India is a land of festivals with every season welcoming a month of festivals in different regions of the country. As spring steps in after the chilling winter days and nights, people across the country have started preparing for the festivals in March 2019 in India. If you want to witness the fascinating and vibrant festivals of this month of spring, here’s a list you can choose from.
Mewar Holika Dehan
While going through the calendar of 2019 for Indian holidays, you will definitely come across Holika Dehan, the first day of Holi. Holika Dehan includes a large bon fire which is held sacred by the people as it marks the end of evils and negativities. Although the festival is celebrated all across the country, to witness it in the City Palace of Udaipur is an all different experience. A huge bonfire is lit in the palace ground graced by the presence of the King of Mewar himself.
Location: Udaipur
Date: 20th March
Special Attractions: A rally of decorated horses and elephants is carried out along with a regal band from Manek Chowk.
Lath Maar Holi
It is a unique kind of Holi celebrated in the towns of Nandagaon and Barsana in Mathura. Why Lathmaar Holi? According to Hindu mythology, it is believed that once Lord Krishna teased Radha in Barsana during Holi and she playfully bet him and his friends. Since then, Lathmaar Holi is celebrated in the towns where women beat men with bamboo sticks. It is one of the most unique Holi festivities in Mathura.
Location: Nandagaon and Barsana in Mathura
Date: 15th March, 2019
Special Attractions: Holi battle where men throw colors and sing songs to women and women in return beat them using bamboo sticks.
Chettikulangra Bharani
You might not have heard about this but it is among the most stunning festivals in March 2019. Celebrated in Chettikulangara Temple in Allepey, Kerala, this festival is dedicated to the Goddess Bhagavathy. In the celebration, a grand procession is carried out in the countryside and rice and coconuts are offered to the deities. There are fireworks, dance and music all around. To get the first-hand experience of Chettikulangara Bharani, book your last minute flights to Kerala right away.
Location: Allepey in Kerala
Date: 11th March, 2019
Special Attractions: A rally of decorated structures – Kettukazhcha
Jaipur Elephant Festival
Jaipur Elephant Festival clashes with Holi – elephants are royally decorated with jhools, robes and attractive paintings. An amazing procession of magnificently decorated camels, elephants and horses is carried out with musical performances alongside. Towards the end of celebration, the elephant decorated best is rewarded. This one is among the best celebration in the list of Indian festivals in March.
Location: Jaipur
Date: 21st March
Special Attractions: Elephant race, a tug-of-war between men, women and elephants, elephant polo
Shigmotsav
Celebrated in the state of Goa, Shigmotsav marks the season change to spring. All Goans welcome spring and bid farewell to chilling winters. During the festival, the entire state is engrossed in joy and merriment with local dances, parades, flutes, folk music and drum beats. We bet you will never regret the trip to Goa in March during this fun and exciting festival. It holds a place in our list of festival in March 2019 for a reason.
Location: Goa
Date: 21st March
Special Attractions: Floating Parade
Thirunakkara Arattu
Thirunakkara Arattu is a grand festival celebrated in Kottayam’s Thirunakkara Mahadeva Temple. Considered one of the most tempting festivals in Kerala in March, the festival continues for 10 days with a gala elephant rally organized with traditional drummers while taking Lord Mahadev for the holy bath. You will find the locals performing folk arts such as Velakali, Mayilattom (Peacock Dance), etc. in evening.
Location: Kottayam in Kerala
Date: 24th March, 2019
Special Attractions: Kathakali dance performances all day round and peacock dance or Mayilattom dance.
Myoko
Another fascinating festivals of India celebrated in the month of March is Myoko by the tribes in Ziro. Organized and celebrated by the Apatani tribe (locals of Ziro) in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, the festival is to honor purification, prosperity, sacrifice and fertility. Locals dress I their traditional clothes in the evening. There are music and dance performances in merriment. Do taste the delicious food of the locals. We bet you will have great fun participating in the festival. It is an important festival of the state.
Location: Ziro in Arunachal Pradesh
Date: 31st March, 2019
Special Attractions: Martial arts, Folk music and dance performances, drums and fireworks I the evening.
