LuxeBook September 2022

two-day celebration dedicated to the camel that has been serving the people in the desert through the ages. Known as the ship of the desert the camel is often associated with high prestige owing to the fact that it has been a medium of transport and the main means of sustaining livelihood in the desert. This is one of the most unique festivals of India. Camels are dressed in vibrant bridles, traditional necklaces, and heavy anklets showing off wonderful footwork while marching on the sandy backdrop of the Junagarh Fort. Camels and their owners are dressed in their best and the festival celebrates folk music and dances, breed competitions camel races, camel rides and more. The festival typically takes place in January every year. For 2023, the dates are 11 and 12 January. Nearest airport: Jodhpur Airport is the nearest airport to Bikaner, located around 251 km away from the city. From the airport, you can board a bus or hire a taxi to reach Bikaner Places to stay: Narendra Bhawan Bikaner, Tha Laxmi Niwas Palace International Kite Festival, Ahmedabad An internationally recognized festival, the International Kite Flying festival in Ahmedabad is also known as Uttarayan and marks the end of the harvesting season. Being hosted since Since 1989, the International Kite Festival brings master kite makers and flyers from all over the world. They come together to demonstrate their unique creations and wow the crowds with highly unusual kites. Kites of all shapes and sizes are flown, and the main competition is to battle nearby kite-flyers to cut their strings and bring down their kites. The festival takes place in January, and rooftops are filled with people flying kites. For this festival, Kite Flyers gather at Sabarmati River Front Ahmedabad to fly designer kites making the sky look extremely vibrant and breathtaking. Friends and families gather on the rooftop to savour special foods like laddu, undhiyu or surti jamun. Nearest airport: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport Places to stay: Taj Skyline Ahmedabad, Hyatt Regency Ahmedabad Bihu - The Harvest Festival, Assam Bihu, The Harvest Festival is one of the most auspicious and important festivals of Assam and a few other north- eastern states. However, what makes this very unique is that the festival is celebrated thrice every year. Each of the celebrations mark a unique phase centred on the crop harvesting cycle of the local people. There are three Bihu festivals namely Bohag Bihu celebrated in the month of Bohag (Baisakh, the middle of April), Magh Bihu celebrated in the month of Magh (the middle of January), and Kati Bihu celebrated in the month of Kati (Kartik, the middle of October). Bohag Bihu also called the Rongali Bihu is a festival of merriment and celebrates the Assamese New Year Bihu – The Harvest Festival, Assam Summer Festival, Ooty at the onset of spring. The Magh Bihu is also called Bhogali Bihu and is quintessentially the festival of food. Finally, Kati Bihu also called Kongali Bihu unlike the other Bihus, is not a flamboyant festival and the festivities are more subdued in nature. During this time, an earthen lamp is lit in front of the plant and prayers are offered to Goddess for the wellbeing of the family and for a good harvest. This is among the most colourful festivals of India and is worth a visit for every inquisitive traveller. Nearest airport: The Lokapriya Gopinath Bordoloi International Airport is situated at Borjar, 20 km away from the city Places to stay: Radisson Blu Hotel Guwahati, Novotel Guwahati GS Road Summer Festival, Ooty Summer is one of the most celebrated times for travellers, and if discovering India is on your agenda, you can’t miss the Summer Festivals in Ooty. The world- famous Ooty Summer Festival - 2022 is held annually in the Queen of Hills - Ooty during the month of May. The Summer Festival includes a flower show, fruit show, vegetable show, dog show, rose show and spice show. But the main highlight is the flower show. If you are an avid appreciator of the beauty of flowers, making your way to this is non-negotiable. The flower show is organised to showcase the best in garden design, flower sculptures, and authentic and modern floral craftsmanship as well as encourage young local artists through arts and cultures. Hemis Festival, Leh Champakulam Boat Race, Kerala 34| L U X E B O O K | S E P T E MB E R 2 0 2 2 S E P T E MB E R 2 0 2 2 | L U X E B O O K | 35