Feb/Mar

Holi : It marks the beginning of spring and is celebrated (in North India) by throwing coloured water and gulal (powder) at one another. On the night before Holi, bonfires are built to symbolise the destruction of the evil demon Holika.

Muharram : An Islamic festival commemorating the martyrdom of the Prophet Mohammed's grandson, Imam.

Shivaratri : This day of Hindu fasting is dedicated to Shiva, who danced the tandava (cosmic dance) on this day.

Kumbh Mela : It is the largest religious congregation on earth, attracts tens of millions of Hindu pilgrims, including masses of holy men, especially Nagas (naked sadhus) of militant Hindu monastic orders. A sea of tents is set up for the pilgrims during the mela. Nagas are the first to take the holy dip. The next Kumbh Mela is due in 2010.

According to Hindu creation myths, the gods and demons once fought a great battle for a kumbh (pitcher) containing the nectar of immortality. Vishnu got hold of the container and spirited it away, but in flight four drops, spilt on the earth - at Allahabad, Haridwar, Nasik and Ujjain. Every three years, one of the four sites chosen by the holy drops takes its turn throwing the fantastical event known as (Maha) Kumbh mela.