Unusual and uncommon festivals and events in India that will intrigue you | Hindustan Times
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Unusual and uncommon festivals and events in India that will intrigue you

Published on May 24, 2023 07:32 PM IST
  • Apart from Diwali and Holi, there are several other local festivals that are unconventional in nature. Here are a few of them.
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India is a land of countless festivals that are a blend of diverse beliefs and religious practices. From rich and vibrant festivals to unusual and obscure ones, the country hosts a series of colourful festivals throughout the year giving people from across the world a chance to witness the unique Indian diversity through its colourful festivals. Here are a few festivals that are not well-known but will surely intrigue you.  (Instagram/@pradnyag_/@khiamniungans, AFP) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Published on May 24, 2023 07:32 PM IST

India is a land of countless festivals that are a blend of diverse beliefs and religious practices. From rich and vibrant festivals to unusual and obscure ones, the country hosts a series of colourful festivals throughout the year giving people from across the world a chance to witness the unique Indian diversity through its colourful festivals. Here are a few festivals that are not well-known but will surely intrigue you.  (Instagram/@pradnyag_/@khiamniungans, AFP)

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Sume-Gelirak festival, Odisha: This festival includes rituals like sacrificing animals and birds and propitiating with liquor. During this festival, women can choose their life partners during the dance which follows after the puja and offerings. (Instagram/@solitarytraveller37) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Published on May 24, 2023 07:32 PM IST

Sume-Gelirak festival, Odisha: This festival includes rituals like sacrificing animals and birds and propitiating with liquor. During this festival, women can choose their life partners during the dance which follows after the puja and offerings. (Instagram/@solitarytraveller37)

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Kila Raipur Rural Olympics, Punjab: This is a local sports event that is held annually between January and February in Kila Raipur. This extravaganza includes a bull cart race, mule cart race, horse cart race, kabaddi, shot put, tug of war, 100mts-1500mts race, high and long jump, and race between tractors. Other unusual activities that take place during this festival include lifting bicycles or ladders with teeth; pulling cars with hair, teeth or ears; and other daredevil stunts on bikes and horses. (HT Photo/Gurpreet Singh) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Published on May 24, 2023 07:32 PM IST

Kila Raipur Rural Olympics, Punjab: This is a local sports event that is held annually between January and February in Kila Raipur. This extravaganza includes a bull cart race, mule cart race, horse cart race, kabaddi, shot put, tug of war, 100mts-1500mts race, high and long jump, and race between tractors. Other unusual activities that take place during this festival include lifting bicycles or ladders with teeth; pulling cars with hair, teeth or ears; and other daredevil stunts on bikes and horses. (HT Photo/Gurpreet Singh)

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Thaipusam Festival, Tamil Nadu: This is one of the unusual festivals that is celebrated by the Tamil devotees of Lord Kartikeya (Lord Murugan), the son of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati not only in India but also by the Tamil community in Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Mauritius. Devotees observed this festival by piercing themselves with pins and spikes, hanging pots and fruit off of their chests with hooks, and pulling chariots or having people hanging onto a heavy rope attached to their backs by hooks.   expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Published on May 24, 2023 07:32 PM IST

Thaipusam Festival, Tamil Nadu: This is one of the unusual festivals that is celebrated by the Tamil devotees of Lord Kartikeya (Lord Murugan), the son of Lord Shiva and Devi Parvati not only in India but also by the Tamil community in Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Mauritius. Devotees observed this festival by piercing themselves with pins and spikes, hanging pots and fruit off of their chests with hooks, and pulling chariots or having people hanging onto a heavy rope attached to their backs by hooks.  

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Bhagoriya Festival, Madhya Pradesh: This is a festival of tribal marriage where boys from the Bhil and Bhilala tribes smear red powder on the face of the girl they want to marry and if the girl agrees then she puts the same powder back on the boy’s face. (HT Photo/Raajessh Kashyap) expand-icon View Photos in a new improved layout
Published on May 24, 2023 07:32 PM IST

Bhagoriya Festival, Madhya Pradesh: This is a festival of tribal marriage where boys from the Bhil and Bhilala tribes smear red powder on the face of the girl they want to marry and if the girl agrees then she puts the same powder back on the boy’s face. (HT Photo/Raajessh Kashyap)

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