Indian Festivals: Festivals in January

There is nothing better than starting the year with a great holiday to one of the most exotic destinations of the world. If you are travelling to India in January, ensure that you check the Indian festival calendar to catch some of these exciting events.

Here are some of the Indian festivals and events in January to check out:

The Jaipur Literature Festival

There is no better way to ring in the New Year with some intellectual company! Asia’s largest Literature festival invites authors and thinkers of international repute to present their work and interact with audiences in the form of readings, discussions, talks and personal interactions. Names like William Darymple, Ahmad Rashid, Avijit Ghosh, Gurcharan Das and John Elliot have been present in the past years so one can expect an impressive list in 2013 as well. Also, the destination could not have been better, as one can complete the Rajasthan sector with ease.

The Jaipur Literature Festival -2013

Kambala Buffalo Races

The Mangalore ( South Western) belt of India has an interesting period from January to March where the villages indulge in a unique sport called’ Kambala Buffalo Races’. These are held over the weekends where the young men of the village come together and compete ferociously in slushy fields. A photographer’s delight, this event is definitely not a one to miss.

Kambala-race

Kite Flying in Rajasthan

The harvest festival of Baisakhi / Sankranti is held on 14th January all over North India. Rajasthan is especially colourful on this day as thousands of kites sprinkle the blue sky in a competition of might. Local terraces spill with people as teams are formed with vigour to ensure that opponent kites are brought down instantly. This festival gained popularity in Jaipur in the initial years but is now celebrated all over the state.

Kites flying high in Rajasthan and Gujarat

Pongal

While the North of India celebrates with kites, the same harvest festival in South is known as ‘pongal’ and is celebrated vivaciously across the state of Tamil Nadu and other Southern states with Tamil population. It is best to get invited to a local house so you can see the food preparation and the making of the ‘rangoli/ kollam’ outside houses. Incidentally, pongal is a dish made of milk and rice.

Pongal-Festival Rangoli

Republic Day in Delhi

Book ahead to sit and watch the annual parade in Delhi, which commemorates the success and independence of India on 26th January every year. Watch the armed forces march impressively and state floats represent the growth in India in a half day parade. The event is held under heavy security but will be a fun experience to see thousands in the stands, cheering on!

Republic-Day-Flag-2013

Hampi Festival

The pride of Karnataka and the former Kingdom of Vijaynagar, Hampi, celebrates the annual festival of dance and performing arts every year in January. The festival is held in the backdrop of an impressive topography, unique to Hampi. It has gained international acclaim in the last 5 years and one can see a variety of south Indian arts in this forum.

Hampi-Festival

Goan Wine Festival

A relatively new concept, Goa is the chosen destination for The Grape Escapade, a wine and haute cuisine festival. With the influx of western tourists, this is an apt destination for wine connoisseurs. Free wine tasting and attractive discounts on exotic wines are part of the festival. Apart from that, one can enjoy the cultural performances, music concerts and fashion shows.

Goan-Wine-Festival

Bikaner Camel Fair

The winter month of January is an important one for Rajasthan. The camel fair at Bikaner is a great opportunity for photographers to capture camel trading between locals. The destination starts with aplomb with camel parades and also includes races, dancing and pageants for the animals.

Camel Fair in Bikaner - rajasthan

Mamallapuram Dance Festival

The coastal town of Mamallapuram hosts a unique dance festival each year in January. The rock sculptures of the town make a wonderful backdrop while Indian art forms are performed by famous artistes in an open air venue.

Mamallapuram-Dance

Most bizarre encounters with wildlife in India

And you thought that the only place where you could see a tusker or have a tête-à-tête with a cobra would be in the wild? Hold your breath, as the wildlife in India is not confined to the jungles. It is not surprising to see an elephant ambling between traffic or a decorated camel strolling in the streets. Strip your senses of any order and be prepared for the most bizarre encounters with wildlife in India. Here are some of the places where you might meet your jungle friends.

Mysore Dusherra 

The festival of Dusherra is celebrated amongst fervid excitement in the southern city of Mysore. One of the fascinating parts of this festival is a parade of richly decorated elephants that takes place in the city over two days. Amongst such a grand show, it’s not hard to miss the King who takes the royal ride atop the main elephant.

Wild Elephant in Mysore Dusherra

Camel Fair in Pushkar

One would think of the camel as an elusive creature making painstaking journeys in the arid deserts of Rajasthan. If you want a more intimate meeting, head straight to the Pushkar Fair where camels are traded amidst a hullabaloo of dealers from all over the state.

Resting Camel in Camel Fair in Pushkar

Spot a Tiger 

The very lucky can see the famous Indian tiger is in the wild. Ranthambore in Rajasthan, Corbett in Uttarakhand and all the national parks in the Deccan state of Madhya Pradesh are known for tiger sightings.

Royal Bangal Tiger casual walk

Kambala Buffalo Race 

Though the buffalo is largely a domestic animal in India, a fascinating festival in south India sees them in cut throat competition of races in the beginning of the year. These buffalo races are over 1000 years old and very traditional to these regions.

Wild Buffalo in Kambala Buffalo Race

One-horned Rhinoceros 

Some special species like the one horned rhinoceros can only be found in the north east national park, Kaziranga, where the population of these is over 1500 with a strict conservation programme. Its examples like these that put faith in India’s conservation systems for the dwindling population of various animals.

One Horned Rhino in North east national park, Kaziranga

Snake Charmers of India

Less common than they used to be, you may still encounter the snake charmers with their baskets and assortment of snakes. Many of them often carry cobras which are made to dance to the tune of an instrument and used to collect money. If not on the streets, you can find them near temples.

King Cobra in Rajasthan

Kokkare Belur 

A fascinating village off Bangalore hosts hundreds of pelicans, which have made this village their permanent home. With no trace of a water body close by for fish or any other reason why they should adopt this village, these pelicans are permanent residents here.

Resting Pelican in Kokkare Belur

The best way to see wildlife in India is in the widespread national parks of the country. Names like Gir, Ranthambore, Corbett, Pench and Bandhavgarh are just a few where conservation work is in full swing but the rest of India is also dotted with many of them.

The zoos of India are ideal for entertaining children and you are guaranteed to at least see some of India’s rarer wildlife that is hard to see in the wild. Ask locally about the reputation of the zoo and choose responsibly which you visit.