Cultural festivals and cities

Cultural Festivals & Cities

Kumbh Mela Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh

Held during Jan-Feb It is the largest religious congregation in the country, which is the site of confluence of three rivers - Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. It happens after every 12 years.

Ajmer Urs Ajmer Rajasthan

Held in February Most famous urs festival in the country, celebrated on the 6th of Rajab (Islamic calender), death anniversary of saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinud-Din Chishti Ajmeri.

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Bharat Rang Mahotsav Delhi

Held during Jan-Feb Mandi House area becomes a bustling hub of theatre lovers, when the National School of Drama organizes Bharat Rang Mahotsav (National Theatre festival).

Konark Dance Festival Odisha

Held in December Celebrated at Konark Natya Mandir, the festival showcases dance forms like Odissi, Chau, etc. Classical dancers from across India collect to pay tribute to Sun Temple.

Pune Cultural Fest Maharashtra

Held during August-September The festival begins on Bhadrapad (Indian calender), and includes classical dance, musicals, recitals, etc. It begins with installation of Lord Ganesh idol and ends with ceremonial immersion of the idol.

Cities are fragmented spaces- multicultural, multilingual, pluralistic by nature, but people have a way of bridging gaps and creating spaces of mingling. Cultural festivals are important aspects of city life for this reason. By bringing together people from diverse social groups, festivals engender harmony and impart a sense of belonging among urban community. With globalisation shrinking the world, cultural festivals woo people from across the state, country and even internationally. Here are a few famous cultural festivals in India which have become embedded in the identities of cities they’re held in

Compiled by Ayesha Saeed | Reporter

Jaipur Literature Fest Jaipur, Rajasthan

Held in January Inviting audiences from across the country with its line-up of celebrated authors, it has become a success amongst readers and non-readers alike.

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Kala Ghoda Arts Fest Mumbai, Maharashtra

Held during Jan-Feb A much awaited event for art lovers in the country, known as the largest street art festival in India and showcaeses visual arts, cinema, literature and music.

Kochi-Muziris Biennale in Kochi, Kerala

Held during Dec-March An international exhibition of contemporary art, it seeks to invoke the cosmopolitanism of the pre-colonial city of Kochi (Kochi’s predecessor Muziris was an ancient port city)

Mumbai Film Fest Mumbai, Maharashtra

Held in October An international film festival hosted by MAMI (Mumbai Academy of Moving Image), which provides a platform for diverse films, and offers a curated experience of world cinema to Indian viewers.

Surajkund Mela in Faridabad, Haryana

Held in February International arts and crafts fair hosted by Haryana Tourism Department. It provides a platform to artisans from all over India and attracts visitors in large numbers every year.