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Family Adventure Travel CalendarIndia is a place where you could turn the twelve months into a place for adventure. This guide will give you a quick glimpse of what you can do in each month. Imagine twelve months of events – including everything from extreme challenges to offbeat experiences. I am hopeful this small collection of adventure almanac will surely guide you to enjoy your tour to India at best! JANUARY National Snow Statue Competition at Kufri, Himachal Pradesh In the starting month of the year, the gorgeous state of Himachal is already covered in layers of snow. Like the locals, if you too share the passion for snow and long to build snowmen, head to Kufri, near Shimla and participate in the competition. Bird Watching Festival at Maharana Pratap Sagar, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh One of the biggest man made lakes, Maharana Pratap Sagar play host to 220 species of birds belonging to 54 families. The Bird Watching Festival is a chance to watch the different types of birds and perhaps learn a thing of two about them. International Kite-Flying Festival at Ahmedebad, Gujarat Do you know how to to pull the right strings? Well, then head to Ahmedabad on the Makar Sankranti and be part of this colourful extravaganza which attracts national as well as international participants. In the evening, illuminated kites and fireworks brighten the skies. If you though flying a kite is child’s play, then try it with thousands of other enthusiasts and soon you will learn the skill needed to make that 3 m kite soar! Other kite festivals also on a Palika Bazaar (New Delhi), Jaipur and Jodhpur. Great Elephant March in Kerala The Great Elephant March, which continues for the three days, begins in Thrissur and trace its way through Allepey on to the capital Thiruvananthpuram. A hundred and one gloriously decorated parading elephants, snake boat races, elephant tug-of-war and other sporting events present a neat little snapshot of Kerala. FEBRUARY Skiing Festival at Kufri, Manali and Narkanda in Himachal Pradesh Abundnt snowfall and smooth slopes go on to serve that extra dollop of adrenaline during the winter months in Himachal Pradesh. Every year the slopes at Kurfi, Manali and Narkanda serve as playgrounds for the skiing festival. Heli-skiing is also available at Manali. Desert Festival at Jaisalmer in Rajasthan At the Jaisalmer Desert Festival, adventure takes on a new meaning. The three-day long extravaganza includes some rather unusual competitions such as “Mr. Desert” Peagant, “turban-tying” contest and “best moustache” contest. Besides, there are camel rides, processions, camel polo and even a camel tug-of war – all of which are held against the backdrop of the awesome Jaisalmer fort. Auto Winter Festival at Auli in Uttaranchal Winter games are held everyyear in February and March. Skiing competition takes place on Auli slopes in which skiers from across the world take part and display their skills. Speed Run at Delhi, Mumbai and Bangalore If you ever fancy living in the fast lane, the Speed Run could just be one of your best experiences. Mainly a drag event for cars and bikes, all you get is one shot to show the world how fast and how willing you are to break the speed limits. MARCH International Rafting Championship (Pandoha to Tattapani in Himachal Pradesh) The magic behind River rafting in Himachal Pradesh is the extreme and neverending thrills in the untamed rivers. Teams from different countries participate in the event and vie for the Rafting Cup. SurveyScout--#1 Survey Site--Pays 75% With 15-30% Conversions! Elephant Festival at Jaipur in Rajasthan Jaipur’s day long Elephant Festival held at the Chaugan stadium is an event for those who have a penchant for Pachyderms. Richly caparisoned elephants parade along and contest in the “best decorated elephant” competition. Besides, games of elephant polo, elephant races, a special “elephant decoration” exhibition and a tug-of war between humans and an elephant are held. Trout Angling in Lagri (Kullu) in Himachal Pradesh Whether for sheer recreation or for therapeutic reasons, fishing as a sport has really caught on in India. The lively waters of Himachal Pradesh score big as some of the best fishing grounds in India. The trout angling events held in Lagri and other other places in Himachal Pradesh during summer months only go on to herald the coming of age of this sport.
APRIL Mahseer Angling at Hatkoti and Trilokpur in Himachal Pradesh Angling for Mahseer is an adventure. The fish lurks around the big boulders or rocky beds or frolics near the sandy beds and every cast could be a potential strike. However, the real struggle starts once it takes the bait. Water Sports Carnival at Govind Sagar Lake in Himachal Pradesh Every year in April, the Gobind saar lake near Bilaspur transforms into a playground for water sports buffs. The water sports carnival held here includes activities such as swimming, water-skiing, surface, kayaking, rowing, sailing and canoeing. MAY Himalayan Hand Gliding Rally at Billing in Himchal Pradesh Billing is by far Himachal’s most prominent site for hand gliding and parasailing. It offers nearly 100 km of clear, beautiful countryside where gliding is possible, and the Aero Sports Club at nearby Bir is a good place to go for assistance of any kind. Sikkim Tourism Festival in Sikkim The month-long Sikkim Tourism Festival held at Gangtok features traditional Sikkimese dances, films on tourism, exhibitions of local arts and crafts and flower shows. An interestingly offbeat “yak safari”, a local food festival and white-water rafting on the Teesta are also a part of the festival. JUNE Himalayan Odyssey (from Delhi to Leh) Organised by Royal Enfield, the riders from around the country come together in the Himalayn Odyssey – the greatest test of man and machine against nature. The two-week-long expedition passes through some of the toughest passes and highest motorable roads in the world. Summer Festival at Mount Abu in Rajasthan The steep rocks, tranquil lakes, picturesque locations and the pleasant climate of Mount Abu make it an ideal location for the Summer Festival. The three-day long festival is a feast of folk and classical music and a window to the tribal life and culture of Rajasthan. Sporting events such as the boat race on the Nakki Lake add an element of adventure to the festival. JULY National Rafting Championship at Leh in Kashmir Ladakh’s hedquarter Leh plays host to a four-day national River rafting Championship, usually at the end of July. Organised by the Indian Rafting Foundation under the aegis of the International Rafting Federation, the championship brings together teams from the armed forces, universities, private clubs and others. Nag Panchami at Mumbai in Maharashtra Nag Panchami is celebrated in various ways. Tourists can hope to see more snake charmers than usual on the streets and could even indulge in a little cobra-feeding themselves. AUGUST Boat Race at Agartala in Tripura Rudrasagar Lake which is about 55 km away from Agartala near Melaghar, is a big attraction. The lake witnesses a large number of migratory birds every winter. Other than avid bird watchers gathering in this part of the Northeast India, every year a boat race is organized in August as well, adding an extra dash of excitement to the hills. Manimahesh Yatra in Himachal Pradesh Manimahesh Lake, high up in the mountains near Bharmaur, is an important place where the solitary Manimahesh Kailash Peak – the legendary abode of Lor Shiva – is reflected in its still waters. The famous Manimahesh Yatra is organized by the Tourism Department as a pilgrimage for the devout and adventure for trekkers. SEPTEMBER Ladakh Festival at Ladakh in Kashmir The Ladakh Festival is a week-long extravaganza that highlights the sports and culture of the region. Archery contests are held at Skara (near Leh) and polo matches, white water rafting expeditions and treks are organized as well. And how can we ever forget the thrill of getting here in the first place.
Saffron Festival in Kashmir It is a tradition that has remained unchanged for at least 2, 000 years. The saffron fields at the small town of Pampore turn purple every year around mid-September and harvesting begins. All life revolves around the saffron during the harvest and one can either witness or participate in this ancient traditions. OCTOBER Indian International Balloon Festival at New Delhi Hot air ballooning as an adventure sport has taken off rather slowly in India. However, the Balloon club of India at Delhi’s Safdarjung Airport is the tail-off-point and headquarters for this aero-sport. The Indian International Balloon festival is held every November and attracts participants from all over the world. MTB Himachal in Himachal Pradesh Mountain Biking Himachal is an event where International and national riders pedal over 600 km of wilderness trails across the Himalayan back country. Apart from presenting a unique view of the scenic landscape, the aim of this event is to promote mountain biking. NOVEMBER Annual Angling Competition at Jia Bhoroli in Assam The rivers Jia Bhoroli, Kapili and Manas are ideal places for angling in Assam. Jia Bhoroli and Manas are famous for its Golden Mahseer. An annual angling competition is regularly held at Jia Bhoroli where a good number of anglers from all across the country come to participate. Great Himalayan Marathon at Shimla in Himachal Pradesh Perhaps the first of its kind, the Great Himalayan Marathon is an introductory event of the Department of Tourism of Himachal Pradesh. The marathon is expected to be flagged off from Shimla, and the theme and message of the event would be to appreciate and nourish the unique bio-diversity of the Great Himalayas. DECEMBER Island Tourism Festival at Port Blair in Andaman & Nicobar Islands Round off the year with fortnight long island festival at Port Blair. One than tribal and cultural performances, the main draw for the aqua sports enthusiasts will be canoe races and special scuba diving and snorkeling opportunities. Water skiing, sailing, island trekking, wind surfing, and elephant safari are also available at the islands. Ice-Skating Carnival at Shimla in Himachal Pradesh December is the time when most people dream of a white Christmas. And in Shimla, which boasts of having the only natural ice skating rink in India, the Ice skating Club arranges an Ice-skating Carnival every year.
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