Around India in 5 festivals

There's never a boring moment in India, especially during its myriad festivals. With everything from kite-fighting to camel beauty pageants, these 5 festivities will immerse you in India's most colourful traditions...

1. Onam

Where? Kerala, Southern India
When? Starts 7 September, 2014

Onam is the national festival of Kerala, and it takes place over ten days during August and September. Feasts are held to welcome the spirit of King Mahabali from exile, as well as to celebrate the harvest – a nine-course vegetarian meal of curries, pickles, and chutneys, which is traditionally served on banana leaves.


Onam Festival (Shutterstock)

Homes are also decorated with pookalam, colourful elaborate geometric designs made from flower petals. The highlight of the festival is the Vallamkali snake boat race, where a hundred and fifty rowers compete over a 40km course, chanting along the way.

2. Diwali

Where? All around India, particularly New Delhi
When? Starts 23 October, 2014

Taking place between October and November, Diwali or Deepavali is known as the 'festival of lights', as over one million clay lamps called diyyas light up the streets, houses, and temples around India.


Diwali celebration

The hundreds of thousands of vividly-hued kites dancing in the sky is meant to awaken the gods from their deep sleep after winter. Tourists are welcome to join in the kite fighting, as well as sample the celebratory cuisine – particularly a delicious fried spinach bhajiyah, or the sweet spiced beverage known as masala milk.

4. The Pushkar Camel Fair

Where? Pushkar, Rajasthan
When? Starts 31 October, 2014

Got a camel on your shopping list? Then this is the festival for you... A slice of traditional India, the Pushkar Camel Fair lasts for five days and features more than 11,000 camels, horses and cattle available for purchase. Over 400,000 people visit every year.


Pushkar Camel Fair

Festivities can last from two days up to an entire month, depending on the region. Each area also has its own customs tied to the event – in Gujarat, an earthenware pot is filled with buttermilk and hung high above the streets, where young boys form a human pyramid, attempting to break the pot. This is done to honour Lord Krishna, who as a youth used to steal butter when his mother wasn't around.

World Expeditions' Holi Festival of Colours trip incorporates the festivities in Jaipur as part of a 10-day Golden Triangle itinerary.