The winter season in India comes with vibrant festivals and delightful holidays, and are celebrated across the country. The majority of the winter festivals are held between the month of December and February. These beautiful festivals have a way of uplifting your spirit and spreading harmony through astonishing celebrations. They sprawl somewhat similar effects across the regions where these festivals actually take place. Some of the major winter festivals of India include Vasant Panchami, Sunburn Goa, Saraswati Puja, Lohri, Makar Sankranti, and even Christmas. Winters are right around the corner and in this blog, we, at Exclusive India Journeys, have brought to you the top winter festivals that are a must-attend this year.
The international Gujarat kite festival, also known as Makar Sankranti, is regarded to be one of the biggest and the most colorful festivals in Gujarat. This
day is considered to be the most significant harvest day in India. The Gujarat kite festival is celebrated on January 14 every year all across the world where people of all religions, castes, creeds, etc., come together to celebrate by flying vibrant kites, offering sweets, and enjoying the fireworks after the sunset.
The Lohri festival in Punjab marks the harvest of India, and also brings about the winter solstice- the longest night and the shortest day. The celebration of Lohri includes family members and friends joyfully dancing around a ginormous bonfire and sharing their spirit of fun. Being one of the best winter festivals in India, even the bystanders of the Lohri commemoration feel the spirit of togetherness.
This is extraordinarily wonderful as the Rajasthan Tourism organizes an extravagant parade of Camel festivities in Bikaner every year in January. Making
it among the top winter festivals in the country, you will be captivated by the sheer number of camel-oriented activities and games such as camel dances, camel races, neck-shaking camel rides, and of course, the bumpy. Music, folk dances, and art and culture are also a part of the festival, thereby adding to the glamor of the infamous Camel festival in Bikaner.
Festival, joy, fun, and jubilation- are the main ingredients of the Winter Carnival in Manali. It was organized for the first time in 1977 and this celebration of
Himachali culture and winter sports has witnessed countless changes and has significantly evolved into a marvelous carnival, thereby making it to our list of
winter festivals in India. Cultural competitions, winter sports such as skating and skiing on snow, and folk performances have made this carnival a much sought- after festival in the country. It is indeed the best time and the most happening place to give skiing a try in India.
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Another one making a significant contribution to our list of winter festivals in India is the infamous Jaisalmer Desert Festival- a true cultural extravagance. It was first organized to attract foreign tourism on the sands of Thar and since then, it has flourished rightly so. Generally, in this 4-day festival, you will witness the maximum footfall of foreign travelers and tourists midst of the most unambiguous display of Rajasthani culture, and tradition, as well as folk dances and music. Some of the highlights of this festival include the mustache competition, turban- tying competition folk dances, camel rides, and authentic Rajasthani cuisine.
Can we even call it a carnival if it does not include revelers from all creeds, castes, communities, colors, and genders? Well, the Goa carnival, with a history of nearly 300 years, achieved its modern version in 1961. In the beginning, it used to be celebrated by the Portuguese, however, the Goa carnival has come to be known as the best winter festival and is taken place in every Goan home. Dancing, singing, feasting, acrobatic performances, guitar strumming, fire performances, clowns, and whatnot- the Goa carnival is really a never-ending festivity of around 72 hours.
Separate from the breathtaking royalty of Rajasthan, in the serene hills of Mount Abu, is a 3-day-long celebration of the cultural diversity of India. It is an ambiance of folk dance and music, fireworks, live concerts, fairs, fire performances, and a food fest. This festival witnesses a footfall of around one lac revelers every year and the best part is that the performers in the Mount Abu winter festival come from all across the country.
The name of the festival implies the tales about the celebration of Gujarati folk and culture. With the festivities going on for over 3 months in the 700 sq feet pearl white sand, set up with majestic tents, along with live cultural performances and authentic Kutchhi cuisine, the Kutchh Rann Mahotsav comes in the best festivals celebrated in the winter season in India.
Music with every combination of royalty possible, the Magnetic Fields Festival in Rajasthan is held in a 17th-century palace-turned-hotel in Shekhawati and is certainly among the most colorful festivals celebrated in the winter season in India. Accommodations in majestic palace suites with antique decor, electronic dance music to groove to, morning yoga sessions, pop-up parties, and a massive range of multicuisine dishes to keep you from all the other distractions, this festival indeed holds you firm when you visit.
Wrapping Up!
The best time to visit India is the winter season and it is held true as the weather is absolutely fantastic, and there are plenty of festivals to witness. These festivals not only represent the culture of the country but also how every year, people are gathered together as one irrespective of their castes, creeds, religions, nationalities, etc. So, this year, plan for a festive vacation in India and get the opportunity to observe the lights and colors of the festivals discussed in our blog. A trip to India may be left incomplete without the right itinerary which is why, we, at Exclusive India Journeys, offer the most luxurious, joyful plans for your travels. Get in touch with us today and we will work on your itinerary as per your convenience and requirements.
Read More : Best Winter Holiday Destinations In India
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