Villages That Have That One Special Celebration
When you consider India festivals, the first things that will most likely flash through your mind are the grand Diwali light decoration or energetic Holi color or the magnificent Ganesh Chaturthi procession. Take off the well beaten path, however, and you will find that India lives fullest in her villages and not only are her festivals not merely celebrations–they are the rhythm of life. Numerous villages in the country have just a single special festival, one that you have probably never seen.
The destination presents a traveller with a raw, real and memorable experience. Can you imagine yourself in the village streets during a local festival, narrow winding streets decorated with hundreds of years of tradition, the folk music that people have been singing all these years and you are one of the few outsiders to ever see. When you take your own flight tickets and make your own flight booking to a festive destination and the like, this can be a great way to explore India and how amazing those Indian villages and their festivals can be.
These are some of the villages where there are unique festivals which you need to visit at least once in your life:
1. Mattu Village, Karnatakait is The Buffalo Race Festival
Mattu is a small peaceful coastal village in the district of Udupi and most of the time along the Arabian sea. However, there is life to look forward to come January when it becomes a lively centre of Kambala which is a renowned buffalo race festival. Villagers adorn their farms, prime the speediest buffaloes and form queues to witness the most exciting spectacle that is results of buffaloes galloping through muddy paddy fields as the riders manage to hang on to the wooden planks.
This is not a mere race as it has been a long-lasting tradition of praising the gods after positive harvests. The roar of the cheering villagers, water splashing and ringing folk drums are just what one can not miss. The closest airport that takes one to get there is Mangalore. Prices of the cheap flight to Mangalore and a short drive.
2. Pattan Kodoli, Maharashtra it is the Firewood Festival or Jotiba Yatra
Pattan Kodoli is a small village that comes alive during the Jotiba Yatra with fire. What is it special? The villagers run bare foot with burning firewood on the head as a sacrificial offering to Lord Jotiba.
It is a surreal scene as we are surrounded by hundreds of burning coals illuminating the night and drums and chants fill the air. The performances of the participants with regard to devotion and bravery leave visitors amazed. This festival is typically celebrated either in March or April and one should go as close as possible to the action. Flights to Pune or Belgaum could be used and the traveler could drive to Pattan Kodoli to have an ineffaceable night of spiritual adrenaline.
 3. Hemis Village, Ladakh – The Mask Dance Festival
Hemis is a peaceful village located high in the mountains of Ladakh and does not appear to have been affected by time. However, each summer, its most well known Hemis Festival comes to life as an ode to Guru Padmasambhava. The highlight? Cham dance is performed by monks in colorful masks as the manifestation of the triumph of good over evil.
The slower rhythmic movements of the masked monks in front of the snow capped mountains and swinging prayer flags make a fascinating display. There is a festival known as Bunchakar in June or July usually lasting two days and travellers come to this festival globally. The village of Hemis can be reached by taking a flight to Leh and then just a short drive away.
4. Bastar Villages, Chhattisgarh – The Tribal Dussehra
Forget the effigy burning of Ravana that you find in most Indian cities. Dussehra in the villages of Bastar as well have completely different meaning. This tribal festival is one of the longest in the world as it goes on 75 days.
In this case, the festival does not feature Ram and Ravana but rather the time when tribal people worship the deities of their area, treat wooden chariots with decoration, and participate in special rituals as they have done in the past centuries. It is full of undiluted power of the drumbeats and tribal dances and colored clothing of villagers and it makes you feel that you are in a different world.
The closest airport to the location is Raipur Book a cheap flight to Raipur and then travel by road to Bastar to be a part of this remarkable celebration that is hardly seen by even the bravest of travelers.
5. Assam, Mayong Village, Indo-Backgenie- Festival of Magic and Sorcery
Mayong, which has been dubbed as the land of black magic, is a small village on banks of Brahmaputra in India. It is captivating all year, but especially during Mayong Magic Festival, the ancient art of sorcery and mystical medicine is performed in the village during this festival.
It is a history mixed with some mystery and a kind of folklore. You should be able to view local shamans in practice, observe traditional magic tricks and even get to hear of how the village used to be feared to have occult practices. This will be an off beat experience. The nearest airport is Guwahati and it is a couple of hours’ travel to Mayong. Book a plane to Assam and get prepared to have a magical journey!
What are the special festivals in these villages that should make visitors go there?
Even reaching these villages (there is usually no direct transport to most of these villages) during their special festivals is not only a sightseeing experience, it is also a fulfilling experience in terms of getting a feel of the soul of India. That is when you feel culture, tradition and the human nature in its pinnacle. It will happen that you are:
It is possible to see rituals that are several centuries old
Experiencing people who host travelers in their houses or even their hearts
Riding on horses through the pleasant country of India off the beaten path
Going back home with tales that you could not get in a tourist destination
Therefore, in case you get bored with the same old vacation destinations and want an escapade that gets your wanderlust going, check your ticket, load your luggage and visit these villages that know how to party like none other.
Using HappyEasyGo, you are likely to secure the most affordable flight booking offers and book a cheap flight to a nearby airport, and thus, these secret cultural treasures are becoming more within reach. Visit the place where a tradition lures attraction and where each day becomes a page in one of the books.
