Festivals & Events in India in March 2012

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.

The International Yoga Festival is a must for anyone interested in yoga! With more than 400 people from over 30 countries, it's grown to become one of the largest yoga gatherings in the world. The festival offers yoga classes from world class Yoga teachers, evening discussions with some of India's leading spiritual leaders, and other events including vegetarian cooking classes and the Yoga Aid Challenge charity fundraiser. More information and a detailed festival program is available on the website.

• When: March 1-7, 2012.
• Where: Parmarth Niketan Ashram, Rishikesh, Uttarakhand.

One of Kerala's most impressive temple festivals, the Paripally Gajamela features around 50 richly decorated elephants. They form part of a ritual offering to the temple goddess, by temple devotees, for prosperity.

• When: March 4, 2012.
• Where: Paripally Kodimootil Sree Bhadrakaali Temple, around an hour north of Trivandrum in the Kollam district of Kerala.

This elephant pageant, held on the last day of the festival at the Sree Chinakkathoor Bhagavathy Temple, features 33 decorated elephants. The procession, held in the evening, is accompanied by drumming and other traditional music. In the 17 days leading up to the Chinakkathoor Pooram, you can also see shadow puppet performances every evening at the temple premises.

• When: March 7, 2012.
• Where: Sree Chinakkathoor Bhagavathy Temple, Palappuram, Palakkad district of Kerala.

Rajasthan isn't just all about camels and camel festivals. Jaipur, with its royal heritage, has plenty of prized elephants. On the eve of Holi each year, they're groomed and decorated to perfection, and paraded around the city. You can also catch a game or two of elephant polo! Apparently, the sport has quite a long and distinguished history in Jaipur. For added entertainment, don't miss the tug of war between elephants and people.

• When: March 7, 2012.
• Where: Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Holi is commonly referred to as the "Festival of Colors". People exuberantly throw colored powder and water all over each other, have parties, and dance under water sprinklers. Bhang (a paste made from cannabis plants) is also traditionally consumed during the celebrations. On the eve of Holi people light bonfires to mark the occasion and ward of evil spirits. Holi is a very carefree festival that's great fun to participate in if you don’t mind getting wet and dirty.

• When: March 8, 2012.
• Where: All over India, particularly in the north. Celebrations in the south have a more religious focus.

The 10 day Thirunakkara Arattu is another of Kerala's famous temple festivals. As is the norm with these festivals, the highlight is a procession of decorated elephants. Accompanied by drummers and other performers, they carry the temple god to be bathed. Nine elephants usually participate in the Thirunakkara Arattu. Other attractions of the festival are traditional Kathakali dancers, which perform throughout the night on the third and fourth days of the festival, and folk arts such as the Mayilattom (peacock dance) in the temple compound.

• When: March 15-24 each year.
• Where: Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple, Kottayam District, Kerala.

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: March 25, 2012.
• 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: March 25-26, 2012.
• Where: All over Rajasthan, however the festivities in Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Nathdwara are the most notable.

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: March 25-27, 2012.
• Where: Udaipur, Rajasthan.

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