5 FESTIVALS FOR YOUR BUCKET LIST

For us Indians, a festival or say a celebration is always around the corner all year long. We always find joy and gaiety in every which kind of festival we celebrate. Considering India as just another part of the world, the Larger picture is that the world has a lot more in store for us which we can't help but adding these 5 festivals of the world in our bucket list. A list for all those who consider themselves as a "festie."

 SAPPORO SNOW FESTIVAL ( JAPAN )

If u love winters and the feel of vigor it brings with itself each year, the Sapporo snow festival should be on your list  to experience winters in a new and stirring way. Held every year in the month of february for an entire week , this festival is surely the one to give u "chills" out of excitement. It is held in the capital city of Hokkaido's. 

It is divided into 3 sites:

• Odori park ( Snow Sculptures )\

         The park is the main attraction for people around the globe. It features snow sculptures , 

         everything from popular japanese anime characters to famous buildings around the world. A 

         site worth seeing as it will leave you mesmerised.

• Susukino ( ice sculptures )

         Located just  about 10-15 minutes walk from odori park , in the entertainment district, here 

        you can view hand-made ice sculptures all across the area. 

• Tsudome (Family and fun snow activities )

         This area is basically for family fun. Children and adults can enjoy snow based activities such 

         as snow slides , tubing , along with various musical performances.

The entry fee of all areas is ZERO.  Cherry on the cake, Right. The  amount of astonishing views it offers to its audiences who gather from across the globe , is something one must experience by themselves and thus, makes it a must attend festival of Japan. Have a look at it below:

PINGXI LANTERN FESTIVAL , TAIWAN 

The festival of lanterns or being more specific , The Pingxi Lantern festival is the essence of showcasing taiwanese spirit to the World. A sky full of lanterns with prayers of  good luck and wishes of all kinds , floating up above the sky , offers a magnificient site to endure in one's heart for a lifetime. The visual enjoyment and and the mesmerising sight attracts a huge part of the world ,thus, is always flooded with visitors . The festival was voted as the 2nd biggest New year eve celebration across the globe, by discovery channel. 

OKTOBERFEST ( GERMANY )

It is hard finding a person who does not have an interest in BEER , like seriously! The Good news is for the beer lovers though because each year , the month of  septemer - october , brings with itself the BEER festival. The World's largest BEER festival held in munich, is a 16-18 day festival from mid - september to the first week of october. The kind of popularity it has gained is immense and thus , is also celebrated in different parts of the World. Our very own New Delhi is one such location. Ummmm,,, sounds great for all the 'delhiites ' coz' we all love to drink , right. The numerous other attractions include amusement rides , games , taditional foods like Hendl ( Roast chicken ) , Steckerlfisch (Grilled fish on a stick )....

WINTER LIGHT FESTIVAL (JAPAN)

Coming back to Japan , well, it also showcases one of the finest winter illuminations , including the famous TUNNEL OF LIGHT. No Sato , the flower focused park features greenhouses and beautiful gardens. Mid-november to Mid-march is the duration of this unique festival. 

The Park has an Ousen ( Hot Spring ) , a variety of restaurants including the Nagashima Beer Garden. Expect a lot of crowd since it is a popular attraction. With over 7 million LED lights , the No Sato botanical garden celebrates winter in an elegant style. Check out the scintillating view here:

CHINESE NEW YEAR (AKA:SPRING FESTIVAL )

Spring Festival is yet another mega cultural festival to look out for. A big event for the Chinese people. Chinese people believe that a good start to the year will lead to a lucky year , hence, it is celebrated to welcome the new year with wishes for a prosperous and lucky one. 

There are enormous number of activities done during the celebrations. 

• FAMILY TIME 

         The new year's eve dinner is also called the " Reunion Dinner" and is believed to be the most 
         important meal of the year. 

• DECORATIONS

         Red is the main colour of the festival as it is considered as an auspicious colour by the chinese.          Therefore , you can see the whole town covered with red lanterns on the streets , red couplets 
        pasted on doors. 

• CULTURAL ACTIVITIES

          The setting off of crackers is the main during the festival all over China. Traditional 
          performances can be seen (lion dances, dragon dances, or imperial performances like an 
         emperor's wedding.) Traditional Chinese snacks are on offer including some which are rarely 
        seen the rest of the year. 

        In the northern China, various versions of the Rice sprout song (Traditinal chinese dance ) are
        performed. Just like christmas in the west, gifts are also exchanged , the most common being
        the Red envelopes carrying money given to children and retired people.

       Chinese people are very superstitious as well. fish is a must for chinese new year as the chinese
       word for fish sounds like a word for surplus. Eating fish is believed to bring good luck and
       surplus money. Other examples are- no cleaning on first and second days, no washing of hairs,
       no crying, no asking for loans, and the weirdest one wearing red undeerwears.


The Tradition is setting off 1 string of firecrackers , followed by 3 big firecrackers, which symbolize
"sounding out" the old year and "sounding in " the new year.The louder the sound of firecrackers, the luckier it is believed to be for business and farming for the coming year.

well, a lot of reasons to be a part of this festival, ain't it.

TO CONCLUDE THE ARTICLE , I MUST SAY THE WORLD IS A BIG CULTURAL BALL WITH MANY SHADES WE STILL HAVE TO SEE TO BELIEVE. PLAN YOUR NEXT VISIT TO ANY ONE OF THESE FESTIVALS AND GET SOAKED AWAY BY A CULTURAL CELEBRATION.