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There is popular saying that there are more festivals in India than days in a year! Every region, every community has its own celebration. The people of India can truly overwhelm you on festive occasion. And festive occasions come ever so often.

There is ritual in even daily events, special days for women to wash their hair, weekly religious days on which a fast is kept, occasions when a vegetarian diet is prescribed, a time when buying new things for the house is not considered auspicious ...

A brides  homecoming, the birth of a child, the first day of school, full moon nights...these become special occasions and family, friends and the neighbourhood participates in these events in a happy camaraderie. People gather together to sing and dance to celebrate these formal festivals. An exchange of gifts marks most occasions. People dress in festive  best to prepare the best of the season. Houses are painted, women buy new ornaments, children play together. Ritual designs are painted before the entrance of the home and auspicious oil lamps lit.

There are some principal festivals that are celebrated all over the county with equal fervour...

Holi is one such festival, quite literally a symphony of colours. On this spring day, people hurl powdered and water colours 'on each other in a deep spirit of companionship.

The autumn festival of Diwali, celebrating the victory of good over evil, marked by illumination of homes and public buildings, and the joyous bursting of firecrackers, is one celebration that embraces all India in a festive mould. Sweets are exchanged, people wear new clothes and the festival is marked by a spirit of bonhomie.

Dussehra is celebrated in different ways in different regions. Caparisoned elephants lead an impressive parade in Mysore; mega-effigies of the demon king Ravana are set aflame in Delhi; the region's gods gather in the charming valley of Kullu in the Himalayas for ten days of celebration; and in Kolkata, Dussehra time is Durga Puja time when the goddess is propitiated in the major pandals, festive all-night cultural celebrations are held, and she is finally bid a tearful farewell at the culmination of ten days, with images being immersed in the waters of the Hooghly.

Festivals abound, Id is celebrated with traditional fervour, amity and exchange of gifts. A dish of seviyan is specially cooked and served on the occasion. And at Muharram, tazias of wood, bamboo and tinsel are made artistically and move down the streets of India in ceremonial processions.

And who can forget the pageantry of the impressive Republic Day Parade celebrations in Delhi? The birthdays of gods such a Shiva and Krishna and anniversaries of Sikh Gurus and national leaders too are celebrated with elegant ceremonies. In Puri, the Rath Yatra is a splendid occasion with a procession so huge it has given rise to the word juggernaut in the English vocabulary (from the god, Jaganath). Of course, as all over the world, Christmas too is celebrated with mass in churches, tinsel covered Xmas tree, special fare and an exchange of gifts and cards.

Celebrations occur round the calendar, and even traditional festivals take a unique aspect in India, making them occasions truly of great joy and fun.

Other than the regular festivals, the Government of India, Department of Tourism with the state governments is highlighting aspects of Indian celebrations through a unique programme of theme festivals. A selection of these is detailed here...

Desert Festival
Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
This popular festival celebrates the colourful dances and the music of the desert with the Golden Fort as its impressive backdrop.

Pongal Festival
Kerala and Tamil Nadu
The culture of South India comes to the fore with festive performances, traditional highlights and a gourmet taste of the regions special cuisine for the occasion.

International Kite Festival
Ahmedabad, Gujarat
Makar Sankranti is a time when competitive kite flying marks the occasion all over India. But in Ahmedabad, the sky is aswarm with kites, there are demonstrations of overseas kites, a display of the rich crafts of the state, and a simultaneous regional food festival.

Goa Carnival
February heralds the carnival at Goa. For three days and nights, the legendary king Momo takes over the state and the streets come alive with colour. The week long event is a time of festivity. It occurs on three days in February or early March. Meant to be a festing-drinking-merrymaking orgy just before the 40 days of Lent. It is Goa`s most famous festival and has been celebrated since the 18th Century.

Konark Festival
Konark, Orissa
A celebration of the art forms of the state, and particularly the dance form of Odissi, against the spectacular backdrop of the Sun Temple.

Lucknow Festival
Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh
The lifestyle of Lucknow-erstwhile Avadh is leisurely, with its formal mannerisms, its rich cuisine, with a tradition of appreciation for verse, dance and music. An exposition of these is put together in this unusual festival.

Festival Of Dances
Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
To the magnificent backdrop of the Khajuraho temples, the celebrated dancers of India entertain a discriminating audience with riveting performances.

Gangaur
Jaipur, Rajasthan
Primarily a festival for women, its highlight is a regal procession through the streets of Jaipur carrying the idols of Shiva and Parvati.

Kochi, Kerala (April)
Kerala is India's spice capital, and its rich variety of spices will be celebrated by means of educational seminars, tours to spice growing areas as well as a food festival.

International Flower Festival
Gangtok, Sikkim (April/ May)
It is the peak flowering period in Sikkim and you will have a good chance of seeing several of its 400 species of orchids, 240 varieties of ferns, 240 species of birds and 150 kinds of gladioli. And you also have the promise of flower arrangement demonstration, nature photography, driftwood sculpture and a choice of treks.

International Mango Festival
Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh (July)
India grows over 500 varieties of this king of fruits, and they will be on display here with a food festival, cultural shows and river rafting too!

Rath Yatra
Puri, Orissa
A mammoth gathering of people will witness the short chariot journey of the idol of Jagannath, and will pay obeisance at temples. Non-Hindu visitors must watch proceedings from outside the temple precincts.

Teej
Jaipur, Rajasthan
The oncoming of the monsoons is celebrated by women who carry images of Parvati in procession accompanied by drummers and musicians.

Ganapati Festival
Pune, Maharashtra
This lovable, elephant-headed Indian god is propitiated, through street performances and competitions, rural entertainment, yoga demonstrations and an exposition of regional cuisine.

Dussehra Festival
Kullu, Himachal Pradesh
In the valley, idols of gods from neighbouring temples are carried on palanquins to come together to pay homage before Lord Raghunath. For a week, there is singing and dancing, and exciting things to buy from the local fair.

Navratri Festival
Vadodara, Gujarat
In this western state, the festival of the nine nights is celebrated with the beat of rural music and the excitement of the garba dance, a festival of food, music and handicrafts.

Indian International Trade Fair
New Delhi (November)
Held at the prestigious Pragati Maidan exhibition grounds, the best of national and international technology along with crafts is on display. Traditional celebrations, film shows and contemporary entertainment abounds.

Pushkar Mela
Ajmer, Rajasthan
On the occasion of one of Rajasthan's oldest religious and commercial fairs, visitors can participate in the music and dance shows, the exciting shopping, and unusual cultural events. Accommodation is in tented camps.

Shekhavati Festival
Rajasthan (December)
The Shekhavati region in Rajasthan is famous for its frescoes. This festival will focus attention on these wall paintings with special tours, through the music and dance of the desert, and with the help of local crafts and cuisine.

International Seafood Festival
Goa's unique rhythm and beat will get a fillip with this festival that celebrates its seafood cuisine, both regional as well as international specialties, embellished with an array of Goan wines. Song, dance and laughter, and watersports by the beach make it a not to be missed event.