The top 10 festivals tourists don't know about

a traveller 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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