Day: October 29, 2010

Dance Festivals of India

india-dance-festivalIts varied dance forms are an indicator to India’s rich cultural heritage. All classical dance forms revolve around the nine ‘Rasa’ or emotions, namely happiness, anger, fear, courage, peace, kindness, agony, surprise and disgust. Numerous dance festivals are a pointer to the continued and growing popularity of India’s rich heritage. Some of them are:

Hampi  Utsav

Hampi festival is one of the major tourist attractions of Karnataka. It features dance, drama and music against the backdrop of the rocks and ruins of an ancient empire. It takes place around late January.

Khajuraho Festival

It is the best known dance festival held in February-March in Khajuraho. The cultural extravaganza takes place at an ampitheatre near of the Chitragupta Temple.

Konark Dance Festival

Held against the backdrop of the imposing Sun temple, annually from February 19 to 23. The exquisite ‘Salamander’ or the ‘dancing hall’ of the Sun temple is an architectural wonder. The walls are covered with fine sculpture. The festival started in the year 1986 at Konark Natya Mandap, Arka Vihar, Konark. It was started by Guru Gangadhar Pradhan.

Mamallapuram Utsav

In late December or early January, for 4 weeks danseuse enthrall against backdrop of the Pallava Rock Sculpture – ‘Arjuna’s Penance’ of this ancient temple town, which is an UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nishagandhi Festival

It is a twice a year festival – held in October-November and March-April in the Nishagandhi Theatre, at the Kanakunnu palace compound in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

Natyanjali Utsav

Dedicated to Lord Shiva, who is also the Lord of dance forms as the ‘Nataraj’, it begins on Mahashivratri at the 1000 year old temple in Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu.

Taj Mahotsav

Taj Mahotsav is a 10 day extravaganza held between February and March. It features classical dances, folk art and music. The venue is Shilpgram, a stone throw from the majestic Taj Mahal in Agra.

In 2010, Toshali Travel and Tours  offers budget festival Holiday packages and arranges, to be at Indian Dance Festivals. And customized your accommodation on demand, get reservation at http://bit.ly/cwKz4E Toshali Travel and Tours is authorised Travel and Tour Operator, recognised and accredited by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

To know more about the Indian Dance Festivals, post you comments or Contact our Toshali Holidays Planner at metu@toshali.in

Dadri Mela : The Largest Cattle Fairs in India

India is a land of festivals, fairs and celebrations. Most of these follow the crop cycle. Over time they have grown legends, most portraying the victory of good over evil. And all adding to the color and gaiety to life.

Legend says Ballia was the capital of King Bali, who was vanquished by Lord Vishnu in his ‘Vamana’ incarnation. It was once situated in the confluence of river Ganga and Saryu.

In more modern times Ballia was the birth place of the hero of First War of Indian Independence, Mangal Pandey. The city of Ballia is also believed to the birth place and workplace of Maharshi Bhrigu.

Dadri is a village some 5 km from the town of Ballia in Uttar Pradesh. Every year on Kartik Poornima (October – November) it hosts one of the largest cattle fairs of the world, alongwith the Sonepur and Pushkar fair. There is a temple dedicated to Sage Bhrigu in Dadri. It is believed that this is where Dardar Muni, son of Sage Bhrigu, on the boon of Lord Brahma, undertook penance. The fair attracts about a million people. It is famous for trading in livestock.

Dadri Mela /Fair is held on 21 November 2010

Toshali Travel and Tours  offers budget festival holiday packages and arranges, to be at “Dadri Mela” in Dadri, Ballia in Uttar Pradesh. And customized your accommodation on demand, book your package reservation at with Toshali Travel and Tours. Toshali  is authorised Travel and Tour Operator, recognised and accredited by Ministry of Tourism, Government of India

To know more on the Dadri Mela, post you comments or Contact our Toshali Holidays Planner at metu@toshali.in