From the shivering freezing cold
of December and January, It’s time for the snow to melt and give way to a more
pleasant February! The month of 28, the month of love and the month of Fests, Yes!
You heard that right, it’s the time when the country in all its glory
celebrates different fests and no not the traditional ones but with a hell lot
of more fun and quirk! So what better time to pack your bags and explore the country,
add to that fests and fairs and you have a perfect trip for that travelogue you
have been dying to fill since winter knocked!
1. Kutch,
Gujrat
The beautiful white salt desert,
traditional culture, music and food – this is what we know of Kutch one of the
most beautiful deserts of the world but, there is so much more to it! The lesser
known gems like Dholavira, an
ancient site; Mandvi, an ancient ship-building town. The flavoursome
food that is devoid of the overt sweetness of Gujarati food is the highlight of
the Kutch trip and ensure that you do visit Narayan Sarovar and Koteshwar
in your trip.
Main attraction during
Feb - Rann Utsav, a great time to catch the Kutch region come to life. You
shall be able to enjoy dance and music performances along with the sight of
migratory birds that include flamingos.
Date: Nov 1, 2017– Feb 20, 2017
2. Ludhiana, Punjab
Shoutout for all game
fanatics out there, and no I'm not talking of video games but Olympics, and
that too in our very own country! 15 kms away from Ludhiana every year in February,
Kila Raipur Olympics take place, this event in six decades has become
distinctly a standout amongst the most incident games occasions in Punjab. Held
for three days, the occasion witnesses a social event of 4,000 sports men and
ladies taking part in different games. Around 1 million individuals throng amid
Rural Olympics, which has intriguing activities like a dog race, horse dance,
camel race, tractor race, and a tug of-war. The highlights of the occasion
however remain bullock haul race and off beat exercises like lifting bikes with
teeth, pulling autos with teeth or ears, or riding a bike ringed with a
smoldering tire.
Date(Expected): Feb 4-7, 2017
3. Mumbai, Mahrashtra
Date(Expected): Feb
6-7, 2017
Where: Mahalakshmi
Race Course
4. Nasik, Mahrasthtra
No doubt it’s the entertainment
capital of the country! From the excitement and nerve wrecking Indian Derby in
Mumbai to the Mellow and Romantic Sula Fest, one of the most anticipated gourmet
world music festival, Sula Fest is sure to charm you with its leisurely vibes
and scrumptious food with an eclectic mix of music and bands and all this in a
vineyard! Its cant get any better for sure!
Date: Feb 3-5, 2017
Where: Sula
Vineyard amphitheater, Nashik
5. Goa
Seasons and resons don’t count
when the vivacious state of Goa calls! (and it rarely does! We all know the
countless trips that went poof!) Be it the beach parties or the traditional carnivals, you will see Goa
always in a pleasant and whimsical mood but February sure does add a
little something to the contagious Goan spirit – it’s the Goa Carnival! What
the Portuguese started in 18th century is now an integral part of the culture of Goa. During the
carnival people can be seen dancing on the streets; parades, floats, music and
masked dancing groups are sighted across the state. A formal ball dance called
the Red and Black Dance can also be enjoyed during the carnival along with food
and culture festival that is held in Panaji. So go ahead and experience Rio
in your very own Goa!
Date: Feb 25-28, 2017
Where: The
carnival moves from city to city (Panaji,
Margao, Vasco and Mapusa) in Goa. The
parade starts out from Panaji.
6. Allepey, Kerala
Yes, home to the mesmerizing
backwater’s, the romantic city of Allepey transform’s to a spiritual ground in
the month of February with the Chettikulangara
Bharani Temple Festival. A visually fascinating event, it includes a
lively procession of brightly decorated structures. Celebrated in the honour of
Hindu Goddess Bhagavathy, Chettikulangara Bharani Temple Festival is one such
event that will certainly add a memorable dimension to your holiday in Kerala.
7. Agra,
Uttar Pradesh
Our very own
icon of love the Taj Mahal and Agra turns magical when the month of Febraury
arrives, the famed Taj Mahotsav with its events focuses on arts, crafts, Indian
culture, and recreating the meserizing Mughal era. The procession of elephants
and camels along with drummers is one of the major attractions of the
festivals. Elephant and camel rides are also on offer, even there are games for
kids, and a happening food festival to mark the event.
Date: Feb 18-27, 2017
Where: Shilpgram,
Agra
8. Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh
Balmy afternoons, scenic
beauty, wildlife sanctuaries and Heritage places, khajuraho becomes an ideal
trip in the month of February with the much
acclaimed Khajuraho
Dance Festival also takes place. Held against the alluring backdrop of Khajuraho
Temples, this festival showcases classical dance style
from all over India. The dances are performed in the Western group of temples,
mainly infront of the the Chitragupta Temple (dedicated to Surya the Sun God)
and the Vishwanatha Temple (dedicated to Lord Shiva).
Date: Feb
20-26, 2017
Where: Western
Group of Temples
9. Puri and Konark, Odisha
February is an ideal time to
witness the tarnquil shorelines of Odisha wake up. The reason of such a radical
change is Indian Surf Festival. Sorted out by Surfing Yogis, this is an eco-friendly
festival that gives a typical stage to opportunity of expression, reveling into
experience, and appreciating music, dance, art, and photography. The highlights
at the celebration are the Surf Expressions Championship and India SUP Cup. It
is to be noticed that the SUP Cup is India's greatest Stand Up Paddle (SUP)
rivalry, where racers from various nations test their abilities along a challenging
river course.
Dates for Indian Surf Festival: Yet to be Announced
Where: Ramachandi
Beach, near Puri and Konark,
10. Diu, Daman and Diu
If Sun, Sand
and Beach are your companions and then you have to pack your bags to go
meet them at Diu in February. But it’s recommended that you visit before 15th February in order not to miss longest beach
festival in India, Festa De Diu. Spanning for about three month, from December
to February, the festival is your place to enjoy concerts, carnivals and jam
session. The fest includes performances by 20+ musicians, 10+ comedians and 15+
Bands from all over India. Also featured are more than 30 workshops and a few
heritage walks.
So pick up those planners and
phones and book yourselves tickets for the month of fests and carnivals and
enjoy your heart out with a trip that is to stay with you for long!
