While we all love colors, food and festivals, there are some outstanding events which we tend to miss out every year. But, let me tell you that there is no dearth of offbeat festivals across India and if you haven’t experienced them at least once, do it this time.
The best thing about these festivals is that they give you a chance to travel to different places and meet new people and unlike traditional festivals, you get to celebrate these modern Indian festivals in strange land with strangers and yet you feel homely and cheerful.
Here is a list of seven outstanding offbeat Indian festivals!
Nehru Trophy Boat Race, Kerala
Held in the Punnamada Lake near Alappuzha, Kerala, Nehru Trophy Boat Race is one of the most significant and colourful boat races in Kerala. Some of the categories of boats participating in the race are Churulan Vallam, Iruttukuthy Vallam, Odi Vallam, Veppu Vallam (Vaipu Vallam), Vadakkanody Vallam and Kochu Vallam. Also known as Vallam Kali and Snake Boat Race, Nehru Trophy Boat Race is conducted on the second Saturday of August every year.
Book a hotel in Kochi.
Khajuraho Dance Festival, Madhya Pradesh
Organised by the Madhya Pradesh Kala Parishad, Khajuraho Dance Festival is a one-week-long cultural extravaganza of classical dances. Conducted annually during the first week of February from the 1st to the 7th, the festival is held against the picturesque backdrop of the magnificently lit Khajuraho temples in Chhatarpur district. Various Indian classical dance styles such as Kathak, Bharathanatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri and Kathakali are performed by world famous artists at the festival.
Book a flight to Bhopal.
Kila Raipur Rural Olympics, Ludhiana
Kila Raipur Sports Festival is held annually in the month of February in Kila Raipur. Special breed of bullocks, camels, dogs, mules and other animals competing in competitive events become a major tourist attraction every year.
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Jaipur Literature Festival, Rajasthan
The world’s largest free literary Festival, Zee jaipur Literature festival has been described as “the grandest literary Festival of them all” by Miranda Seymour. Held at The Diggi Palace Hotel, JLF brings together some of the greatest thinkers and writers from across South Asia and the world. The festival celebrates excellence in Rajasthani, Indian and International writing.
Dharamshala International Film Festival, Himachal Pradesh
Showcasing the best of recent Indian and world cinema, including fiction, documentaries and shorts, DIFF is held annually in the month of October in Himachal Pradesh. Special screenings, master classes and workshops are also held to encourage local film making. Besides, the picturesque location is just perfect for the film festival.
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Hornbill Festival, Kisama Village Nagaland
The Hornbill Festival is an annual, week-long event held every year in the first week of December in Naga Heritage Village at Kisama, Nagaland. Also called as the ‘Festival of Festivals’, it is named after the Great Indian Hornbill bird abundant in the region. If you wish to enjoy the Naga lifestyle and culture, food, music and tradition of each of those 18-20 clans, all at the at same place then this is the right event for you to attend. And if you are a foodie then you gonna love it more and probably the most!
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Pushkar Camel Fair, Rajasthan
How can you miss Rajasthan when talking about colors, culture and festival! The land of Maharajas, Rajasthan surely has some really magnificent and cheerful events to offer. After Jaipur Literature Festival, we have another spectacular festival from Rajasthan and that is the Pushkar Camel fair-fair enough! This five-day camel and livestock fair is held every year in the town of Pushkar and the affair has become an important tourist attraction.
One of the world’s largest camel fairs, Pushkar Camel Fair starts off with music, songs and exhibitions to follow. Camel race and camel tests are some of the much awaited events at the festival.
Which of the following festivals are you planning to attend the next? Feel free to share your experience below.
