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The Indian calendar is a long procession
of festivals; if you can find yourself
in the right place at the right time, it
is possible to go through your visit
with a festival each day. The harvest
festivals of the south, the immersion of
Ganesh in Bombay, the car Festival of
Puri, snake-boat races in Kerala,
Republic Day in Delhi... every region,
every religion has something to
celebrate.
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Sankranti / Pongal
:
Mainly Tamil Nadu,
Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. 3 days and
colourful: Tamil harvest festival.
Republic Day:
National: establishment of Republic
1950. 26th January. Grand Military
Parade and Procession of dancers etc.
Delhi.
Vasant Panchami
: National (Mainly in the
Eastern region): Hindu – dedicated to Saraswati the beautiful Goddess of
Learning. Women wear yellow saris.
Floating Festival
:
Madurai: Birthday of
local 17th century ruler; elaborately
illuminated barge carrying decorated
temple deities at the Mariamman
Teppakulam Pool amids chanting hymns.
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Shivaratri
:
National: Solemn worship of Hindu deity,
Lord Shiva. Fasting and chanting.
Special celebrations at Chidambarum,
Kalahasti, Khajuraho, Varanasi and
Bombay.
Holi
:
Mainly northern, popularly called
the festival of colors. Advent of
Spring. Lively and much throwing of coloured water and powders. Public
Holiday.
Mardi Gras
: Goa: Mainly three days
during lent. Unique celebrations at this
carnival. Ramnavami : National: Birth of Rama, incarnation of Vishnu. No
processions. Plays and folk theaters.
Mahavir Jayanti
:
National: Jain
festival; birth of Mahavira, the 24th
and last Tirthankara. Easter: Good
Friday / Easter Sunday National.
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