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Indian Fairs & Festivals in January

Makar Sankranti

Is a celebration of Spring. It is a day of goodwill and friendship. Sesame ladoos and sugar drops are distributed, women wear new clothes and hold get-togethers.

Lohri (Punjab) - 13th Jan 2007

In the North Makar Sankranti is called Lohri which falls on the 14th of January every year when the biting cold of winter begins to taper off. People gather around bonfires and offer sweets, crisp rice and popcorn to the flames.

Pongal (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh)

In the South Sankranti becomes Pongal. It is harvest celebration which is observed for three days in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. In Madurai, Tiruchirapalli and Tanjore, a kind of bullfight, called the "Jellikattu" is held. Bundles containing money are tied to the horns of ferocious bulls, and unarmed villagers try to wrest the bundles from them.

Thai Pusam (Tamil Nadu)

This festival takes place in the temples dedicated to Kartikeya or Mariamman where trenches of burning coal are laid out for the devotees to walk over. It has been seen that people who volunteer to undertake this experience with faith, come away unharmed and unscathed. This is followed by singing and feasting which continues till late into the night.

Float Festival (Tamil Nadu)

Is celebrated in Madurai, where the ornamented icons of the two deities, the God Sundaresa and the Goddess Meenakshi are taken out in a procession from the Meenakshi temple. The icons are floated in the tank on a raft decked with flowers and flickering lamps.

National Kite Festival (Gujarat)

In Gujarat and other western states the change in the direction of winds on Makar Sankranti is marked by thousands of colourful kites of all patterns and dimensions which dot the blue sky. Young men vie with each other to win community kite-flying competitions.

Kerala Village Fair

Traditional thatch houses are decorated during this ten-day long festival and are the venue for folk dances, music and festivities.

Bikaner Festival - 2nd Jan 2007

Is a colourful spectacle of beautifully decorated camels. Several competitions are held, marked with typical Rajasthani colour, joyous music and lilting rhythms and gay festivities.

Pattadakal Dance Festival

Pattadakal Dance Festival (Karnataka). Is a festival of dance held at Pattadakal.

ld-ul-Fittr (All over India)

Celebrates the end of Ramzan, the Muslim month of fasting. It is an occasion of feasting and rejoicing.

Vasant Panchami (North India & West Bengal) - 23rd Jan 2007

Is a ceremonial welcome to spring. People wear colourful attires, especially in bright shades of yellow and they dance, sing and make merry. In West Bengal, `Saraswati`, the Goddess of learning is worshipped.