Travel to India this Festive Season
Travel to India, this Festive Season Diwali Holi, and More …
India is the land of festivals; a confluence of many religions produced a calendar which is dotted with these ceremonies.Travel to India this festive season Diwali Holi and More can be explored.
India celebrates the vividness and the richness of its history and opens a window to its thousands of years old culture. Plan a travel to India during the festive season. It is a sure shot way to discover this unique land and also witness it through the lenses of a ‘resident’.
India is vast. There are many States and Union territories that constitute this country. With each new state comes the change in language and culture. Not only that, but within the same state too one can see vividness. Every few miles traversed in any direction will not only change the landscape but it will also present a culture – markedly different in its practices and local lifestyle. A huge diversity is palpable which is expressed through the local customs and celebrations of local deities. Even big festivals like Diwali & Holi, with pan India presence, are celebrated in a very different fashion across the country.
Since not all the festivals are of equal significance and are not celebrated across the country with the same vigor, the travelers can plan an itinerary covering the major festivals of different major faiths – Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Jainism well in advance.
Constrained by words, I aim to share and recommend few major festivals of Hindu Religion month wise- clearly earmarked in the Hindu calendar which is Lunisolar.
January – Sankranti, Pongal, Lohri
February – Vasant Panchami
March- Holi, Chaitra Navratri, Ugadi, Gangaur
April- Ramnavmi, Hanuman Jayanti
June- Rathyatra
July-Guru Purnima
August- Rakhi, Janmashtami, Kumbh Mela, Ganesh Chaturthi
September- Navratri, Dasha-Hara.
October – Diwali and nearby festivals
A travel planned for the month of September/October may not be a bad idea to start with. The festival calendar starts from either these two months which last till the year-end.
The preparations start before the Navratri – a nine-day long festival which culminates on the tenth day with the celebrations of Bijoya Dashmi or Dasha-Hara meaning “remover of bad fate.” It is also called as Dussehra.
Also read my post: Navratri the Nine Nights Festival
After 20 days, comes the festival of lights Diwali. It is a celebration of lights and prosperity. Lakshmi – The goddess of wealth – is worshipped by all and sundry.
Preparations start in advance
First we buy the Lamps or Candles
Then we buy sweets
Then some fire crackers
Also read my post: Diwali at Pink City Jaipur
Most of the cities are decorated with glittering lamps and hand-made lamps or ‘diyas’ elevating the mood. Colorful patterns or ‘Rangolis’ also adorn the floors and the courtyards. It is an art form in which colorful patterns are created by using colored rice, dry flour, and flower petals.
I love traveling to religious and spiritual destinations. It is the best way to understand the local culture and lifestyle. Check out my post : Spiritual Travel in India .
The history of place usually determines the architecture and landmarks which travelers explore but the true essence of a place can be best felt by imbibing the local customs and rituals which have been shaped by years of practices and passing down of well-kept secrets. As a traveler, there’s no other better way to learn it all than by witnessing these magical festivals which all have a hidden meaning.
‘Travel like a local’ is a buzzword nowadays but why don’t we celebrate like a local too???
October is also a month of celebration across the world and so much so that the Oktoberfest is named after this month. If this was not enough one can participate in the ‘Blogtober‘ too.
Check out the Diwali Lighting below at the Pink City Jaipur and let us know how you liked the celebration
Life is a celebration and it’s a good idea to celebrate as much one can!
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