Fairs and Festivals in India in month of December

Hornbill Festival, Nagaland: 01-07 December 2013: Hornbill festival is organised by the State Government at Kisama Heritage Village, around 10 kilometers from Kohima (the capital of Nagaland). This festival is an annual Tourism promotional event to showcase Nagaland Traditional and cultural Heritage in all its ethnicity, diversity and grandeur. The Hornbill festival is a collaborative celebration of all Naga tribes at one venue and has been coined as "Festival of Festivals". The Festival is a tribute to the great "Hornbill" which is the most admired and revered bird for the Nagas, for its qualities of alertness and grandeur. The Majestic bird is closely identified with the social and cultural life of the Nagas, as reflected in various tribal folklores, dances and songs. The awe and admiration for the bird is symbolically displayed on almost all tribal traditional headgears worn during the festival and is indicative of the commonness of the Nagas. The Hornbill Festival of Nagaland is a cultural extravaganza to revive, protect and preserve the richness and uniqueness of the Naga heritage, while for the visitors to this event, its a means for comprehensive understanding of the Naga People, their land and culture. Over the years, this event has gained in stature and vision and has now become a unique platform for the tourists to witness the cultural diversity not only for the Nagas but the Seven other sister states of North East India in all its wonder and glory. Since 2007, International cultural troupes have been taking part in it and it is slowly turning out to be an international event.

Tansen Music Festival, Gwalior-December 2013. The Tansen Samaroh is one of the oldest music festivals held in India and is a tribute to Tansen the great musician of Akbar's court. Known as one of the 'navratnas' (nine gems) of the court, Tansen had a phenomenal voice and took Hindustani music to a new level with his compositions and rendering of the ragas. It is believed that with his rendition of Raga Megh Malhar, the rain gods would smile and it would start raining when he sang, as lamps would light up when Tansen sang Raga Deepak! . Tansen's legacy is celebrated even today with gusto in this significant music festival that is held annually in Gwalior. The Memorial of Tansen, also known as the 'Tomb of Tansen', is chosen as the venue for the cultural gala . The music festival is supported by the Madhya Pradesh Government and draws in great crowds who are treated to a five day-night treat which are a feast for the senses. Musicians and artistes from all over India take part in this Samorah and showcase their talent to an audience that is made up of music lovers and come from far and near to listen to concerts that touch the soul. Senior artistes as well as newcomers perform at the Gwalior Samorah.

Bishnupur Festival, Bankura, West Bengal: December 2013: The Poush Mela also known as the Bishnupur Mela is held every year around the last week of December, near the Madanmohan Temple, Vishnupur (Bishnupur) in Bankura district of West Bengal. The festival celebrates the rich heritage of the temple town of Vishnupur, noted for its stunning terracotta temples and elegant silk saris. . This fair stretches over four days and people from all the nearby villages come together to celebrate the end of the agricultural season. A recent addition is the Bishnupur Utsav, held immediately following the Mela. It is a classical music and dance festival in recognition of the 'Bishnupur Gharana' in music. Bishnupur Festival is one of the familiar festivals of Bengal which celebrate the true essence of Bengal in its own conventional style. The popularity can be judged by the fact that the festival has been assigned the status of National Fair of India. The Vishnupur festival is the perfect blend of past and the present traditions and is characterized by exhibition and sale of local handicrafts, sculptures, hand woven and printed cloths.

Winter Festival, Mount Abu: 29-31 December, 2013: Winter Festival is held every year in the month of December in Mount Abu known as the summer capital of Rajasthan which is the only hill station in the entire North West India. This three-day colorful festival is organized by the Rajasthan Tourism and Municipal Board of Mt. Abu .to attract tourists as well as to give the citizens a break from the monotony of everyday existence. Three main ingredients of the Festival that have given it a world platform today are the hospitality of the people, their colorful culture and exotic location. Along with the cultural activities water sports also form part of the festivities. Rowing competitions are held on the lake. Cricket matches are organized. The grand finale of the festival is made brighter by a display of dazzling fireworks on three days.

Rann Utsav, Kutch, Gujarat-December 2013: Kutch, one of the most ecologically and ethnically diverse district of Gujarat is a celebratory land of art, crafts, music, dance, people and nature. During the full moon night of the winters amid the awe-inspiring and contrasting landscape each year a three day festive extravaganza brimming with hospitality, vigor and traditional flavor of the area is hosted and known as the Kutch or Rann Mahotsav.This three to four day carnival organized at the various locales within Kutch takes one around the natural grandiose while introducing the visitor to the indigenous cultural and ethnical flavor of the people. Semi parched Grasslands of the Banni hosts the most magnificent display of vernacular architecture as the exhibition platform for the varied range of arts and crafts of the region. While an array of folk music and dance performances organized in the shimmering moonlit landscape provides the most enchanting experience. The colorful fairs held near the beach or the banks of a lake swings one with the spirit of festivity, fervor and flamboyancy while the organized tour around Kutch is an ideal occasion to be part of the region and experience the zeal and uniqueness of the people through a celebration of life.

Lumbini Festival, Hyderabad: December 2013: Lumbini Festival- the festival of Buddhist heritage is celebrated in Nagarjunasagar of Hyderabad for three days, starting from the second Friday of this winter month. Lumbini Festival organized by the Tourism Department of the Government of Andhra Pradesh highlights the 'Buddhist Heritage' of the state. The festival creates an excellent opportunity for the tourists to discover the remaining traces of Buddhist influence on the Hyderabad city and gives the people of this region to observe the significance of Buddhism. Lumbini is the place where Lord Buddha was born and is also one of the most important spots of Buddhist pilgrimage in India. During this festival the teaching of Lord Buddha is celebrated by all the participants. Thousands of followers of Buddhism gather in Hyderabad during this time of the year.

Christmas-25 December 2013: Christmas is a traditional holiday in the Christian calendar and the most auspicious and holistic Christian festival observed across the globe on December 25th with much fanfare. December 25th is celebrated as birth anniversary of Lord Jesus Christ, who is believed to be born on the same date at Bethlehem, the land of Jews. The festival is celebrated as a mark of respect to Lord Jesus, who is considered as the son of God and founder of the Christian religion.Christmas is the biggest and most-loved festival of Indian Christians.The festival is also enthusiastically celebrated by people of other religions residing here. Everyone gears up for the festival from nearly a week before. Business stores are decked up for the occassion with every gift shop packed with Christmas trees, presents, ornaments and other items of decoration that are bought by millions of enthusiastic celebrants of the festival. For Indian Christians, especially the Catholics, the Midnight mass on Christmas Eve is a very important service and holds great religious significance. Every year, on the night of 24th December, all members in Christian families visit their local churches to attend the Midnight mass. On this night, churches in India are decorated with Poinsettia flowers and candles. The mass over, everyone relishes a mouthwatering feast of various delicacies, mostly consisting of curries. Thereupon, presents are given to one another and "Merry Christmas" is wished. Caroling processions on streets and thoroughfares can also be seen on 24th night. Father Christmas or Santa Claus is held to be the giver of presents to children from a horse and cart.

New Year-31 December 2013: The New Year Carnival in India is perhaps one of the occasions which quite ideally unfurl the real allure of the country where tradition and culture blends with convention and rituals. December 31st is celebrated as New Year's Eve, the final day of the Gregorian Year, and the day before theNew Year's Day. The celebration of the day usually starts in the evening and gets to full swing at 12 "0" clock midnight and lasts till late night. In India, New Year celebrations are lavish and grand in metropolitan cities with the western influence while in smaller cities and towns these celebrations tend to be comparatively unfussy. There is the trend of family and friend's gatherings and partying together on this eve to bid farewell to the by-gone year and welcome the New Year bountifully. Many discos and restaurants organize special programs and sparkling fireworks for the celebration. The breeze of celebrations of New Year Eve is followed by New Year's Day that is the day after the New Year Eve, January 1st. People welcome the coming year with lots of pleasure and excitement and all people try to follow their New Year resolutions, right from the first day of the New Year.

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