Buddha Purnima - Birthday of Lord Buddha

Lord Buddha, the founder of Buddhism has millions of followers all over the world. Every year, to commemorate the birthday of Buddha, Buddhist across the world celebrate Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti. One of the most important festival of Buddhist, Buddha Purnima is celebrated in the Hindu month of Vaisakh, usually falls in months of April or May. In fact, Buddha Purnima day marks three important events linked to Lord Buddha such as his birth in 623 B.C, his enlightenment in 588 B.C and attainment of Nirvana. That’s why followers of Buddhism across the globe, consider the festival day most auspicious and celebrated in their own way.

Buddha Jayanti is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Bodh Gaya in Bihar and other places like Lumbini and Kushinara. Buddhists from all over the world visit Bodh Gaya to participate in the grand celebrations. On Buddha Purnima Mahabodhi temple at Bodh Gaya is tastefully decorated with colourful flags and flowers.

The festival is also celebrated with great fervour Sarnath town of Uttar Pradesh and neighbouring county of Sri Lanka. Buddha Purnima is called Vishakha Pujain in Sri Lanka. Besides Sri Lanka, Buddha Purnima is celebrated in countries like Nepal, Myanmar, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Thailand, Tibet, Korea and Japan.

On the Buddha Purnima huge prayers are organised and sermons on the life of Buddha is presented. Buddhists also do continuous recitation of their holy texts and worship the statue of Buddha. Buddhists beautifully decorate their homes and illuminate their homes, temples and streets with colour lanterns and electric lights.

Buddha Purnima Date : 20 May

Easter - A Festival of Christians

One of holiest festivals of Christian, Easter is celebrated to commemorate the resurrection of Jesus Christ after three days of his crucification. An ancient festival, Easter also marks the arrival of the spring season and end of chilling winter.

Historically the Easter festival like other Christian festivals emerged from ancient pagan roots. Easter is an amalgamation of a myriad of Pagan, Herbew and Christian traditions. The festival incorporates pagan symbol of fertility in the shape of the Easter bunny and Easter eggs.

Initially the Easter festival was confined to the church, but with passage of time the festival celebration became synonymous with merry-making, fun and enjoyment. In fact, the last couple of decades have witnessed increasing commercialization. Now the festival is marked by the exchange of greeting cards, gifts, sweets, chocolates, easter eggs, marshmallow bunnies, peeps, and jelly beans.

Easter Date in 2008 – 27th April

Taj Mahotsav - An Arts and Crafts festival

When talked about Agra, the virtual picture Taj Mahal comes in everybody's mind. One of the seven wonders of the world Taj Mahal draws tourists from all over the world. Built around 350 years ago, by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan, the white marble monument still maintains its old charm. Besides the Taj Mahal, Agra is also known for its annual event called Taj Mahotsav. In fact, the charm of Taj Mahal and the city increases many folds during the Taj Mahal Utsav.

A yearly event Taj Mahotsav is held close to Taj Mahal between February 18 and 27. A 10 days event, Taj Mahotsav is organised by the Tourism Department of Uttar Pradesh. Also known as the Taj Mahal Utsav, the festival venue is Shilpgram. Taj Mahotsav showcases the art and craft of the region and also provides a wonderful chance to savour the traditional delicacies.

Usually the festival begins with a impressive procession of elephants and camels. Invigorating beats of drums and impressive performances of folk artists made the mahotsav more lively. In addition to Uttar Pradesh, the arts, crafts and traditions of other parts of country are also displayed in the Mahotsav.

During the festival you can have a fine glimpse of rich cultural heritage and unparalleled legacies of India. You would be surely pleased after experience the rich culture of Uttar Pradesh. Exquisite arts and crafts, delectable cuisines, soothing music and lively dance add more to your experience. Brass and metal ware from Moradabad, wood carvings of Saharanpur, Badohi's handmade carpets, the pottery of Khurja, chickan - work of Lucknow and silk sarees of Benaras (Varanasi) are some of the highlights of the event. Amongst the music and dance performances, folk music and dances of Dundelkhand, Nautanki (drama), Sapera (snake) dance of Rajasthan and Lavani of Maharashtra are main attractions of Taj Mahotsav.

So gear up soon and visit Agra this February to participate in the Taj Mahotsav. You will get a never before experience and return your home with lifelong memories.

Surajkund Crafts Mela 2008

The 22nd Surajkund Crafts Mela started on February 1 in Delhi's neighbouring state Haryana. The 15 days fair was inaugurated on Friday by the Union Minister for External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee in presence of Haryana Chief Minister,Bhupinder Singh Hooda and Tourism Minister of West Bengal Manabendra Mukherjee.

Started in the year 1981, every year the festival is held at Surajkund in Faridabad district. Also popular amongst the residents of Delhi, Surajkund Mela provides a good platform for displaying folk arts and crafts from all over the country.

Every year a new state is chosen as the theme of the mela and the entire decoration is done accordingly. West Bengal is the theme State of this year's Crafts Mela and you can see and experience the state every where. Venue of the Crafts Mela has been nicely decorated with the traditional art work and beautiful motifs of West Bengal. During the 15 day fair, 61 selected artisan would exhibit their works of art and display the rich tradition of crafts from West Bengal. Some of the interesting items which are on display are artistic leather craft, brass and bell metal, cane and bamboo, clay dolls, jute products, masks,puppets and many more.

Organisers of the mela has built a replica of the Vishnupur Gate of the state. About 120 artistes from West Bengal would perform traditional rural dance forms of the state such as Chhou, Natua, Raibeshe, Mech and Baul folk songs. West Bengal would also organise a fashion show on February 9 to showcase the rich traditions of textiles, crafts and styles.



Special stall highlighting cuisine of West Begnal has been set up. You can also enjoy cuisine of Punjab, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Himachal, Haryana, Maharashtra and Gujarat in the food stalls. Besides, Chinese and Thai cuisine are also on offer on the food stalls.

Altogether 350 craftspersons and weavers from all over the country has participated in the Surajkund mela. Besides,crafts persons from SAARC countries, Thailand and Brazil have also participated in the mela.

Dance performances from various states would also be presented at the Crafts mela. Some of the dance forms that would be presented include Kargam folk dance from Tamil Nadu, Dhollu Kunita folk dance from Karnataka, dandia and garba from Gujarat.

Handicrafts of some of the states displayed at the Mela include Banjara and Bunni embroidery of Gujarat, Chikan work of Lucknow, Phulkari embroidery of Punjab, Lace and crochet from Goa, Sandalwood and rosewood carving of South India, Kantha work of West Bengal and North Eastern states, Chikri woodcraft of Kashmir.

Main attractions of cultural programmes that would be organized every evening are Hasya Kavi Sammellan by Mr. Surender Sharma on Feb.4, Little Champs Show on Feb.5, Punjabi Folk Singer from Pakistan, Mr. Badru Zaman on Feb. 9 and Dance Ballet-Holi Aai Re by Padma Vibhushan Birju Maharaj on Feb.12.

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.