May 2016 – Festivals in India!

Where the temperatures keep a lot of festivities off the calendar this month, there are sure a good few, to keep you busy. The most excellent of dance, music and culture will be on list of bringing out the glimpses of this country's popular multiplicity. That's how this May will be for you. Unlike the usual boring person that you get, escaping from the heat while sitting at home, why not to go on exploring some of the major festivals and fairs during the month of May.

International Flower Festival

When: 1st to 31st May, 2016
Where: Governor's residence, Gangtok
The festival of flower brings many different activities of fun filled flowers along with some decent knowledge sharing about plantations. During the celebration, flower species like gladioli, roses, tress, alpine plants, climbers, creepers and cacti are displayed to the public. For all the adventure, there is river rafting activity that is also can be experienced near the event. One other significant feature of the festival is the Yak Safari which can be explored during this flower festival.

Summer Festival

When: 20th to 21st May, 2016
Where: Mount Abu
The festival is organized to celebrate the cheerfulness of the people of hill station during the month of May on Budhha Purnima. The celebration is organized with the joined efforts of Municipal Board of Mt. Abu,District Administration and Rajasthan Tourism. Festival starts with ceremonial procession from RTDC Hotel Shikhar, and is followed by some traditional folk performances of Gujarat and Rajasthan. With second and third day, it gives you the opportunity of experiencing different adventure activities like- boat race, horse race, tug of war, matka race along with skater's event and CRPF band show is what makes the event more prosperous.

Buddha Poornima

When: 21st to 22nd May
Where: Sarnath
The famous landmark of Sarnath hosts an extravagant fair where huge numbers of Buddhist come and take part in the event. Apart from Sarnath, almost every other cities of Buddhist celebrates Buddh Poornima with much zeal and enthusiasm. The event stands of great importance during the month of May.

Ooty Summer Festival

When: 2nd to 3rd week of May, 2016
Where: Ooty, Tamil Nadu
Held in the stunning Nilgiri Hils , the festival is a bit unique in its style as no other celebrations brings so picturesque beauty and peace as this does. The festival organizes flower show, displaying the various varieties of flower arrangements, flower rangoli and vegetable carvings. The event also has fruit show, rose show, dog show, boat race, boat pageantry. Do not forget to keep the track of the dates, as the festivity keeps on changing.

Moatsu Festival

When: 1st to 3rd May 2016
Where: Mokokchung district villages (Chuchuyimlang village), Nagaland
Making the entire state lively, Moatsu is one of the most awaiting festivals in the stunning valley of Nagaland. Organized by Ao tribe of the state, the festival is celebrated to seek the blessings of the God. During the festivity, rice beer is brewed in big quantities, cows and pigs are fed more to make them which will be used as a celebration feasting, eulogies are sung to remember the old heroes and in the end ,one old learned people predicts about the good and bad days of the village to come. People from all over the world come to enjoy the highest cultural form of Nagaland

Chithirai Festival

When: 21st April to 11th May
Where: Madurai
Located around 500 kms from Chennai, the festival is organized in the famous temple of Madurai. With a belief that Lord Vishnu traversed on a golden horse to Madurai for the wedding of Goddess Meenakshi with Lord Sundareshwar, the festival is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Chariots all decorated carry the idols of the couple which are walked and taken around the city. Spiritual ambience, the rhythmic beat of the drum, people offering flowers, coconuts and camphors, make it an unforgettable event to be experience during the month of May.

Igitun Chalne

When: Specific dates are very difficult to decide without speaking to a local. We suggest get in touch with the Goa Tourism Development Corporation before preparing to attend this event.
Where: Sirigao
Igitun Chalne, when translated -means walking through fire. The festival is organized in the temple of Sirigao, located around 30 kms from Panjim. The festival observes the ritual where brave people choose to walk over the fire and other people watching encourages them. These are followers of goddess Lairaya, who consider in going through the test by fire and submitting their feet and faith over fire. One must- visit festival to be explored in May.