Festivals are a way to celebrate the unique cultural aspects
of any place. They tell us about the way of living of the people belonging to a
particular country and also bring us closer to the vivaciousness of the age old
rituals practiced in that place. If you wish to get an insight into the amazing
cultural diversity stored the Himalayan regions, a tour to India, Nepal and
Bhutan often proves to be a profound one as one gets to witness the
unadulterated beauty of these places in its brightest form in the local
festivals. These three countries pack in a wealth of traditions curate over
thousands of years which are beautifully portrayed in their famous festival tours. Let us take a look at some popular festivals in India, Nepal and
Bhutan you must not miss if you plan to travel to these regions in the
month of March.
Braj Holi Festival
Festival Date:
20th March - 21st March, 2019
The world famous
festival of colors, Holi is celebrated with great enthusiasm all over
India. Holi festival in Braj in
Bharatpur district in Rajasthan is known for its grand celebrations which start
a couple of days before the actual day. The venue of this festival is Deeg
Palace which comes alive with colors a few days preceding the festival. The
most striking part of the festival is the colorful fountains inside the palace
which add a touch of exclusivity to the elaborate celebrations.
International Yoga Festival
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| Image @ parmarth.org |
The International Yoga festival in the holy city of Rishikesh is the perfect opportunity to
learn more about this ancient healing technique. The festival is organized at Parmarth Niketan Ashram where noted
yoga scholars and masters from India and abroad come together to build
awareness about Yoga among the commoners. The festival throws light on the
different yoga postures ranging from Kundalini Yoga, Vindasana Yoga, Ashtanga
Yoga, Iyengar Yoga and Bhakti Yoga through a course of lectures and yoga
sessions running upto 70 hours. The event also highlights the role of sattvic
food, mantras and devotional music in achieving complete physical and mental
well being.
Also Read: Join International Yoga Festival 2019 Rishikesh Start From 1st March
Also Read: Join International Yoga Festival 2019 Rishikesh Start From 1st March
Hola Mohalla Festival
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| Image @ flickr/trighatia |
This exuberant festival belonging to the state of Punjab is
a joyous celebration of colors, music, culture, food and crafts that portray a
rare cheerfulness, the very characteristic of the people of Punjab. Hola Mohalla is a three day festival
celebrated in Anandpur Sahib to fine tune the armory skills of Sikh men through
a display of mock battles. The Hola Mohalla festival also features sprinkling of colors which turns the
location into a vibrant landscape. The nihangs dressed in their colorful robes
take away most of the attention during the fair. The matchless service of local
Sikhs who willingly participate in preparing langars at the camps reveals the
culture of generosity which is a core element of Sikh religion.
Shigmo Festival
Festival Date:
21st March, 2019
If you're planning a trip
to Goa in the month of March, be prepared to witness the Shigmo festival celebrated by the
Konkans. The festival closely resembles the holi festival celebrated all over India as it marks the arrival of
spring season. Shigmo festival gives a glimpse of the Konkan music and dance
displayed in the parades on the streets
of Goa in the evening. People dressed in colorful costumes holding flags
participate in the parade with the beating of drums and other folk musical
instruments. The festival kicks off several days before the Holi festival and
lends a cheerful vibe to the streets of Goa at the beginning of spring season.
Also Read: Holi – The most Colorful Festival of the World
Also Read: Holi – The most Colorful Festival of the World
Gyalpo Losar
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| Image @ sherpaadventuregear.com |
Gyalpo Losar is a
highly revered festival of Nepal
that marks the Tibetan New Year. The
festival starts in the first week of March and the festivities continue till
about two weeks. The first three days, however, are considered the most
important. Gyalpo losar is
celebrated with great vigour specifically by the sherpas, Tamang and bhutia
Tibetans. Each of these communities have developed a unique way of celebrating
the festival. Houses are cleaned and decorated and special dishes are made.
Many rituals are performed in the monasteries in Nepal including a special
enactment of fight between the king and the deer.
Pokhara Holi Festival
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| Image @ your-photography.com |
Holi festival is also celebrated by the Hindu community in
Nepal. If you want to experience the festival in all its glory in Nepal, head
straight to Pokhara. The city wears a garb of fun and excitement with people
dancing and playing crazily with colors. In the week long festivities, the
first day of the festival is observed by burning a tall wooden pole around
which Nepali women dressed in saris gather together and pray. On the second day
a bonfire is lit which denotes the burning of Holika. The remaining days spent
frolicking on the streets playing with colors.
Paro Tshechu Festival
Festival Date:
17th March - 21st March, 2019
Renowned as one of the most elaborate festivals of Bhutan, Paro Tshechu is a weeklong event that kicks
off with a couple of masked dance performances which bring out the rich
cultural tapestry of Bhutan. The festival is celebrated to honour Guru
Rimpoche, who introduced Buddhist
religion in Bhutan. The monks and other people carry out special ceremonies
to mark the occasion. On the final day of the Paro Tshechu festival, a huge thangka is put on display to let the
people receive the blessings.
Gomphu Festival
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| Image @ wildearthexpeditions.com |
An illustrious festival observed in Gomphu Kora region in Bhutan, Gomphu
festival celebrates the victory of good over evil. People dressed in
traditional attires actively participate in the festivities that run upto three
days. The festival depicts the rich culture of Bhutanese in the various rituals
and ceremonies that take place during these three days. People belong to drakpa
tribe in Arunachal Pradesh travel for days on foot under extreme conditions to
attend the festival. Plan with best travel company to enjoy the Gomphu Kora
festival that is considered an excellent opportunity for the locals to reconnect
with their past.
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