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Indian Fairs & Festivals In October

Navratri (All Over India) - 12th Oct - 21st Oct 2007

Continuous chanting from the great epic Ramayana, and performances from the episodes of Lord Rama`s life, is held for nine days. In Gujarat every night people gather in courtyards to gaily dance thedandiya raas and garba, a community dance in which men and women dance in pairs with dandiyas or painted wooden sticks.

Durga Puja (Bengal) - 18th Oct - 21st Oct 2007

Is performed during the nine days of Navratri. Community pujas in Bengal are organised in Diwali every locality. Families visit each other to share feasts. On Bijoy day, the idols are taken in elaborate processions for immersion in the river or the sea.

Dussehra (All over India) - 21st Oct 2007

Is celebrated to mark the homecoming of Lord Rama. Larger than life effigies of Ravana, his brothers Meghnath and Kumbhkarna filled with different fire crackers are set alight to celebrate the victory of good over evil. In Himachal Pradesh, a week long fair at Kullu is a part of the Dussehra celebrations. From the little temples in the hills, deities are brought in procession to Kullu. The presiding deity is Lord Raghunathji.

Marwar Festival (Jodhpur) - 25th Oct - 26th Oct 2007

Is a festival devoted mainly to the music and dance of the Marwar region. Held for two days, the folk artists bring to life the myth, legend and folklore of the area.