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Festivals and Events in India in November 2009
What's On in India in November 2009

By , About.com Guide

Wondering what to see and do in India in November? November is an excellent month to visit India. The weather is starting becoming cooler and dryer, and the full moon at this time of year -- in the Hindu month of Kartika -- is considered to be particularly auspicious. You'll find fairs and religious celebrations happening all over the country.

Here's the best of what's on in November in India.

Ganga Mahotsav

Held along the banks of the holy Ganges River, this unique and mystical festival features cultural programs of classical music and dance. However, the highlight of the festival is on the last day, when more than a million clay lamps are floated down the river at dusk amidst chanting of Vedic hymns.
  • When: October 29–November 1, 2009.
  • Where: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh.

Varanasi Travel Guide

Kolayat Fair (Kapil Muni Fair)

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The largest fair of Bikaner, in India's desert state of Rajasthan, the Kolayat Fair combines a huge cattle fair with a pilgrimage to the town's holy lake. It's quite a spectacle as buffaloes, camels, horses and cattle are traded, and pilgrims bathe and float clay lanterns in the lake.
  • When: October 29-November 7, 2009.
  • Where: Bikaner, Rajasthan.

Soorya Arts Festival

Billed as the longest arts festival in the world, this mammoth 111 day cultural extravaganza runs from September 21, 2009 to January 10, 2010. Different activities are held every couple of weeks and include films, dance, music, folk arts, theater, and workshops.
  • When: November 1-30, 2009.
  • Where: Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), and various other locations across Kerala.

Guru Nanak Jayanti

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This event is a commemoration of Guru Nanak's birthday (he was the founder of the Sikh religion), and is widely celebrated throughout Punjab but especially so at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, the main shrine of the Sikhs. The day of the festival sees the holy book carried out of the temple in a huge procession, accompanied by music and drummers. The beautifully illuminated temple is an incredible sight to behold at this time.

  • When: November 2, 2009.
  • Where: Amritsar, Punjab.

Visit the Golden Temple in Amritsar

Kartik Purnima and Bali Yatra

In a celebration dedicated to Lord Shiva, Kartik Purnima (the full moon day in the Hindu month of Kartika) is marked with great fanfare in the state of Orissa. The women make eye-catching flower designs out of colored powder, sing, and offer prayers at temples. People also remember the state's maritime glory at this time by floating tiny boats filled with flowers and incense in the water. A huge fair, known as Bali Yatra, is held in the city of Cuttack as well.
  • When: November 2, 2009.
  • Where: Puri and Cuttack, Orissa.

Hampi Festival (Vijaya Utsav)

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Note: The Hampi Festival is not being held this year. It has been rescheduled for January 27-29, 2010, to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the coronation of Sri Krishna Devaraya, an emperor of the Vijayanagar empire.

Dance, drama, music, puppet shows, fireworks, and spectacular processions all take place against the ruins of Hampi at this lively festival. The idea behind the festival is to recreate the grandeur of the time when Hampi was the capital of Vijayanagar, one of the greatest Hindu kingdoms in India’s history.

  • When: November 3-5, every year.
  • Where: Hampi, Karnataka.

Bundi Utsav

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Bundi is a picturesque spot in the Hadoti region in Rajasthan. The Bundi Utsav brings it alive with the culture, folklore, traditions and craft of the region. The festival commences with a procession, and features an arts and crafts fair, traditional rural sports, cultural exhibition, and folk/classical music and dance program. There's even a turban competition. Fireworks cap off the festival.
  • When: November 5-7, 2009.
  • Where: Bundi, Rajasthan.

Prithvi Theater Festival

Handpicked plays, performances, poetry, and music are all on offer at the annual Prithvi Theater Festival. It's a must for lovers of arts and fine theater! Tickets are available on-line.
  • When: November 7-20, 2009.
  • Where: Prithvi Theatre (in Juhu), Karnataka Sangha (in Matunga, central Mumbai), and Horniman Circle Garden (in south Mumbai), Mumbai, Maharastra.
  • Cost: 200 rupees for adults. 100 rupees for students and seniors.

Congo Square Jazz Festival

The Congo Square Jazz Festival is hosted by a non profit society for the promotion of jazz and blues in India. The festival promises an eclectic blend of artists and world music, all for a very reasonable price!
  • When: November 19-22, 2009. 6 p.m. onwards.
  • Where: Dalhousie Institute, 42 Jhowtolla Road, Ballygunj, Kolkata, India.
  • Cost: Tickets cost 120 rupees ($3) and are available at the venue.

Ellora Ajanta Festival

This charming festival, which takes place in an historic 17th century palace not far from the Ellora caves, showcases an eclectic mix of classical and folk music and dance from India's most talented musicians and performers.

  • When: November 27-30, 2009. (To be confirmed. Festival was canceled last year).
  • Where: Soneri Mahal, Aurangabad, Maharashtra.

Ajanta and Ellora Caves Travel Guide

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