Festivals & Events in India in January 2012

This hugely popular and much anticipated month long festival, which is often described as the world's largest cultural event, serves up a plethora of traditional south Indian Carnatic music, dance, and other arts. Over 1,000 performances take place during the festival, along with music related seminars, discussions, and demonstrations.

• When: Mid December to January each year.
• Where: Music halls all over Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

The open air Mamallapuram Dance Festival is held against a background of rock sculptures in the beach town of Mamallapuram, just south of Chennai. It runs for a month and showcases a range of classical and folk dances from all over India.

• When: December 27, 2011 to January 26, 2012. Daily from 6-8 p.m.
• Where: Arjuna's Penance, Mamallapuram, near Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

As its name suggests, the focus of this festival (organized by the Rajasthan government's Department of Tourism, Art & Culture), is camels -- and plenty of them. The festival kicks off with a procession of camels decorated in their finest attire, and continues on with camel beauty pageants, camel races, and camel dancing. Who ever thought camels could dance? It's worth attending the festival just to see that performance! The festival ends with entertainment by Rajasthani folk artists, and fireworks.

• When: January 8-9, 2012.
• Where: Bikaner, Rajasthan.

See millions of brightly colored kites take over the sky from sunrise until sunset at this festival, which marks the occasion of Makar Sankranti (the transition of the sun into the northern hemisphere) and celebrates life and fertility. The event attracts kite flyers from many different countries. In addition to kite flying, there's aerial acrobats, kite painting competitions, and kite making workshops. Great fun for kids!

• When: January 14 every year.
• Where: Ahmedabad, Gujurat. Also at Jaipur and Jodhpur.

For an unforgettable dose of West Bengal folk music don't miss the Kenduli Mela, where the mystical wandering Baul musicians gather to perform. Dressed in saffron robes, and playing a distinctive instrument called the Ektara, they sing uniquely about life's philosophy.

• When: January 14-16, 2012.
• Where: Kenduli village, around 30 kilometers from Shantiniketan in West Bengal. West Bengal Tourism offers tours.

Pongal, a huge harvest festival in southern India, is India's equivalent of Thanksgiving. The most important part of the festival is cooking the Pongal dish, made out of boiled milk and rice, on the auspicious second day. Families gather to feast and dance.

• When: January 14-17 every year.
• Where: Tamil Nadu.

This year is the Year of the Dragon. Celebrate with lion dance shows and fireworks.

• When: January 23, 2012. Lion dancing will also be held in the days leading up to the major celebrations.
• Where: Tangra Bazaar, in Kolkata's Chinatown, West Bengal.

In celebration of the Constitution of India being founded in 1950, a spectacular Republic Day parade is held in New Delhi. The parade, which marches down Delhi's central Rajpath avenue, features the three divisions of the armed forces (Army, Navy and Air Force) who showcase their strength. It also includes traditional dance troupes, and culminates with helicopters and other aircraft dramatically flying past.

• When: January 26 each year.
• Where: New Delhi, India. Similar parades are held in other capital cities across India.

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: January 27-29, 2012.
• Where: Hampi, Karnataka.

This week long Kerala temple festival is devoted to the deity of the Shiva Temple in Ernakulum. It features a flag hoisting ceremony, parading and bathing of the temple god, fireworks, and numerous decorated elephants. Temple arts are also promoted during the festival and you'll be able to see music and dance performances, as well check out as local handicrafts.

• When: January 29-February 5, 2012.
• Where: Shiva Temple in Ernakulam, Kochin, Kerala.

The Grape Escapade presents some of the best food and wine that India has to offer. Wine makers, hoteliers, restaurants, professionals from the food and beverage industry -- you'll find them all at the festival. In addition to free wine tastings and attractive discounts on purchases, you'll also be able to enjoy cultural programs, fashion shows, and live music.

• When: Dates to be comfirmed.
• Where: Inox Courtyard, Panaji, Goa.