Time Your Visit
India does not need an occasion to celebrate since every day is a celebration of sorts in the country. Whether it is a change of season, a good harvest, a religious occasion or even a national event, there is always a reason to celebrate in India. And each occasion is a part of the fabric that is India's culture. To put it simply, the festivals and fairs on offer in the country are mind-boggling and in most cases a fascinating experience.

Celebrations in India do not just happen; they are events awaited throughout the year and careful planning goes into them in terms of participation. The fact that there are scores of such events does not make any of them less important than the others. Sometimes, a festival or fair takes on different appearances in various parts of the country. The result: a colourful mosaic which the visitor may not often fully comprehend, but which offers a thrilling experience.

India is a pleasure to visit during the cooler months between October and March. By then the heat of the summer is gone and tourism becomes an enjoyable affair. Rajasthan's dry and arid land is more bearable in the winter months. Around this time, however, the usually wet northeast, goes dry and is easier to travel to. The south, of course, is fascinating with the rain on the beaches.

It is in these six months that the country is in a celebratory mood. Most of India's well-known festivals take place around this time. There is Dussehra with fireworks and drama in the north while in the east, the Durga Puja is celebrated to depict the conquest of good over evil. Three weeks after dussehra is diwali, the festival of light, and there are a lot of lamps and firecrackers. In March is the colourful festival of Holi when there are friendly fights with coloured water and coloured powder. And, of course, as in all other festivals, lots of mithai (sweets).

In addition to these major festivals, there are a number of local festivals like the Rathyatra or the Chariot festival in Orissa, the harvest festivals in most parts of India, dance festivals at heritage sites, and a host of others held towards the end of the year. The largest camel fair is held in Rajasthan's Pushkar in November while Goa has its own version of the Mardi Gras in February. Then there is Id, Easter, Christmas and so many more festivals, each celebrated in totally Indian fashion.

The months of March to May are hot and humid in most parts of the country and are unbearable for most westerners. This is the time to take off to the hills and see another facet of the fascinating country. March to May and September and November are months for trekking in the Himalayas. So, if you have plans to do some serious mountain climbing or trekking or even take part in some adventure sports, plan your trip to India around this time.

A list of the important fairs and festivals from different parts of the country:

ANDHRA PRADESH
Sankranti: January
Kakatiya Festival: January
International Kite Festival: January
Lumbini Festival: March/April
Deccan Festival: April
Vijaynagar Festival: October
Girijan Festival: November

ASSAM
Bihu Festival: April
Ambubashi Mela: June
Tea Festival: November/December

BIHAR
Deo Mahotsav: Feb/March
Vaishali Mahotsav: Feb/March
Mithila Mahotsav: April/May
Rajgir Mahotsav: October
Buddha Festival: November

CHANDIGARH
Garden Festival: February

DELHI
Jahan-e-Khusrau: March
Qutub Festival: September
Garden Festival: February
Chandni Chowk Festival: Nov/Dec

GOA
Carnival: February
Shigmo: February
Goa Food and Cultural Festival: Nov/Dec

GUJARAT
Katch Festival: March
Janamashtami: July/August
Tarnetar Festival: September

HARYANA
Surajkund Mela/Vintage Car Rally: February
Baisakhi: April
Mango Festival: June/July
Teej: August
Geeta Jayanti: Nov/Dec

HIMACHAL PRADESH
Shimla Summer Festival: May/June
Kullu-Dussehra Festival: October
Lavi Fair: November

JAMMU & KASHMIR
Ladakh Festival: September

KERALA
Great Elephant March: January
Nishagandi Dance Festival: February
Nehru Trophy Boat Race: August
Onam Celebrations: August

MADHYA PRADESH
Khajuraho Festival: February/March
Tansen Festival: December

MAHARASHTRA
Elephanta Festival: February
Ganesh/Pune Festival: September
Ellora Festival: December

MIZORAM
Pawlkot Festival: Dec./January
Chapcharkut Festival: February
Mimkut Festival: August/September

MANIPUR
Kut Festival: November

MEGHALAYA
Nongren Dance Festival: October
Shadsuk Mynsiem: April
Garoga Wangala: Oct/Nov

NAGALAND
Sekrenyi Festival: February
Moastii Festival: May
Hornbill Festival: December

ORISSA
Chhou Festival: April
Rath Yatra: July
Konark Dance Festival: December

PONDICHERRY
Fete de Pondicherry/Yoga Festival: January

PUNJAB
Holla Mohala Anandpur Saheb: March
Vaisakhi: April

RAJASTHAN
Camel Festival: January
Dest Festival: February
Elephant Festival: March
Gangaur Festival: April
Marwar Festival: October
Pushkar: November

SIKKIM
Hossar: February
Bumchu: February
Saga Dawa: May/June
Pang Lhabsol: Aug/Sept
Lossong: December

TAMIL NADU
Pongal: January
Natyanjali Festival: February
Silk Festival: October
Mamallapuram Dance Festival: November/Dececember
Tea and Tourism Festival: November/Dececember

UTTAR PRADESH
Taj Mahotsav: February
Lucknow Festival: November
Avadh Festival: November

WEST BENGAL
Shantiniketan Festival: January
Vishnupur Festival: December
Kolkata Book Fair: January/February