Cultural Festivals in Asia

 BHUTAN

Paro Festival – The Tshechu is a religious event celebrated during of the lunar calendar corresponding to the birthday of Guru Rimpoche (Guru Padmasambhava).

Tshechus are grand events where entire communities come together to witness religious mask dances, receive blessings and socialize.  In addition to the mask dances tshechus also include  colorful Bhutanese dances and other forms of entertainment.

Thimphu Festival – It is believed that everyone must attend a Tshechu and witness the mask dances at least once to in order to receive blessings and wash away their sins. Every mask dance performed during a Tshechu has a special meaning or a story behind it and many are based on stories and incidents from as long ago as the 8th century, during the life of Guru Padmasambhava. In monasteries the mask dances are performed by monks and in remote villages they are performed jointly by monks and village men.

 INDIA

Kumbh Mela, believed to be the largest religious gathering on earth is held every 12 years on the banks of the ‘Sangam’- the confluence of the holy rivers Ganga, Yamuna and the mythical Saraswati. The Mela alternates between Nasik, Allahabad, Ujjain and Haridwar every three years. The one celebrated at the Holy Sangam in Allahabad is the largest and holiest of them.

Taj Mahotsav is a grand 10 day long fiesta which enthralls the one who witnesses. The festival is held each year in Feb/March at Shilpgram, near the Taj Mahal. Many of the famed Indian artists perform at this prestigious event. The Taj Food Festival is another attraction of this event.

Ram Barat is another gala event which is celebrated by organizing the marriage procession of Sri Rama each year before Dussehra. The procession passes through different parts of the town. Bateshwar Fair is organized in Bateshwar which is 70 km from Agra. It is celebrated in the name of the presiding deity of the region, Bateshwar Mahadeo. The fair is organized every year during the months of October or November honoring Lord Shiva.

Kailash Fair is another event to look out for if one is visiting Agra. It is organized in the Kailash temple, which is situated just 12 km away. An attractive fair is organized each year in the honour of Lord Shiva. The fiesta occurs in the month of August/ September every year.

The Sharadotsav held in October, is a cultural show with the country’s leading dancers and musicians performing at historical locations in the Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri.