Visit India in January and you'll be able to enjoy popular musical and dance events, as well as traditional festivals and parades. Kites, camels, and cattle are just some of what's on offer!
Here's the best of what's on in January in India (listed by date).
1. Chennai Music Festival (Madras Music Season)
www.flickr.com user Vironevaeh
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.
2. Mamallapuram Dance Festival
www.flickr.com user Melanie-m
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: Until January 25, 2010.
- Where: Mamallapuram, near Chennai, Tamil Nadu.
3. International Kite Festival
www.flickr.com user Meanest Indian
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.
- When: January 14, 2010.
- Where: Ahmedabad, Gujurat. Also at Jaipur and Jodhpur, Rajasthan.
4. 2010 Kumbh Mela
Mario Tama/Getty Images
The Kumbh Mela is the largest religious gathering in the world. This ancient northern Indian festival is a meeting of mystical minds. It brings Hindu holy men together to discuss their faith and disseminate information about their religion, and is attended by millions of people each day. An important part of the festival is taking a holy dip in the water to wash away sins.
- When: January 14 to April 28, 2010.
- Where: Haridwar, Uttarakhand.
5. Pongal
www.flickr.com user alex graves
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 13-16, 2010.
- Where: Tamil Nadu.
6. Mumbai Festival
www.flickr.com user aline salazar
The Mumbai Festival is a two week cultural extravaganza that started off as an attempt to establish a community based festival for the city. The events, which feature performers from India and around the world, are all free. Everything from A to Z -- architecture to visual art -- is on offer. The festival's website has a detailed timetable of what's happening and when.
- When: Mid to late January each year.
- Where: Venues all over Mumbai, including Shivaj Park and Bandra Fort Amphitheater.
7. Jaipur Literature Festival
Lovers of literature shouldn't miss this fantastic opportunity to meet with renowned national and international authors and listen to them speak -- and all for free! The Jaipur Literature Festival is an annual event that's considered to be one of the most important literature events in Asia. A festival program and details of attending authors are available on the event's website. The list is extensive and impressive.- When: January 21-25, 2010.
- Where: Diggi Palace, Jaipur, Rajasthan.
8. Republic Day Parade
www.flickr. com user said&done
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. 9.30 a.m. onwards.
- Where: New Delhi, India. Similar parades are held in other capital cities across India.
9. Hampi Festival 500th Anniversary Special
Dorling Kindersley/Getty Images
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.
The Hampi festival is usually held during the beginning of November. This festival is a special celebration to honour the 500th anniversary of the coronation of Sri Krishna Devaraya, an emperor of the Vijayanagar empire.
- When: January 27-29, 2010.
- Where: Hampi, Karnataka.
10. Jaisalmer Desert Festival
Ami Vitale/Stringer/Getty Images
This exuberant desert festival is a wonderful opportunity to experience the sandstone city of Jaisalmer at its magical best. A parade of camels and fancily dressed locals, camel races and polo matches, turban tying competitions, competitions for the finest facial hair, acrobats, puppeteers, and jugglers are all part of the festival. You're sure to be amused!
- When: January 28-30, 2010.
- Where: Jaisalmer, Rajasthan.
