However, as well as being festival of lights, Diwali is also festival of noise. Many people love to burst crackers, the louder the better. They burst them all over the roads, in markets, and near homes. After one went off near my ear last year, leaving me half deaf for a day, I refused to go outside yesterday. Every Diwali, there are tragedies, with people getting burned and killed from crackers. Fortunately, the bursting of loud crackers has been actively discouraged by the government, to reduce pollution and make it easier on the ears. Of course, the challenge is in implementing the rules.

What do you think? What’s been your experience with crackers?

In a move from the traditional to the modern, an international hot air ballooning event is being planned for four days during the festival.

It’s envisaged that up to 15 ballooning teams, including eight from abroad, will participate. Visitors can also go on their own balloon flight over the fair. Sky Waltz offers hot air ballooning in Pushkar.

This year, the fair will get underway on November 13, 2010. Most of the camel related activities take place during the first five days of the festival. The focus will shift to religious celebrations from November 18-21.

Find out more about the Pushkar Camel Fair or download a tentative program of events from Rajasthan Tourism.

The three month long Kumbh Mela gets underway from today, the occasion of Makar Sankranti. This meeting of the religious minds attracts sadhus (Hindu holy men) and pilgrims from near and far. It’s a spectacle never to be forgotten.

The Uttarakhand government has devoted significant resources to building new infrastructure in Haridwar for the festival. This includes a modern car park, foot bridges, and a network of arterial roads connecting the main Har?ki?Pauri bathing ghat to neighboring shrines and residential areas.

Since most of Tamil Nadu relies on agriculture for its income, Pongal is one of the most important festivals of the year there. The highlight of the festival is the cooking of the Pongal dish — a sweet preparation made from rice and boiled milk — on the second day.

One of the best places to participate in Pongal celebrations is Chennai. Pongal is also a popular time for new movie releases in the cinemas, so check out a Tamil movie as well!

January 14th – Makkar Sakranthi
15th – Mouni Amavaysa, Suryagrahan Snan
20th – Basant Panchami
30th – Mahi Poornima
February 12th – Mahashivratri (Shahi Snan)
March 15th – Somvati Amavasya (Shahi Snan)
16th – Nav Samvatharambh Snan
24th – Ramnavami Snan
30th – Chiatra Poornima Snan
April 13th – Baishakhi
14th – Mesh Sankranthi (Shahi Snan)

Legend has it that Lord Vishnu came to Madurai, mounted on a golden horse, to witness the wedding. The festival recreates this event. This year it is being held from April 26 to May 7, at the Meenakshi Temple.

Elephants were the favored beast of Rajput kings, not only during war but in royal celebrations as well. In addition to elephant polo, the festival also features parades of painted and decorated elephants, and games of tug-o-war between elephants and people. Some adventurous visitors may even get the opportunity to play Holi — that is, drench people in colored water — on elephant back!

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From Travel India 365