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What truly sets India apart from various other travel destinations is its vast cultural treasure stemming from a historic past.

India's grand repository of ancient cultural and natural treasures is of great significance to the history and civilization of the world.

The Taj Mahal, Agra Fort and Fatehpur Sikri in Agra, the Konark Sun Temple, Khajuraho Temples, Mahabalipuram Monuments, Brihadishwara Temple, Thanjavur, Hampi Monuments as well as the Ajanta, Ellora and Elephanta Caves are some of the monuments declared as World Heritage Monuments.

Besides, these monuments there are many historically important temples scattered all over the country.

In the past, as also in the present, the temple has been the focus of the religious, social and economic life of the Indian people. Myriads of Gods, Goddesses and celestial beings are wrought on the temple walls in a tremendous display of projected emotional states, ranging from the horrific to the erotic to the sublime. These supremely complex works of art never fail to fascinate all who see.

In India there are places where the visitor encounters history at every step.

Like in the desert state of Rajasthan, an area of awe inspiring physical beauty where massive forts and magnificent palaces are found even in the remotest parts of the state.

Its thriving colourful folk culture and over thousand years of history and myths have been passed down generations as stories of valour and love.

The music of India includes multiple varieties of folk, popular, pop, classical music and R&B. India's classical music tradition, including Carnatic and Hindustani music, has a history spanning millennia and, developed over several eras, it remains fundamental to the lives of Indians today as sources of religious inspiration, cultural expression and pure entertainment. India is made up of several dozen ethnic groups, speaking their own languages and dialects, having very distinct cultural traditions.

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Dance in India is a rhythm.

Eyes, faces, hands and feet move to varying moods, reflecting an idiom of the perfection of an ancient art.

India is the home of Bharatanatyam, once performed in temples by devdasis, and of Kathak, a testimony to the court of Lucknow and the pleasure-loving nawabs. Come watch the great care taken to express love and its manifold manifestations in the gestures of a Manipuri dancer. From Odissi to Kuchipudi to ballet and numerous folk dances, the Indian dance sequence weavers an intricate rhythm that is the philosophy of dance. In temples or in courts, from backyards to the great auditoria, Indian dance reflects an magnificent heritage, individually perfected by each dancer.

The major percussion instrument is the tabla, pakhawaj or mridangam played to an intricate beat by the artist's fingers. Other major instruments are the sitar and veena, stringed instruments, the harmonium, a keyboard instrument, and the tanpura - a stringed instrument used as a drone, the shehnai and nadaswaram are wind instruments used at weddings and associated with welcomes and joyous celebrations.

The excitement of the Bhangra from Punjab never ceases. The skirts of the women spinning to the Dandiya Rass flip-flap to the clack-clack of the sticks in their hands. Qawwali singers clap their hands in time to the beat of the song. And the milk-maids look beseechingly as Krishna and Radha dance the Raas Lila.

The living arts of music and dance in India reflect the diverse cultures from which they have arisen: each is elaborate, improvised, yet formal and beautiful.

Colorful and lively, the fairs and festivals of India are major attractions of the country. Reflecting the vibrant culture of the country, these events occupy a prime place in the Indian tourism industry, as many people visit the country in order to participate in them. The culture of India is aptly reflected through its numerous festivals and fairs. Bringing out the true spirit of the Indian people and their society, the Indian festivals find their roots in the traditions, religious beliefs, myths and the seasons of the country.

The fairs and festivals either celebrate the change of seasons or are of a religious nature. For instance, Mewar Festival and Holi are celebrated to mark the coming of the spring season. Teej of Rajasthan marks the onset of the monsoon. On the other hand, Onam in Kerala and Bihu in Assam are celebrated to mark the harvesting season. Other festivals, like the konark Dance Festival, promote the culture of India. Religious festivals are innumerable over here. Durga Puja, Ganesh Chaturthi, Janmastami, Christmas, Eid-ul-Fitr, Rath Yatra, Vasant Panchami, Ram Nabami and others are some of the popular religious festivals of India. Apart from these, the other festivals that are celebrated include Desert Festival, Elephant Festival, Raksha Bandhan, Nouroz, Diwali and Dusssehra amongst others.

A large number of fairs are also held in India from time to time. People from far and wide come to take part in these fairs. In fact, many tourists plan their vacations according to the time of occurrence of these fairs. Pushkar Fair, Urs Ajmer Fair and Surajkund Crafts Fair are some of the famous fairs of India. The Kumbh Mela and the colorful and grand Goa Carnival are extremely popular among the locals as well as the tourists.

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Fairs and Festivals in Assam
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Fairs and Festivals in Andhra Pradesh                                                                         Fairs and Festivals in Bihar
Fairs and Festivals in Chhattisgarh                                                                       Fairs and Festivals in Daman and Diu
Fairs and Festivals in Delhi                                                                                        Fairs and Festivals in Goa
Fairs and Festivals in Gujarat                                                                                Fairs and Festivals in Haryana
Fairs and Festivals in Himachal Pradesh