If you have been planning a vacation for a while but are thinking about where to go and when to go, do not worry. The month of September brings along with it various festive celebrations that can add color, vitality and energy to your life. A family trip to the beautiful land of India can leave the visitors mesmerized and the festive celebrations can create some everlasting memories that can be cherished for a lifetime. So pack your bags and your camera and get ready to shoot some of the most amazing pictures in India. Here is a list of some of the most famous celebrations of the country held in the month of September.
Ganesh Chaturthi
This spectacular festive celebration takes place for 11 days during which the elephant headed Hindu God; Lord Ganesha is worshiped by the people. It is believed by the devotees that by praying to Lord Ganesha all the obstacles in their life are removed and he also helps in bringing good fortune in their life. Depending upon the moon cycle, Ganesh Chaturthi is generally celebrated in the month of September.
During the festive celebrations, people come out on streets in large numbers with the best and the biggest statue of the lord. Tourists travelling in this month can expect crowded streets and loud music in the praise of lord. Hindu gods are prayed to in the form of statues or idols as it helps the devotees to pray to the Lord in a visible form. On the last day of the celebration, the idol of lord Ganesha is immersed in the water, which serves as the remainder of the belief that the energy of the universe changes constantly.
Onam
A traditional festival, Onam is celebrated with huge pomp and show. Tourists who wish to see the rich culture and heritage of the country must become a part of this celebration. According to mythology, Onam marks the homecoming of Mahabali, the mythical king. According to the Malayalam calendar, this majestic festival is celebrated in the beginning of Chingam month. The rituals of this festival take place over a time period of approximately 10 days.
The Indian state of Kerala is famous for the celebrations of this festival. Onam is one of the biggest and the most awaited celebrations of the year in the region. During the festivity, Kerala culture is showcased in detail to the tourists visiting the region at that time. During the celebrations, people decorate the floors of their houses with beautiful flower arrangements to welcome the king. Children wear new clothes, dance, and feast on delicious meals and make merry.
Aranmula Snake Boat Race
Along the river Pampa at Aranmula, local residents take part in the famous Aranmula snake boat race. It is predominantly a religious occasion which forms a part of the fascinating Onam celebrations. The occasions marks the celebration of the day on which Lord Krishna crossed the river. This celebration is held every year during the monsoons, when Kerala comes alive and colorful snake boats can be seen all around. These snake boats are named after their shape and they have nothing to do with live snakes.
This boat race is a two day affair and rather than being a contest, these celebrations retrace the time during which the snake boats were carried to the Aranmula Parthasarathy temple. Tourists can position themselves on the River Pampa banks to witness this fascinating and marvelous event. Rowers dressed in traditional attires are cheered by the crowd.
Onam Pulikali Tiger Play
Annually, during the famous Onam festival, a curious activity catches the interest of local residents and tourists alike. Tigers come to the town of Thrissur. A traditional Kerala art, Pulikkali was originated during late 18th century and according to this art, people dress up as tigers. Literally, Pulikkali means tiger dance or tiger play and this is what exactly the men dressed as tigers do. Out of a large number of participants and performers, the best is chosen and given appropriate prize.
The dressing process is elaborate and requires the performers to have great deal of patience. Bodies are shaved before the paint is applied to them. It is then left untouched to dry for couple of hours and then the second coat is applied. It is difficult for the participants to dance like a tiger and it requires hard training. Tourists visiting India should plan their trip accordingly so that they can enjoy this annual man tiger dance.
Ladakh Festival
People residing in Ladakh find different ways to celebrate their lives. They come together on different occasions for merry making and the festive celebrations give a chance to the local residents and tourists to come together and enjoy themselves. The Ladakh Festival is held in the first week of September and can be described as a cultural extravaganza. This festival has a lot to offer to the tourists as they can become a part of the polo match, mask dance, music concert. Travelers can also visit the Thangka painting exhibition which exhibits the work of budding artists.
The performers performing on this occasion are all decked up with beautiful gold and silver ornaments along with turquoise-colored headgears. Monks also dress up in marvelous clothes and colorful masks and present an exquisite show dancing to the tunes of flutes, trumpets and cymbals. Different dance types depict the stories and legends attached to Ladakh.
Navaratri
A nine day festival, Navaratri is usually celebrated in the last week of September. This festival is celebrated to honor different Goddesses which include Goddess Lakshmi, Saraswati and Durga. It is a festival which is full of dance and worship. The end of the celebrations is marked on the day of Dussehra. Navaratri is celebrated all over the country, while the way of celebration differs with every state. However the most renowned and flamboyant celebrations can be seen in Gujarat and Mumbai.
During this festival, performers dress up in colorful attires and perform traditional dances in small circles. Each goddess is worshiped in turn for three days and the worshiping is accompanied by fasting. According to the legends, it is believed that lord Rama prayed to goddess Durga so that he is bestowed with divine powers to kill Ravan. He received the powers on eighth day and was thus able to attain victory over the King Ravan. Thus the goddesses are worshiped during these nine days.
Mysore Dussehra
Mysore Dussehra is celebrated in a different way from the rest of the country. The royal heritage of the city ensures that the celebrations are elaborated and the festival is celebrated on grand scale. While the rest of the country celebrates the victory of lord Rama over Ravan, Mysore Dussehra is celebrated to honor goddess Chamundeswari. The celebrations take place for over 10 days and the dazzling Mysore palace is beautifully illuminated. A large number of events take place in these 10 days which allure the tourists toward this exquisite city.
Travelers can buy different types of handicrafts, ornaments and clothing. On the last day of the celebration, a procession is passed through the Mysore streets which begins from Mysore Palace and ends at Bannimantap. A statue of goddess Chamundeshwari is carried on the back of a magnificently decorated elephant. In the evening tourists can enjoy torch light parade along with daredevil stunts and a laser show.
Jaipur Shopping Festival
India is a country which offers a lot of attractions and Jaipur Shopping Festival is one of the major attractions that attract people from all around the world in the month of September. People are attracted to this huge event which is set up at different locations in Jaipur, Rajasthan. This shopping festival conclude on the day of Diwali and features a large number of retailers from renowned cities. This is an amazing opportunity for shopaholics to do some shopping while on a holiday.
Jaipur Shopping Festival gives a platform to different retailers to showcase their collections collectively. The celebrations also include other events such as dance performances, music show and various cultural shows are also planned to capture the attention of tourists and shoppers alike. In addition, people can also take part in different competitions and showcase their skills. So if you are planning to visit Jaipur during your holidays, do not miss to include this festival in your itinerary.
With a large number of festive celebrations dominating the month of September, it would be a wise decision to plan your holiday trip around this time. Being post monsoon month, the climatic conditions of the country remain well within the comfortable ranges and hence vacationers can enjoy themselves to the maximum. The colorful spectacle which is presented by different festivals is captivating. So do not miss upon the opportunity to enjoy these celebrations. Budget travelers can also plan their trip in this month as it is a post monsoon month and various travel agents offer great discounts on travel packages. So pack your bags and head towards your favorite destination to become a part of the extravagant and grand celebrations.
