It's the most wonderful time of the year.
There'll be much mistletoeing
And hearts will be glowing,
When loved ones are near.
It's the most wonderful time of the year!
It’s December! A time of celebration - holidaying, partying and rejoicing however, wherever and whenever. While this time is celebrated with an unsurpassed energy world over, let’s take you into finding out how India celebrates it across its varied regions…
Sunburn Festival, Goa
Wondering why all your friends, family, near and dear ones head to Goa each December? It’s because the Sunburn Festival is calling. Each December, Goa, the ’party capital of India’ dawns a magnetic garb that attracts party lovers from all over the globe for a three-day extravaganza that promises fun galore. From grooving on music concerts to cheering for your favorite artists’ performances and from contests and games to sumptuous food, drinks and endless partying, the Sunburn Festival reignites the Goa sands with the ultimate music experience. This crazy electronic dance music festival is attended by more than a 100,000 participants each year and just keeps getting bigger, better and hotter year on year. Being held at Candolim beach this year, the Sunburn Festival dates are from December 27 to 29. This one’s definitely not to be missed!
Reaching Goa is anything but a pain. The city is well-connected by all the modes of transport, be it rail, flight or bus and car. There are direct flight routes that connect you to Dabolim Airport from all the major metros and Vasco Railway Station connects you by train to Goa. There are direct buses and car rental services from Mumbai, Pune, Bangalore and Chennai.
Cochin Carnival, Kochi
Held in the last week of December, the annual Cochin Carnival is the festival the entire city anxiously looks forward to. With its history dating back to Portuguese New Year festivities, the Cochin Carnival sees Fort Kochi adorned like a bride and tourists from the world over participate in a week-long celebration. Rangoli, tug-of-war, bicycle events, sea swimming and beach volleyball are some of the proceedings at Fort Kochi. There are many folk dance performances held besides the spectacular floats and a glorious elephant procession accompanied with drums and music. The festival mingles New Year festivities with the old and conventional themes and the culture of India. See the huge flocks of eager natives assemble, clad in colored attires to add that extraordinary spirit to this magnanimous event. This carnival offers innumerable moments to behold and fireworks on New Year’s Eve mark the grand finale of this annual celebration. Reaching Cochin is easy. You can book a flight to Ernakulam airport from just about any metro and a train from any city in India. Bus and taxi can be considered if you are travelling from Bangalore, Chennai, Munnar and Mumbai among many other cities.
Winter Festival, Mt Abu From December 29 to 31 each year, Mt Abu celebrates the Winter Festival, a joint effort of the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation and the Municipal Board of Tamil Nadu. This three-day long gala showcases a display of the state’s culture, vibrancy and traditions through an extravagant procession in the city that heads towards Nakki Lake Chowk. Besides the procession, a rowing competition at the lake, water sports, and cultural activities, there are folk dance performances by artists from Punjab, Rajasthan, Gujarat and other states. Rejoice in the festivities by participating in traditional dance forms like Daph, Ghoomar and Gair; and catch the numbing sight of floating lamps on Nakki Lake. Relish upon sumptuous and authentic Rajasthani food and see a dazzling display of fireworks.
If you’re travelling from Delhi, you can take a direct bus to Mt Abu that will drop you about 24 kms away from the city on NH 14. Besides travelling by road, Mt Abu is connected by rail routes to New Delhi, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, and Mumbai. You can also reach by air but the nearest airport is at Udaipur, which is at a distance of approximately 185 kms from Mt Abu.