Festivals & Events in India in April 2013

Restaurant Week is back again this month, giving people the opportunity to dine at some of India's finest restaurants for a fraction of the price it would normally cost. Three course, fixed menu, meals are served. Expect to pay 750-1,200 rupees per meal.

• When: April 1-10, 2013. Reservations open to the general public on March 24, 2103.
• Where: Bangalore, Delhi and Mumbai.

Once deadly headhunters, the fascinating Konyak tribe now lives peacefully, spending most of their time practicing agriculture, drinking local alcohol, smoking opium (and occasionally hunting). After having completed the sowing of seeds each year, the tribe celebrates their most important festival, the Aoling Festival, which marks the beginning of spring season and a new year. Greener Pastures, and ecotourism company, runs tours to the festival.

• When: April 1-6 each year.
• Where: Mon district of Nagaland in North East India.

• 5 Popular Nagaland Tourist Districts

Spring is when Kashmir is at its most picturesque, and is also the season for flowering tulips. This special time of year is beautifully captured by the Tulip Festival in Srinagar, home to Asia's largest tulip garden. As well as the arresting sight of more than a million blooms, the festival features daily cultural programs, Kashmiri folk songs, sale of local handicrafts, and traditional Kashmiri cuisine.

• When: First two weeks of April each year.
• Where: Indira Gandhi Memorial Tulip Garden, Srinagar, Kashmir. It's located in the foothills of Zabarwan range, overlooking Dal Lake.
• Cost: Entry to the Tulip Garden is 50 rupees for adults and 20 rupees for children.

• Srinagar Essential Travel Guide

In contrast to many of Kerala's temple festivals where the focus is on elephants, the Attuvela Mahotsavam is a delightful water carnival. During the festival, a procession of warmly illuminated canoes carry huge temple replicas through the water towards the temple. They're accompanied by lots of colorfully decorated small canoes and temple percussion music.

• When: April 11, 2013.
• Where: Elankavu Sree Bhagavathy Temple, Vadayar, Kottayam District, Kerala.

One of the most important festivals in Rajasthan, Gangaur is all about honoring the goddess Gauri. A manifestation of Parvati (Lord Shiva's wife), she represents purity and austerity. This festival is predominantly for women. Colorful processions of bejeweled images of the goddess Gauri wind their way all over cities and villages, accompanied by local bands.

• When: April 13-14, 2013.
• Where: All over Rajasthan, however the festivities in Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Nathdwara are the most notable.

• 6 Remarkable Rajasthan Tourist Places
• Royal Rajasthan on Wheels Luxury Train
• Guide to the Rajasthan Shekhawati Region

The Mewar Festival welcomes the arrival of spring. At Gangaur Ghat on the banks of Lake Pichola in Udaipur, images of goddess Gauri are transferred onto boats amidst much singing and celebrating, and taken out onto the Lake. The festival continues with a plenty of singing, dancing and cultural programs, and finishes off with a huge display of fireworks. It's a fantastic opportunity to see a range of traditional musical instruments being played.

• When: April 13-15, 2013.
• Where: Udaipur, Rajasthan.

• Top Udaipur Attractions
• Stay at a Palace Hotel in Udaipur
• 5 Best Udaipur Budget Hotels Below $50 with Lake Views

Baisakhi is a harvest festival, a Punjabi new year festival, and commemoration of the founding of the Khalsa (Sikh religion brotherhood) all rolled into one occasion. It's celebrated with a great deal of feasting, bhangra dancing, folk music, and fairs. Major celebrations are organized at the Golden Temple in Amritsar, and it becomes carnival-like outside. There's also a street procession.

• When: April 13-14 every year.
• Where: Throughout the state of Punjab, particularly in Amritsar.

The Chithirai Festival is one of the biggest celebrations in Madurai. It re-enacts the wedding of Lord Sundareswarar (Lord Shiva) and Goddess Meenakshi (Lord Vishnu's sister). Legend has it that Lord Vishnu came to Madurai, mounted on a golden horse, to witness the wedding.

• When: April 13-25, 2013.
• Where: Madurai, Tamil Nadu.

The festival of Ram Navami marks the birthday of Lord Rama. It's celebrated in a religious manner all over India.

• When: April 20, 2013.
• Where: Religious celebrations and processions take place at Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh, Bhadrachalam in Andhra Pradesh (there's a popular ceremonial wedding of Ram and Sita), and Rameswaram in Tamil Nadu.

The grandest of all Kerala temple festivals, the Thrissur Pooram features a procession of around 30 colorfully decorated elephants. Other attractions include drum concerts, ornamental parasol displays, and fireworks. The festival is a huge cultural event that runs through the night with exuberant celebrations. Special viewing areas are provided for foreigners at the festival.

• When: April 21, 2013.
• Where: Vadakkumnathan Temple, Thrissur, Kerala.