Nehru Trophy Boat Race, the annual water carnival at Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha is considered as the biggest snake boat race in the world. The colourful boat pageantry, which precedes the boat race, is a marvelous treat to the onlookers.

Pushkar, the holy town in Rajasthan is known for it's sacred lake and the only Brahma Temple in the world. Legend has it that this lake was formed where Lord Brahma - the lord of creation - dropped a lotus on the day of the full moon.

Every November, the famous Pushkar Fair is held for 7 days, starts on Noami, finish on Kartik Poornima (Full Moon). The Fair is predominantly a gathering with thousands of camels, cattle and horses for trade, with added attractions of games, races, local folk dances, song and entertainment.

The tourist village is self sufficient and is specially designed to complement the natural beauty of the site. The village is arranged in blocks of tents, each with its own identity, being named after the famous dances of Rajasthan. The village also has huts (all double bedded) with attached western style toilets, and running hot water.

Baisakhi, also called Vaisakhi, is a harvest festival which is celebrated on the thirteenth of April according to the solar calendar. It is celebrated in North India, particularly in Punjab, when the rabi crop is ready for harvesting. This tough agricultural operation is rendered into a lighter occupation by merry community festivities such as the Bhangra dance by men, who pound the ground with vigorous steps accompanied with singing.

Women too, break into a revelry of dances principally the Gidda dance, executed with fervour and rhythmic exactitude. On these occasions, men and women adorn themselves with gay coloured clothes and traditional jewellery. Generally, the sites of these festivities are on the banks of the rivers which have their sacred import with myths and legends woven around their origin and names.

Baisakhi has a special meaning for the Sikhs. On this day in 1699, their tenth Guru Gobind Singh organized the order of the Khalsa. On this day also, Guru Arjan Das was martyred by the Muslim rulers who, in barbaric cruelty, threw him alive into a cauldron of boiling oil. Again, on this day in 1875, Swami Dayanand Saraswati founded the Arya Samaj—a reformed sect of Hindus who are devoted to the Vedas for spiritual guidance and have discarded idol worship. This day is once again of immense religious import to the Buddhists because Gautama Buddha attained enlightenment and Nirvana on this auspicious day.

Baisakhi day is observed as the Naba Barsha (New Year) in Bengal. On 14th April, the people take a ritual bath in the River Ganga or any other river or a nearby tank and bedeck their houses with rangoli (floral patterns) drawn on the entrance floor of their homes with a paste made of rice powder.

Festivals are occasions when people cast aside their misunderstandings and ill-feelings and refurbish relations of fellow feeling and amity.

Diwali symbolizes the victory of light over darkness. Celebrated joyously all over the country, it is a festival of wealth and prosperity. Year after year I have seen the lamps being lit for Diwali. In the dark night the glowing flames herald the advent of longer nights-the early days of an Indian winter.

The essence of this light is Shri Lakshmi-arising, at the beginning of time, out of the waters at the churning of the Milky Ocean by gods and demons for a thousand years. Regarded as the goddess of love, beauty and prosperity, Lakshmi, Kamla or Padma (Sanskrit words for lotus), the beloved consort of Vishnu, along with the dearly loved pot-bellied, elephant headed, auspicious god of the Hindu theogony, Siri Ganesha, is a presiding deity of the festival of lights. They are worshipped in every household so that the year may be full of prosperity. Throughout the night a lamp is kept burning before her image so that she may continue to dwell in the house and bestow upon it the wealth of life.

‘Dipavali’ means a row of lights (‘Diwali’ is simply a corrupt from of it) and the festival is so called because of the illuminations that mark the celebrations.

Every Hindu home, rich or poor, it given a spring cleaning a few days prior to the auspicious day, whitewashed and adorned in a festive way. Rows of little earthen lamps illuminate terraces and gardens, walls and courtyards, outer and inner precincts of a temple or a palace. That it was so from ancient times is borne by kings and travelers who have recorded the celebrations.

King Harsha described it as ‘Dipapratipadotsava’ and King Bhoja calls it ‘Sukharati’ (happy night) and describes how Lakshmi was venerated and worshipped at dusk and lamps lit in her honour on roadsides and river banks, on hill and tree, in home and temple. To Jimutavahana it was the ‘vow of a happy night’ (Sukharatrivarta’)

Dussehra commences both the victory of the warrior Goddess Durga (consort of Shiva) over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura, and that of Rama (an incarnation of Lord Vishnu), over Ravana, the ten-headed king of Lanka, who had abducted Rama's wife, Sita. Worship of the Goddess is the oldest tradition, significant in this case as it represents the female deity's supremacy over the male Gods who unable to destroy the demon.

Durga worship also has social implications. As Goddess of war, she is a particular favourite of the Kshatriyas, the warrior caste, once constituting the ruling elite and aristocracy.

Dusshera celebrations in India vary from region to region. In various parts of the country, all through Navaratras, Ramleelas use the Sahitya of the several versions both the Desi and Margi streams of tradition of the Ramayana to put on board a mind-boggling array of performances. The most well-known one started by the Raja of Benaras over a century ago, which is a magnificent form in itself of enacting the Ramayana of Tulsidas, composed in rhyming couplets.

During the Navaratras, the town of Ramnagar becomes one vast set of play. Different scenes are enacted in different parts of the town, and the audience walks along with the actors of the play, involving themselves physically with the action of the narrative.

All over northern India, the culmination happens on Dussehra with three gigantic effigies of Ravana, Meghanath and Kumbakarna being set aflame by the actor dressed as Rama, by shooting an arrow into Ravan's navel. It is said that this particular time is the Vijay Vela when Rama had defeated Ravana and it is believed that anyone who wants to demolish or defeat his enemy must worship the Shami tree and set out of their homes in splendour in order to do so. This tree is said to be doubly auspicious as it was on the Shami that the Pandavas had hidden their weapons during the Agyatvaas, which was the last year of their Vanvas (exile), when they has to live in anonymity.

The Durga tableaux has a unique universal appeal and is the source of enthusiastic devotion. To really know Bengal and delight in its music, drama and art, make sure you are there during the month of October to experience the great festival called 'Durga Puja'.

According to the legends, once upon a time, there was a giant named Durga. He had acquired such terrifying psychic powers that he threatened to turn the whole of creation upside-down. The Gods then appealed to the mother Goddess, Parvati, and each of them donated a part of his special divine power to her. Armed with these powers, depicted as a number of hands, the Great Mother mounted her 'vehicle', the lion, and sallied forth to attack the monster.

The fearsome creature assumed many shapes including that of a gigantic, black buffalo but it was all to no avail. The Goddess slew him, and the Gods and all creation heaved a collective sigh of relief. Because the demon's name was Durg, the triumphant Mother Goddess took the feminine form of the name, Durga. This is in keeping with the old, worldwide tradition of the victor assuming the name of the vanquished and thereby, absorbing the fallen enemy's powers.

Holi is a festival of colour & is celebrated all over India. It is also celebrated by Indians residing out of India. This festival comes on the full moon day of Phagan - a Hindu month. This festival bring new hope for all the people as it marks the end of chilled winter days and the beginning of the summer. People forget their enmity and throw away their worries. Every nook and corner presents atypically colourful sight.

Everywhere people - young or old are drenched with different colours and water which comes from everywhere, there are balloons bursting and long piston squirting coloured water. People in small groups are seen singing, dancing and throwing colors on each other.

According to legend Hirankashyap was a very powerful Devil. In his fight against the Gods he had defeated the Gods and because of this he became very egoistic and had issued an order that no one should pray to God or even take the name of God. Due to fear people started praying him. His son Pralhad was a true devotee of God. He didn't obey his father's order. Hirankashyap got angry on him and order for the most rigorous punishments to him. But this did no harm to Pralhad. Hirankashyap had a sister by the name of Holika. She had been granted a boon that fire will do no harm to her. Hirankashyap ordered Holika to take Pralhad on her lap and sit on a bed of fire. Holika was burnt in the fire and Pralhad survived with no harm done to him.

As a remembrance to that event people celebrate Holi by burning wood and pray to Goddess Holi for their well being. Holi is also associated with the immortal love of Krishna and Radha .

Raksha Bandhan (Rakhi) is called Avani Avittam in South India. This falls on the full moon day of the month of Sravan (August-September). It is an important Hindu festival. Hindus wear a new holy thread and offer libations of water to the ancient Rishis on this day.

Recitation of the Vedas on this great day is highly beneficial. Raksha Bandhan festival is also known as Upakarmam, and is specially sacred to the Brahmins who have been invested with the sacred thread. When the Brahmin boy is invested with this holy thread, Symbolically his third eye or the eye of wisdom is opened. This festival of Raksha Bandhan reminds the wearer of the sacred thread of its glorious spiritual significance. Brahmins also offer libations with water to their ancestors to whom they owe their birth and to the Rishis to whom they are indebted for their spiritual knowledge and the Vedas themselves. The true Hindu never forgets his benefactors!

The followers of the four different Vedas have their Upakarmam on different days.

On this day, Sachi the consort of Indra, tied a holy thread or amulet around the wrist of Indra when he was defeated by the demons. Then Indra, the king of gods, gained a victory over the demons, by the Power of this protection (Raksha means "protection ") and recovered the lost city of Amaravati.

In North India, on this day, an amlet known as a Rakshi or Rakhi is tied round the wrist of brothers by the sisters as a protection from evil during the ensuing year. Brahmins and Purohits similarly tie amulets round the wrists of their patrons and receive gifts.

Ganesh Chaturthi is one of the most popular of Hindu festivals. This is the birthday of Lord Ganesha and is known as the day most sacred to Lord Ganesha. It falls on the 4th day of the bright fortnight of Bhadrapada (August - September). It is observed throughout India, as well as by devoted Hindus in all parts of the world.

Lord Ganesha is the elephant-headed God. He is worshipped first in any prayers. His Names are repeated first before any auspicious work is begun, before any kind of worship is begun. He is the Lord of power and wisdom. He is the eldest son of Lord Shiva and the elder brother of Skanda or Kartikeya. By worshipping Lord Ganesha mothers hope to earn for their sons the sterling virtues of Ganesha.

Like elsewhere in the world, December 25 is celebrated in India too as the nativity of Jesus Christ with traditional joy and gaiety. In fact, it cuts across the limits of the Church to spill over into the streets for all to participate. It is a time for merry-making and exchanging gifts in Goa, for Christmas is also about cakes and puddings.

Santa Clause Has Come To Town
The market places are all embellished with tinsel and buntings and people masquerading as Santa stalk customers, particularly children with gifts in the big cities. Decorated and glittering Christmas trees are all over the place.

For the devout, the celebrations begin on Christmas Eve. Carols are sung and various churches organize the midnight Mass. The service on Christmas Day is attended by Christians dressed in new clothes. After the morning congregation is over, people assemble in their homes for the family get-togethers.

The tenth month of the Islamic calender is Shawwal. In respect of the significance and importance of Eid ul Fitr the following sayings should be remembered.

Hazrat Abu Hurraira (Radi Allahu Anh) reported that the messenger of Allah Ta’ala, Hazrat Mohummed (Sall Allahu Alaihi wa Sallam) said, "when the eve of Eid ul Fitr comes, all the angels rejoice. Allah Almighty says: "Oh My Angels! What is the reward of those labourers who have completed their task?" The angels reply that they should be fully rewarded.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Muslim calendar. The Month of Ramadan is also when it is believed the Holy Quran "was sent down from heaven, a guidance unto men, a declaration of direction, and a means of Salvation"

It is during this month that Muslims fast. It is called the Fast of Ramadan and lasts the entire month. Ramadan is a time when Muslims concentrate on their faith and spend less time on the concerns of their everyday lives. It is a time of worship and contemplation.

During the Fast of Ramadan strict restraints are placed on the daily lives of Muslims. They are not allowed to eat or drink during the daylight hours. Smoking and sexual relations are also forbidden during fasting. At the end of the day the fast is broken with prayer and a meal called the iftar. In the evening following the iftar it is customary for Muslims to go out visiting family and friends. The fast is resumed the next morning.