India is a land of different cultures and religions. There are many societies and ethnic groups co-existing with each other in harmony. This unique feature of ‘Unity in Diversity’ is the attraction point for many tourists to come on an exploration spree. And one thing that is ‘not to be missed’ on this excursion is the Festival season. But we should highlight here that there’s no particular month when there are most number of festivals but these are spread evenly throughout the year and so each month there is some or the other festival being celebrated in some part of India.
February is one month which sees an eclectic mix of festivals from across the country; let’s have a look at the major ones among them:
1. Surajkund International Craftsmela
Date : 1st – 17th Feb, 2020
This festival is the right place to enjoy the regional and international crafts and local traditions. On the first fortnight of February, this festival takes place in Surajkund of Faridabad. More than a million tourists and locals visit this mela. This is the place of exhibition of diverse handlooms, handicrafts, masterpiece and others. This is one of the largest craft exhibitions in the world. You can find many artists perform in the open-air theaters. You can also enjoy many joy rides, cuisine of the land and other attractions here.
2. Kala Ghoda Arts Festival
Date : 1st – 9th Feb, 2020
The city of dreams (Mumbai) hosts this festival and it is the country’s largest multicultural festival as according to a report in The Hindu newspaper. Entry is free of cost, therefore fest is open to everyone, also seeing many known celebrities coming in to take part in the proceedings. There are dance performances, music gigs, plays, art displays, food stalls etc to take care of visitors’ need for a complete experience. So if you’re in Mumbai during the period of February 2nd to February 9th, you should not miss out on Kala Ghoda Arts at all.
Read More : Top Events and Festivals of Mumbai
Suggested Tour :
- 5 Days – Mumbai With Goa Tour
- 4 Days – Mumbai Sightseeing Tour
- 7 Days – Mumbai Goa Cochin Tour
3. Sula Fest
Date : 1st – 3rd Feb, 2020
The lovers of things all fine and good should definitely come to festival because the charm of senses pleasing music and wine put together will definitely take your breath away. The two days festival will be dotted with spectacular performances by artists like Nucleya, Indian Ocean, The Raghu Dixit Project, Infected Mushroom and Bloc Party. The festival is organised in a sula vineyards, near the city of Nashik, India and this year is the tenth edition of it. Secure your pass well before, the cost of which would be somewhere around Rs.5,500 for all three days.
4. Matho Nagrang Festival
Date: 1st Feb – 1st March, 2020
Location: Matho Monastery, Leh
Matho Nagrang is a Buddhist festival to invoke the divine spirits to help solve problems and predict the future in Leh Ladakh Region. The custom of this festive is to keep two selected monks in isolation where they meditate for two month in order to call on the divine spirits. This is a fascinating festival which is very lively and filled with colors as the other monks join the celebration in colourful costumes. Matho Nagrang is held in the northern side of India which is a bed of cold deserts. The best time to visit this place is during March as the snow starts melting away giving way to the multi-coloured ore rich mountains. Visiting in March also gives you the added advantage of being part of this marvellous festival and getting to know a little about what the future has in store.
Read More : 5 Compelling Reasons to Visit Ladakh
Suggested Tour : 10 Days – Trip To Ladakh
Popular Leh Ladakh Packages
5. Udaipur World Music Festival
Date : 7th – 9th Feb, 2020
This is a cultural event conducted in Udaipur, which brings together musicians and singers from around the world. Around 150 artists from different countries take part in music recitals, performances and much more. Starting from Carnatic songs to bands, you can find numerous styles of music performances during this festival. The morning programs are dedicated to romantic tunes and songs. The afternoon performances cover melodies and soothing music. In the evening, the young generations take up the stage to perform fusion, electric band and much more.
Also Read : 13 Most Popular Folk Music and Dance of Rajasthan
Suggested Tour : 10 Days – Rajasthan Tour With Taj Mahal
6. Alwar Festival
Date : 7th – 9th Feb, 2020
This tourism festival of Alwar takes place for three days in February. This is one of the most popular festival of the place. This festival takes you close to the traditions and culture of the land. The celebration includes fair, fancy dress competition, sketching competition, flower show, elephant polo, film shows and others. This is the time to shop many interesting souvenirs too. The festival brings many artisans together who exhibit their masterpieces and antiques.
Alwar Travel Guide :
- How To Reach Alwar
- Best Time to Visit Alwar
- Top Tourist Attractions in Alwar
- Things to do in Alwar
7. Jaisalmer Desert Festival
Date : 7th – 9th Feb, 2020
Location: Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
This year when the season is just right to host people before the beginning of scorching summer. It is a unique and amusing festival with the kind of proceedings that take place- you will be amazed to see competitions like Best Moustache competition, Turban tying and even a Mr. Desert Pageant! The backdrop of the festival is the grand Jaisalmer Fort which is perfect to give it an authentic setting. Get complete info about Jaisalmer Desert Festival.
Read More : Top Festival and Events in Rajasthan
Jaisalmer Travel Guide:
- How to Reach Jaisalmer
- Best Time to Visit Jaisalmer
- What to Eat in Jaisalmer
- Things to do in Jaisalmer
Suggested Tour :
- 8 Days – Rajasthan Tour From Delhi
- 14 Days – Rajasthan Agra and Varanasi Tour
- 15 Days – Delhi Agra and Rajasthan Tour
Also Read :
- Five Things That Every Traveller Should Do In India In February
- Best Places To Visit In India in February
8. Mahindra Blues Festival
Date : 9th – 11th Feb, 2020
Mahindra Blues festival sees artists from all over the world converging and performing at one place. The festival takes place in the posh suburb of Bandra, Mumbai and will see performances by artists like Blues Machine, Eric Gales, Janiva Magness and several others. Since its first edition in 2011, the festival has gained unmatched popularity and is awaited by the music lovers like anything. The pass for the festival will cost around Rs.4,000 and less, but it will be all worth it, to go by the international fame this festival has achieved in a short period of time.
Read More : Major Festivals and Events of Mumbai
Suggested Tour : 16 Days – Rajasthan with Mumbai From Delhi
9. World Sufi Festival
Date : 11th – 15th Feb, 2020
World Sufi Festival takes place in Nagaur Fort of Nagaur. The fort will be illuminated with more than 5000 small oil lamps to create a charming ambiance. This festival covers dance, music, poetry, art, fashion, film and much more. This festival celebrates the legacy of Sufi religion with addresses, workshops, shows and much more. Sufi craftsmen from around the world visit India to take part in this festival. This festival is extended to Jodhpur, where the festival is celebrated in Mehrangarh Fort for two days. Some people prefer to stay in tents to enjoy music throughout the night.
Also Read : Nagaur Cattle Fair – Second Largest Cattle Fair of India
10. Shekhawati Heritage Festival
Date : 12th – 15th Feb, 2020
The Shekhawati region of Rajasthan is the land of Rajputs. Rajputs are famous for their colorful celebrations and this heritage festival is a tribute to their culture. This festival is celebrated in many venues in Rajasthan like Nawalgarh, Dikar, Churu and Jhunjhunu. Nawalgarh is the capital of this celebration. You can enjoy many workshops, exhibitions, rural games, fireworks, cattle fair, food courts, stalls, award ceremony and many others.
Suggested Tour : 17 Days – Rajasthan Cultural and Wildlife Tour
11. Elephanta Festival
Date : 13th – 15th Feb, 2020
This is a two-day festival conducted near Gateway of India, Mumbai. This festival is dedicated to Elephanta caves of Mumbai, a heritage site. This festival showcases the culture of the land with music and dance performances. During this festival, rituals are conducted in the Shiva temple of the island. You can find music, drama and dance performances including folk fishermen dance performances. The entire festival used to be conducted on Elephanta Island but, due to the high population of the audience, the festival has been shifted to Gateway of India. It is one of the colorful cultural celebrations to cover in India.
Suggested Tours
12. Pariyanampetta Pooram Kattakulam
Date : 14th – 20th Feb, 2020
This is a seven-day extravaganza celebration in Kattukulam of Palakkad district in Kerala. You can find many dance forms during this celebration. Other common attractions includes procession of elephants, folk dance, arts, rituals and others. This attracts people from various parts of the country. This is an annual celebration of Pariyanampetta Bhagavathy Temple, which will start on Feb on this year.
Also Read : Top Fairs and Festivals in Kerala
Kerala Travel Guide:
- Kerala Fast Facts
- How to Reach Kerala
- Best Time to Visit Kerala
- Top Reasons to Visit Kerala
- Things to Do in Kerala
Popular Kerala Tours
13. India Art Festival
Date : 17th – 20th Jan, 2019
This festival is celebrated in Mumbai, aims to provide modern art fair bring the artists, art galleries, art collectors and connoisseurs at one platform. The artwork includes paintings, sculptures, drawing and installation with video and digital art by over 400 artists. It includes panel discussions and various workshops and the entry is free.
Suggested Tour : 4 Days – Mumbai Sightseeing Tour
Read More : How to Reach Shekhawati
13. Taj Mahotsav
Date : 18th – 27th Feb, 2020
As the name suggests, Taj Mahotsav is a festival that is held near the Eastern gate of Taj Mahal, Agra. The duration of the festival is ten long days where there is a splendid display of Indian culture and traditions. So popular is the festival that people from far off and shores across come to witness this festival. One reason why this time of the year is chosen for Taj Mahotsav is that the season is also ideal for touring the city as the climate is benevolently cool for sightseeing.
Read More : Taj Mahotsav- An Admired Festival of India!
Suggested Tour:
- 5 Days – Exclusive Taj Mahal Tour
- 10 Days – Heritage with Taj Mahal Tour
- 13 Day – Taj Mahal and North India Tour
14. Konark Festival
Date : Feb 19th – 23rd of every year
This is basically a dance festival to give importance to the eroding local dance forms. However, over the passage of time, locals have added more activities and attracts to this five-day festival. Now, the festival focuses on all forms of arts and crafts of the local region. While visiting Odisha for the dance festival, also pay visit to Chandrabhaga Beach to enjoy the International Sand Art Festival.
Location: Natamandir (open-air auditorium), inside Konark Temple of Odisha
Unique Attractions and Activities to enjoy during the festival:
- Dance and music performances
- Temple sculpture exhibition
- Sand art exhibition in the beach
- Crafts fair
Tour Packages by Destinations
15. Natyanjali Dance Festival
Date : 21th – 28th Feb, 2020
This is a weeklong festival celebrated in many Nataraja temples (Lord Shiva in dancing pose) around Tamil Nadu. However, the cream of celebrations take place in Chidambaram, a temple town of Tamil Nadu. This festival takes place on the grounds of the Natarajar Temple. Dancers from around the country take part in this celebration to showcase their traditional dance forms. Since 1981, this festival has been conducted with zeal to provide a stage for the growing dance forms and traditional dances. Apart from Chidambaram, this festival is also celebrated in other regions like Chennai, Kumbakonam, Thiruvanaikoil, Thirunallar, Mayavaram, Thanjavur and Nagapattinam.
16. Maha Shivratri
Date : 21st Feb, 2020
This is a Hindu spiritual celebration dedicated to Lord Shiva. This festival is the Great Night, when many rituals, celebrations, and performances are conducted throughout the night in many Shiva temples. The devotees stay up all night, performing rituals at regular intervals and people enjoy the festival with many performances, games, and others, to keep them awake throughout the night. The temples will be decorated with garlands and small earthen lamps. Although the festival is celebrated throughout the country, unique rituals and celebrations can be enjoyed in Haridwar, Guwahati, Junagadh, Srisailam, Khajuraho, Ujjain, and others. If you visit Varanasi, a cannabis-infused drink is served to the devotees and people dance to music all night long.
17. Goa Carnival
Date : 22nd – 25th Feb, 2020
This is a colour riot to see as Goa celebrates its annual carnival with much pomp and show. There are grand processions, dance and music performances and great food to rev up all your senses. The procession goes through the city of Panjim and other major cities to spread the message of merry making. The Goa carnival culminates with Red and Black Ball dance and crowning of King Momo (Ball takes place at Clube National in Panjim). The end of the festival marks the beginning of Lent when people abstain from consuming rich foods like meat and drinking alcohol.
Read More : Top Festival and Events in Goa
Suggested Tour : 8 Days – Goa Carnival Tour
Popular Goa Packages
18. Losar Festival
Date : 24th – 26th Feb, 2020
Tibetan New Year, as it is called in other words, is one of the greatly celebrated festivals of India as a sizeable amount of Tibetan population resides in various parts of the country. It marks the beginning of the Buddhist New Year. Tibet, Ladakh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh and some parts of Himachal Pradesh (Like Dhasa) are some areas where Losar is celebrated with great zeal and zest due to concentration of Losar celebrating population. One great attraction during the festival is the masked dance which looks awe inspiring and splendid at the same time.
Read More : Losar Festival ! Celebration and Highlights in India
Suggested Tour : Ladakh 7 Days Tour Itinerary
19. Khajuraho Dance Festival
Date : 25th Feb – 3rd March, 2020
Location: Khajuraho
In a small town in Madhya Pradesh, lie one of the most beautiful Indian architectural marvels, The Khajuraho Temples (named after the city only). Here, every February, an outstanding dance festival is hosted where artists from all over the country perform live with the best of their acts on Hindu Mythology, some of the prominent ones being Shiva’s Tandava, Krishna’s Raas Leela etc. Come to witness a grand presentation of Indian performing arts with Khajuraho temples standing as a beautiful backdrop befitting the occasion.
Khajuraho Travel Guide:
- How to Reach Khajuraho
- History of Khajuraho
- Top 10 Temples in Khajuraho
Read More : 6 Tourist Attractions You Will Never Know About Khajuraho
Suggested Tour :
- 3 Days – Khajuraho Private Tour from Delhi
- 7 Days – Taj Mahal Tour with Khajuraho
20. Nagaur Fair
Date : 30th Jan – 2nd Feb, 2020
Location: Nagaur, Rajasthan
It is a mainly a livestock trading fair that takes place in Rajasthan. It is spread over 4 days and is observed annually as a ritual. You will be amazed to know that this is the second largest cattle fair in India, first largest being the Sonepur Mela and once you enter the compound it’s a grandiose scene to witness as you see several people trading their camels, horses and bullocks. But trading activity is not the only thing to look out for, there are entertainment performances by local artists, camel races, very exhilarating tug of war games.
Read More : Top 10 Events in Rajasthan
Suggested Tour : 10 Days – Luxury Rajasthan Tour
21. World Sacred Spirit Festival
Date : 17th – 20th Feb, 2020
This cultural celebration takes place in the Mehrangarh Fort of Jodhpur. This festival celebrates music, spiritual art forms, and others. During this festival, artisans from around the world take part in dance, music, drama, musical instrument and other performances. You can find poetry recital during this festival. Starting from folk art forms of India to traditional Iranian music, you can get a spectrum of music fiesta during this festival. This festival focuses on creating a spiritual form of music, beyond the bounds of religions.
Suggested Tour : Palace on Wheels’ Signature Itinerary
22. Deccan Festival
Date : 25th – 29th Feb, 2020
Location: Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh
The tourism board conducts this festival in Hyderabad to boost tourism in the region. The date for this year’s Deccan Festival is 25th February and the festival aims to showcase the beautiful art, culture and culinary delights of the Deccan as it does every year. Some performances which line up the festival to turn it into a hearty treat are qawwalis, ghazals, poetry etc. But the pleasures won’t stop here as you can also indulge in some shopping as there are handicrafts, jewellery and many things from the Deccan on display.
23. Hampi Festival
Date : 25th – 27th Feb, 2020
Hampi Festival is traditionally called the Vijaya Utsav. It is the cultural festival focusing on the heritage wealth of Vijayanagar (today called Hampi) reign. This festival has been celebrated since the time of autocratic rule in Vijayanagar. This festival is a mix of dance, music, art forms, and spiritual celebrations. This festival is linked with many temple celebrations in Hampi. Tourists visit every temple and take part in the rituals and celebrations before enjoying the cultural fiesta. Apart from these, you can find puppet shows, elephant processions, light and sound show, and other cultural celebrations. Many stalls will be erected around the temples for souvenir hunting.
Also Read : Top 5 Things To Do In Hampi
Suggested Tour : Deccan Odyssey – Jewels of Deccan
24. Brij Festival
Date : 05th – 06th March, 2020
Location: Bharatpur, Rajasthan
Bharatpur becomes more colorful during Brij festival. This festival is associated with color, song and dance. This is the festival of color. Raslila dance is the iconic celebration of this festival. People dress as Lord Krishna and Radha and take part in dance performances. If you visit Banganga River in the morning, you can find many rituals and people taking a holy dip. This festival is also associated with many interesting rituals in temples of Bharatpur.
Read More : How to Reach Bharatpur
Suggested Tour :
- 4 Days – Jaipur Bharatpur Agra Tour
- 8 Days – Golden Triangle with Bharatpur Tours
Find here popular tour packages of India :
- 5 Days India Tour
- 10 Days India Tour
- 15 Days India Tour
- 20 Days India Tour
- Top 10 India Tour Packages
Major Fairs and Festivals in India
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