Fairs and Festivals in January

India is popularly known as the country of festivals and celebrations and the month of January marks the commencement of the festive season in India. The fairs and festivals in India are celebrated with great enthusiasm and never ending enjoyment. In the month of January, various prominent festivals and fairs are organized that present a beautiful picture of the vibrant culture, rich history and tradition of incredible India. Step into this land for all seasons and be a part of the enthusiastic celebrations and have an unforgettable experience.

Bikaner Festival, Rajasthan

This festival is organized every year by Department of Tourism, Rajasthan Government. Here, several magnificently decorated camels are displayed. Many competitions such as the camel race, camel dance, camel beauty pageant, etc. are also held.

Guru Gobind Singh's Birthday

The birthday of Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth guru of the Sikhs, is celebrated on the 5th of January every year. On this auspicious day, Gurudwaras are beautifully decorated and special prayers are organized.

Float Festival, Madurai, Tamil Nadu

This magnificent festival is celebrated by the devotees, in the night time during the full moon. On this day, idols of Goddess Meenakshi and Lord Soundareshwar are taken out in the golden palanquins from the Meenakshi Temple to the beautiful Teppakolam Lake.

Kerala Village Fair, Kovalam, Kerala

This wonderful festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm in the verdant villages situated around Kovalam village. It is essentially a ten day festival where the houses are decorated and folk dance and musical events are held depicting the culture of Kerala.

Lohri, Punjab, Delhi

Lohri is celebrated in most parts of northern India. The festival marks the end of the winter season in India. On this day, the friends and family members assemble together, sing Lohri songs and enjoy special food items like popcorn, peanuts and jaggery.

Makar Sankranti, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Bihar, West Bengal

The Makar Sankranti festival marks the start of the harvest season in India. It is generally celebrated by preparing sweets and wearing new clothes. The festival also marks the onset of spring season in India.

Mamallapuram Dance Festival, Mamallapuram, Tamil Nadu

On this day, various forms of classical dance such as the Bharat Natyam, Kuchipudi, Odissi, Kathakali, Kathak, etc are organized. People from various parts of India and the world assemble in Tamil Nadu to be a part of this 4-week dance festival.

Modhera Dance Festival, Sun Temple Modhera, Gujarat

This famous dance festival is organized every year in the month of January by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat. The main motive of organizing the festival is to conserve the traditional dance forms of the country.

Nagaur Cattle Fair, Rajasthan

The scenic town of Nagaur comes to life during the Nagaur Fair. Here, the trading of various animals such as camels, goats, bullocks, horses, sheeps, etc are undertaken.

National Kite Festival, Ahmedabad, Gujarat

The onset of the harvesting season in the state of Gujarat is celebrated by flying kites of various sizes and colors in the sky. Kite competitions are also held and lip-smacking Gujarati dishes are savored by the people.

Pattadakal Dance Festival, Karnataka

It is a magnificent dance festival that is organized every year at Pattadakkal, a world heritage site in Karnataka. The site was once the capital of the Chalukyan rulers.

Pongal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh

In the various states of South India, the festival of Pongal is considered as very auspicious and celebrated with great pomp. This 4-day festival marks the end of the harvest season.

Republic Day

It is celebrated in entire India. On this day, a ceremony is organized in the Rajpath, New Delhi. The President of India unfurls the National Flag followed by the grand Republic Day parade.

Vasant Panchami/Saraswati Puja, North India and West Bengal

This festival is celebrated as the starting of the spring season in India. On this day, the idol of the Goddess Saraswati is worshipped. Wearing of bright yellow color clothes is considered to bring good luck.

Joydev Kenduli Mela

This festival is held during the period of Makar Sankranti. People throng in large numbers just to hear the songs of the Bauls (a group of spiritual singers) and get a great peace of mind.

Fairs and Festivals by Month