The Fabulous Fests of February

After a stony cold winter, February marks the beginning of Spring, as good a time as any to take off and experience some good ol’ culture. We’ve compiled a list of the best fests this February guaranteed to awaken all your senses.

Carnivals Galore

King Momo has declared the games open! It Mardi Gras, get caught up in the rapidly building crescendo of profanity that ends with the beginning of Lent. Carnavale in Rio de Janeiro is the ultimate street parade that makes it to most bucket lists, a celebration of reckless abandon bidding farewell to the pleasures of the flesh. Sweat it out to the samba beats and parade your costume at the Sambodromo. (This year, carnival in Rio is from the 8^th to 11^th of February).

A little too wicked for your liking? There are other toned down options as well; masquerade in picture perfect Venice or head down to our very own Goa Carnival! The Carnevale Venezia brings alive the good life of the aristocratic elite with handsome strangers, tightly corseted dresses and the glorious waltzing. Don’t forget your haughty pout, in the general direction of the sky. From 2^nd to 12^th February, it is dedicated to colour, ‘Vivi i Colori’ - Live in Colour. For more on the celebrations in Goa, check out our page, “In the land of King Momo”.

For the creatively inclined…

From literature and street theatre to visual art and modern cinema, heritage walks and workshops to contemporary art and epicurean ecstasy, you’ll find something or the other to suit your taste. Head to Bombay between the 2^nd and 10^th of February to celebrate art in all its myriad forms. The Kala Ghoda Arts Festival  create and spread multi-cultural awareness especially amongst those who have little opportunity to access or be exposed to culture. Don’t miss out on the uninhibited dance and music performances.

Crafts & Heritage

Experience India’s bountiful cultural heritage and pick up unique hand-made knick knacks by the sackful. The Taj Mahotsav is on from the 18^th to 27^th of February at Shilpgram, near the Eastern gate of ”Taj Mahal”. This year, the Mahotsav embraces the theme of “Our Tradition, Our Heritage”. The Surajkund International Crafts Mela showcases the finest handlooms and handicrafts from across the sub-continent and the SAARC nations. The Mela is set up around the ‘Lake of the Sun’ in the Faridabad district from 1^st to 15^th February.

Both fests also offer authentic local cuisines cooked by the natives themselves. Make sure you shake a leg with the traditional folk artists, maybe even croon a tune or two. Check out our deals for the Surajkund Mela.

Song & Dance

India has one of the most diverse spectrums of classical music and dance in the world, and where better to experience them than against the backdrops of two our most illustrious temples. The Hindu and temples with their fames erotic sculptures provide the perfect setting for the Khajuraho Dance Festival (20^th-26^th February), a weeklong feast for your senses. The sun temple is no less with its 700-year old ‘Natyamandir’ providing an impeccable ambience for the Konark Dance and Music Festival (19^th-23 February).

Both venues reverberate with soulful performances from popular Bharatnatiyam and Kathak to lesser seen Devadasi and Manipuri forms.

Other interesting options in February include wine tasting at the Sulafest in Nashik, biking down to India Bike Week in Goa, renewing your spiritual self at the Maha Kumbh in Allahabad or enjoy Rajasthani culture at the Jaisalmer Desert Festival.