Fairs and Festivals Kolkata

Calcutta festivals are celebrated with fun and frolic. We will provide you information on the different festivals of Kolkata, India.

Laxmi Puja
Lakshmi puja festival falls in the month of October, about 5 days after Mahadashami. Laxmi Puja of Kolkata India is an important occasion, in which prayers are offered to Lakshmi, the Goddess of wealth, peace and prosperity. The puja of Ma Laxmi gives an opportunity to people to invite the Goddess of luck and prosperity to their homes. One or two days before the celebration of the festivity of Laxmi puja, the local markets of Kolkata are beautifully decorated. The shops get flooded with the idols of Laxmi seated on a lotus.

Saraswati Puja
Saraswati puja is one big occasion in Kolkata that takes place during the period between late January and early February. In fact, the day when puja of Ma Saraswati is done is declared as a state holiday. Calcutta Saraswati puja festival is celebrated with great pomp and show. It is on this day that the youngest female of the family is asked to dress up in yellow clothing. Sarswati puja of Kolkata India is dedicated to the goddess of learning.

Saraswati puja is conducted in almost every locality of Calcutta. People of the locality get together and assemble at the pandal to celebrate the festivity. Kids are really enthusiastic about the puja. It is during this puja that children pray to the goddess for their academic success. It is usually the pundit who performs the puja. After the puja is over, prasad is distributed to all.

Kali Puja
Calcutta Kali Puja festival is another important occasion that takes place two weeks after the celebration of Laxmi puja. Kali puja is performed in the honor of Kali, the Goddess of destruction. People worship Goddess Kali with the belief that she will protect them from evils. Also, she symbolizes strength. Puja of Ma Kali is conducted at midnight on the day of the new moon in the month of Kartik. Kali Puja of Kolkata India usually coincides with Diwali. It is celebrated with splendid grandeur. People light candles, burst crackers, dress up in good clothes and offer prayers to mother Goddess Kali.

Durga Puja
Puja of Ma Durga is a major festival of Bengalis, for which they keep waiting the whole year. Calcutta Durga Puja festival is celebrated on a large scale with great pomp and gaiety. It is celebrated to worship mother Durga, the Goddess of power (Shakti). It celebrates the victory of ma Durga over the demon Mahishasura. Durga Puja of Kolkata, India usually takes place during the autumn period from September-October. The weather is pleasant, giving air a festivity touch. Though the festival of Durga puja is celebrated throughout Bengal, but it is special in Kolkata. Durga puja involves the performance of a long series of rituals. Every day starting from the day of the Mahalaya, the days of Sashthi, Saptami, Ashtami, Navami and Dashami or Bijoya Dashami has its own set of rituals. Durga puja is a time for socializing with friends, family and relatives. People dressed in their new clothing, visit pandals, eat mouthwatering food and enjoy the drumbeats. It is truly the best time to catch up with your old friends.

Dol Purnima
Calcutta Dol Purnima festival is celebrated to give a warm welcome to the spring season. Basically, Dol Purnima is like Holi festival, in which people smear each other with different colors and also spray colored water on the people passing by. It is on this festivity that people get together and share joyous moments. They drink bhang, i.e., a mild milk beverage laced with marijuana. The best part about Dol Purnima festival of Kolkata India is that, on this day, people break all social barriers of caste, creed and religion. Poor touch rich and lower caste meets and greets upper caste.

Bhai Phota
Calcutta Bhai Phota festival takes place 2 days after the celebration of Kali puja. Bhai Phota festival of Kolkata India is basically the Bhaiya Dooj festival of North Indians. On Bhai Phota, the sister fasts in the morning till she applies a tilak made from sandalwood on her brother's forehead. While doing so, she prays to God for the sound health, safety and prosperity of her brother. The brother in return presents gift to her sister. Thereafter, both the brother and sister offer sweets to each other.

Nabobarsho
Calcutta Nabobarsho festival is celebrated to mark the beginning of Bengali New Year and the arrival of summer time. It takes place during the mid of April. Nabobarsho festival of Kolkata India has a lot of significance for all. It is on this day that businessmen take their accounts books and the statues of Ganesh and Lakshmi along and visit the Kali temple for seeking the divine blessings. On the Naboborsho, the markets are beautifully decorated with garlands, auspicious mango leaves; sola pith ornaments etc. On the eve of Bengali New Year, Charak puja is conducted.

Rathayatra
Calcutta Rath Yatra festival is the first festivity of the Monsoon season and usually falls in late June or early July. Rathyatra festival of Kolkata, India is dedicated to Jagannath, an avatar of Vishnu. It is on this day that processions are conducted by the ISKON. Kalighat acts as a platform where the idols of Jagannath's chariot sell like real hot cakes on this day. Children adorn their chariots with flowers. In the chariots, they keep the clay images of Jagannath, his brother Balaram and sister Subhadra. Rathayatra is celebrated to mark the beginning of harvest season. It is owing to this fact that it is considered a very auspicious time. This festivity is of prime importance in villages and towns.

Poila Baisakh
Calcutta Poila Baisakh festival is basically a harvest festivity that marks the beginning of the crop cycle in Bengal. It takes place in the first month of the Bengali calendar, Baisakh (April). Poila Baisakh is celebrated with magnificent grandeur. The first day of the month of Baisakh is known as Poila Baisakh and is celebrated as the Bengali New Year. It is on this day that wherever you go, you are offered yummy sweets.

Poila Baisakh festival of Kolkata, India witnesses the inauguration of the new books of accounts by the traders. This month is considered auspicious for the purpose of marriage and starting a new venture. The month of baisakh marks the beginning of agricultural activities. Bengalis are of the belief that children born in this month are likely to possess the qualities of a genius. The perfect example is that of Rabindranath Tagore who was born on the 25th in the month of baisakh.

Calcutta Fairs

Calcutta fairs have become an intrinsic part of the city of joy. The city witnesses a vast array of fairs that keep the people engrossed with the task of planning as to what to buy from each fair. Each of the fairs of Calcutta India has something unique to offer.

Calcutta Book Fair
Calcutta book fair was initiated in the year 1976 by the Calcutta Publishers' and Booksellers' Guild. It was started on a small scale, but today, it is the largest book fair in Asia. Book fair of Kolkata India was conducted in order to meet the public demand for more and more exciting books. It was at that time that there were not adequate bookshops from where people could buy the books of their choice. Book fair of Calcutta India has been gaining momentum every year.

Handloom Expo
Handloom expo is hosted every alternate year in the Kolkata Maidan. It was initiated long back in the year 1982. Calcutta handloom expo is a 21 days long event that gives a fabulous opportunity to the people of Calcutta as well as the tourists to shop anything from bed sheets to clothes at the most reasonable prices. Handloom expo of Kolkata India has been attracting more and more people every year. It is sponsored by the State Govt with the support of Central govt.

Poush Mela
Poush mela is a three day long event that is held every year to mark the commemoration of Rabindranath Tagore's Shantiniketan. Calcutta Poush mela usually takes place during late December. It is during this fair that prayers are offered. The celebration of Poush mela of Kolkata India is not just limited to the religious aspect, but also extends to the display of folk performances and conduct of cultural fests and craft bazaars. In fact, it can be said that this three day long festival cum fair gives an absolutely fantastic opportunity to the tourists to explore the culture of Shantiniketan. It has been able to attract more and more number of tourists every year. The last day of fair is dedicated to all those who were associated with Shantiniketan.

Lexpo Fair
Lexpo fair was conducted for the first time in the year 1977. It was launched by the Indian Leather Technology Association. It is a platform that allows not just the big players but also the small-scale leather industries to exhibit their products and technology. Calcutta leather Lexpo fair usually takes place during the period between December-January at the maidan of Kolkata. Read on to know more about Lexpo fair of Kolkata India.

Vidyasagar Mela
Vidyasagar mela is celebrated in the remembrance of Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar. The basic aim is to spread his teachings and social messages. Calcutta Vidyasagar Mela also attempts to showcase the cultural aspects of the state. The special features of the Vidyasagar Mela Kolkata India consist of the health camps and seminars. Ishwar Chandra Vidyasagar was a multifaceted personality who made a significant contribution in virtually all aspects of Indian life then be it education, culture, religion etc.

Crafts Bazaar
Crafts bazaar is one of the most popular fairs that is held in Calcutta in the month of January. Most of the Kolkata fairs including Calcutta crafts bazaar is held at the Calcutta Maidan. The basic aim of conducting Craft Bazar Of Kolkata India is to provide a parlance where small-scale industries and other poor craftsmen can get an opportunity to display their products. Craftsmen and artisans come from different parts of the country to participate in this grand fair. There is a complete plethora of stalls and pavilions that exhibit a vast array of products ranging from handloom products, bed linens and clothing, crockery, handmade jewelry to other beautiful decorative items for household. The fair usually extends till two weeks.

Sonar Sansar
Sonar sansar is truly a unique exhibition cum fair that gives a fabulous opportunity to the leading jewelry houses and designers to display their splendid golden ornaments. Calcutta Sonar sansar was initiated in the year 1997. It is solely organized by Swarna Bachao Committee under the sponsorship of the World Gold Council. The Exponent Associates (P) Ltd supports this mega event. Sonar Sansar of Kolkata India is a delight for those who wish to glance the rare and mind-blowing jewelry of the best Indian artisans. The fair is usually held during the period between March-April. In this fair, a carat-weighing machine is also installed, so that if the customer wants to ensure the exact carat weight they can.