November Indian festivals and events

November Indian festivals and events:

November Indian festivals and events:

What happens in India in November?

Wondering what to see and do in India in November? This is an excellent month to travel to India. The weather is cold and dry, and at this time of the year, the full moon, in the Kartik month of the Hindu month, is considered particularly auspicious. You will see fairs and religious ceremonies all over the country. Here is a selection of what is happening with the famous and lesser-known festivals in India in November (listed by date).

1. Rann Utsav

With the true backdrop of the white salt desert of Kutch, Rann Utsav reflects the culture and heritage of the region (although unfortunately it has become quite commercial and crowded). Activities include folk dances and music, food stalls, rides in vehicles from all areas, camel excursions, paramotors, meditation, yoga and trips to nearby destinations. A village of luxury shops has been built on the outskirts of the Salt Desert to accommodate visitors. Gujarat Tourism offers tour packages. Read more about how to travel to the great Rann of Kutch.

When: until 23 February 2020. It is better to see the moon shining on salt on the full moon night. (12 November, 12 December, 11 January and 9 February).
Where: Great Rann of the Salt Desert of Kutch, Dhordo, Gujarat.

2. Dhokra Fair

Do you like craft and want to take off the beaten track in West Bengal? Bikana village is home to around 300 artisans who make Dhokra art figures using traditional casting techniques. The city has been developed by the West Bengal government and UNESCO as a center for rural crafts, and is one of the 20 notable rural fairs organized by Dhokra Mela, Banglantak. Visitors can see the artisans at work and learn about their craft making process. Other attractions in the region are Bishunpur, Susunia Hills and the Terracotta Temple in Kenjakura Handicrafts City. Accommodation is available in the folk arts center there.

When: 1 November to 3, 2019.
Where: Bikana, near Bankura, West Bengal. It is about 4 hours from Kolkata.

3. International Yoga and Music Festival

Organized by Nada Yoga School every year since 2008, the International Yoga and Music Festival presents the 50 best professional yoga teachers, Ayurvedic doctors, yogis, yoga teachers, musicians and philosophers from Rishikesh and abroad. Free classes and lectures are offered on subjects such as Yoga asanas, Shatakarma, Ayurveda, philosophy and classical Indian music. There is also a concert of Indian classical music at night. Plan your trip with this Rishikesh Travel Guide.

When: 1-7 November, 2019
Where: Rishikesh, Uttarakhand.

4 Chhath Puja

Chhath Puja in Varanasi
yavuzsariyildiz / Getty Images
Traditionally celebrated by the people of Bihar, this festival of North India is dedicated to the worship of the Sun. People drift in the torrent of water to offer prayers to the Sun God at sunset. Bhajans and folk songs are sung, and women fast and pray for the well-being of their family and friends.

When: November 3, 2019. (Evening Prayer of Sandhya Argh).
Where: All over India, especially in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Assam and West Bengal. The banks of the Ganges River in Varanasi is another excellent tourist destination to see it. There is also a Chhath Puja on Juhu Beach in Mumbai.
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5. Pushkar Camel Fair

This increasingly famous festival is seen in an amazing number of camels in the small desert town of Pushkar. Participate in camel dress, beards, beauty pageants, parades, runs and exchanges. An amusing scene indeed! Arrive a few days before the official start date to capture the most commercial camel action. The hot air balloon ride is an added attraction. Learn more in this essential guide of the Pushkar Camel Fair.

When: from November 4 to 12, 2019.
Where: Pushkar, Rajasthan

6. Mukha Mela

An artist is making a wooden mask.
Tourist / Bangladesh
For the sixth edition of this year, the Mukh Mela celebrates the art of making wooden masks from the Rajbanshi community. There are around 250 artisans in the town, all of whom are dedicated to the profession. The masks are part of the traditional Gomira dance attire, which is performed to drive out evil forces. The city has been developed by the West Bengal government and UNESCO as a center for rural crafts. The artisan collectives also operate a popular art center there, which provides accommodation and workshops for guests. Day trips to nearby artisan villages (dhokras, pottery and baskets) are possible for a unique cultural tourism experience.

When: November 8-10, 2019
Where: Kushmandi in South Dinajpur district of West Bengal. It is a one-night train journey from Calcutta, or a 2-hour drive from Malda. The nearest train station is Kaliaganj.

7 Wangala Festival

Wangala Festival
Ricinti Marvin / Flickr / CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
Also known as the 100 Drum Wangala Festival, it is the largest harvest festival of the Garo tribe of Meghalaya in northeast India. A festival celebrated in honor of the sun god of fertility, marks the end of the planting season and the agricultural year. It is celebrated by playing drums, playing horns and traditional dances. Highlights of the celebration include a traditional dance competition, slow cooking competition, indigenous games and handicrafts and an exhibition of hand looms among the Wangala companies of the Garo Hills. Here are some more places to visit in Meghalaya.

When: from 8 November to 11 November 2019.
Where: Asanga, Garo Hills, Meghalaya.

8. Kolayat Fair (Kapil Muni Fair)

In the desert state of India, the largest fair in Bikaner district, the Kolayat fair combines a large cattle fair with a pilgrimage to the sacred lake in the city. It is a spectacle, while buffaloes, camels, horses and cattle are exchanged, and pilgrims tie and float mud lanterns in the lake.

When: 10 November to 12, 2019.
Where: Kolayat, near Bikaner, Rajasthan.
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9. Hastabhaga Fair

In this regional counterpart of the Pushkar fair, a large-scale bathing ceremony is performed in the cattle market. The Chandrabhaga river is sacred to Hindus and attracts many pilgrims who come to bathe on the occasion of Kartik Purnima. The fair is quite large with buffalo, camels, cows, oxen and horses for sale. Rajasthan tourism also organizes cultural events.

When: 11–13 November, 2019.
Where: Jhalawar, Rajasthan.

10.dev diwali

It is believed that after 15 days of Deepawali on the deity Kartik Purnima, the Dev descends on the earth to bathe in the Ganges in Deepawali. More than one lakh earthen lamps (diyas) float in the river in the evening in the midst of the song of Vedic hymns. The stairs of the ghats from Ravidas Ghat to Raj Ghat are also filled with lamps and food is arranged in the streets. It is a divine experience. Plan your trip with this Varanasi travel guide.

When: 12 November 2019.
Where: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh