For all travel freaks, here’s a great opportunity to trek across the globe and witness the ten most famous festivals of winter in the month of December.
1) Starting with Guru Nanak Jayanti on November28, the birth anniversary of the first guru of the Sikhs, celebrated all over India, but with much pomp and show in Punjab. We advise to visit the magical Golden Temple of Amritsar.
2) Konark Dance Festival: Konark, a world heritage site, known for its majestic sun temple will hold a dance festival, featuring different traditional dance forms of India. The festivals will start from Dec 1st and last till the 5th.
3) Burning of the Devil, Quema del Diablo (Dec7): Just before Christmas, Guatemalan’s perform a ritual of cleansing the household of the devil that lurks. Effigies of the devil and redundant objects are burnt in the form of a huge bonfire on the streets. This interesting ritual is quite a sight.
4) Tansen Festival: Music lovers should head to Gwalior for the oldest music festival in the country. Festival dates are Dec14-17th
5) Hanukah: The Israeli festival of lights is festival of faith celebrated from the Dec 8th-16th. Candles are representing each of the eight days.
6) Rann Utsav Kutch: A cultural extravaganza organized by Gujrat Tourism Department, held in various locations of Kutch starts from Dec 15th and goes on till the 31st of January 2013. The USP of this festival is dance and music performances on full moon nights.
7) Mevlana Festival, Turkey: The Whirling Dervishes festival celebrated in Konya, Turkey, commemorates the 13th death anniversary of the Sufi saint Mevlana or Rumi as he was known. It is a week-long festival that starts on Dec 10th.
8 ) ‘Winterfest’ Boat Festival(Dec15th): Thousands flock to the banks of the New River to witness the brightly lit vessels that parade in the water symbolizing the exuberance of 20 zealous men who sailed on the same path in 1971. It is a unique aquatic extravaganza of its kind that most look forward to.
9) Christmas: “A season of good cheer and joy all around”, the most awaited festival of Christmas is celebrated across the entire globe. We suggest not one destination for this since this is the time to see different celebrations worldwide.
10) Sunburn Festival, Goa: Are you ready to get sunburnt! Visit Goa for the mystic beaches but for the biggest electronic music festival in India. This is a non-stop three-day music festival that takes place at Condolim beach every year on the 27th of December.
Have fun!