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Don't unpack your holiday bags just yet! January promises more colourful travel experiences....
The New Year might be over, but the festivities are not. Keeping true to its 'Incredible India' tag, India throws up a wide gamut of unique festivals that you can visit, in the month of January.
The festivals and events are diverse in nature and have something to offer to almost any type of traveller. First up is the International Kite Festival in Ahmedabad, Gujarat; followed by the Desert Festival in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. The Kolkata Book Fair is next in line and is followed by the Hampi Festival or Hampi Utsav in Hampi, Karnataka.
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The Desert Festival (Jaisalmer, Rajasthan):
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This event is organized by the Department of Tourism, Art and Culture, Government of Rajasthan every year in the month of January. This year it is being held from the 28th-30th January.
Vibrant colours, serenading folk music and the artists who perform infuse life into the sands of Jaisalmer. Folk artists of Rajasthan put up a show for three days, singing and dancing, highlighting the rich and colourful Rajasthani folk culture. Also on view are the puppeteers, acrobats and various performances centred around 'the ship of the desert', the camel.
A unique event takes place at this festival, called the Mr. Desert competition. The length and style of one's moustache is taken into account while deciding the winner.
If you are planning to do some shopping in Jaisalmer, Gaurav from Jaipur has some suggestions, "Tie-n-die bed sheets, leather stuff, and stone handicrafts are the 'originals'. Otherwise you can get a lot of handicraft and dress materials."
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The International Kite Festival (Ahmedabad, Gujarat):
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"The best time to visit Ahmedabad is the second week of January when the kite flying festival is in full swing!" says Dr. Vijay from Jamnagar. Held on the 14th of January, every year, to coincide with Makar Sankranti, the International Kite Festival has become a highlight on the Indian travel calendar. Expert kite-makers and flyers from all over the world descend on the city of Ahmedabad to take part in this event. The spectacle is truly breathtaking.
Makar Sankranti celebrates the change of season and the end of winter. There are religious connotations as well, because this is the time the gods are believed to awake from their six month long slumber.
The blue skies and cool breeze make it the perfect time to head for terraces or open fields to fly a kite. The multi-hued skies are proof of the popularity of this festival. Dr. Vijay also mentions, "For standard Gujarati foods do not look further but drop in at Gopi or Pakwaan or Sasuji."
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Rushabh from Ahmedabad suggests to, ".take a 'Heritage Walk' of the old city area."
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Some of the other interesting places to visit while you are in Ahmedabad
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The Kolkata Book Fair (Kolkata, West Bengal):
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The Kolkata Book Fair is one of the most anticipated events in the eastern part of India. It is Asia's largest book fair and is believed to be the most attended book fair in the world. To be held over a fortnight, beginning from the last Wednesday of January till the first Sunday of February, 2010, the Kolkata Book Fair is the third largest such event in the world. Preceding it are the Frankfurt Book Fair and the London Book Fair.
Inaugurated on 9th March, 1976 with just 54 book stalls, the Kolkata Book Fair has come a long way. In this the 34th edition, the theme country is Mexico.
Every top national and international publisher will be represented at the fair and visitors are sure to be spoilt for choice. Besides browsing through books, magazines and journals every visitor gets a hands-on experience of the famous Bengali pastime 'adda'.
While you are at it, you can also do some sightseeing in and around Kolkata
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Hampi Utsav (Hampi, Karnataka):
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January 2010 marks the 500th anniversary of Sri Krishnadevaraya ascending the throne of the Vijayanagara kingdom. The Hampi Utsav has been scheduled to coincide with this event. A series of celebrations will be held throughout the month of January, culminating to the grand celebrations from 27th-29th January.
Hampi has been marked a World Heritage site and is a hot-spot for international tourists. Though most of the magnificent structures at Hampi are in ruins at present, the fact that at one point of time this was a place of grandeur and extravagance, under the Vijayanagara Kingdom, makes it a must visit.
Local folk artists get an opportunity to showcase their talent during this festival along with many renowned artists. An attempt is made to bring back the old days of Hampi during this festival.
Prof. Sanjay Srivastava of Lucknow had recently been to Hampi with his teenage sons, and these are the details of his experience: http://www.holidayiq.com/states/experiences/Karnataka-Hampi-Vijaynagar-Badami-Dravidian-Architecture.html
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| Jean from Pune says, "The movie, "The Myth", starring Jackie Chan, had some shots taken in Hampi. Watching it could help get your kid interested as did my son (around 9 yrs old then)." |
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