Pujo, or Durga Puja, is celebrated in Bengal in September / October, at the same time as Navaratri in the rest of India . For 9 days, this splendid community festival pays homage to the Goddess Durga, consort of Lord Shiva, whose annual visit is thought to bring well-being and happiness. Almost every colony or locality erects pandals (tents) and holds pujas (prayers) to worship beautifully decorated images of Goddess Durga. Families visit relatives, everyone feasts and buys new clothes. Because of Durga Ma's auspicious presence, no meat, wine or alcohol is consumed during Pujo, and some people fast all through the festival. Many cultural events are organized. On the final day, Bijoya, the idols are taken in elaborate processions to be immersed in the river or the sea.

Lord Rama, Prince of Ayodhya, hero of the famous epic, Ramayana, is considered to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu pantheon. His birth anniversary is observed on the ninth day of the waxing moon in the month of Chaitra (April). Ayodhya is, naturally, the focus of great celebrations. The devout throng the temples here.Celebrations begin with a prayer to the Sun early in the morning. At midday, when Lord Rama is supposed to have been born, a special prayer is performed. Devotional songs are sung in praise of Rama. Rathyatras (chariot processions) of Rama, Sita (his wife), Lakshman (his brother) and Hanuman (his devotee) are held from many temples. Devotees gather in thousands on the banks of the sacred river Sarayu for a dip. Some observe a strict fast on this day.

Also known as Id-ul-Fitr, this is celebrated by Muslims immediately after the holy month of Ramadan, in October-November. Some Muslims believe that the day marks the revelation of the Quran, their holy book. During Ramadan, Muslims fast during the day, not even drinking water. The fast is broken only after sundown. On Id, everyone bathes in the morning, wears new clothes, applies perfume, and eats dates or some other sweet before going to the mosque for Id prayers. Men wear white clothes symbolising purity and austerity

Celebrated in April, usually on the 14 th , Vishau is the New Year as per the traditional Malayalam calendar. It is one of the most important festivals in the state of Kerala. Traditional rituals usher in what is hoped will be another year of prosperity

A rural festival celebrated in Punjab on 13 th April, Baisakhi signifies the beginning of a New Year for the Punjabi community. It was on this day in 1699 that the tenth Sikh Guru, Guru Gobind Singh, founded the Khalsa Panth (the Sikh brotherhood) and gave the “5 Ks” (emblems of purity and courage) to his followers: kesh (unshorn hair), kangha (wooden comb), karra , (iron / steel bangle), kirpan (sword) and kachha (underwear). Sikhs therefore, celebrate this festival as a collective birthday with all-night revelries, Baisakhi Di Raat (night of feasting) or fairs,

This festival, held in January, in Bikaner, Rajasthan, is dedicated to the ship of the desert - the camel. The festival starts with a magnificent procession of beautifully decorated camels. There's plenty of Rajasthani culture on show too, to enchant those present: music, dance and competitions

Started back in 1927 to commemorate the anniversary of the Madras Music Academy, this month-long festival is held from mid December to mid January in the city of Chennai to celebrate (classical) Carnatic music and the dance traditions of South India. For lovers of Carnatic music, this is a treat. Held at a number of venues around the city by various sabhas (organizations), this cultural extravaganza sees more than 2,000 people take part. There are vocal and instrumental music concerts, and solo and group dances, with upcoming artistes getting a rare opportunity to perform along with well-established artistes

This three-day extravaganza of colour, music and festivity is held on the stretches of sand around the desert citadel of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, in February each year. The fun and frolic includes fire dancers swaying to traditional tunes, a turban-tying competition and a Mr. Desert contest. The grand finale is a trip to the sand dunes to watch folk dancers and musicians perform under the stars. A camel ride is a must!

Elephants are the centre of attraction at this festival held every Holi, in Jaipur, Rajasthan. They stride majestically, parading their decorated trunks and tusks. The festival begins with a procession of elephants, camels and horses, painted and gaily decorated with glittering ornaments and embroidered velvets. The elephants greet visitors, offer garlands to guests and walk past a jury of experts and tourists, vying for the "Best Decorated Elephant" shield. The animals are followed by lively folk dancers. Elephant races and elephant polo matches are special attractions. The highlight of the festivals is a hilarious tug of war between elephants and men.

February heralds the carnival at Goa. For three days and nights, the legendary king Momo takes over the state and the streets come alive with colour. The Carnival is a truly Goan celebration. That means it has a Portuguese flavour with continuous singing, dancing, lively music, lots to eat, floats and processions. The week long festivity marks the period February-March before the beginning of the austerities of Lent

The ruins of the magnificent city of Hampi (353 kilometres from Bangalore), Karnataka, once the capital of the Vijayanagar Empire (one of the greatest empires India has known) and now a UNESCO World Heritage site, come alive during this extravaganza, held in the first week of November. Dance, drama, music, fireworks, puppet shows and spectacular processions . all combine to recreate the grandeur of a bygone era. The ruins of stone temples, elephant stables, barracks and palaces offer a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the people who once resided there

The most lively of all Hindu festivals is observed on the day after full moon in the month of Phagun (sometime in March) according to the Hindu Lunar calendar. It heralds the end of the winter and the beginning of the spring. North India, in particular, goes wild, goes wild, with people smearing brightly hued powders on each other and squirting each other with coloured water from pichkaris. Holi is also a harvest festival, marking harvesting of the winter crop (rabi). Farmers celebrate Holi by offering their first crop to Agni, the Fire God.

India's battle for freedom from British Rule was long and arduous, and every year the country celebrates Independence Day (15th August) with an outpouring of patriotism. The Prime Minister gives a speech from the ramparts of the historic Red Red Fort in Delhi, flag hoisting ceremonies and cultural programmes are held in all the state capitals, restaurants serve special menus done in the colours of the flag (saffron, white, green and blue

There's more to Khajuraho than erotic carvings on temple walls, and this week-long festival of classical dances, held in February/March each year proves it. All the classical dance traditions - Kathak, Bharathanatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri and Kathakali - are on show, against the spectacular backdrop of the magnificently lit temples, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Modern Indian dance has also been added recently. The dances are performed by some of the best exponents in the field, in an open-air auditorium, usually in front of the Chitragupta Temple dedicated to Surya (the Sun God) and the Vishwanatha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva,

The floodlit Sun Temple of Konark in Orissa, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of India's greatest architectural sights often described as a poem in stone, is the backdrop for this festival of classical dance held every December. Eminent dancers present their interpretations of various classical dance forms - Odissi, Bharat Natyam, Manipuri, Kathak and Chhau -

This is celebrated in the month of Magh , on 14th January, when the sun enters Makar Rashi ( the zodiac sign of Capricorn, the goat ), starting its northward journey. Makar Sankranti is the day of the equinox, when day and night are equally long. Hindus believe that those who die on this day attain moksha , escaping from the cycle of birth and re-birth.

Kerala's backwaters at Kottayam, are the picturesque setting for the annual snake-boat races held on the second Saturday of August every year. T ranquil lake fronts are transformed into a sea of humanity, as over 100 oarsmen in each huge ( over 100 feet long) snake boat vie for the prestigious Nehru Trophy, named after independent India's first Prime Minister. An estimated 2 lakh people watch, while the beating of drums and cymbals, and songs add to the festive mood..

The Nishagandhi open-air theatre in the palace compound at Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, is the venue for this classical dance festival held every April. Renowned dancers perform harathanatyam, Mohiniattam, Kathak, Odissi, modern ballet and other folk forms. Artist and connoisseurs of dance come from all over India to enjoy this cultural treat

"Pooram", the two-century-old festival held at the Vadakkunnathan temple in Thrissur, Kerala, in Apr / May, is the most colourful of all the temple festivals held in the state. All the temples in the state send their best elephants to participate. B edecked with golden headpieces coming down over the trunk, the elephants go round the temple in a splendid procession t o the accompaniment of drums, pipes and trumpets. Carrying ceremonial umbrellas and fanned by white whisks, 30 of these gentle giants amble out majestically through the temple gate, to line up in 2 rows, facing each other, in the open ground. An elephant in the center carries the image of Lord Shiva. Each "team of elephants" has its own Panchavadyam (literally "five instruments", i.e., conch, cymbals, trumpet and two kinds of drums) orchestra. The umbrellas are unfurled to the beating of the drums and cheering of the assembled crowds. Specially appointed judges award a prize for the most spectacular display. The festival ends with a magnificient display of fireworks that continues till dawn. Truly, you can call it a mammoth spectacle!

All of India celebrates 26th of January, the day the constitution of India came into force. The evening before, the President addresses the nation. Medals are conferred to recognise feats of exceptional bravery, on the part of members of the armed forces in the field, as well as civilians, in everyday life. Then comes the grand parade, from Rajghat to Vijaypath, with regiments from the armed services marching in all their finery, followed by folk dancers, school children who have won awards for bravery and floats with tableux from different states. A foreign Head of State is invited to be the Chief Guest at this impressive display of India's finest. The parade ends with a fabulous flypast. The "Beating the Retreat" ceremony held at sunset the next day, at Vijay Chowk, marks the end of