India is a land of diversity and known for its lively and colorful festivals. There is a diverse variety of celebrations such as festivals of India state wise, National festivals of India, Religious festivals in India, the Autumn festival in India and more. With so many significant cultures, customs and religions, every day in India is a festival that gets celebrated with great pomp and show. The magnificence and liveliness of Indian Festivals reflect the real spirits of Indian cultures and traditions. Having a glimpse of these popular Indian festivals isn’t just an experience in itself but, also brings memories that one can treasure for a lifetime.
Let’s check out the Top 10 Most Exciting Carnivals in India in 2020 that you shouldn’t miss. Learn all about from this list of festivals of India in 2020 before planning your trip:
1. Konark Festival
Festival Date: February 1st to 3rd, 2020
Venue: Natya Mandir, Konark, Bhubaneshwar
The spectacular ‘Konark Festival’ is held in the February month every year in Odisha with the World Heritage Site, Konark Temple, filling in as its backdrop. Promoting distinctive traditional and classical forms of Indian arts, ranging from Odissi, Bharatnatyam, Kathakali to Manipuri and Kuchipudi, the festival is an incredible fascination for music and art lovers around the globe.
Besides the dance festivities, visitors can likewise attend the exhibition of Odissi temple wall figures to get a deep knowledge about the craftsmanship of artisans belonging to ancient eras. Another one of the main attractions of the Konark Festival is its crafts fair where many local craftsmen and skilled workers meet up to exhibit their talent.
2. Goa Carnival
Carnival Date: 22nd February to 25th February 2020
Carnival Venue: Goa
This is one of the most excitingly awaited festivals in Goa. The ‘Goa Carnival’ attracts a huge number of local and international tourists. The Goa streets come to life with vibrant decorations, enthusiastic singers, dancers and in every niche and corner. One of the main tourist attractions in Goa Carnival is its local parade in which several local participate and are accompanied by dancers, acrobats, clowns drummers, performers, and fire-eaters, etc. Goa Carnival also includes short drama plays portraying the ancient culture of Goa. The people all over the world always wait for this Goan food carnival to cherish the lip-smacking dishes. Goa carnival is all about Merry-making and feasting. So, plan your visit to Goa Carnival 2020 and be a part of this boundless enjoyment.
3. Taj Mahotsav
Mahotsav Dates: February 18th to February 27th, 2020
Mahotsav Venue: Shilpgram, Agra
The ‘Taj Mahotsav’ is annually organized by the Tourism Dept. of Uttar Pradesh in the month of February in the city of ‘Taj’. The ‘Taj Mahotsav’ is one of the grandest fairs in India that celebrated the brilliance of the Taj Mahal and the historic city of Agra. This 10-day long celebration brings together dancers, artisans, craftsman and entertainers from everywhere throughout the nation to exhibit their talent. Vivid folk dances, live ghazals, cultural performances with a backdrop setting of the lit-up Taj, add a magnificent appeal to the entire aura.
Another significant attraction of the ‘Taj Mahotsav’ is its food fest wherein you can enjoy a phenomenal culinary experience. Professional chefs from various parts of India present their Best dishes in the Taj Mahotsav. Authentic and traditional Mughlai foods from inner areas of Uttar Pradesh are something you can expect this year at the Taj Mahotsav 2020.
Taj Mahotsav Entry Fees & Timings, Dates & Venue
Per Adult: Rs. 50/-
Per Kid: – Free (Up to 5 years)
Per Kid: – (5 years to 10 years) – Rs. 10/-
Per Foreign Tourist: Free
Tickets are sold at the Counter
Ticket includes entrance to Cultural venues
4. Jaisalmer Desert Festival
Festival Dates: February 7 to February 9, 2020
Festival Venue: Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
The ‘Jaisalmer Desert Festival’ is a 3 days long celebration held every year in the month of February on the place of golden sand, Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. With a true reflection of Rajasthani traditions and cultures with beautiful Rajasthani outfits, Live folk dance performances, Gair & Fire dances, acrobat performances, camel races and much more, this cultural fair is undoubtedly a must-visit place for both Indian as well as global visitors. Other best events at Jaisalmer Desert Festival are like ‘Mr. Desert’ competition, turban-tying ‘longest mustache’ challenges are really a visual treat to the eyes.
This desert celebration comes to life during the night where you can be mesmerized with live folk music performers and lit up bonfires. The whole aura is filled with soothing music with a backdrop of lit-up Jaisalmer Fort that adds to the appeal of the whole fair.
5. Puri Rath Yatra
Rath Yatra 2020 Start Date: 23rd June 2020
End of Bahuda Jatra: 02nd July 2020
Venue: Puri, Odisha
‘Rath Yatra’ in Puri, Odisha, is one of the biggest festivals of India. The celebration denotes its beginning with a stupendous parade of colorfully decked up chariots of Lord Jagannath alongside his sibling, Lord Balabhadra and sister, Goddess Subhadra, carried to Shri Gundicha Temple, where the divinities stay for 9 days. On the ninth day, known as the ‘Bahuda Jatra’, the deities are taken back to the Jagannath Temple at Puri, Odisha with the same zeal and fervor.
The city of Puri gets changed into a myriad of hues during these two days of parades when over millions of devotees assemble together from all across the world. Exceptional exhibitions and grandeur of this festival make it one of the most ‘Must-Visit’ festivals in India.
6. Pushkar Fair
Fair Dates: November 22 to November 30, 2020
Fair Venue: Pushkar, Rajasthan
Celebrated every year in the holy city of Pushkar in the month of November, the ‘Pushkar Fair’ is India’s most captivating celebrations that draw a huge number of visitors from everywhere across the world. Viewed as one of the biggest dairy cattle fairs on the planet, you will discover several Rajasthani traders and farmers gather at the ‘Pushkar Fair’ to sell and purchase camels and other animals. Camel races, acrobat performances, folk dances, magic and puppet shows and so forth; the ‘Pushkar Fair’ is an ideal source to witness ancient Indian traditions and cultures.
With women decked up in bright ghagras, kids queuing up for big wheel rides, little girls getting street side foods and ice-creams, this is the only fair in India where you will undoubtedly get the vibe of a true ‘Indian Mela’. Aside from these festivities, sand dune camel rides and stays in traditional camps during the celebration, is a lifetime chance for all vacationers to soak themselves the real spirits of the lively state of Rajasthan.
7. Kutch Rann Utsav
Utsav Dates: October 28, 2020, to 23rd February 2021
Utsav Venue: Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
The huge and endless stretch of white desert in Kutch, Gujarat displays lively spirits during the three months long celebration as Kutch Rann Utsav that starts at some point in November-December and proceeds till February. During the celebration, the white canvas of Kutch gets painted in vivid shades of Gujarati culture and customs. Live music shows, folk and traditional dance performances, camel safaris and an intricate buffet of Famous Kutch Cuisines; the list is truly endless.
From staying in lavish tents with bonfires lit under the moonlit sky to spotting transient birds to watching craftsmen paint the texture with traditional ‘Bandhni’ and ‘Batik’ procedures; the lavishness and radiance of the festivities of the ‘Rann Utsav’ make certain to leave its mark on every tourist’s mind.
8. Temple Festivals of Kerala
Festival Date: Celebrated throughout the year
Venue: Kerala
Kerala is known for its colorful and elaborate temple festivals as it has a bounty of ancient temples in the state. The celebrations start in February and go through April. Every celebration denotes a tribute to the Gods residing in these temples. And, yes, the entire temple celebrations in Kerala are grand affairs with large parade ceremonies accompanied beautified elephants, drummers, fireworks, energizing music and individuals wearing traditional attires of Kerala. Besides tremendous parades, other events such as elephant and boat races, cultural events and musical shows are organized to keep the visitors enthralled throughout the festival celebrations. The ecstasy and extravagance of these temple festivals is something that should not be missed during your trip to Kerala.
9. Hemis Gompa Festival
Festival Dates: June 30 to July 1, 2020
Venue: Hemis Monastery, Ladakh
The ‘Hemis Gompa Festival’ is perhaps the most ancient carnivals held in Ladakh. The celebration holds great religious importance for Buddhists as it denotes the birth anniversary of Buddhist Guru, Padmasambhava. The Hemis Gompa is one of the biggest and oldest monasteries in Ladakh that serves as the main venue of the celebration. Nearby individual’s traditional colorful and beautiful attires, visit the festival with great grand enthusiasm. Masked dance performances by the Lamas along with conventional music played utilizing longhorns, trumpets and drums are one of the main Attractions of the Hemis Gompa Festival. If you want to enjoy dance performances based on the different leagues, then the ‘Hemis Gompa Festival’ is just perfect for you.
10. Ellora Aurangabad Festival
Festival Date: On January 1st, 2020
Festival Venue: Soneri Mahal, Aurangabad, Maharashtra
This is yet another great India festival of dance and music that held every year near the popular Ellora Caves in Maharashtra. The Ellora Festival unites together, famous music artists and dancers from all over India. Featuring the rich heritage of India, it is one of the liveliest fairs of Maharashtra. Live instrumental and vocal melodic exhibitions and classical dance performances are the main attractions of the Ellora festival. Other than music and dance performances, this festival is an extraordinary platform to get a deep insight into the craftwork of artisans and craftsmen in Maharashtra.
Being a part of this grand celebration of 1400-year-old caves will be definitely a great experience that you will cherish forever.
Conclusion
The list of festivals in India is truly endless. These Indian festivals are not only a way of celebrations but are actually a symbol of unity that kept different cultures and cultures together in India. Be it Diwali, Gurpurab, Eid, or Christmas, every festival in India is celebrated with the same pomp and show.
Now when you know what are the Most Popular Festivals are Celebrated in India? So, with these fascinating carnivals lined-up in 2020, you can say goodbye to boredom in your life by attending these exciting Carnivals in India 2020! Which carnival you would like to attend and why? We would love to hear from you in the comments below!
