We’ve narrowed down a list of festivals that you can experience this season. Each of these brings its own unique variety of elements to the table; plan ahead, your winter is going to be full of life.
Five Festivals To Head To This Winter
The information in this post might be outdated
Magnetic Fields Festival
Set against the magnificent Alsisar Palace in Rajasthan, Magnetic Fields is India’s most inclusive and culturally immersive festival- seamlessly blending music, art and culture. With musicians coming in from all over India and the world, expect a plethora of electronic tunes, supplemented by installations of art, secret parties {hosted in their 17th century dungeons this year}, yoga sessions and merchandise- local or otherwise.
When: 18th Dec-20th Dec 2015
Where: Alsisar Mahal, Rajasthan
Festival highlights: International artists, the secret parties and the royal setting
Find out more here.
Hornbill Festival
Named after the bird, this festival, apart from being the biggest crowd puller, pays homage to the 16 tribes of Nagaland. A confluence of music, food {oh, the food} and dance, it takes place at the Kisama Heritage Village {near Kohima, the capital} surrounded by rich green hills. Day time sees ancient rituals, chilli eating contests, and car and bike rallies. The setting of the sun shifts the attention to the regional food, rock and metal acts- some of the region’s best.
When: 1st Dec- 10th Dec, 2015
Where: Naga Heritage Village, Kisama {12 km from Kohima}
Festival highlights: The food, the traditional practices of the tribes, the regional bands
Find out how to get there, here
Find out more here
Rann Utsav
The endless white sand of the Rann comes to life every winter with the Rann Utsav, a festival that celebrates the food, handicrafts, dance and music of the region. There are camel rides, hot-air balloon rides, and dune biking for when you’re looking for action, an artisans bazaar with traditional Kutchi embroidery items, jewellery and hand-block printing. All of this set to the tunes of folk music and dance.
When: 1st Dec 2015- 23rd Feb 2016
Where: Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
Festival highlights: The traditional handicrafts and the folk dances
Find out more here
Pushkar Camel Fair
Essentially a camel and livestock fair, the Pushkar fair brings a host of other elements to the table, making it one of those festivals that must go on your bucket lists. Apart from the fact that it brings life to the desert through colour, food and nature, there are glorious visual feasts, whether it’s the range of animals and their owners or the multiple handicraft corners. Contests like the ‘Longest Moustache’ and ‘Camel Beauty’ only add to its charm.
When: 14th Nov- 23rd Nov, 2015
Where: Pushkar, Rajasthan
Festival highlights: Camel beauty contest and the environment {great for photography}
Find out more here
Jodhpur Riff
A partnership project of Mehrangarh Museum Trust and Jaipur Virasat Foundation {but not for profit}, Jodhpur Riff is one of the country’s biggest international music festivals. Set in Rajasthan, it sees Indian, British, Australian and West Asian {to name a few} musicians, and perfectly marries culture and art. There are also documentaries that run through the day.
When: 23rd Oct- 27th Oct, 2015
Where: Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur
Festival highlights: Desert Lounge and Riff Dawns {find more here}
Find out more here