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 India has a pantheon of Gods revered by the people. Festivals are held throughout the year to celebrate and honour them. They are full of vivacity – colour and noise!
Gods are an intimate part of life in India, particularly in rural regions, where festivals bring well eared rest from the hardship of the daily toil.
Indus has gathered together a collection of the major Hindu festivals, to give guests a deeper insight into the rites and rituals of Holi, Diwali, Navratri and Onam - meeting local people and joining them in their family celebrations.
These itineries can be included in a tour or as a wonderful short break to really participate in the festivities. We also would be delighted to incorporate other festivals of your choice during your holiday in India.
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9 DAYS ~ FROM £1,598
(Holi is on 20th March in 2011)
This ancient festival of Holi is celebrated on Phalgun Purnima, which comes at the end February or early March depending upon the full moon. The central ritual of Holi is the throwing and applying of coloured water and powders on friends and family, which gives the holiday its nickname – Festival of Flowers. Simplistically, Holi celebrates the triumph of 'good' over 'evil'. Markets buzz with activity as eager shoppers begin preparations: buying special delicacies and coloured powder, heaped high, from the roadside stalls for the festival.
Delhi • Varanasi • Khajuraho • Agra • Delhi
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9 DAYS ~ FROM £1,554
(Diwali is on 05th November in 2010 and 26th October in 2011)
One of the biggest festivals of the Hindu calendar is Diwali, celebrated with lots of passion. The festivity lasts for five days with the third day, the Festival of Lights, being most important. It symbolizes the victory of righteousness and lifting of spiritual darkness. Like Holi, it honours the victory of good over evil. Diwali is celebrated with people lighting clay lamps and candles all around their homes. Fireworks are always associated with this festival – the more noise the merrier! Lakshmi Puja is performed in the evening to seek divine blessings from the Goddess of Wealth. This festival commemorates Lord Rama's return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing his 14 year exile.
Delhi • Agra • Jaipur • Neemrana • Delhi
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9 DAYS ~ FROM £1,398
(Navratri Festival is in the month of October in 2010 and September in 2011)
It’s a wonderful time to meet friends and family, singing devotional songs and joining in the popular ‘garba’ or dandya-ras folk dances: danced endlessly throughout the night in the towns and villages. Competitions are now held to judge the quality of theses traditional dances.
Mumbai • Ahmedabad • Dasada • Bhuj • Mumbai
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9 DAYS ~ FROM £1,298
(Onam festival falls in the months of August or September)
Onam celebrates the harvest and homecoming of King Mahabali, during the Malayalam month of Chingam, roughly August to September. It’s ten days of energetic feasting, song, dance and the Internationally famous Vallamkali - snake boat – races, with 100 oarsmen skimming each graceful boat cross the water. Although the festival is Hindu in origin, all faiths celebrate with equal fervour. Pookkalam – coloured floral decorations grace the front of homes, with competitions to create unique designs.
Cochin • Munnar • Periyar • Kumarakom • Houseboat • Cochin
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