If you have been looking for winter holiday ideas (or something for the year-end), you could perhaps consider Rajasthan. The state tourism department has lined up festivals through the winter, so get ready for a smorgasbord of culture, food, art and literature to end 2021 with.
The series of events kicks off today with the Kumbhalgarh Festival. The three-day annual festival is being organised by the state tourism department "in remembrance of the passion of Maharana Kumbha towards art and culture of the state".
The Kumbhalgarh fort, located in the Aravali range, will be the backdrop of the colourful festival. In the daytime, you can enjoy folk performances by traditional artists and take part in various competitions (think turban tying and henna). Nights will be filled with cultural performances.
If you want to do something closer to Christmas holidays, head out for the Ranakpur Festival. Being held in Ranakpur in Pali district, this festival has scheduled several activities like yoga, nature walks through the foothills of the Aravallis, visits to the Ranakpur Jain temple, and hot air ballooning. And the open-air theatre at the Sun Temple will host cultural programmes through the day.
Thinking of ending the year a tad differently this time Consider going for the two-day Winter Festival held at Mount Abu which pays homage to the rich culture and tradition of Rajasthan. You get to see the best of the famed Rajasthan handicrafts as craftspersons demonstrate their skills and sell their products. You can also try your hand at winning the kite flying or rowing competitions, and take part in poetry reading sessions. Did you know that it is the only festival in Rajasthan where cricket has been introduced as a part of the celebrationsThe festival will begin with a grand procession and end at the Nakki Lake with a ceremony in the evening where hundreds of diyas will be set afloat.
Here's the complete line-up