1- Thaipoosam in Tamil Nadu
[caption id="attachment_10090" align="aligncenter" width="810"]
Image source: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/92/Thaipusam_Festival_%284318237340%29.jpg[/caption]
The festival is primarily celebrated by Lord Muruga’s devotees. The devotees pierce their lips with spears, pierce mouth with sharp metal objects, and hook their skin to chains as they try to pull the chariot in order to pay regards to the deity. Celebrated in Tamil Nadu mostly in the temples of Lord Muruga Thaipoosam Thaipusam is another unusual festival of India. The temple authorities appoint priests and other chosen ones who are required to perform activities like walking on burning coal.
Marking the celebrations, devotees bathe and smear themselves in turmeric. During the proceedings, the priests of the temple are required to carry the decorated images of the deities over their head, all covered in the colorful umbrella and acting as a shelter. The festival also organizes a lot of events that are a must-watch for the onlookers.
Read more about:20 most best places to visit in February in India
2- Jallikattu in Tamil Nadu
Believed as one of the fiercest festivals in India, Jallikattu is a South Indian festival which involves bull taming. More like the tauromachy festival which is organized in Spain, the Jallikattu attracts a lot of tourists from all over the world. The festival can be mainly seen in Palamedu and Alanganallur, the towns in Tamilnadu. believed to be practiced from the 3rd century AD,
Jallikattu is a popular bull-taming festival where bulls are bred to entertain the spectators and not get tamed easily. Until last year, the Supreme court had put a ban on the festival because of the sufferings that animals had to endure. As of now, the ban has been lifted and the festival is being celebrated in Kerala.
Read more about:Amazing Places to see Snowfall in India
3- Muharram across India
[caption id="attachment_10095" align="aligncenter" width="810"]
Image source: https://www.dodho.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/A-Mourner_07.jpg[/caption]
Muharram means mourning the death of Imam Hussain Ali. This festival is rather popular as the mourning festival when followers of Imam, especially the Shia Muslims inflict wounds with a sharp object. Celebrated on the 10th day of the first month of Islamic calendar, Muharram is another unusual festival of India celebrated across the country by Shia Muslims.
The festival indicates mass mourning over the death of Hussain Ali- the third Imam of Shia community. The death of Imam symbolizes the struggle against tyranny and injustice. The festival is mostly celebrated in the month of September or October.
Read more about:Best 9 Treks for Winter in Indian Himalayas
4- Nag Panchami across India
Image source: http://atalayas21.com/public/images/galeria/201700000677_0881498593_1498849405.jpg
The festival is dedicated to Nag devta and is celebrated across India during the month of July or August. This tradition of worshipping snakes dates back to prehistoric times when Aryans used to worship the snake considering them as the god. The festival is primarily celebrated in Bengal, Maharashtra, and South India. Nagas have been associated with Lord Brahma and they are considered auspicious in Hinduism. Commemorating snake on the eve of this festival is an unusual yet important act considered by the devotees.
Read more about:Top 20 Winter Destinations In India That Will Get You Stoked
5- Thimithi in Tamil Nadu
One of the most unusual festivals in India, Thimithi is rather a dangerous festival that involves walking on a wire. The ritual is carried out carried as a religious vow in exchange for blessings from Draupadi who was the wife of the five Pandava brothers from the epic Maharashtra. During the occasion, various scenes are enacted by the devotees of the lord as they walk on the burning coal and endure the pain. This supports the fact that the god gets pleased with such act.
Held in between October and November in Tamil Nadu, the Thimithi festival is another unusual festival in India, which also includes bathing the Mariamman with milk. There is also a silver chariot procession carried out to commemorate the victory of Pandavas.
Read more about:10 Most Popular and Stunning Churches In India
6- Theyyam in Kerala
Theyyam is an unusual South Indian festival which includes dangerous feats from highly trained devotees. Among others, the feats include dancing while wearing a crown of hair of length 10-12 meters, walking fire embers, wearing coconut fronds, and performing with burning wicks of wire tied around the waist.
With all the fire and burning logs around, this unusual festival is a major crowd puller in the South India. The festival of Theyyam celebrates the 800-year-old tradition. October-May is the right time when this festival is celebrated in India.
Read more about:Top 10 Markets in India a Shopaholic Will Love!
7- Snake Boat Race Festival in Kerala
Celebrated during Onam Festival which further depends on the phase of the Moon, the Snake Boat Race is the perfect way to watch the spirit of Kerala. The festival is marked by a boat race in which the boats are designed as a snake. As the racing time approaches, there is an unusual fierce competition among the participants. The boat racing in Kerala dates back to 400 years and still considered as one of the most popular festivals in South India. The races during Snake boat racing festival takes place in the Kerala backwaters. So while you are booking from the list of Kerala honeymoon packages, you can also attend the popular festival and make the most of your time.
Read more about:Top 10 Tips to Visit India for First-timers
8- Puli Kali in Kerala
A popular yet unusual festival celebrated in Tripunithura in Kerala, the Puli Kali Festival celebrates the century-old tradition of Kerala. Puli Kali is said to have originated over 200 years back when a Maharaja of Cochin decided to celebrate Onam retracing the wild and macho spirit of the force.
Today Puli Kali is a striking feature of Onam where performers dress up in readymade masks, cosmetic teeth, tongues, beards, and mustaches. The festival includes different forms of folk, art, dance, and music. A must-visit festival it is during the month of August – September.
Read more about:10 Lesser Known Historical Attractions in India
9- Madai festival in Chhattisgarh
[caption id="attachment_10103" align="aligncenter" width="810"]
Image source: https://www.lifegate.com/app/uploads/costumi.jpg[/caption]
A popular tribal festival in Chhatisgarh, Madai festival is yet another unusual festival which is not widely known across the country. Celebrated in parts of Kanker, Bastar, and Dantewada. Anog several rituals that take place during the festival folk dance and music, prayers, and sacrifice of goats are the most popular ones. During the festival, one can easily witness a bright gala affair with shops and eateries. December to March makes for the perfect time to visit the festival.
Read more about:10 Best Treks in India for your Adventure Tour
10- Bhagoriya Festival in Madhya Pradesh
Organised in the West Nimar(Khargon) and Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh, the Bhagoria Festival is incredibly unusual as it includes the marriage of tribal boys and girls. Quite interestingly, the Bhil and Bhilala tribes of the region put red powder on the face of the girl they want to marry. And thus their marriage is done.
If the girl refuses the proposal, the boy gets another chance to woo the girl. This festival can be clubbed with an appropriate Rajasthan travel package and thus you can make the best of your holidays. February/March is the time to attend Bhagoria festival.
Read more about:]]>Solo Women Travelers and the Best Places to Go in India