EVENTS AND FESTIVALS
Kite Festival – 14th January
Kite festival has a fascinating history. According to history, the first ever kite was flown in 200 BC by Huen Tsang of China to frighten the army of the Han dynasty. From 100 BC to AD 500, kites were used for sending signals and to measure the distance of enemy camps. It was in 1989 that the idea of a kite festival came into being in Ahmedabad and it was called the International Kite Festival. Participants from all over the world were invited to competitions and displays of kites and kite flying skills.



Nagaur Fair – 22nd – 25th January

It is also called as the Cattle Fair. It is the 2nd largest animal fair of India. Thousands of animals are gathered at the cattle fair for trading. Traders come to buy and sell cows, bullocks, oxen and camels. Emperor Akbar built the mosque here. Badal Mahal, Sheesh Mahal & Hadi Rani Mahal are worth seeing. All three have exquisite 18th century frescos on the ceilings.





Jaisalmer Desert Festival – 28th -30th January

The perfect time to visit the golden city is during the Desert Festival, held in Jan/Feb. every year. Folk dances, exciting competition and contests, especially the turban-tying contest. Colorful craft bazaars are set up for the occasion and a sound and light spectacle is organized wit folk artists performing against the splendid backdrop of the famous Sam sand dunes on the full moon night. Surely a not-to-be missed event.

OTHER EVENTS, FAIRS AND FESTIVALS IN NEXT 3 MONTHS

JANUARY
FAIR / FESTIVAL
DATE
Bikaner Camel Festival 30-31 Dec 09
International Kite Festival  14 Jan, Thursday
Ardh Kumbh Mela (Haridwar) 14 Jan- 28 April, Thurs- Tuesday
Jaipur Literature festival 21- 25 Jan, Thursday – Mon
Kolkata Festival  Mid Jan
Nagaur Fair(Ramdeoji Cattle Fair ) 22- 25 Jan, Fri- Monday
Mamallapuram Festival 25 dec09- Jan 25, 2010, Fri-Monday
Kerala Village Fair Mid Jan
Pattadakkal Dance Festival Mid Jan
Modhera Dance Festival Mid Jan
Mumbai Festival  Mid – Late Jan
Republic Day  26 Jan, Tuesday
Beneshwar Fair (Dungarpur, Rajasthan) 26- 30 Jan, Tue- Saturday
Hampi Festival 500th Anniversary  27-29 Jan, Wed- Friday
Jaisalmer Desert Festival   28-30 Jan, Thursday- Saturday
Martyr’s Day   30 Jan, Saturday
FEBRUARY
FAIR / FESTIVAL
DATE
Surajkund Crafts Mela 1 Feb- 15 Feb, Mon-Monday
Brij Festival  2 Feb - 4 Feb, Tuesday-Thursday
The Grape Escapade Wine Festival 5 Feb- 8 Feb, Friday – Monday
Kala Ghoda Arts Festival 6 Feb - 14 Feb, Sat- Sunday
Baneshwar Fair 6 Feb - 9 Feb,  Friday – Monday
Shekhawati Festival 10 Feb- 11 Feb,  Wednesday- Thursday
Alwar Festival 13- 15 Feb, Sat- Monday 
Goa Carnival 13Feb-16 Feb, Sat-Tuesday
Valentines Day 14 Feb, Sunday
Losar Festival 14 Feb, Sunday
Ram Krishna Param Hans Jayanti 16 Feb, Tuesday
Konark Dance Festival 19 Feb 21 Feb, Thursday to Monday *
Garden Tourism Festival 20 Feb- 22 Feb, Sat- Monday
Rose Festival/ Festival of Gardens 22 Feb- 24 Feb, Mon-Wednesday
Maha Shivaratri 23 Feb, Monday
Khajuraho Dance Festival 25 Feb - 2 Mar, Thursday – Tuesday
Elephant Festival 28 Feb,  Sunday
MARCH 2010
FAIR / FESTIVAL
DATE
Holi (Dhulendi) 1 March, Monday
International Women’s Day 8 March, Monday
World Disabled Day 15 March, Monday
Chaitra Navratri 16 – 24 March, Tuesday
Gangaur Festival 18- 19 March, Thursday-Friday
Mewar Festival 18-20 March, Thursday- Saturday
Mahaveerji Fair  24-30 March, Wednesday-Tuesday
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