Diwali is over, and the lights have been turned down in most parts of the country. For those of you who want the celebrations to never end, fret not. We have you covered with these exciting festivals that distinguish November as a month of ongoing gaiety. The best part is that these rural festivals can take you into the heartland of the country, and give you a glimpse of traditions that urban dwellers scarcely get to experience.
So pack your bags and hop on for the ride!
Tokhu Emong
Location: Wokha, Nagaland
Date: 7-15 November
Tokhu Emong is a harvest festival observed by the Lotha tribe in Nagaland. Spread over nine days, this festival is marked by abundant feasting and various cultural events that involve the entire community. The villagers don their traditional clothing, and the festivities involve lively music and dance. During this time, visitors are warmly welcomed and can experience the generosity of the locals. The festival also honours the themes of friendship and loyalty.
Thiksey Gustor
Location: Thiksey Monastery, Leh
Date: 18-19 November
Thiksey Monastery, one of the most visited and grand monasteries in Leh, will host its annual Thiksey Gustor festival on the 18 and 19 November. The festival features a series of sacred rituals performed by the monks, with one of the main highlights being the traditional Cham dance. Clad in vibrant robes with beautifully designed masks, the performers bring mythological tales to life through their captivating movements. Visitors can also marvel at the monastery’s intricately made sand mandalas, adding to the spiritual and visual splendour of the event.
Pushkar Camel Fair
Location: Pushkar, Rajasthan
Date: 9-15 November
Pushkar mela is one of the world’s largest camel fairs. This week-long livestock and camel fair has become a popular tourist attraction for the exciting cultural extravaganza that takes place here. ‘Longest moustache’ and ‘bridal competition’ are among some of the interesting events that take place and are much enjoyed by visitors. At this fest, you can try authentic Rajasthani food and purchase local goods. This celebration is an excellent chance for visitors to interact with local communities and experience more of Rajasthan’s vibrant traditions.
Also read: A day at Pushkar camel fair
Kattaikkuttu Performing Arts Festival
Location: Punjarasantankal village, Kanchipuram, Tamil Nadu
Date: Every Saturday in November
The Kattaikkuttu Sangam’s 34th annual performing arts festival, the Kalai Thiru Vizhaa, stretches from November 2, 2024 to January 4, 2025. The festival brings 18 performances by over 200 artistes over 10 Saturdays. It will be held at Kuttu Kalai Kudam, the Center for Performing Arts.
This event features a mix of traditional and contemporary performing arts, including Kattaikkuttu, theatre, dance, music and puppetry to bridge the gap between rural and urban audiences.
The Kattaikkuttu Sangam is a not-for-profit organisation that was established in 1991. The outfit’s repertoire includes traditional plays from the Mahabharata and Puranas, as well as contemporary parodies.
Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF)
Location: Tibetan Children’s Village, Mcleodganj
Date: 7-10 November
Known for encouraging local filmmaking talent, the Dharamshala International Film Festival (DIFF) showcases films on culture, societies and broader themes of universal human experience. DIFF also partners with local NGOs and village schools to encourage a cinema culture in the Dharamshala region. The 13th edition of DIFF is set to take place between 7 to 10 November at Mcleodganj, Himachal Pradesh, and is a promising event for cinephiles to watch a range of films, including those with rural and indigenous themes.
While in Dharamshala, you can also plan to attend the Asia Tour of the Paragliding World Cup 2024 happening in Bir from 2-7 November.
The lead image on top shows a performance at the Kattaikkuttu Sangam’s annual performing arts festival. (Photo by Pee Vee)
