October is a very exuberant time in India. The monsoon rains have eased in most places, and the festival season is in full swing! Come to India in October and take part in events filled with lights, music, and dance.
Here's the best of what's on in October in India (in date order).
Rajasthan International Folk Festival
www.flickr.com user soylentgreen23
This eclectic festival, which is the first of its kind in India, showcases regional roots music and the arts. It's a heady fusion of interactive educational events, staged performances, and late night jam sessions. Performers include singers, dancers, instrumentalists and storytellers from various Rajasthani folk communities, as well as nationally and internationally recognized artists. The festival has an outstanding location in and around the imposing Mehrangarh Fort.
- When: October 1-5, 2009.
- Where: Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
Mawar Festival
The Mawar Festival celebrates the culture of Rajasthan's Mawar region and is held for two days over the full moon, in memory of the state's medival heroes. The highlight of the festival is classic folk music and dance, which brings alive the myths and legends of the area. The festival also includes horse riding, horse polo -- and bizarrely -- camel tattooing.- When: October 3-4, 2009.
- Where: Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
Apple Festival
www.flickr.com user WxMom
The two day Apple Festival aims to promote the famous apples that are grown in Shimla and the surrounding district. It includes an exhibition.
- When: October 3-4, 2009.
- Where: Shimla, Himachal Pradesh
The 9 Feet High Music and Arts Festival
The 9 Feet High Festival is a contemporary cultural extravaganza by the beach. It showcases music, visual arts, dance and fashion, all in a carnival atmosphere. The festival will take place over 12 hours from midday to midnight. There will be two stages dedicated to music/visual art, DJs, a flea market, kids zone, VIP area, and a chill out area to relax in. Fun, fun, fun!- When: October 4, 2009.
- Where: 9 Ft High, Tangy Resorts, Chennai, Tamil Nadu
Diwali
www.flickr.com user dhondusaxena
Diwali represents the start of the Hindu New Year and is celebrated as the victory of light over darkness. Lots of small clay lamps (called diyas) and candles are lit and placed in houses, and fireworks are let off everywhere, giving Diwali its name of "Festival of Lights". People also clean and decorate their homes with Rangoli (Hindu folk art), buy new clothes, gamble, and give each other gifts and sweets during the festival.
- When: October 17, 2009.
- Where: Throughout India, except in the southern state of Kerala.
Chhat Puja
This north Indian festival, traditionally celebrated by the people of Bihar, has grown to be a big occasion in Mumbai as well. Chhat Puja is devoted to worshiping the sun. People flock to Juhu beach to offer prayers to the Sun God at sunset and sunrise. Hymns and folk songs are sung, and women fast and pray for the wellbeing of their family and friends.- When: October 24-25, 2009.
- Where: Juhu Beach, Mumbai, Maharastra.
Rajgir Dance Festival
Held in the ancient capital of the Magadhan empire in Bihar, this colorful festival offers everything from devotional songs to ballet. It attracts renowned artists and culture lovers from all over India. The city itself is an important place for both Buddhists and Jains. It's a scenic city dotted with temples and monasteries.- When: October 24-26, 2009.
- Where: Rajgir, Bihar.
Pushkar Camel Fair
Sharell Cook
This traditional Indian style festival sees an astonishing 50,000 camels converge on the tiny desert town of Pushkar. The camels are dressed up, shaved, entered into beauty contests, paraded, raced, and traded. An entertaining sight indeed!
- When: October 25-29, 2009. The focus of the festival shifts to religious celebrations from October 29-November 2, 2009.
- Where: Pushkar, Rajasthan.
Pushkar Literary Festival
If you're in Pushkar for the Camel Fair and love literature, make sure you stay for the Pushkar Literary Festival. This event will bring together a host of writers, poets, publishers and journalists. There will be a number of well known faces there, including Tarun Tejpal, Namita Gokhale, Pavan K. Varma, and Prasoon Joshi. The agenda is to explore the blending of contemporary literature and folklore with book readings, discussions, and more!- When: October 31, 2009.
- Where: Pushkar, Rajasthan.
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.
Kolayat Fair (Kapil Muni Fair)
www.flickr.com user foxypar4
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 Festvial
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: October 1-31, 2009.
- Where: Trivandrum (Thiruvananthapuram), and various other locations across Kerala.
