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GANESH
FESTIVAL,
Maharashtra
(September/October)
Lord
Ganesh,
with his
elephant
head, is
the God
of good
omen in
the
Hindu
pantheon.
He is
revered
by his
followers,
who
carry
clay
models
of him
in grand
processions,
to the
sound of
cymbals
and
drums.
The
festival
– Ganesh
Chaturthi
– is
held on
the
fourth
day of
Bhadrapad.
GOA
CARNIVAL,
Goa (Februray-March)
The
carnival
is a
secular
event,
celebrated
all over
Goa. On
the eve
of the
festival
(Fat
Saturday),
a
colorful
procession
of
bedecked
floats,
led by
King
Momo, is
taken
throuzgh
the main
street
in the
city.
NAVRATRI,
Gujarat
(September/October)
Navratri
is the
celebration
for the
divine
goddess,
Durga.
According
to the
Hindu
calendar,
the
festival
occurs
four
times a
year but
the one
in the
month of
Ashwin
(September/October)
is the
most
popular.
During
the
festivities,
the
streets
throng
with
devotees
performing
the
Garbas
and the
Raas
(unique
folk
dance
forms),
especially
in the
state of
Gujarat.
ELEPHANTA
FESTIVAL,
Elephanta
Island,
Mumbai (Februray)
Nine
nautical
miles
away
from
Mumbai,
the
Elephanta
Island
is now a
World
Heritage
Site, in
recognition
of the
Elephanta
Festival
celebrates
classical
music
and
dance
forms.
It is
recognized
as a hub
of
creative
activity
across
the
country.
KALA
GHODA
FAIR, ,
Mumbai
(On
eight
successive
Sunday,
from
November
to
January)
This
fair
showcases
traditional
Indian
arts &
crafts,
ethnic
food,
street
performances
as well
as
village
and
classical
arts.
The
event is
very
popular
among
the
people
of
Mumbai
and
tourists
alike.
KITE
FESTIVAL,
Ahmedabad
(14th
January)
This
festival
is
celebrated
on
Makara
Sankranti.
This day
has a
special
significance.
For the
sun,
symbolizing
knowledge,
wisdom
and
spiritual
light –
that
recedes
from us
when we
revel in
the
darkness
of
ignorance,
delusion
and
sesuality
– now
joyously
turns on
its
northward
course
and
rushes
towards
one and
all, to
shed its
light
and
warmth
in
abundance.
The day
prior to
Makara
Sankranti
is
called
the
Bhogi
Festival.
On this
day,
old,
worn-out
and
dirty
things
are
discarded
and
burnt.
Houses
are
cleaned
and
whitewashed.
Kites
are
flown,
in a
celebration
of the
light
and
warmth
of the
sun.
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