Fairs & Festivals
Lokrang Festival
Lokrang is a cultural festival in which all the dancers put their best foot forwards and matches their steps with the folk music. During the festival, the stage displays the various forms of folk dances, music, and ethnic dances. Also, one can see the beautiful collections of fans and handicrafts made by the tribal community of Madhya Pradesh. This festival’s actual motive is to erase the geopolitical demarcations, make India a unified whole and to revive the year old tradition. Lokrang fest is organized by the Madhya Pradesh Adivasi Lok Kala Academy.
Where: Bhopal
When: January
Duration of Festival: Four to Five Days
Special Attractions: Folk dance performances and exhibition
Akhil Bhartiya Kalidas Samaroh
Writers, Poets from around the world come together in the march for seven brilliant days of poetry recitation, story reading, and cultural performances. Ujjain is the hometown of many eminent writers and poets like Kalidas, Pandit Surya Narayan Vyas, Balkavi Bairagi, to name a few. The fest is organized to celebrate the work of the notable poet, Kalidas. Several plays of Kalidas, related to different themes like socio-political and cultural are staged during the event. Here, tourists can also see many stalwarts’ performances by the budding writers. The fest is nothing less than a treat for eyes and ears.
Where: Ujjain
When: January
Duration of Festival: 7 days
Special Attractions: Poetry Recitation & Story Reading
Khajuraho Festival
Dance and music should be the middle name of Madhya Pradesh. One week long, Khajuraho dance festival is the manifestation of the true India’s dance forms. All the performances take places in an open air stage, right opposite to Chitragupta and Vishwanatha Temple. During this week-long cultural extravaganza, forms of dances are performed that have its roots in India. Here one can see the magnificent display of many art forms like Kathak, Bharathanatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri and Kathakali. The temple shines like a star during the festival, especially its sinuous curves.
When: February
Where: Khajuraho
Duration of Festival: Seven Days
Special Attractions: Dance Performances
Bhagoria Haat Festival
In the local language, the carnival is called as the festival of love. Celebrated with great pomp and show by the tribal people of Madhya Pradesh, Bhagoria Haat Festival is one of its kind in which young girls and boys have a right to elope after choosing their life partner. In this festival, a boy and girl put red powder on their partner’s face if they like each other. Further, they run away from the ground and parents can’t deny their relationship later on. On the other hand, if the girl refuses the proposal, the boy will run after to convince her for marriage. Some people even say that the festival is organized to celebrate the completion of harvesting.
When: March, Before Holi Festival
Where: West Nimar(Khargon) and Jhabua
Special Attraction: Festival of Love
Holi
Holi is celebrated just for two days on the last full moon day of the lunar moon. On days one, a bonfire is organized by the different temples. Day two is the time when the real extravaganza begins. On this day, people bid goodbye to winters and welcome the new season by coloring each other with colors and sharing sweets. Singing, dancing and the traditional beats of Dhol add to the gaiety of the occasion. Five days after Holi, Rang Panchami is celebrated by the tribal community of the state.
When: March, last full moon day of the lunar month
Where: All over Madhya Pradesh
Duration of Festival: 2 days
Special Attractions: Festivals of Colour
Ujjain Kumbh Mela
Ujjain is one of those places in India where Kumbh Mela takes place. The festival is organized four times in every twelve years in the four cities of India- Allahabad, Haridwar, Ujjain or Nasik. Kumbh Mela commemorates the victory of good in the battle of supremacy against the evil. A dip in the holy Shipra River washes away all the sins and ends the cycle of rebirth. Other then the ritual bathing, there are many other activities in which tourists can take part-devotional singing, debates about mythology and mass feeding to the people around. Attended by the millions of devotees, the festival speaks about the faith that dwells in every individual’s heart.
When: April to May; After every 12 Years. In 2016, the grand festivals will be organized in Ujjain
Where: Ujjain
Duration of Festival: One Month
Malwa Utsav
Malwa Utsav is one of the biggest, largest and most spectacular events in Madhya Pradesh. Dance and music performances are the most integral part of the festival. Performers from different parts of the world come to Indore & Ujjain to be part of this spectacular celebration of art, music, dance, drama and culture. One can even say that the festival is the storehouse of culture and dance. In the festival, one can see the rich amalgamation of different cultures and tradition coming together to form a spectacular event. In-additions, the festival exhibits art and craft material. One can also savour delectable delicacies at the event.
When: May
Where: Indore & Ujjain
Duration of the Festival: 2 days in Ujjain & 5 days in Indore
Special Attractions: Dance & Music Festival
Dussehra
If tourists happen to be in Madhya Pradesh during October or November, check whether they can coincide their trip with the huge Dushera celebration. The festival donates the victory of Ram, over the demon king Ravan. Unlike other states, here the festival is celebrated by burning the statue of demon Ravan. In fact here, the Ravan is worshiped as he is personified as a symbol of prosperity and regarded as a savior by Kanyakubja Brahmins. Kanyakubja is a Brahmin community to which Ravan believed to belong. A week long fest called Dushera Mela is organized prior to the festival. During the festival, processions take place, accompanied by the spectacular firework. One can see multiple stalls during the fest that offers some scrumptious delights.
Diwali/ Deepawali
A visit to the heart of India during the Diwali festival is an unexpected and delightful experience. Like other states in India, the festival is celebrated with zeal and vigor in Madhya Pradesh. Every Nook and corner of Madhya Pradesh is illuminated with colorful lights creating a kaleidoscopic against the backdrop of the dark sky. Madhya Pradesh is home to India’s largest tribal population. In some parts of the state, the traditional tribal festival is performed to mark the commencement of the festival.
Diwali is a festival of joy, splendour and is celebrated for five long days. On the first and second day, Dhanteras is celebrated. On the third day, the main festival takes place where people pray Goddess Lakshmi and burn crackers.