Festivals & Events in India in February 2012

Conceived to help Sikkim recover from devastating tourism losses after an earthquake in 2011, the Sikkim Snow Festival will offer discounted accommodations, as well as a range of adventure, culture, and nature activities. There will be tours, competitions, and entertainment as well. More information and an event calendar is available on the website.

• When: February 14-29,2012.
• Where: Sikkim.

• Top 5 Sikkim Tourist Places
• Trek to Dzongri Peak in Sikkim
• Dzongri Trek Photo Gallery

The colorful Goa Carnival, which started as a local feast by the Portuguese in the 18th century, has developed into the state's most famous event. During the festival, the streets come alive with parades, floats, music, and masked dances. It culminates with the Red and Black Dance, a formal ball in Panaji, where the dress code is red and black.

• When: February 18-21, 2012.
• Where: The carnival moves from city to city (Panaji, Margao, Vasco and Mapusa) in Goa.

• 5 Popular Goa Tourist Places
• Goa Beach Guide
• 10 Top Goa Beach Huts

The Taj Mahotsav takes place at Shilpgram in Agra, right near the eastern entry gate to the Taj Mahal. The focus of this festival is on arts, crafts, Indian culture, and recreating the Mughal era. It gets underway with a spectacular procession that includes elephants, camels, and drummers. Elephant and camel rides are on offer, and there are also games for the kids, and a food festival. The venue has special significance, as it's apparently located on the site where the artisans who built the Taj Mahal once lived. A full program of events is available on the website.

• When: February 18-27 each year.
• Where: Agra, Uttar Pradesh.
• Cost: 20 rupees (Indian nationals, adults). Free for foreign tourists. Normal entry fees apply to the Taj Mahal.

• Trains from Delhi to Agra
• 5 Appealing Agra Hotels for All Budgets
• India Photo of the Week - Taj Mahal Family Life

Maha Shivaratri, the Great Night of Shiva, is when Lord Shiva is believed to have performed his cosmic Tandava dance -- the source of the cycle of creation, preservation, and destruction. Devotees worship Lord Shiva on this occasion to gain release from this cycle of death and rebirth. Most of the festivities take place throughout the night, when vigils are maintained at Shiva temples. Devotees fast from sunrise, swim in the holy Ganges river, offer prayers at the temples, and chant devotional songs. Many people also consume bhang, a substance derived from cannabis.

• When: February 20, 2012.
• Where: Shiva temples all over India, particularly in Delhi and in the state of Uttar Pradesh, such as Varanasi.

The Pariyanampetta Pooram falls on the last day of the seven day festival at Pariyanampetta temple. It features a procession of 21 decorated elephants. The remainder of the temple festival includes shadow puppetry every evening, and religious and folk arts.

• When: February 20, 2012.
• Where: Pariyanampetta Bhagavathy Temple, Kattukulam, Palakkad district of Kerala.

This Kerala temple festival is dedicated to the Goddess Kali. In the evening, be delighted by rituals and folk art performances under the glow of traditional temple lamps. The highlight of the Uthralikavu Pooram is an all night elephant pageant, backed by resounding traditional drumming.

• When: February 28, 2012.
• Where: Sree Ruthira Mahakalikavu Temple in Vadakkancherry, in the Thrissur district of Kerala.

See newly hatched, endangered Olive Ridely turtles take their amazing march into the sea at the annual Turtle Festival. As well as this, you'll get to sample traditional Indian village life by stopping over at local homestays in the area.

• When: February-March, 2012 (refer to website for best times and dates). The festival has been delayed this year due to a late winter.
• Where: Velas village, Ratnagiri, Maharastra.
• Cost: 225 rupees per day.