ASIA-PACIFIC

PUSHKAR BALLOON AND CAMEL FESTIVAL Popularly known as Pushkar Mela, it is a vibrant exhibit of competitions and events. Each year a number of visitors from world over gather for the opening ceremony of this festival, during which camels and horses are adorned in bright clothing and trinkets and paraded around. In addition to enjoying cultural programmes such as dances and theatre, visitors can buy handicrafts from local artisans – silver ornaments, beaded necklaces, patchwork garments, printed textiles and local footwear are some of the items sold here. There is even a hot-air balloon event – onlookers cheer [OVZL [HRPUN VɈ PU[V [OL ZR` ^OPSL V[OLYZ participate as passengers. Post sunset, the lit balloons turn the entire sky into a fairytale like scene.

GURU NANAK JAYANTI A special day in the calendar of the Sikh community, the sight unfolding at the revered shrine – Golden Temple – is one to behold. Devotees take pride in volunteering at the community kitchen here, called

langar, where they serve visitors with meals. Guru Nanak Jayanti is the birthday celebration of the founder of this religion. On this day, visitors to the Golden Temple can sit for readings from the Guru Granth

Sahib that take place throughout the day. ;OL [LTWSL PZ KLJVYH[LK ^P[O ÅV^LYZ and bright lights to celebrate the day. goldentempleamritsar.org

DELHI INTERNATIONAL ART FESTIVAL (DIAF) DIAF, amongst those in India’s art industry, is recognised as the country’s signature art festival. It has been running for a decade now, each year growing in size and the number of displays. It showcases a variety of art forms through various media. 9LHJOPUN H MVV[MHSS VM HIV\[ Ä]L TPSSPVU visitors and participants, the festival attracts HY[PZ[Z ^YP[LYZ HY[ HÄJPVUHKVZ HUK [V\YPZ[Z from all over the world. This platform of cultural display has made Delhi a global HY[Z KLZ[PUH[PVU 6UL ^PSS ÄUK H ZLH VM [HSLU[ OLYL YHUNPUN PU ÄLSKZ MYVT T\ZPJ HUK KHUJL [V [OLH[YL ÄST NHZ[YVUVT` JHU]HZLZ HUK literature amongst others. STRAWBERRY FIELDS Strawberry Fields is all about letting your hair down and grooving to catchy tunes. Over 100 international and local artists of various genres of music, ranging from disco to techno, hip hop and jazz amongst the others, come together under one roof to create an immersive environment for visitors. The four main areas of the festival have a series of theme camps, each adorned with attractive décor and art installations. They also include workshops and art performances. strawberry-fields.com.au

RANN UTSAV

A carnival of music and folk dances against Gujarat’s sandy white desert is what best KLÄULZ 9HUU <[ZH] 0[ PZ H ILH\[PM\S ZOV^JHZL of the culture of local tribes who originate MYVT [OL 9HUU VM 2\[JO 6UL JHU ÄUK [\ULZ from folk musicians, exquisite embroidery,

bandhani saris, mirror work on clothing, wood carvings, and intricate art and craft, all carried through generations of Gujarat’s L[OUPJ NYV\WZ KPZWSH`LK OLYL 9HUU <[ZH] is like a mosaic of specialities from the arid lands of Kutch. Luxury tent accommodation, temporary restaurant set-ups, as well as golf carts, ATV rides, excursions on camel back, yoga, meditation and paramotoring are some of the services and activities available here. rannutsav.com