Fairs and Festivals in October in India

October is a very exuberant time in India. The monsoon rain has eased in most places, and the festival season is in full swing ! Come to India in October and take part in events filled with lights, music, and dance.

These are the Fairs and Festivals in October in India:

Rajasthan International Folk Festival

This eclectic festival, which is the first of its kind in India, showcases regional roots music and the arts. It is a heady fusion of interactive educational events, staged performances, and late night jam sessions. Performers include singers, dancers, instrumentalists and storytellers from various Rajasthani folk communities, as well as nationally and internationally recognized artists. The festival has an outstanding location in and around the imposing Mehrangarh Fort.

• When: October 5-9, 2017.
• Where: Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur, Rajasthan.

Diwali

Diwali, the biggest festival in India, honours the victory of good over evil and brightness over darkness. It celebrates Lord Rama and his wife Sita returning to their kingdom of Ayodhya, following Rama and Hanuman defeating the demon King Ravana and rescue Sita from his evil clutches (on Dussehra).  Lots of small clay lamps (called diyas) and candles are lit and placed in houses, and fireworks are let off everywhere, giving Diwali its name as “Festival of Lights”.

• When: October 19, 2017.
• Where: Throughout India

Samsara Himalaya Edition 2017

Samsara Himalaya Edition is a new platform for bringing together wellness and psybient (chilled out psychedelic) music lovers from all over the world. As well as encompassing the Bir International Yoga Festival conducted by AryaMarga Yoga. It will feature a wide range of natural health and wellness practitioners and teachers. Modalities include yoga, qigong and tai chi, reiki, Ayurveda, and Chinese and Tibetan acupuncture. Visitors will also be introduced to sound and vision healing.

• When: October 22-31, 2017.
• Where: The Tibetan section of Bir village, Himachal Pradesh.

Kabir Yatra

Back for the third edition this year, the Kabir Yatra is a travelling folk music festival in Rajasthan. It will feature more than 20 artists from Kutch, Malwa, Bengal, Chennai, Mumbai, Delhi and Rajasthan who will share mystic songs across diverse musical genres. The festival will also showcase the work of painters, sculptors and photographers inspired by this tradition.

• When: October 25-29, 2017
• Where: Jodhpur and Barmer, Rajasthan. 

Chhath Puja

This north Indian festival, traditionally celebrated by the people of Bihar, is devoted to worshiping the sun. People flock to the water’s edge to  offer prayers to the Sun God at sunset. Hymns and folk songs are sung, and women fast and pray for the well being of their family and friends.

• When: October 26, 2017. (Chhath Sandhya Argh evening prayers).
• Where: Across India, particularly in Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Assam, and West Bengal. The banks of the Ganges River in Varanasi are another excellent tourist place to see it. A Chhath Puja also takes place on Juhu Beach in Mumbai.

Tawang Festival

The annual Tawang Festival is organized by the Arunachal Pradesh tourism department to showcase the culture of the state and promote adventure tourism. Highlights include a huge fair, chanting by the monks of Tawang Monastery, and folk and tribal dances.

• When: October 26-29, 2017.
• Where: Tawang, Arunachal Pradesh

Pushkar Camel Fair

This traditional Indian style festival sees an astonishing 30,000 camels converge on the tiny desert town of Pushkar. The camels are dressed up, shaved, entered into beauty contests, paraded, raced, and traded. An entertaining sight indeed ! Do arrive a couple of days before the official starting date to catch the most camel trading action.

• When: October 28-November 4, 2017.
• Where: Pushkar, Rajasthan.

Pushkar Balloon Festival

The three-day International Hot Air Ballooning Festival is an added attraction at the Pushkar Camel Fair.  Similar to the Taj Balloon Festival in Agra, it is hosted by Sky Waltz, and features hot air balloons from around the world and a Night Glow Music Concert. Accomodation and balloon flight packages are offered for visitors.

• When: During the Pushkar Camel Fair.
• Where: Pushkar, Rajasthan.