Experience India's Dazzling Festivals This Winter
India is a destination for the senses, filled with sights and smells that are bound to overwhelm. From colourful saris and clear blue skies to piquant spices and incense, India is a melting pot of spirituality, energy, adventure and culture.
In addition to exploring the sights and sounds of India, visitors are encouraged take part in the country's legendary festivals that not only embrace newcomers but celebrate wellbeing and happiness as well. Many festivals are celebrated between the cool winter months of October and February, when India enters a mood of celebration, adorning the streets with flowers and preparing elaborate meals to follow fasting.
Durga Puja is a Hindu festival that is held to celebrate the goddess Durga. The dates of the festival are laid out according to the traditional religious calendar and referred to as the "Fortnight of the Goddess". This festival is widely celebrated in South India over five days, and is recognised in Nepal and Bangladesh. Ex-patriots from around the world celebrate in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, Kuwait and many more.
Diwali or Deepavali is known as the "festival of lights", and recognised as one of the most important Hindu festivals of the year. Families perform ritual activities in their homes to symbolically recognise the triumph of good over evil in the world. A row of lamps are kept alight while worshippers clean their homes, purportedly to welcome the goddess Lakshmi inside.
Festival firecrackers are lit to ward away spirits.
Punjabi people celebrate an agricultural winter festival called Lohri, designed to mark the close of the winter season, and to celebrate fertility. Punjabis across the region recognise the elements of fire, wind, water and earth, gathering around bonfires to celebrate and exchange greetings.
Eid ul-Fitr is a holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, an Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid, which is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", is held to break fasting that has been held for approximately one month between dawn and sunset. The festival is usually celebrated for about three days, although traditions differ between acolytes in different countries. All devotees are encouraged to forgive past differences that may have occurred during the previous year.
Festivals in India are an opportunity to experience cuisine, music, clothing and religion in a spirit of celebration. Book online and take advantage of India's distinctive festivals first hand.
In addition to exploring the sights and sounds of India, visitors are encouraged take part in the country's legendary festivals that not only embrace newcomers but celebrate wellbeing and happiness as well. Many festivals are celebrated between the cool winter months of October and February, when India enters a mood of celebration, adorning the streets with flowers and preparing elaborate meals to follow fasting.
Durga Puja is a Hindu festival that is held to celebrate the goddess Durga. The dates of the festival are laid out according to the traditional religious calendar and referred to as the "Fortnight of the Goddess". This festival is widely celebrated in South India over five days, and is recognised in Nepal and Bangladesh. Ex-patriots from around the world celebrate in countries such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Singapore, Kuwait and many more.
Diwali or Deepavali is known as the "festival of lights", and recognised as one of the most important Hindu festivals of the year. Families perform ritual activities in their homes to symbolically recognise the triumph of good over evil in the world. A row of lamps are kept alight while worshippers clean their homes, purportedly to welcome the goddess Lakshmi inside.
Festival firecrackers are lit to ward away spirits.
Punjabi people celebrate an agricultural winter festival called Lohri, designed to mark the close of the winter season, and to celebrate fertility. Punjabis across the region recognise the elements of fire, wind, water and earth, gathering around bonfires to celebrate and exchange greetings.
Eid ul-Fitr is a holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, an Islamic holy month of fasting. Eid, which is an Arabic word meaning "festivity", is held to break fasting that has been held for approximately one month between dawn and sunset. The festival is usually celebrated for about three days, although traditions differ between acolytes in different countries. All devotees are encouraged to forgive past differences that may have occurred during the previous year.
Festivals in India are an opportunity to experience cuisine, music, clothing and religion in a spirit of celebration. Book online and take advantage of India's distinctive festivals first hand.