Fairs and Festivals in India in month of October

Phoolwalon Ki Sair, Mehrauli, Delhi: October 2013: Phoolwalon-ki-Sair is one of the most important festivals of Delhi. It is the Festival of Florists. Although celebrated across Delhi, it is majorly followed in the Mehrauli area of Delhi. The festival involves huge processions mainly sprinkling flowers at the temple of Jog Maya and the tomb of Saint Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar Kaki. The Festival of Phoolkwalon-ki-Sair is generally celebrated in the month of September or else in early October. The Festivities mainly involve a procession that starts from the Jog Maya temple. Before the strting of Procession there is a traditional music played on Shehnai after which the Procession starts. Starting from the Jog Maya temple, traveling across Mehrauli Bazaar, the procession finally ends at the tomb of Saint Qutubuddin Bakhtiyar kaki. Throughout the procession there is realm of Dance and Music that thoroughly accompanies. Kathak Dances, qawwalis, a blaze of lights, huge pankhas (fans) made of palm leaves, decorated with tinsel and flowers, and acrobats delight a vast audience. A huge procession, led by fire dancers, takes the flower pankhas through the streets of Mehrauli. All these cultural programs are organized at the "Jahaz mahal" , which truly comes alive with the Dance and Music during this Festival. The Festival over the years has gained great popularity. Earlier the Festival was largely celebrated by Hindus, which eventually has been warmly followed by Muslims as well.

Rajgir Dance festival, Rajgir: October 2013: Rajgir, located in Bihar, India is sacred place for Buddhists and Jains due to its association with Buddha and Mahavir. Rajgir was the ancient capital of Magadhan Empire. Every year the Department of Tourism in Bihar organizes the colorful festival of dance and music in Rajgir. Harmony of Rajgir Mahotsav/Rajgir Dance Festival lies in enthusiasm of the participants and audience. Rajgir Dance Festival held during the last week of October allures large number of tourists from India and abroad to witness the joyful performances which include instrumental music, devotional songs, opera, folk dance, ballet. Tourists come from far and near to witness vibrant festival of classical and folk dances and the passion of the renowned dancers and artists.

Dussehra Festival: 14 October 2013: Dussehra (Vijaya Dashami, Dasara, or Dashain) is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil. It is a gazetted holiday in India, which is marked on the 10th day of the bright half (Shukla Paksha) of the month of Ashvin (Ashwayuja), according to the Hindu calendar. Many people of the Hindu faith observe Dussehra through special prayer meetings and food offerings to the gods at home or in temples throughout India. They also hold outdoor fairs (melas) and large parades with effigies of Ravana (a mythical king of ancient Sri Lanka). The effigies are burnt on bonfires in the evening. Dussehra is the culmination of the Navaratri festival. There are many local celebrations in some areas in India that can last for up to 10 days. Dussehra celebrates the Hindu god Rama's victory over the demon king Ravana and the triumph of good over evil.

The top Dussehra Capitals of India are Kota and Mysore:

Kota Dussehra: Dussehra is celebrated all over the country but in Kota the festival is quite unique for it marks the beginning of an extensive festive period. Kota is the hub of Hadoti in Rajasthan and is famous for its doriya sarees, stones, spicy namkeens and as an education centre. Dussehra mela in Kota is a grand extravaganza. The celebrations here have made a special mark in the past many years. The art and craft fairs and exhibitions are a perennial feature of this town but the annual Dussehra festival holds an unusual lure for everyone. Rich in courtly splendour and age-old traditions, the festivities here are marked by a rural flavour. The mela attracts thousands of village folk from the surrounding villages ad also attracts many tourists. The fair is jointly organised by the Nagar Nigam and the Department of Tourism and lasts for about a fortnight. The deliberations are marked by a glittering procession, which attracts the common and the elite alike. The colourful shobha yatra to the Dussehra mela ground starts from the Royal Palace. It features decorated elephants, camels, horses, folk dancers and the like. The presence of numerous villagers, who throng the venue in their traditional attires to participate in the cattle fair, holds a special charm for the tourists besides attraction of the festivities. The display of their rural jewellery and dresses can drive the foreigners in to ecstasy as they click the special moments and enjoy a memorable sojourn. The traditional sports, the cattle fair, thematic handicraft shops and elaborate decorations at pavilions -the entire atmosphere is quite colourful. But the most unique feature of this mela is the tall effigies of Ravana, Kumbhkarana and Meghnad. At more than 72 feet they are one the tallest in of the region. The effigy of Ravana is animated and it constantly brandishes its sword, turns its head and flickers the eyelashes much to the cheer of the crowd. The shorgars of the region are quite expert craftsmen. These effigies are filled with a variety of crackers. A young child dressed as Lord Rama shoots an arrow of fire at Ravana on Dashmi or the Dussehra day. The Ramlila and Ram katha take place during the Navaratras. The Dussehra day also features a series of events, including the Lakshmi Narayan tableau from the Garh palace followed by a colourful shobha yatra from Kaithuni Pol, Bharat Milap and Ram Abhishek at the Shri Ram rangmanch. The specially decorated Ram rangmanch and Vijayshri rangmanch are a treat to watch. Prominent artists from all over the country are invited to participate in various cultural programmes. The events include kavi sammelans, Sindhi cultural programme, bhajan sandhya, Rajasthani poets meet, cultural show by schoolchildren, Rajasthani folk music and dance programme (sponsored by the Department of Tourism), all-India mushaira, Punjabi programme, qawwali night, etc. The events at the mela reach their climax on the Divali eve. The musical extravaganza culminates with a dazzling fireworks show and laser show.

Mysore Dussehra: Mysore Dussehra is a Dussehra with a difference. The city's royal heritage ensures that the festival is elaborately celebrated on a grand scale. In Mysore, Dussehra honors the Goddess Chamundeswari, who killed the great demon Mahishasur. In contrast to other parts of India where Dussehra is only celebrated for one day, Mysore Dussehra takes place over the whole 10 days of theNavaratri festival. Mysore Dussehra is celebrated in the regal city ofMysore, in Karnataka. Events take place at various location all over the city, including auditoriums, Mysore Palace, the exhibition grounds opposite Mysore Palace, Maharaja's College ground, and Chamundi Hill.Mysore Palace is dazzlingly illuminated by almost 100,000 light bulbs, nightly from 7 p.m. until 10 p.m., during the Dussehra festival. Numerous music and dance performances take place at the Palace and other venues. There's also a food festival, and wrestling competition. Another attraction is the Dussehra exhibition, which starts during the festival and continues for around two months. There are stalls selling all kinds of handicrafts, clothing and other ornaments, as well as games and amusement rides. However, the main attraction takes place on the last day of the festival. A traditional Dussehra procession (known as Jumboo Savari) winds its way through the streets of Mysore, starting from Mysore Palace and ending in Bannimantap. It features an idol of the Goddess Chamundeshwari, carried atop a lavishly decorated elephant. In the evening, there's a torch-light parade at the Bannimantap grounds on the outskirts of the city. Highlights include fireworks, daredevil stunts on motorcycles, and a laser show.

Durga Puja, West Bengal: 11 - 14 October 2013: Durga Puja is the one of the most prominent festivals in the country extensively celebrated in the Northern and Eastern states of the country, especially in West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, and Tripura. In Bengal, the Durga Puja is celebrated with great pomp and show. The grandeur of the Puja turns Kolkata into a new city during the last four days of the festival beginning from Maha-Shashti (the sixth day) till the day when the idols are immersed in the rivers, lakes, and seas on the evening of Dashami. This ritual is performed based on the belief that the Mother Goddess descends to the Earth on Shashti, the sixth day of the Pooja and returns to her abode on Dashami, the tenth day of the Pooja. The festival is also known by the names of 'Navratra' and 'Durgostab' in various parts of the country. The festival of Durga Puja is celebrated for ten days including the last day when the idol of the Goddess is immersed in a sacred water body. The fresh and cool air of the pleasant winters, the clear skies, mildly fragrant Shiuli (a type of flower), the bountiful harvest in the fields and chanting of mantras and shlokas to worship Shakti, all collectively set up the scene for the ten-day long festival of Durga Puja. The preparations of cleaning and beautifying the homes, buying gifts for friends and relatives, and shopping for new clothes for the celebrations are all done and dealt with a good time before the festival. Mouth-watering delicacies are also prepared for the period of festivities.Durga Puja festival is not merely religious in nature but also the biggest social event of the region as Bengalis use this time to socialize and make big plans for the four days of Durga Puja. Dances and performances are organized, while feasts and music take over the festive spirit of the city. Durga Puja is not only for the transition from the dull to a life of fun and gaiety but also to share this joy and happiness with friends and relatives.

Matasya Festival, Alwar, 12-13 October, 2013: The Matsya Festival is one of the important festivals of Alwar City of Rajasthan State. This festival proves the prosperity of cultural and traditional values and believes. This popular festival is known for its cultural and social heritage, fairs and colorful customs. To experience the real values of the festival varieties of exhibitions, competitions, sports, folk music, songs and dances are performed during the festival. The festival is celebrated for two days with utmost fun and enthusiasm. People from all over the Rajasthan as well as outside come to attend this unique festival in Alwar.

Marwar Festival, Jodhpur: 17th - 18th October 2013: The blue city of Jodhpur comes alive in October with the art and culture of Rajasthan being showcased in all its glory. The imposing Mehrangarh Fort transforms into one big stage where cultural performances and music and dance are the order of the day. This is festive time and the performances take on a romantic and ethereal hue as it is full moon on those days. Besides the song and dances that are the hallmarks of the Marwar Festival, the audience is regaled with Rajasthani folklore that keep the myths and beliefs of yester years alive. Competitions and activities like horse riding and polo complete the scintillating event.

Cape Festival, Kanyakumari: October 2013: Cape Festival is celebrated on the grandiose scale at Kanyakumari, TamilNadu. Kanyakumari also referred as "Cape Comorin" is the southernmost tip of the country and is popular for its natural exquisiteness. Three day long festival is celebrated in the month of October. Large numbers of tourists flock to the site of the Cape Festival to witness the confluence of Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean and the Arabian Sea meet. Holy dip in the ocean of triveni sangam (Where the three water bodies meet) is considered auspicious and fortunate. Many cultural programs are organized on the occasion of the three day long Cape Festival. The carnival is marked by spectacular cultural performances by the artists in the field of music and dance.Tourists are magnetized towards the popular Vivekananda memorial which is set amidst the sea, the place is known to bestow mental emancipation and peace of mind. One of the unique features associated with the place further attracts people towards the place, as Kanyakumari is the only place in India, where one can enjoy viewing the sunset and moonrise simultaneously on a full moon day.

Karwa Chauth-22 October 2013: The festival of Karwa Chauth is symbolic of the unflagging loyalty of a wife towards her husband. Karwa Chauth is celebrated mostly by the married women in North India. It is celebrated nine days before Diwali, or the festival of lights, on the fourth day of the waning moon in the Hindu month of Kartik, around October-November. On this day, they observe a fast, praying for the long life, well being and prosperity of their husband. Married women, old and young, begin their fast on the day of Karwa Chauth, well before sunrise (around 4 am), and have food and water only after spotting the moon, which generally rises at about 8.30 p.m. The women strictly adhere to the guidelines laid down for the fast and give up food and water for one complete day. On this sacred festival, people come together and socialize with friends and family, exchange gifts and share home-cooked meals. It also provides an opportunity to all married women, to get close to their in-laws. Karwa Chauth is the festival which reflects joy, splendor, brightness and happiness of a married life. For a newly-wed woman, karwa chauth is particularly special, as they get decked up in their bridal lehnga-choli (beautiful pleated skirt and tight fitting blouse along with the elegant Odhni or Dupatta which is worn over the shoulder ) The things that symbolize and reflect the marital status of a woman, such as jewelry, bangles, henna, bindi, lehnga choli and many other traditional gifts are in high demand on this special occasion. Usually, women receive beautiful gifts from their husbands and relatives on this day, as a gesture of their love and care.

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