It's that time of year when people start thinking about festivals and gatherings. But such events are not solely the domain of hippies and music lovers. Gabe Kaminski, Operations Manager - Asia, for G.A.P Adventures, has been organising adventure travel tours through Asia for the last decade. He's enjoyed his fair share of festivals along the way and shared some of his favourites with us

Chariot Festival - Orissa, India (July)

India's largest annual chariot festival is a colourful spectacle. Thousands of devotees haul gigantic chariots through the main street of Puri. Like something out of a travel brochure, the air is literally filled with the rhythmic clang of metal gongs, the blowing of conch shells and trumpets, and chanting of holy men.

The chariots feature images of Lord Jagannath, the Lord of the Universe, and his brother and sister, and are pulled to a temple three kilometres away. The devotional act is performed annually in honour of the journey of Lord Jagannath as he travelled from his temple in Puri to the countryside.
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Day of the Dead - Oaxaca, Mexico (October)

Against the backdrop of one of Mexico's most beautiful colonial cities, Oaxaca, one of the country's most macabre and memorable festivals, The Day of the Dead, takes place. Despite the morbid subject matter, this holiday is celebrated joyfully, and though it occurs at the same time as Halloween, the emphasis for The Day of the Dead is on celebrating and honouring the lives of the deceased, rather than fearing any evil.

During this colourful festival, people visit local cemeteries to decorate the graves of their loved ones with flowers, candles and even food. The cemeteries turn into veritable fairs because aside from the decorations and offerings, there are people selling local delicacies; bands play to welcome crowds and for the adventurous, mezcal (think tequila with a nasty kick) is commonly passed around.
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Semana Santa - Guatemala (March)

Experience the heart and soul of Guatemala through the Semana Santa festival, one of the most vibrant and colourful celebrations in Central America. The Semana Santa is a unique week-long festival combining Catholic Symbolism with local Mayan traditions.

As part of The Semana Santa, thousands gather to worship and honour the rebirth of Christ; for the Catholics, as a sign that he is truly the son of God, and for the traditionalists, as the symbolic rebirth of corn projecting a fruitful harvest in the upcoming year. The usual suspects of good food, plenty to drink and the opportunity to dance the night away are all present at this festival, which culminates with a sleepless three-day march of holy statues that has to be seen to be truly appreciated.
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Shandur Polo Tournament - Pakistan (July)

To describe the Shandur Polo Tournament as a unique cultural event seems to sell this sporting festival short. Join the thousands of Pakistanis who travel to the far north of the country for the world's highest polo tournament, set at over 11,000 feet above sea level.

It's not just the location that makes this event unique. The tournament also uses a set of rules that are over 800 years old, making it very different from 'modern' polo matches. The festive atmosphere, cut-throat competition, and remote location certainly make this one of the world?s most entertaining polo tournaments!
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Naadam Festival - Mongolia (June)

Echoing Mongolia's warrior past, the Naadam festival, or the 'manly games' as they are otherwise known, is a festival of the three major traditional sports in Mongolia: wrestling, horse racing and archery.

The chance to compete in or watch these events draws herdsmen and their families from hundreds of miles around at the height of Mongolia's warm season. The Naadam festival begins with a giant parade down the main boulevard of the city of Ulaan Baatar, passing government buildings and monuments. Great fun for the hardy traveller is had in joining the nomadic herders, who live in tent-like 'gers', for this remarkable festival.
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Losar Tibetan New Year - Tibet (February)

In Tibet, there are many festivals throughout the year that attract the faithful as well as curious onlookers. One of the most important is Losar, the Tibetan New Year, which is a truly colourful, traditional and exotic festival.

For the non-traditionalists, although Losar is the celebration of the Buddhist New Year, there is plenty of drinking and eating at this three-day party. After symbolic rituals performed by the yellow-hatted Tibetan lamas, the festivities kick off with massive parades and fireworks meant to chase off last year's devils.
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Kyoto Geisha Festival - Japan (May)

Authentic geisha dance performances are rare events, unless you are a member of Kyoto's upper-class and a visitor to local Tea Houses or are lucky enough to be able to secure a seat at one of the annual public performances given in Kyoto in Spring and Autumn.

Held since 1872, the Kama-gawa Odori is one of the country's most celebrated spring geisha dances and thousands of locals turn out in the hope of witnessing the graceful movements of the Pontocho district's geishas. Staged on the banks of the Kamo-gawa River, the Kama-gawa Odori has attracted the likes of Charlie Chaplin and Jean Cocteau through the years.
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Calgary Stampede - Canada (July)

Grab your hat and get ready for some serious boot-scooting at this world famous Stampede. One of Canada's largest annual events, the Calgary Stampede is the world's biggest outdoor rodeo.

It features an internationally recognised rodeo competition, stage shows, concerts, agricultural competitions, chuckwagon races and pancake breakfasts around the city. During Stampede Week, the city is filled with tourists who join locals in celebrating all that is good about rhinestone, country music and the wide open spaces.
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Pushkar Camel Festival - India (November)

Thousands of people from rural India flock to Pushkar during this annual fair to partake in everything from livestock trading to religious festivities. A true sight to see is the first half of the festival during the camel and cattle trading fair, when the Indians spruce up their camels with fur and colourful adornments, hoping to get the best sale.

Throughout the fair around 50,000 camels are sold, decorated, shaved and raced. The religious activities dominate the latter half of the festival, culminating in thousands of devotees taking a dip in the holy lake on the full moon, signalling the end of the event.
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Inti Raymi - Peru (June)

While Inti Raymi, or the Festival of the Sun, celebration in Cuzco Peru runs for roughly one week, it is for the ceremony and party on June 24 that it is gaining increasing attention throughout Latin America. June 24 marks the actual day of Inti Raymi. On this day blessings are called from the sun from an individual representing the Sapa Inca (the emperor) and ceremonial processions take place through flower-draped streets to a heady mix of music, prayers and dancing.

Huge crowds await the arrival of the procession and women sweep the streets to clear them of evil spirits following the event. In the evenings, live music from local Peruvian musicians and bands draw the crowds to the Plaza de Armas for free concerts.
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