Do you dream of distant, exotic journeys? Check if you have a chance to be at some fascinating festival or take part in the celebration of a special holiday! After all, traveling is not only a chance to see amazing landscapes and get a crazy tan, but also to get to know a foreign culture. We have prepared for you a ranking of the 10 most interesting festivals in the world.
DIWALI – INDIA
Diwali, one of the most important Hindu holidays, falls in late October and early November. Its dates are determined by the traditional lunar calendar, so you need to check when it is due if you want to see them with your own eyes. The holiday is associated with different traditions. One of them says that it commemorates the victorious return of Rama, the hero of the Ramayana epic and the incarnation of the god Vishnu, to his kingdom after he defeated the demon Ravana and recaptured his consort Sita from his hands. According to another tradition, during Diwali, the victory of Krishna, also the incarnation of Vishnu, is celebrated over the demon Narakasura. In West Bengal, however, the powerful goddess Kali is then worshiped. Diwali celebrations, also known as the festival of lights, last as long as 5 days. However, the most important and spectacular day is the third day. Then it is Lakshmi Puja, that is, a ceremony for the consort of Vishnu. A generous goddess brings happiness and prosperity, therefore the faithful wash her image and offer her generously of flowers, fruit, milk and clarified butter. In the evening, thousands of Hindus go out to the street with small, butter lamps symbolizing the victory of light over darkness and good over evil. Thousands of fireworks illuminate the sky, and joyful singing is heard around.
When? october or november
How long? Five days
Where? India
Sample program: Rajasthan, mystical Varanasi and the unknown Andamans
Diwali
HOLI – INDIA
Who wouldn’t want to forget about the world for a moment, go out on the street and plunge into crazy fun? If you visit India in February / March, you have a chance to see holi – one of the most spectacular holidays in the world. During it, the arrival of spring is celebrated, as well as – depending on the local tradition – various mythological events. Holi is especially celebrated in the north of the country. There, the Indians go out into the streets and throw colorful powders at each other and pour water on each other. Colorful, dancing parades roam the city and entice every passer-by they meet. The celebration lasts all day! Although holi is also celebrated in the south, it is not customary to throw powders on each other. If you want to see holi while on vacation in India, head to the north of the country and see when exactly it falls.
When? February March
How long? about 4 days
Where? North India and Goa, West Bengal, Manipur, Gujarat, Himcal Pradesh
Sample program: Beaches of Goa and majestic Rajasthan
Holi
DIA DE LOS MUERTOS – MEXICO
All Day of the Dead is a rather unusual time for a vacation in Mexico. In our tradition, it is associated with sadness, reflection and seriousness. In Mexico, however, it is a much more joyful time. The houses are decorated with garlands of juicy orange velvets, and the whole holiday is accompanied by humorous, colorful ornaments full of cheerful skulls. Shop windows are filled with sweets in the shape of skulls, coffins or graves. As in us, the highlight of the Day of the Dead is a visit to the cemetery. Mexicans, however, give a real feast on the graves. They take specially prepared dishes and alcohol and feast there. Although today the holiday has a Christian dimension, it is related to the old belief that on that day the dead descend to earth. Dia de los Muertos is celebrated most loudly in the south of the country. There is a tradition here of creating special altars for the dead. In their central point there is a photo of the deceased. They are usually colorfully, even garishly decorated. If you find yourself in the capital of Mexico during the Festival of the Dead, you can go to the parade, where participants in costumes of colorfully dressed skeletons have fun and dance. The interesting fact is that this is a very new tradition. The parade first appeared in the movieSpecter from 2015. Due to the great popularity of the next installment of James Bond’s adventures, the city authorities decided to make it an annual event.
When? November 1 and 2
How long? Two days
Where? Mexico
Sample program: Pacific beaches and Mexican culture
DÃa de los Muertos
CARNIVAL IN RIO – BRAZIL
When to go on vacation to Brazil, if not during the carnival? After all, this is one of the most famous events in the world! Who has not heard of a colorful parade, extravagant costumes and the sounds of samba echoing in the streets? Preparations for the carnival last almost all year round. Four days before Ash Wednesday, the city turns into one big party. The most famous is the parade of samba schools in a specially prepared area called the sambodrome. It is the largest catwalk in the world followed by the world’s largest parade. 14 best samba schools from all over the country take part in them. All of them compete in fancy, colorful costumes and spectacular choreographies. Each of them is accompanied by a team of 200 to 400 drummers. However, not only the sambodromes, but the whole city are playing to the rhythms of samba. On the streets and beaches of Rio, there is an all-night party, to which the sambodrome party is only an addition. The so-called gang, or dance groups. They are led by musicians and singers, followed by dancers and finally, everyone who wants to join them. If you decide to vacation in Brazil during the carnival, you will have fun, singing and dancing until dawn!
When? February March
How long? Five days
Where? Brazil – Rio de Janeiro
Sample program: Brazil at its best
Rio Carnival
LANTERN FESTIVAL – THAILAND
Thailand is undoubtedly one of the most popular destinations for exotic holidays. Remember, however, that this country has much more to offer than fabulous beaches. Holidays in Thailand is also an opportunity to learn about the country’s fascinating culture. If you go here in November, you have a chance to see Loy Krathong, the so-called Lantern Festival. It is most spectacularly celebrated in November. On that day, small rafts are released onto the river, decorated with colorful flowers, candles and incense sticks. In the evening, thousands of paper lanterns rise to heaven. Both lanterns and rafts are designed to take bad luck and all misfortunes with them. Thais also light small candles, similar to those lit by the Indians during the diwali. No wonder – the Thai festival has its roots in India.
When? usually in November
How long? 1 Day
Where? Thailand (including Sukothai, Chiang Mai)
Sample program: Ethnic minorities in the North and Paradise beaches in the South
BURNING MAN – USA
Every year, in early September, a surreal city is created in the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, with a giant effigy in the center of it. At the climax of the festival, it is burnt. It’s a relatively young event – the first Burning Man festival was held in 1982. It is not clear why the burning puppet is the main theme. One of the theories says that one of the organizers wanted to symbolically settle accounts with the past after the girl dumped him, another – that it was inspired by the film Kult. Festival participants create their own city in the desert. It is filled with surreal constructions, it is traversed by futuristic, fantastic vehicles and has specific rules. Festival-goers also try their best to express themselves through bizarre, abstract, sometimes fairy-tale costumes. The idea of ​​the event is also the greatest possible mutual integration and “living in the moment”. Although it is not a music festival, you will hear the best DJs from all over the world and meet the greatest stars. Burning Man is undoubtedly a great idea for an unusual holiday in the USA.
When? first Monday of September
How long? 8 days
Where? USA – Black Rock City (Nevada)
Sample program: coming soon
REGGAE SUMFEST – JAMAICA
Do you want to relax on Caribbean beaches and at the same time meet the biggest reggae stars in the world? Go on vacation in Jamaica in July! Since 1993, the largest reggae festival in the world has been held in Montego Bay. The biggest stars of reggae, dancehall, R&B and rap come here. For three days, the whole area will be immersed in the music rhythms of the greatest artists from around the world. Moreover, it is a perfect opportunity to see this fascinating country. Jamaica charms with its paradise beaches, tropical jungles and fairy-tale landscapes. In addition, the surrounding waters hide real treasures in the form of a coral reef and its colorful inhabitants. Jamaica also delights with a relaxed atmosphere, which you can feel best while listening to the sounds of reggae.
When? from mid to end of July
How long? Three days
Where? Jamaica – Montego Bay
Sample program: Miami beaches and dancing Jamaica
Reggae Sumfest
INCWALA – ESWATINI
During a trip to South Africa, it is worth visiting the tiny country of Eswatini (until recently Swaziland). This small country borders with South Africa and Mozambique. It is an absolute monarchy. In 2018, the monarch changed the official name of the state from Swaziland to Eswatini. If you go there in December, you have the chance to see the biggest cultural event in the country. It takes place around the summer solstice in the southern hemisphere (it is the winter solstice in Poland at that time). Preparations for the festival, known as a small incala, start already in November. The most important figure of the holiday is King Eswatini. Incwala is tasked with consolidating his power in the country. It is also a harvest festival – the first fruits are tasted. The biggest and most spectacular attractions await the observers on the fourth day of the great incwala. It is then that the holiday climaxes. You can see tribal dances, rituals and warriors in traditional clothing.
When? December
How long? Three weeks
Where? eSwatini (former Swaziland)
Sample program: South Africa and the Kingdom of Swaziland
eSwatini – Incwala
PASOLA – INDONESIA
Pasola is a one-day festival that takes place on the eastern side of Sumba Island. If you visit it during your vacation in Indonesia in February / March, you have a chance to see it. It takes place in several villages in Sumba, often on different dates. It is the village elders who decide when it will be most successful to organize the festival. It starts a new harvest season and ensures an abundant harvest. It is also a thanksgiving ceremony – you should thank the spirits of your ancestors for the previously harvested crops. The celebration of the holiday is accompanied by folk songs and dances. However, the most spectacular part of the festival takes place in the plains outside the villages. All local residents gather there to admire the amazing game. Colorfully adorned warriors mount bareback horses and divide into two teams. Using a spear, they try to knock down their opponent or injure his or her mount. Dropped fighters cannot be attacked any further. According to local beliefs, the blood of people and horses injured in this extraordinary show is to fertilize the soil for future crops. In the past, death during this game was considered a great honor, today it happens very rarely.
When? March
How long? Two days
Where? Indonesia – Sumba
Sample program: Bali and unspoiled Sumba
Pasol
ESALA PERAHERA – SRI LANKA
Sri Lankans believe that a real Buddha’s tooth is kept in the temple in the city of Kandy. According to legend, one of the Awakened’s students was supposed to pull him out of the cremation pyre. Then the relic was transported to Sri Lanka. The then ruler of the island was so happy with it that he ordered that the tooth should be shown to the faithful during the annual procession. This tradition continues to this day, but only a copy of the relic is favored at present. You can see the colorful procession if you go to Sri Lanka at the end of August. The exact date is based on the lunar calendar, so check it before planning your vacation. The whole celebration lasts ten days, but the most spectacular is the parade on the last day. At the head of four processions walk colorful and richly decorated elephants. They are wearing silk robes embroidered with golden threads. The largest of them carries a golden casket with a copy of the relic. The faithful who devote themselves to various devotional practices march among the elephants. Some of them go barefoot, others whip themselves using whips with hooks sticking into the skin. Hindus also take part in the procession. The processions start from four temples dedicated to the Hindu gods. The parade is accompanied by the sounds of drums, jugglers and fire eaters. It is an amazing spectacle without a doubt! The processions start from four temples dedicated to the Hindu gods. The parade is accompanied by the sounds of drums, jugglers and fire eaters. It is an amazing spectacle without a doubt! The processions start from four temples dedicated to the Hindu gods. The parade is accompanied by the sounds of drums, jugglers and fire eaters. It is an amazing spectacle without a doubt!
When? usually at the turn of July and August
How long? 10 days
Where? Sri Lanka – Kandy
Sample program: Ceylon beaches and treasures
Esala Perahera