India festivals and events in January 2019
New Delhi : India is a land of unlimited festivals and fairs. January, the very first month of a year commences popular musical and dance events, traditional festivals, national parades and so on. If you're in India, then you'll be able to enjoy to the cultural diversity and unity of the country. Here's the best of festivals and fairs in January 2019.
Mamallapuram Indian Dance Festival- Till January 23
The open-air Indian Dance Festival is held in the beach town of Mamallapuram, just south of Chennai. It runs for a month, and showcases more than 60 classical and folk dance forms from all over India.
Swathi Sangeetholsavam- January 4-13
The week-long Swathi Music Festival pays tribute to the compositions of Maharaja Swathi Thirunal, who was the king of Travancore in the early 19th century. The entire festival is devoted to his compositions, of which there are more than 400 in both Carnatic and Hindustani music.
International Kite Festival- January 6-14
The international kite festival is held in front of Sabarmati River in Ahmedabad, Gujarat. It's part of Uttarayan or Makar Sankranti. The event attracts kite flyers from many different countries.
Mylapore Festival- January 10-13
The Mylapore Festival is held in Sri Kapaleeswarar Temple and Nageswara Rao Park, Mylapore, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. Attractions include heritage walks, classical music and dance, folk art, crafts zone, exhibitions and street food.
Bikaner Camel Fair- January 12-13
The Bikaner Camel Festival offers an alternate opportunity to have an encounter with camels. The festival kicks off with a procession of camels decorated in their finest attire, and continues on with camel beauty pageants, camel races, and camel dancing.
As the name suggests, it is held in Bikaner, Rajasthan.
Tamil Nadu International Balloon Festival- January 13-15
The fifth edition of the popular Tamil Nadu International Balloon Festival will be happening this year. It will be held in Sakthi Mills Ground, Pollachi, and hour and a half south of Coimbatore in Tamil Nadu.
Pongal- January 14-17
Pongal, a huge harvest festival in southern India is celebrated widely in Tamil Nadu. The most important part of the festival is cooking the Pongal dish, made out of boiled milk and rice, on the auspicious second day.
Ardh Kumbh Mela- January 14 to March 4
Ardh Kumbh Mela, the biggest religious gathering in the world will be held in Allahabad, Uttar Pradesh. Sadhus (Hindu holy men) and pilgrims visit the place to bathe in the holy water of the river and discuss spirituality. There are two auspicious bathing dates in January, when much of the action happens. These are January 15 (Makar Sankranti) and January 21 (Paush Purnima). January 15 is the first Shahi Snan (Royal Bath) of the sadhus.
Jaipur Literature Festival- January 24-28
The Jaipur Literature Festival is an annual event that's considered to be one of the most important literature events in Asia. The festival will be attended by leading authors and renowned people from across the world.
Republic Day Parade- January 26 every year
Republic Day marks the celebration of the Constitution of India being founded in 1950. The parade, which marches down Delhi's central Rajpath avenue, features the three divisions of the armed forces (Army, Navy and Air Force) who showcase their strength. It also includes traditional dance troupes, and culminates with helicopters and other aircraft dramatically flying past.
