Events and Festivals in November 2017 Worth Travelling For

Feeling blue after the festival season? In a country as vibrant as India, one never runs out of avenues to soak in the spirit of revelry. There are fairs, festivals and cultural events happening across the country during this time, and you just need to look in the right places for some travel inspiration. Here are some of the most exciting events and festivals taking place in November that call for a mini vacation:

Pushkar Camel Fair, Rajasthan

The desert town of Pushkar turns into a hotbed for camel trading this time of the year. As part of this annual tradition, a whopping 30,000 camels descend on this otherwise sleepy town to participate in a one-of-its kind gala. The animals are shaved, groomed and dressed before being made to participate in parades, beauty contests, races and trading deals. You have to be here to believe the scale of action and entertainment that can be centred on camels! This year, the widely popular Camel Fair will also witness a three-day International Hot Air Ballooning Festival, which will only take its charm several notches higher. 

Where: Pushkar, Rajasthan
When: November 15-23, 2018

Book Your Flight to Jaipur (nearest airport)

Wangala Festival

Also known as the Festival of 100 Drums, Wangala is a harvest festival of the Garo tribe in Meghalaya, observed to mark the onset of winter. The tribals dress up in traditional vibrant outfits to pay obeisance to the Sun God—considered the god of fertility—and give their thanks at the end of the sowing season. The festivities are marked by blowing horns, traditional dance performances and beating of drums. The festival also witnesses slow-cooking competitions, handicrafts and handloom exhibitions, as well as dance competitions between troupes specializing in traditional dance forms of the Garo Hills.

Where: Garo Hills, Meghalaya
When: Second week of November

Book Your Flight to Shillong

Gurupurab Festivities at Golden Temple

Gurupurab is observed to commemorate the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. While the entire state of Punjab erupts in festivities on this day, the occasion is celebrated in its full splendour at Harmandir Sahib, popularly known as the Golden Temple. The real highlight is the massive street procession or Nagar Kirtan in which the holy book—Sri Guru Granth Sahib—is carried out of the temple premises with much fanfare. The procession is a cultural extravaganza with drummers, musicians, martial art performances, and Nihangs clad in traditional attires. The Golden Temple beautifully illuminated with lights and lamps is a sight to behold in itself. 

When: November 23, 2018
Where: Amritsar, Punjab 

Book Your Flight to Amritsar

International Yoga and Music Festival

This one is a dream getaway for yoga enthusiasts, seasoned practitioners as well as beginners. The International Yoga and Music Festival was first organized by the Nada Yoga School in the year 2008 and has since become an annual feature. Some of the best professional yoga instructors, yoga lecturers, philosophers, yogis, Ayurvedic doctors and musicians from India and abroad descend upon Rishikesh for this week-long spiritual extravaganza. There are free lectures and classes on yoga asanas, Ayurveda, shatkarma, philosophy and Indian classical music, and an Indian classical music concert to look forward to at the end of each day.

When: January 21-26, 2019
Where: Rishikesh, Uttarakhand

Book Your Flight to Dehradun (nearest airport)

India Art Festival

The India Art Festival is a contemporary art fair conceptualized with an aim to provide a platform for Indian artists, art collectors, connoisseurs and art galleries to connect with each other. The four-day festival will include exhibitions where a wide spectrum of paintings, photographs, drawings, sculptures, installations, and digital and video art piece contributed by over 400 artists will be put up on display. Various panel discussions and workshops focusing on understanding the finer nuances of different art forms will also be organized. The festival is free for all.

When: January 17, 2019
Where: Nehru Centre in Worli, Mumbai

Book Your Flight to Mumbai

Rann Utsav

The desert festival spanning over three months is a celebration of the rich cultural and heritage of the Kutch region of Gujarat. The Rann Utsav is all about painting the desert red with folk extravaganza, traditional dance and music performances, adventure sports, food stalls, handicraft exhibitions, and excursions through the Rann of Kutch. For the best experience, plan your visit around a full moon night—falling on November 3, December 3, January 1, and January 31 during the course of this edition of the Rann Utsav—to appreciate the glorious phenomenon of the white salt desert glowing silver under the moonlight.

When: November 1, 2018-February 20, 2019
Where: Great Rann of Kutch salt desert, Gujarat

Book Your Flight to Bhuj (nearest airport)

This eclectic mix of cultural fiestas offers something for everyone. Which one are you attending?