Yes, half the year has crept by stealthily, rejoicing in keeping us miles away from productivity.
Yes, another season of Game of Thrones done and dusted.
And yes, they say Jon Snow is gone for good.
And yet I say all is not lost. There may be no Jon Snow on the watch and no more January. But there are Khasi tribes putting up a show in the rolling hills of Nagaland this December! And there are scores of Mallu (and non mallu) men heaving and rowing mighty snake boats this August! And camels and their owners will come down for some fun in Pushkar in November!
More often than not, we overlook or worse still, are not even aware of the jewels of our own culture stretching across kilometers. Below is a very teeny snap shot of some of the amazing festivals and events to be held in the next couple of months, and it is a wonderful opportunity to attend a few, learn about our own country, learn about our culture and learn a little about our own selves.
What: Nehru Boat Trophy Race
When: 8th August 2015
Where: Allepey, Kerala
Come second Saturday of August every year and the peaceful Punnamada Lake becomes a fiery race track as hundreds of synchronized oars move towards the coveted trophy. The race is to commemorate the visit of Pt Jawaharlal Nehru to the district. Apart from the boat race, let the lazy days in a houseboat, amazing Malabari cuisine and some of the most breathtaking landscapes form the rest of the itinerary to Allepey!
What: Jhapan Mela
September
What: Ladakh Festival
October
What : NH7 Weekender
What: Rajasthan International folk Festival
What: Mysore Dussara
November
What: Rann Utsav
What : Sunburn Festival
Yes, another season of Game of Thrones done and dusted.
And yes, they say Jon Snow is gone for good.
And yet I say all is not lost. There may be no Jon Snow on the watch and no more January. But there are Khasi tribes putting up a show in the rolling hills of Nagaland this December! And there are scores of Mallu (and non mallu) men heaving and rowing mighty snake boats this August! And camels and their owners will come down for some fun in Pushkar in November!
More often than not, we overlook or worse still, are not even aware of the jewels of our own culture stretching across kilometers. Below is a very teeny snap shot of some of the amazing festivals and events to be held in the next couple of months, and it is a wonderful opportunity to attend a few, learn about our own country, learn about our culture and learn a little about our own selves.
August
What: Nehru Boat Trophy Race
When: 8th August 2015
Where: Allepey, Kerala
Come second Saturday of August every year and the peaceful Punnamada Lake becomes a fiery race track as hundreds of synchronized oars move towards the coveted trophy. The race is to commemorate the visit of Pt Jawaharlal Nehru to the district. Apart from the boat race, let the lazy days in a houseboat, amazing Malabari cuisine and some of the most breathtaking landscapes form the rest of the itinerary to Allepey!
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| Nehru Boat Trophy Race. Image Source Nehru Boat Races |
When: 18th August 2015
Where: Bishnupur, West Bengal
In what seems like the middle of nowhere, every August lives focus on snakes and the serpent deity Manasa Devi. Bishnupur is over 100km from kolkata and mostly known for its brilliant terracota temples. Post monsoons, members of the Rajbongshi tribe get together with their precious' and show tricks with pythons and cobras and pray to the Goddess for fertility and prosperity.
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| Jhapan Mela. Image Source Jon Hurd |
September
What: Ziro Festival
When: 24th-27th September 2015
Where: Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh
One of the most picturesque locations. Check.
Amazing music in the wilderness. Check.
Smaller but WAY prettier Glastonbury. Check.
22 shades of green, 35 acts, food drinks and much merry. Check.
IS there absolutely ANY reason why we would n't want to check out this music festival, set in the hillocks of Arunachal Pradesh?
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| Ziro Festival. Image Source Outlook Traveller |
When: 20th-26th September 2015
Where: Leh, Ladakh
Nestled in snow clad lofty mountains, Leh; once the Himalayan kingdom of Ladakh, celebrates with a final party to enjoy the all too brief summer with the Ladakh Festival. Seven days of lion and yak dances, locally brewed beer, fabulous delicacies, craft stalls, archery competitions and the stiff Himalayan air. Perfecto.
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| Ladakh Festival. Image Source Tour My India |
What : NH7 Weekender
When: 23-24th October, 31st Oct- 1st Nov, 28-29th Nov, 28-29th Nov, 4-6th December
Where: Shillong, Kolkata, Delhi, Pune, Bengaluru
The big daddy of the Indian music festival scene, NH7 Weekender is adding Shillong, the fast east mystic town to its list of happy places. With a mix of alternative and mainstream music artists, lots of stalls and swelling crowds every year, it's one of the go-to events at least once!
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| NH7 Weekender. Image Source Timescity |
When: 23-27th October 2015
Where: Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Set in the premises of the stately Mehrangarh Fort, the festival aims at celebrating musical heritages from across the world. With over 200 artists collaborating to produce sizzling performances, full moon nights and the settings of the Best Fort in Asia, this beckons to be a weekend well entertained.
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| Jodhpur RIFF. Image Source Journeymart.com |
What: Mysore Dussara
When: 14-23rd October 2015
Where: Mysore, Karnataka
Celebrated each year with fancy tableau's, processions, food stalls and of course the breathtaking Mysore Palace being lit up in all it's glory, the Mysore Dusshera is the state festival of Karnataka celebrating the victory of good over evil.
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| Mysore Palace |
What: Pushkar Camel Fair
When: 19-25th November 2015
Where: Pushkar, Rajasthan
Thoroughbred Mewari horses, groups of camels, herders and traders, tented bazaars, deals and negotiations, sometimes even marriage proposals, camel rides, hot air balloons, and endless food. 'Nuff said.
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| Pushkar Fair. Image Source Hdimagegallery.net |
What: International Yoga and Music Festival
December
When: 5-14th November 2015
Where: Rishikesh, Uttarakhand
With the Ganga gurgling down, mystic charms around and now with Yoga having it's own official international day of celebration, this 10-day event is perfect for a holistic mind and body cleansing vacation.
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| Yoga Fest |
What: Hornbill Festival
When: 1-10th December 2015
Where: Kohima, Nagaland
I would bet this by far is one of the most photogenic festivals one can ever be able to attend. Set in Nagaland, the Switzerland of the East, with one of the most humble and welcoming population (who can cook pork in the most unimaginable delicious ways!), rugged hills and emerald valleys, the festivals portrays the rich tribal culture of the region.
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| Hornbill Festival. Image Source Indiasnortheast.com |
What: Rann Utsav
When: December - March
Where: Kutchh, Gujarat
Salt marshland stretching for miles, the clear white moon adorning the night sky as you sit on the pristine white stretch, and local dancers enthrall you with their performances, there are very few places that would come close to this when thinking about how to spend a Saturday night. The Government of Gujarat organizes the Rann Utsav every year with very attractive and convenient packages, for you to be able to get a taste of culture, cuisine, hospitality and beauty of the Rann.
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| Rann of Kutchh |
What : Sunburn Festival
When: 27-30th December
Where: Vagator, Goa
And if you have read till here, then move over to Skyscanner and start booking tickets to one of the many locations that our wonderful country has and get set to enthrall your minds and souls!
Yep, how could any December in India feel complete without the obligatory party scene in Goa? And it gets even better if you manage to get the tickets (and reasonable flight tickets and accommodation without selling an organ) to the Sunburn Festival! In it's 9th year now, the festival brings some of the most well known names in electronic music to beach city.
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| Sunburn |
What: Magnetic Fields Festival
When: 18-20th December
Where: Alsisar Mahal, Rajasthan
From the nomadic Bedouins theme last year to inter galactic travel in 2015, set in the charming Alsisar Mahal, showcasing some of the finest underground artists to a limited audience, the magnetic Fields is one of the most forward thinking amalgamation of India's creative space.
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| Magnetic Fields Festival. Image Source Youngisthan.in |
And if you have read till here, then move over to Skyscanner and start booking tickets to one of the many locations that our wonderful country has and get set to enthrall your minds and souls!
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| Yes, THAT much to cover in 6 months!!! |
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