April/ May. The
decorated elephant groups face each other and Pachavadyam create a crescendo
of Music. Trichur pooram offen referred as the mother of all poorams is
noted for its spectacular display of fire works.
AUGUST
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Janmashtami ( All over India
)
The birth anniversary of Lord Krishna is celebrated
with great fervour. Night long prayers are offered and religious hymns
are sung in temples. Ganesh Chaturthi ( Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka
& Andhra Pradesh) 
Is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the elephant headed God of all good beginnings.
It is believed that Ganesha is born on this day.Thousands of clay idols
of Lord Ganesha are made in every size worshiped at community or family
festivals which last between one to ten days. These images are then taken
in large processions and immersed in flowing water.
Onam ( Kerala )
Is a harvest festival celebrated
to welcome the spirit of the King Mahabali from eternal exile. The boat
races are the main attraction during Onam festival.
NOVEMBER
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Diwali ( All over India )
Celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya
after 14 years exile. Homes are decorated, sweets are distributed by everyone
and thousands of lamps lit in houses making it a night of enchantment.
Hampi Festval ( Karnataka )
Is a lively festival of dance and music, held in
the first week of November.
DECEMBER
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Christmas ( All over India )
Is celebrated by the Christians and non Christians
alike with special enthusiasm. All the major Indian cities wear a festive
look. Shops and bazaars are decorated. Christmas parties, launch off celebrations
for the New Year, thus retaining the festive mood for at least a week.
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