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Fairs and Festivals in India
 26
JANUARY - REPUBLIC DAY
Republic Day is one of the greatest national celebrations observed
throughout the country on January 26 every year. India became
Republic on the 26th Jan, 1950. The country became a sovereign
democratic republic with a written constitution and an elected
Parliament.
The first Republic Day parade in 1950, was held at the Irwin
Stadium (the present day National Stadium). It was the British who
bought to India the concept of the ceremonial parade. It was used
for both celebration and national glorification. the Republic Day
parade, once a small and modest affair, has now turned into a
lavish spectacle of marching columns representing the armed
forces, accompanied by armoured vehicles and military bands.
DESERT FESTIVAL - JAN / FEB
With the " Golden " fort of Jaisalmer in the back- ground the desert
is brought to life as dancers in vibrant lahangas and dresses and
the famous bards of the region echo the rhythm of the people . The
festivities include a pageant, camel races and acrobatics, camel
polo & dances there is also the thrill of the turban tying
competition , the unique sound & light show on the desert sands.
 HOLI
- MARCH
The most colourful festival in india , celebrating the advent of
spring . Men & women of all ages throw coloured water on each other.
Groups go around amorring one another with "gulal" coloured powder.
GANGAUR - MARCH / APRIL
A festival in Rajasthan where the women , in colourful dresses ,
worship lord Shiva and pray for a good husband . The celebrations
are marked by singing and dancing.
 BAISAKHI
- APRIL 13
An important day for the Sikhs when guru gobind singh founded the
Khalsa. It also marks the Hindu solar new year, ad there is a lot of
feasting and dancing in Punjab.
 RATH
YATRA - JUNE
A magnificent temple festival at Puri,Orissa. Held in honour of Lord
Jagannath whose image is placed in a decorated carriage, and brought
out in an elaborate procession by thousand of pilgrims.
TEEJ - JULY / AUGUST
The onset of monsoon sends hundreds of Rajasthani women, dressed in
green, to the outdoor swing. It's also an occasion to celebrate
goddess Parvati's departure to her husband's home.
AMARNATH YATRA
Up in the Himalayas, the symbol of the Lord Shiva , an ice lingam is
worshipped on the full moon day.
15 AUGUST - INDEPENDENCE DAY
An annual celebration of india's independence achieved on august
15th 1947, is marked by procession and flag hoisting ceremonies in
the historic Red Fort.
ONAM
A picturesque harvest festival of Kerala is characterised by the
pictureque snake boat race - " vallom kali " along with joyous
singing and feasting by the local folk.
DUSSEHRA - SEP / OCT
 A
ten day festival, of which nine days are spent in worship, and the
tenth day a celebration of triumph of good over evil. Huge effigies
of Ravana, the demon king are burnt on the last day of the ten day
festival . The heroic deeds of Lord Rama , the destroyer Ravana ,
are enacted in songs , dances & music which is known as Ramlila.
 DIWALI
- OCT / NOV
A festival of lights and firework , where people illuminated their
houses with rows of earthen lamps to welcome Goddess lakshLi, for
wealth & prosperity. At night crackers are lit almost every house to
celebrate the return of Lord Rama from exile. Also exchange of
sweets and new clothes are worn.
PUSHKAR FAIR - NOVEMBER
The most colourful fair of Rajasthan , mainly a cattle fair where
about 50,000 heads of cattle are traded. A mammoth 2,00,000 people
take a dip in the holy water of pushkar lake on Kartik Poornima .
The main attraction are the camel bazaars and camel races.
NAGAUR FAIR - JAN / FEB
The sands of this desert out post stir with life annually as
thousands of camels , horses and cattels assemble here for the
ritual buying and selling . Colourful stalls sell items used in
every day life of the rajasthani people , and there is entertainment
in the form of the local circus and nautanki.
ELEPHANT MARCH - JANUARY
January is another festive time in thrissur when the great elephant
march takes place. With colourful events that are successively
staged in Thrissur, Alappuzha & Thiruvanthapuram. They include
thrissur splendid elephant pageant, performances of masked dances,
displays of Kerala's martial arts & boat races on the back water.
CAMEL FESTIVAL BIKANER - JANUARY
A festival where the hardships of the desert are seen at their best.
A colourful spectacle , the beautifully decorated camels fascinate
the onlookers with their languid charm & grace . A celebration of
joyous music lilting rhythms and gay festivities.
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