Fairs and Festivals in February

Each and every part of India has its own special festival that attracts travelers from all around the world.  Like every month, February has also got a few festivals that are celebrated with lots of rituals, fun, gusto and gaiety and attracts traveler to visit India during this month as well. Be it Losar festival in Ladakh, Dance festival in Khajuraho, Elephanta Festival in Mumbai, relaxing International Yoga week in Rishikesh or cultural Nishagandhi Dance festival in Kerala, February has so much to offer the visitors and provide them with beautiful memories. So, plan your holiday in February and relish the splendid traditions and colors of celebrations. Go through the fairs and festivals mentioned below which are held in the month of February.

The white beauty of Ladakh wears a colorful look during Losar Festival in February. The festival marks the beginning of the New Year in this Himalayan region of India. The celebration is accompanied by mask dance performances, age-old rituals, and folk music unique to the culture of Ladakh. Dramatic depictions of fight between good and evil add to the significance of Losar Festival. Gompas or domestic shrines are colorfully decorated on the eve of the celebration.

Date: February 12, 2021. Venue: Ladakh

This festival is celebrated as the starting of the spring season and when the mustard flowers bloom in India. This festival is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati who is the Goddess of knowledge, music, learning and arts. On this festival the idol of the Goddess Saraswati is worshipped. Wearing of bright yellow color clothes and eating yellow colour food is considered to bring good luck. Goddess Saraswati’s idols are covered in yellow sarees as it is believed that it is one of her favourite colours.

Date: February 16, 2021. Venue: North India and West Bengal

A thrilling four day festival, Goa Carnival is the much awaited festival of Goa drawing people from all over the globe. It portrays the tradition and culture of Goa in a superb way. The festival includes street performances, musical performances, decorated floats and local Goan cuisine. Many tourists take part in street parade wearing colorful attire and funky masks. You all are welcome to experience a unique amalgamation of fun, entertainment, fashion shows, food and live performances.

Dates: February 13-16, 2021. Venue: Goa

Desert Festival is a three day celebration of color, entertainment and music held in the lovely city of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. The locals dressed in beautiful attire show the colorful culture of royal Rajasthan. Puppeteers, folk performers, fire dancers, acrobats are the main highlights of Desert Festival. Apart from this, turban tying competition is very famous among Indian and international tourists. The Desert Festival of Jaisalmer is a call to visit the golden sands of Rajasthan in February. This unusual festival is agog with amazing activities such as camel polo, long moustache display and turban-tying competition. The desert breeze blowing over sand dunes adds rhyme to musical entertainment under the moonlit sky. The symphony of traditional music not only stirs the soul but also shakes the being of the desert. Puppetry and folk dance are other attractions of the Desert Festival of Jaisalmer.

Dates: February 7-9, 2021. Venue: Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Famed for its beautiful shrines, Khajuraho is the venue for the Khajuraho Dance festival which is held every year in February/March month. During the festival, one can relish a number of live classical dance performances like Bharatnatyam, Mohniattam, Kathak, Odissi and Manipuri. Participating in this splendid festival would be a truly exciting experience that one will remember for many, many years. Khajuraho Dance Festival is held to celebrate the culture and heritage of Madhya Pradesh in India. Classical dance performances are staged in the Khajuraho Temple complex, a most popular tourist destination in Central India. The Chitragupta and Vishwanatha Temples, brightly lit to beat enveloping darkness of the evening sky, serve as venue of this week-long cultural festival. The dance festival in the backdrop of the legendary Khajuraho is a feast for the mind.

Dates: February 20-26, 2021. Venue: Khajuraho, Madhya Pradesh

The art and culture of the beautiful city Hyderabad is reflected in the Deccan Festival which takes place from 25th February and lasts for 5 days. Paying a visit to this fair not only helps you to relish the dance performances but makes you familiar with the ancient history of Andhra Pradesh. Besides this, traditional art and craft is another main attraction of this festival.

Dates: February 25 – March 01, 2021. Venue: Qutub Shahi Tombs, Hyderabad

With mouthwatering Indian cuisines, traditional handicrafts, enthralling folk dancers and handloom products, Surajkund Crafts Mela captures the heats of thousands of travelers from all across the world. It starts from 1st February and goes on until 15th February in the rural setting of Faridabad district, Harayana.

Dates: February 01-16, 2021. Venue: Faridabad, Haryana.

A 10 day long festival celebrated at Shilpgram close to the Eastern Gate of the Taj Mahal, TajMahotsav shows India’s rich culture, dance, food and music in a unique way. It is organized by Uttar Pradesh Tourism to promote tourism in India. Many famous musicians, chefs, dancers, and artists take part in this festival to tender visitors a wonderful experience.

Dates: February 18-27, 2021. Venue: Agra, Uttar Pradesh