Elephant are taken out in procession, boat races on the backwaters and culturela events lend color to the festivities.

A harvest festival when flavoured rice is offered t the Sun God as thanksgiving. cattle races enliven the countryside.

Kite flying festival. Kites of all shapes soar into the sky on this day. Internaitonal Kite flying festival is held normally in these days. Special Gujarati cuisine, exhibitions of handicrafts and folk art add to the excitement.

Dedicated to the 'ship of desert', the festival starts off with a procession of camels followed by dance and music competitions.

To commemorate India turning a republic, the country shows off its military strangth in a splendid parade, followed by folk dances and flotillas from the various states.

The festival marks the end of Ramzan - the Muslim month of fasting. Prayers family reunions and feasts are the major highlights.

Lectures and demonstration of various asanas by prominent yoga masters are the major highlights of this week-long event.

Camel rides, turban-tying competition, a Mr. Desert Contest and folk dances are held on the sand dunes.

A busy cattle fair with exciting games and camel races.

Artisans display the rich tradition of India. Cultural programmes and rural cuisine are part of this colourful 15-day fair

On the Elephanta Island, this festival of music and dance is celebrated.

Cultural programmes, a pearls and bangle fair and food fests mark this occasion.

The ceremonial welcome to spring when people dress in sunny shades of yellow and sing songs to herald the new session.

Fasts and prayers mark this day when shiva is said to have danced the Tandav (cosmic dance).

the festival of colours is celebrated by smearing each other with coloured powder. Singing and dancing adds to the gaiety of the occasion.

Christians observe Good Friday wiht special services in churches.

The 1,000-year old temples at Khajuraho come alive during the week-long festival of classical dances performed by most renowned Indian dancers.

Elephant races, elephant polo and a tug of war between elephants and men are all part of this spectucular event.

This Muslim festival is celebrated with prayers in mosques, grand feasts and lots of sweets.

The magnificent rock-cut caves from the perfect backdrop for this festival of dance and music

Festival dedicated to Gauri, a manifestation of goddess Paravati. Young women pray for ideal husbands on this day.

the Hindu new Year is celebrated in Punjab as the day Guru Gobind Singh founded the Khalsa (martial arm of the Sikh community).

Colourfully attired women carry images of goddess Gauri to Lake Pichola. A line of boats goes around the lake.

the Jains observe the birth anniversary of Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, with special prayers.

The Hindus celebrate the birth anniversary of Lord Rama as Ramanavami. The epic Ramayana' is read for 8 days preceding the festival.

A procession of beautifully caparisoned elephants is taken out, ending with dazzling display of fireworks.

Held at the dargah of the Sufi Saint Khwaja Moiuddin Chisti, it commemorates his symbolic union wiht God.

A rare show of exotic flowers, orchids and other plants native to sikkim. River rafting and a yak safari are added attractions.

Thousnads of pilgrims trek to Amarnath cave to worship the self developed sacred ice lingam - the phallic manifestation Shiva.

This spectacular chariot festival is held at the famous Jagannath temple. Images of Jagannath, his sister Subhadra and brother Balbhadra are taken through the streets in three chariots.

This festival marks the birth of Lord Krishna. In Maharashtra, earthen pots of curd and butter are hung high up over the streets and then broken by forming human pyramids.

This swing festival welcomes the advent of the monsoon. Women wearing colourful clothes take turn on the swing and sing songs.

Long elegant snakeboats oared by enthusiastic men vie with each other to win the trophy.

This was the day India attained Independence. The Prime Minister hoists the national flag at the Red Fort in New Delhi.

Brothers and sisters reaffirm their bonds of affection. Sisters tie colourful rakhis (traditionally, a thread) on the brothers' wrists who in turn promise to protect their sisters.

Snakes are worshiped on this day.

Images of the elephant-headed god Ganesha are worshipped for 10 days. On the last day these are taken out in procession to be immersed in flowing water.

A local traditional fair which exhbits traditional costumes and jewellery. Colourful Umbrellas are the speciality of the fair.

Dedicated to Lord Ganesha, folk dances, music and film festival make up this event.

This festival honours the asura king Mahabali, Homes are decorat edwith flowers and boat races held on the back waters.

The country's leaders pay homage at Raj Ghat - the samadhi of Mahathma Gandhi - on his birht anniversary.

the festival brings alive the 'Maand' style of folk music - a classical style that describes the romantic life of Rajasthan's rulers.

Celebrated to mark the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama, dussehra symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. In northern India, statues of Ravana are set alight. In the south, houses are decorated with dolls. Eastern India worships Goddess Durga and the West has non-stop garba and dandiya (traditional dances) for nine nights.

to commemorate the martyrdom of Prophet Mohammed's grandsons Hassan and Hussein, tazias (glittering replicas of the martyr's tombs) are taken through the streets.

Hindu New Year celebrated through out India. The festival of lights celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after a 14-year exile. It is marked by the lighting of lamps, fireworks, prayers to goddess Laxmi and exchange of sweets.

This 10-day long festival is marked by colourful processions, Kathak dances and sitar recitals coupled with ghazals, qawwalis and thrumri.

Asia's biggest cattle fair is held on the banks of river Ganga. Cattle decorated for the occasion throng the venue.

A spectacular fair when devotees take a ritual dip in the lake and worship at the Brahma temple.

The birth anniversary of Guru Nanak - the 1st guru of Sikhs - is marked by recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib in gurudwaras.

Cities get into party mood with the usual caro singing, late nights and exchange of gifts.