India is known for its colors and festivals. The unique and exhilarating celebrations add essence to the authenticity and culture of this country. There are various caravans and celebrations organized in the month of March to celebrate the ethnicity and folklore of our festival.

Some of them are listed here which is worth attending at least once.

International Yoga Festival:

Rishikesh is considered to be the birthplace of yoga, where rishi’s and sadhu’s for years have been practicing yoga.  International yoga festival is organised once in a year. This year it will be held from 1st March to 7th March 2019 in Rishikesh-‘the yoga capital of our country’. It is organized in Parmarth Niketan where you can stay and learn from the world class masters of Yoga the power of it. Various spiritual saints and yoga masters teach multiple styles of yoga like Kriya Yoga, and Power Vinyasa Yog, Iyengar Yoga, and Kundalini Yoga.

The one week long festival also includes various Satsang and spiritual talks and meditative sessions like Ajapa Japa, Chakra Sudhi, Antar Mauna, Agnihotra, and Chidakasha Dharma.

“Come home in the lap of Himalayas and practice yoga feeling peace and serenity”. So don’t think much and Register yourself for IYF.

Parippally Gajamela:

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The event of elephants, Parippally Gajamela is celebrated in Kerela in which more than 50 elephants take part. On the very last day of the ten day long celebration of Kodimootti Sree Bhagavathi Temple, Parippalli, there is a procession of elephants which is called Paripally Gajemela. The procession and the elephant show is ritual which signifies a tribute to the god Paripally Gajemala. It is a part of the annual festival at the Kodimoottil Sree Bhagavathy Temple dedicated to Goddess Bhadrakali.

The Kodimoottil Bhagavathy Temple March is overwhelming and lively Festival. Take part and witness the gorgeous show of elephants, this year on 4th of March 2019. Parippally is a place near the Kollam district of Kerela.

Goa Carnival:

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The most awaited carnival; Goa carnival is around the corner whose preparation has been going on from December. It is a portray of the culture and tradition of Goa along with lots of parties, dance, music, and entertainment. The carnival begins with a majestic parade across the state on the fat Saturday evening spreading the message of joyous creation.

Men and women dressed in themed black and red attire dance on the beats of the band in a procession. It is the best time for foodies to enjoy some of the best cuisines, munchies, and wine. The festival ends on the Ash Wednesday which is the last day before the beginning of the lent month.

Its origin can be traced from the folklore of Mardi Gras, a tradition of riotous feast and drink and dance before the fast. It is a 4 day celebration starting on 2nd March to 5th March 2019 accompanied by the enormous procession with live music and dance performances bring the beam to the festival. All these things add to the real zeal of this carnival which cannot be elapsed. So go through the Goa tour packages and plan an unforgettable retreat during Goa Carnival.

Eternal Mewar Holika Dahan:

Credit: UdaipurBlog

The festival of colors; Holi is one of the most admired of Indian festivals. On the day of Holika Dahan which is the first day of the festival of Holi, a devout bonfire is lit on the full moon night of. According to Hindu folklore, it exhibits the victory of godly power above demonic power.

The royal family of Mewar dynasty organizes the ceremony of Holika Dahan in The City Palace, Udaipur, with royal custom and embarking on their spectacular imperial parade which begins from the royal palace up till the Manek Chowk in their customary costume, gracefully garlanded horses and the perfectly turned out band that guides the procession all the way through the Palace to the Manek Chowk. Following the sacred ritual, as night falls; you will witness the lighting of a conventional holy bonfire where a model of the mock Holika is then lit, which is followed by the native population performing the ‘Gair’ or the puja, and the folk dance performance.

The Eternal Mewar Holika Dahan of Udaipur will be celebrated on 20-21 March 2019.

Lathmar Holi, Holi, Rangon Ki Holi:

Credit: MathuraHub

Holi is the festival of colors, delight, get together, enthusiasm, dance, music, and enjoyment. According to the Hindu mythology, it is considered that Holi was played even at the time of Lord Krishna in Mathura which is his birthplace and also in Vrindavan where he had spent his childhood. It is considered to be one of the most important festivals of Uttar Pradesh. It is said one should at least once in their lifetime experience the Holi merriment of Mathura and Vrindavan which is so vivacious.

Holi the festival of colors also has its variation in diverse culture. In Barsana town of Uttar Pradesh, the famous Lathmar Holi is celebrated. According to the legends, Radha, the beloved of Lord Krishna was born in Barsana. It is said that Lord Krishna would come here during his childhood and adolescence to tease Radha and other gopis. This way of celebrating Holi is actually the acting out of the legendary episode when the women of this town would beat the men of Nandgoan with sticks, whereas the men would tease them and hurl around colors cheerfully. If a man, he is made to dress in the women attire and made to dance, which is extremely exciting to look at.

Basanta Utsav:

Credit: Bangla-O-Biswa

Holi is not only is celebrated across the country in different ways but also has diverse names. In West Bengal, it is known by the name of Basant Utsav. In West Bengal, spring festival is welcomed with a lot of zest and decency. It is celebrated in the month of March and this celebration was initiated by the great author Rabindranath Tagore at Shantiniketan to recreate the magic of Holi.

Basanta Utsav is celebrated at the time of Holi. This year it will be celebrated from 20th March to 21st March 2019. Young people perform various dance and music performances in the serene atmosphere of Shantiniketan. It is also known as ‘Dol Jatra’, ‘Dol Utsav’, or the “Rabindrik Basanta Utsav”. The blissful celebration is now a vital element of the Bengali culture. Basanta Utsav at the Santiniketan will surely make you feel romantic, satisfying and extremely unique. A contribution of the students makes it much more amusing. Be a part of the vibrant festival and enjoy the serenity here!

Jaipur Elephant Festival:

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The Jaipur Elephant Festival is an annual event which is held in the Pink City, of Jaipur. This event is organized on the full moon day of Phalgun Purnima. It is fêted a day before the festival of colors; Holi. Elephants, from a very ancient time, has been considered to play an important role in the Indian culture as it resembles god Ganesha. They are also considered important in religious ceremonies, marriages, parades, and also on the battlefield.

This festival commences with an enormous procession of the elephants embroidered with heavy silver ornaments, and embellished garments. The elephants enter the ground with their mahouts or the elephant keepers, on the thumping to the sound of e musical instrument of nagadas and loud blows of bankiya. There are various games and events organized which include tug-of-war of Elephants, Elephant polo, and Elephant race. There are various live shows of dance and music. other than elephants, horses, camels, chariots, and palanquins also take part in the procession.

This festival organized in Jaipur Polo Ground which is opposite to the Sawai Mansingh Stadium. Plan your trip to Rajasthan and be a part of this grand procession and enjoy the royalty and ethnicity to Rajasthan.

Chapchar Kut Festival:

Credit: Telegraph India

The Mizo festival of Chapchar Kut is celebrated to welcome the spring season and prepare the soil for new plantation. It is one of the most important festivals of Mizoram celebrated in the month of March. The natives of Mizoram dress in colorful clothes with jewellery and unique headgears. They have folk dance performances and various traditional music events which are accompanied beating of drums, gongs, and cymbals. One of the most popular dances of Mizoram is Cheraw – the”bamboo dance” which is one of the most colorful and distinct dances of the Mizoram. “Khuallam” is a propitious dance performed by a group to rejoice new beginnings which also a welcoming dance for the guest during this festival.

There are a various feast, exhibition of handlooms and handicraft items during his festive season and other traditional games which is quite fun to be part of. Aizwal is well connected to the other states by road whereas the nearest railway station to Mizoram is Silchar. Be a part of this colorful festival of North-East India tour and come back with lots of unique memories and wonder.

Attukal Pongala:

Credit: Hill Post

The main festival of Attukal Bhagavathy Temple-Pongala is a ten day festival in Kerala. Goddess Kannaki Charitam is prayed during this festival and women gather around the temple to gratify goddess Kannaki and Attukal devi who is said to fulfill their wishes and endow with success.

The festival begins by presenting a melodious description of the narrative of the deity Kannaki through the  “Kappukettu ceremony”. All over the event, there is an impression of merriment and joy prevails and there are regular conducts of Bhajans, kirtan, dance which portrays the folk and temple etc. The women cook Pongala which is a sweet dish made up of jaggery and rice porridge to offer it to the deity.

There are many traditions and they vary from day to day during the festival. On the day Kappukettu and Kudiyiruthu ceremony, the idol of deity, is embroidered with Kappu meaning Bangles. The ninth day of the festival which is the pooram day, is one of the most important days of the festival followed by the Kuruthitharpanam or the tenth day also called the Attukal Pongala when the festival will wrap up. This festival is celebrated in Kerala in the month of February and March.

Chettikulangara Bharani:

Credit: Kerala Mythology

Chettikulangara Bharani one of the most amazing celebrations is fêted at Chettikulangara shrine near Mavelikara in Alappuzha. It is celebrated during the Malayalam month of Kumbham. This event is devoted to deity Bhagavathy. The whole city arrives in life and the jollity. This year it will be celebrated in Chettikulangara Bhagavathy Temple in Mavelikara, Alappuzha on 11th March 2019.

The main pull throughout the celebration is the Kettukazcha which are enormous constructions that are festooned with fabrics, flora, and curious. It is a significant flash for the thirteen karas or province that encompass the region. Thousands put in their effort to make these ninety to hundred feet giant construction. There are 3 groups – the Kuthira (horse), Theru (chariot), and another statuette of Panchali, Hanuman, and Bhima. They are taken to the holy place through town transportation and the general inhabitants alongside with guests adhere in on the merriment. There are numerous artistic and folk concerts that are carried out as well that build it an unforgettable event.

Shigmotsav:

Credit: Golden Goa

Another notable celebration of Goa, the Shigmotsav is Hindu festival like Holi. It is a fourteen daylong celebration marking the advent of spring season. This year it would be celebrated on 21st March 2019. The Goan natives dress in colorful clothes and come out with festive moods.

They dance, sing, eat and drink and rejoice the advent of spring season. The fifth day of the festival called the Rang- Panchami which is celebrated in diverse ways in various parts of the country is fêted with gulab or tossing colors on each other and take pleasure in brotherhoods. Additionally, there are folk dance performances and beating of traditional Goan drums and procession is some parts of Goa.

The natives welcome visitors in a very peculiar way making it one of the most unique and enjoyable celebrations throughout the country. Pack your bags and spend the most amazing time in Goa during Shigmohotsav and enjoy the cultural and traditional beauty of Goan society along with the beautiful location.