There is a festival or celebration for practically every day of the year, as the Hindu almanac will tell you! Many Indian festivals are religious in origin, although several are celebrated irrespective of caste and creed... with enthusiasm, colour and plenty of noise, as is the Indian custom. Picture large processions out on to the streets leading mammoth idols of the beloved elephant headed god Ganesha on Ganesh Chaturthi. Or the burning of giant effigies of Ravana on Dussehra. Thousands of oil lamps being floated on the River Ganga on Deep Deepavali, and hundreds of kites crowding the skies on Makar Sankranti. Holi is the colourful festival of spring and is celebrated by people anointing each other with brightly coloured powder and water. Plan your holiday to include some of the colour and vibrancy of India’s festivals.