Unusual Festivals That you must Celebrate Once

INTRODUCTION

The numerous languages, traditions, rituals, and festivals that make up Indian culture demonstrate its diversity. In this nation, a festival is held every day, but some of them are peculiar. Unusual celebrations in India are nonetheless enthusiastically strange. The most unique and uncommon celebrations that occur around the nation are listed here. Visit these lesser-known Indian festivals if you want to experience local culture and take in the history of these Indian states. Each event has a great religious significance, which the tribal people of these states beautifully portray. Look at these unusual festivals that you must celebrate once at their specific places in your life. 

UNUSUAL FESTIVALS THAT YOU MUST CELEBRATE ONCE 

1. Lathmar Holi, Vrindavan

The climax of one of India’s most distinctive festivities is when women from Barsana use lathis to beat men from Nandgaon. Men who are caught are forced to dress as women and perform in public. Near Vrindavan, the Lathmar Holi celebration pits men from Radha’s village, Barsana, against women from Nandgaon, Krishna’s village. Don’t you feel that this is one of the unusual festivals that you must celebrate once at least. According to mythology, Krishna visited his girlfriend Radha in the days before Holi and ended up making fun of her friends. In response, the Barsana women began pursuing Krishna with sticks (lathis). Since then, every year in these communities, men and women reenact the infamous incident by beating up the men with long sticks.

2. Bhagoria Festival- Khargone & Jhabua, Madhya Pradesh

On a wide scale, marriage fairs are held, when young people choose their spouses and elope with them before being recognised as man and wife by society. Bhagoria, one of the most well-known tribal festivals in India, is mostly observed in the Madhya Pradesh districts of Khargone and Jhabua. After listening about this festival, I can surely say this is one of the unusual festivals that you must celebrate once , especially when you visit Madhya Pradesh. The celebration includes a large haat set up that serves as a marriage swayamvar where young people go partner searching. It is primarily attended by the Bhil and Bhilala tribes. A sizable audience attends the seven-day event, which also heralds the arrival of spring.

3. Muharram

The first month of the Islamic lunar calendar is referred to as the solemn festival of Muharram. The Gregorian calendar, which is used in the majority of western nations, is 11 or 12 days longer than the Islamic lunar calendar. Prophet Mohammed is thought to have had no successor historically since he never designated anyone. Husayn Ibn Ali, one of his supporters, had thus been chosen as his successor. However, Hussain’s assassination on the tenth day of Muharram, the Prophet Muhammad’s grandson, and younger son, is remembered as Ashura. The entire Muslim population was split into Shias and Sunnis because of this.

4. Jallikatu, Tamil Nadu

It makes me think of Spanish “tauromachy.” Jallikattu is an Indian festival that takes place from January to July and features bull-taming competitions. It is largely seen in a few places in Tamil Nadu, including Palamedu and Alanganallur, both of which are close to Madurai, a well-known pilgrimage site in southern India. The tradition of “bull snuggling” dates to the Sangam era in the third century A.D. The bulls utilised in this event are of a particular breed of cow, and the bull hugging custom in Tamil is centred on the idea of “flight or fight.” Supreme Court banned Jallikattu and bullock cart racing in Tamil Nadu, citing animal welfare issues.

5. Puli Kali, Kerala

One of the most well-known festivals in south India is Onam, and this odd occurrence is one of its main draws. The traditional art, dance, music, and theatre known as Puli Kali depicts the concept of tiger hunting. Performers play their roles to the beat of instruments like the Udukku and Thakil while dressed as tigers and hunters in yellow, red, and black. According to legend, Puli Kali first appeared more than 200 years ago when a Maharaja of Cochin chose to celebrate Onam by channeling the untamed and manly spirit of the force. Today’s Puli Kali, when performers dress up in ready-made masks, cosmetic teeth, tongues, beards, and moustaches, is a remarkable aspect of Onam. The newly established Pulikkali Coordination Committee oversees organising this splendour.

6. Aoleang Festival, Nagaland

The Konyak tribe, formerly dangerous headhunters, is now one of India’s native tribes renowned for leading a sedentary way of life. Today, their main activities include farming, drinking local alcohol, chewing opium, and occasionally hunting. The Konyak tribe’s main event, the Aoleang festival, is observed with great fervour in April to ring in the New Year. This colourful festival is a six-day spectacle that brings together people from various regions of Northeast India. If you visit Nagaland during the Aoling festival, you will undoubtedly experience traditional culture in addition to some of the finest unconventional and open-minded moments of your life. During the festivity, the tribe’s dress up in beautiful and colorful traditional attires and perform elaborate dances with folk songs.

7. Theyyam, Kerala

Theyyam, an Indian celebration, is highly distinctive, exactly like its name suggests. The primary attractions of this unique celebration are the risky deeds carried out by Lord Murgan believers who are devoted to supernatural power. People have been known to dance while wearing their hair in a crown, wear coconut fronds. They even tie flaming wire wicks around their waists. The performer walks on the pire while wearing bulky costumes and masks, no matter how hot the fire is. It is a long-standing tradition in Kerala that dates back over 1500 years. This was one of the unusual festivals that is in list of must celebrate once in everyone’s life.

8. Onam, Kerala

For Malayali people in and outside of Kerala, Onam is a significant annual celebration and a harvest festival. Onam, which occurs in the Malayalam calendar month of Chingam on the 22nd Nakshatra Thiruvonam. It falls between the months of August and September. There are 12 days dedicated to the festival. Legend has it that the celebration is in remembrance of King Mahabali, whose ghost is to travel to Kerala during Onam. Boar races, tiger dances, flower Rangolis, women’s dances, mask dances, and other events are all part of the Onam celebrations. Onam Sadya, the traditional vegetarian feast with nine or more courses served on a banana leaf, is a crucial component of Thiruvonam, the final day of the holiday celebrations. 

Conclusion

The festivities become more of a draw as the level of crazy increases. Even while these festivals aim to be pleasant, some of them are bizarre. Most of us are ignorant that such a celebration even exists in our country. To clear your doubt we made this list. Despite their weirdness, these celebrations reflect the thoughts and beliefs of the people, which have persisted through generations. As a result, they are equally deserving of respect. Select the events you wish to attend this year, then begin your preparations.