With all the festivities happening, are you worried about the boredom that will hit with the start of 2020? Wondering what's going to be the after-party plan post-New Year's? Here are some carnivals to flank in the coming year to keep the merrymaking going!
1. Goa Carnival
Goa Carnival
A hedonistic traditional feast that commenced in the era of Portuguese settlements in Goa, it paved the way for an elaborate carnival in Goa which is now celebrated with great pomp and show. The festivities do not end with New Year's, but they begin with it for Goa. Parades, dances, bands are an integral part of the celebration along with the customary fearing and drinking. From street to street, Goa lights up like no other city during the carnival days.
Dates: 11th- 14th February 2024 Location: All over the City.
2. Himachal Winter Carnival
Celebrated in the hippie city of Himachal, the Winter Carnival in Manali is a striking reminder of Himachal's cultural heritage with a line-up of folk dances, street plays, adventure sports, food festival and other activities reflecting the diverse traditions of the North Indian state. Skiing competitions, parades with folk get-ups, and the unparalleled music festivals are the highlight of the carnival. The Craft Bazaar holds an impressive collection of exquisitely designed wood and metal crafts, traditional shawls, and hand-woven caps to shop from.
Dates: 2nd-6th January 2024 Location: Manali Live, Hotel Himgiri Model Town, near BSNL Telephone Exchange, Manali, Himachal Pradesh
3. Taj Mahotsav
Taj Mahotsav
Taking place in the city of Taj and love- Agra, the Taj Mahotsav is an annual ten-day event showcasing an outstanding variety of art and craft, dance and cuisines of artisans from different regions of India made available at reasonable prices. The festival is a paradise for food aficionados with a plethora of cuisines and appreciators of folk culture for the diverse display of ethnicities from different parts of the country.
Dates: 18th-27th February, 2024 Location: Shilpgram district, Agra, India
4. Rann Utsav
Rann Utsav
Apart from the natural beauty of Gujarat's Rann of Kutch, the inhabitants, have set-up a Rann Utsav, something that every Indian should experience to identify the true culture and traditions of the West. A renowned landmark of the Rann land, the Utsav has sincerely earned its popularity to exciting activities put up during the festivity ranging from tent accommodations, traditional folk dance and music carnivals, camel safari and hot air balloon rides along with delicious Gujarati food platters.
Dates: 26th October 2023 to the 20th February 2024 Location: White Rann Resort, White Dessert Road, Dhordo, Gujarat 370510
5. Jaisalmer Desert Festival
Jaisalmer Desert Festival
Revel in the unending dunes of the Thar desert and yearly Jaisalmer desert festival. It kicks off with a procession from the Jaisalmer Fort where one can witness the locals dress in traditional and bright costumes. Depicting the triumphs and tragedies of the desert, men and women dance in glory and repent. The Gair and the fire dance top off as the prime marvels of the festival. With groups of local nomads Kalabaz or the Nat’s seen showcasing their gymnastic acts and poignant folk music recitals and ballads being recited in honour of all achievements, the festival marks the true spirit of the desert city.
Dates: 22-24 February 2024 Location: Thar Desert Jaisalmer
6. Ellora Aurangabad Festival
Ellora Ajanta Festival
Staging art forms from different walks of life, the Ellora Aurangabad festival is a mix of classical and folk dances, instrumentals and vocals from the aces of the ethnic industry in India. Visiting the festival means ticking off a UNESCO heritage site off your list. You can tour the Ellora caves as well as attend the mystical performances. You should be pouncing on this opportunity if you're a festive and carnival freak!
Pushkar Fair
The very renowned Pushkar ka Mela is a camel and livestock fair which is over 100 years old now. If you haven't been to the market, you haven't seen anything! Camp stays, hot air balloon rides, camel safaris, traditional competitions like the longest moustache contest or the bridal competition promises unmatched amusement and frolic. Food and beverages unique to Pushkar are, of course offered here. There's some unimaginable fun with a portrayal of the dynamic Rajasthani culture seen at the fete.
Hemis Gompa Fair
Ladakh's most exciting carnival of the year, Hemis Gompa Festival is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Guru Padmasambhava in June or July. Bringing Leh to life, dance performances at the Hemis Monastery draw an array of people during the celebration. The festival also showcases the culture and crafts of the area. The main events are held at the Buddhist monastery of Ladakh and Hemis Monastery.
Dates: June/July 2024 Location: Hemis Gompa Monastery, 40 kilometers from the town of Leh.
So now you know why the party doesn't end in 2023. With these exciting carnivals lined-up in 2024, you can bid boredom a big goodbye by gracing these exciting fetes and festivals! Which ones have you attended previously? Let us know in the comments below!
