India is well known for its cultural diversity. Moreover, it is also a land of festivals. The country has such a rich heritage that over 36 different festivals are celebrated across the country with major fervour!
These festivals offer a kaleidoscope of colours through their own traditions and events. But some of these festivities can be considered to be weird and obsolete, and often non-comprehensible to the common man. Let’s take a look at some of these bizarre rituals that make these Indian festivals quite unique.
Jallikattu
An Indian take on bull-taming festivals popular across the world, Jallikattu is a popular event in Tamil Nadu which was re-allowed by government authorities in 2017 over popular appeals. The participants take part in a range of dangerous “sports” which require interaction with angry bulls.
Pushkar Camel Fair
Considered to be a part of India’s most highly rated travel experiences, the Camel Fair is held in November every year and offers a vibrant, colourful space in the midst of the Thar desert.
Natives and local inhabitants participate with their livestock and take part in several games and competitions, providing a colourful show to visitors from across the globe.
Puli Kali
Mainly referring to a dance tradition performed by men who dress up as leopards, tigers, hunters, and other beasts, Puli Kali is performed across Kerala during Onam. The participants wear “beast-masks”, and paint their bodies with animal caricatures, making the entire scene look very vibrant.
Lathmar Holi
A variant of Holi celebrated in Mathura, especially in Barsana and Nandgaon, this festival celebrates a Hindu legend and incorporates a fun take towards Holi festivities. The festivities last for over a week and people dance and play Holi along with the lathi.
Also Read: Watch: Popular North-East Festivals All Indians Must Know About
Garudan Thookkam
Celebrating the Goddess Kali, this festival is celebrated across Kerala where performers dress up like eagles and re-enact the mythological underpinnings that gave birth to the festival. The festivities do not involve performers hanging as eagles for the past few years.
Dhinga Gavar
Known to be a fun festival, Dhinga Gavar is celebrated in Jodhpur with great fervour. Honouring the myth of gods Shiva and Gangaur, the festival subverts social gender roles and allows women to roam freely on the streets of Jodhpur.
Thaipusam
Observed by the devotees of Lord Murugan, Thaipusam is celebrated in India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and several other parts of the world.
The festival promotes body positivity by encouraging bizarre piercings by devotees as a tribute to Lord Murugan.
Nag Panchami
This festival consists of one of the most dangerous traditions followed in the country. Imminent devotees interact with live cobras and other snakes while offering them milk and other goods.
These festivals are among the most popularly celebrated festivals across the country and have made several headlines due to their bizarre traditions.
Several people and animals have lost their lives during the ceremony of Jallikattu, yet people still participate widely in the festival.
These unique festivals offer a glimpse of different parts of India that often go unseen. What are your thoughts on these bizarre traditions and festivals? Let us know by commenting below.
Image Credits: Google Images
Sources: Hindustan Times, Musafir, Yahoo
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This post is tagged under: festivals; Festivals Celebrated In The Country; indian festivals; Hindu festivals; kerala festivals; monsoon festivals; Festivals of Cross Dressing; lathmar holi; holi; dhinga gavar; thaipusam; Garudan thookam; nag panchami; camel fair; puli kali; jallikattu; is allowing Jallikattu justified; Jallikattu ban; Ordinance passed to allow Jallikattu; thrissur pooram; bizarre traditions; unusual indian festivals
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