Goa Carnival

An annual festival, Goa Carnival is the most important event of Goa. Held every year in the month of February, Goa Carvinal lasts for three days and three nights. Goa Carnival provides a wonderful chance to witness the multiple colours of life also to enjoy fun-filled activities, exciting music and dance. During the festival, the towns and villages of Goa become colourful, and music, dance and healthy entertainment covers the streets of the state.

Actually the Goa Carnival is a Christian festival, but people of other religions also take part in the celebrations. Started as a rowdy celebration enjoyed by the local people, Goa Carnival has now crossed the state boundaries and participated by people from various parts of the country. Visit Goa this February to participate in Goa Carnival, which is going to held from 02nd to 04th February.

Goa Carnival in Past
According to historic records, the origin of Goa Carnival dates back to the time of the Portuguese, who ruled over the region till 1961. The Portuguese rulers introduced the festival as a rowdy celebration, celebrated by throwing mud, sand-filled bags, flour, eggs, oranges, liquids and other items on the passersby. Throwing old used pots, pans and other kitchen utensils out of the homes, were also the part of the celebration. Fierce mock-battle were waged on the streets, fought by the weapons like Plaster of Paris, eggs, corncobs, beans and wax lemons. Unlimited eating was also an essential part of Goa Carnival, people used to gorge on lavish foods distributed by the convents and churches.


Goa Carnival Now
Over the years, many rituals of Goa Carnival had been changed, but even today you can experience the same old charm by participating in the event. Preparations for the carnival begin well in advance as long as two to three months back. Artists and local people start rehearsals for plays, songs, dances, mock battles and other entertaining programmes. Goa Carnival begins as the legendary King Momo takes over the state and the festivities go for three day and three nights.

The three day festival is marked by the celebration of century old culture and tradition of Goa and Goan think of only feasting, drinking and merrymaking. Streets of Goa come alive with songs, dances, plays depicting Goan history, mock battles and other fun-filled activities. Numerous competitions are also organized during the Goa Carnival and winners of the competitions are given prizes by King Momo on the final day. During the festival the evening is bedazzled by fireworks.

Island Festival, Andaman and Nicobar

An annual festival, Island Tourism Festival is organised in Port Blair by the Andaman and Nicobar tourism department. A fortnight festival, Island Tourism Festival is organised every year between December and February and it projects the image of the islands as an eco-friendly tourist destination.

Island Tourism Festival is the main festival of the Indian union territory of Andaman and Nicobar islands and it comprises of fine exhibitions, cultural programmes, competitions and much more. During this 15-day long festival dance, drama and musical programmes are organised. Exhibitions, displaying arts and crafts of the islands, flora and fauna and marine life, are essential parts of the tourism festival. Government agencies and business ntrepreneurs from the twin islands and mainland of India participate the exhibitions in large number. Island Tourism Festival exhibitions display the development aspects of these islands.

Andaman and Nicobar Administration invites the cultural troupes and artistes of national and international fame who entertain the visitors with their unique performance. Beside, the talents of these islands including tribals also perform during the festival. Aqua sports completions such as Nicobari Hodi are added attraction of this festival. Other attractions of the festival include Magic show, Puppet show, Floating restaurant, Baby show, Dog show, Canoe Race, Scuba Diving, Tele games etc.

Winter Festival - Mount Abu

Rajasthan is the land of activities and around the year a number of fairs are organized in the state. Just couple of days back, Mount Abu the only hill station of the state celebrated the Winter Festival. An annual three-day festival, the Winter Festival is organised by the Rajasthan Tourism and Municipal Board, Mount Abu. Like previous years this year too the winter festival showcased a number of fun-filled activities and visited by thousands of people. With its cultural variables, exotic location and warm hospitality of the people, the Winter Festival provided a never before experience to visitors.

Activities During Winter Festival
Winter Festival, Mt. Abu begins with ceremonial procession kicked off from the RTDC Hotel Shikhar. Further the procession gathers at the Nakki Lake Chowk followed by folk performances of artists from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana and other Indian state. On all three days of the festival, fire works are lit and the event is made brighter by a display of dazzling fire works all three days.

Colourful diyas (earthen lamps) are floated on the Nakki lake during the festival which is the part of a famous ceremony known as Deepdaan. You will be surely mesmerized by the beautiful sight of so many lighted lamps floating on the lake.

In fact, the winter festival is an excellent time to get a glimpse of Rajasthan’s rich tribal life and culture. During the festival you can also enjoy folk and classical music alongwith Gair, Ghoomar and Daph folk dances put up by the talented artists. If you are fond of some adventure, then don’t forget to enjoy water sports such as rowing on the lake. Rowing competitions are also held on the lake during the festival.

Upcoming Tourist Festivals

Here's a list of upcoming festivals and events that might interest tourists visiting India.

1) Sikkim Tourism Festival - Sikkim - December 5 - 11
2) Ice Skating Carnival - Ice-Skating Rink, Shimla - December
3) Himalayan International Festival -Mcleodganj, Himachal Pradesh - 10th to 12th December
4) Konark Dance festival - Konark, Orissa - 1 -t 5 Dec 2007
5) Tansen Music festival - Gwalior - 7- 10th Dec 2007
6) Chennai Dance And Music festival - Chennai - December 2007
7) Hornbill Festival - Kohima, Nagaland - December 2007
8) Island Tourism festival - Port Blair, Andaman and Nicobar Islands - December 07 - Jan 08
9) Kurukshetra Festival - Kurukshetra, Haryana - December-2007
10) Mamallapuram Dance Festival - Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu - December 07 - January08

Festive Season Is Just Round The Corner

October and November are the months when festival fever runs high and everything else takes a backseat in India. Moms go out for shopping and all they can think about buying are clothes for their family members to be worn during these festivals. Decoration of houses begin as if they were purchased new. Rehearsals of dance, dramas and songs for cultural show are at their peak.Plans are on as to what delicacies will be made on the festival day and to how many relatives visits will be paid.

This year too, all this and much more will begin shortly. As September draws to a close and October begins,festivals will fill the life of one and all with colours and enthusiasm.Infact,the festivities have already begun with the celebration of Janamashtmi and Ganesh Chaturthi. The other festivals that will follow soon in the two months include Eid-ul-Fitr, Duesshra, Marwar festival, Karva Chauth, Deepawali, and Bhai Duj.

The reason for celebration for these festivals are different and so are the highlights. While Deepawali glitters with innumerable diyas, Karvachauth has women dressed up beautiflly to welcome the moon and break their fast(which is kept for the well being and long life of their husbands).Children and women get gifts on Eid Ul Fitr and on Duesshra, Ramlila - a dramatisation of the famous epic Ramayana - is performed to remind everyone that evil is invariably conquered by goodness.

These festivals are time when we get to know more about our culture and appreciate it. They are a welcome break from the day to day tensions of the life and fill our hearts with happiness. They are to be enjoyed completely.

So are you all set to make the most of the festive season this year?

Nehru Trophy Boat Race

Come 11th of August, 2007 and the tranquil lake of Punnamda near Alappuzha will convert into one of the most exciting places in Kerala. The reason behind it is the Nehru Trophy Boat Race. For those who are not really aware of the NTBR, let me start off by giving a brief introduction. Boat races are quiet popular in the south India state of Kerala. Infact, they are one of the major attractions for foreign tourists. NTBR is the most popular of all these races and is organised on every second Saturday of August. People, in lakhs come to witness the competitive exuberance of this boat race.

The boat race was first held in 1952 to honour the first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, who was on a trip to the region. Watching the race, Pandit Nehru got so involved and excited that he broke all security barriers and embarked a boat to take a ride on it. Later, in the same year, he presented a a silver trophy for the winner of the race. The trophy bore an inscription which said, “To the winners of the boat race which is a unique feature of community life in Travancore Cochin." Since then, the boat race has become one of the most elaborate events in Kerala every year.

In 2006, the event was organised on 13th of August and saw participation from around 60 boats including 18 snake boats. The event also saw the participation of UAE based 10 women who joined a group of 23 Indian women. This was the first ever international participation in the women category. The race was won by the Payippad Snake Boat from Kumarakom in Kottayam. This boat has not only been a regular participant of the event for decades but is also the winner of the coveted trophy for three consecutive year. For those who have already made arrangements to see the event this year, this boat is a definite watch out one. However, it will also be interesting to see if another boat can break the winning streak of the Payippad Snake Boat.

The image you are seeing above was used as alogo of 2006 NTBR. The logo of the event is selected by the Nehru Boat Race committee from amongst the entries received from the general public. The logo name was Thakkudu. The name itself was selected from amongst thousands of entries received from children belonging to class 1- 7. Both the winner of the person whose logo and the child whose suggested name is selected is given a cash prize. In 2005, the state bird of Kerala, VEZHAMBAL was he logo of the NTBR.

The NTBR is not the only boat race that is organised in the month of August. There are two other boat races taking place in this month. The Aranmula Boat Race is scheduled to be held on 30th of August while Payippad Boat Race is going to be held just a day before, on 29th of Aug. So anyone wishing to be a part of the Nehru Boat Race is definitely going to benefit watching two other exciting and pulseracing competition.

To know more about the boat races of Kerala, click here

Hemis Festival

Every year, in June-July, the Ladakh region of Jammu Kashmir gears up for the grandest event of the area, the Hemis festival. Hemis Monastery, the venue of the festival, is the wealthiest Buddhist monastery in India. No wonder, then, that the annual festival of Hemis is not just a local affair. Rather, it is an event that attracts thousands of Buddhists from all over the world. History also has records of the 1st Prime Minister of independent India, Jawahar Lal Nehru, participating in the event in 1949.

The festival marks the birth of Guru Padmasambhava, the founder of tantric Buddhism in Tibet. Masked dances are the highlights of this festival. These dances, for which the participants prepare in advance, depict the victory of good over evil. It is believed that Guru Padmasambhava battled with evil forces to ensure the safety of the local people. The masks themselves are works of art and represent guardian divinities of the Drukpa order to which the Hemis Monastery belongs. Apart from the masked dances, what attracts the attention of visitors is the fair which sees Ladakhis coming out in best of their colourful dresses. The fair offers excellent opportunities for shoppers to pick up some handicraft items of the area. A two storey Thangka displayed once in every 12 years is yet another highlight of the festival. The entire festival is presided over by the Rimpoche, the head Lama of the Hemis Monastery.





Foreign tourists coming from abroad to attend the Hemis festival are mostly Germans, Britons, Americans, French, Swiss, Italians and Israelites. Asian tourists from Korea, Japan, Thailand, Tibet, Singapore and SriLanka follow. This inflow of foreign tourists gives a big boost to tourism in the region. Tour operators come out with packages that take take tourists to the Hemis festival. Infact, this year, the Himachal Pradesh tourism department has also rolled out a special Manali-Leh (Manali being one of the base to reach Leh, the capital of Ladakh. The other base is Srinagar) journey package. This package covers over 400 km of Lahaul-Ladakh Cold Desert and offers tourists a chance to savour the stupendous beauty of the route.


Participating in Hemis festival is like giving oneself an opportunity to understand the local culture of the Buddhist people. It is truly not to be missed for those interested in cultural tourism in India.

Know more about hemis Festival here