The city of Kolkata, with its diverse mix of cultures and ethnic groups, rarely sees a time when there is not some type of celebration happening. Both civil and religious celebrations occur frequently throughout the year, offering insight into the various religious, cultural and traditional customs of the area. A famous saying from the region translates as ‘13 festivals in 12 months’ but in reality this is an understatement. While most festivals occur around the same time each year, some are celebrated according to the moon’s cycle, so times may vary.

New Year’s Day: Despite the fact that the people of Kolkata don’t necessarily follow the Christian calendar, they partake in this international holiday with great fervour. While most of the festivities from the night before leave people in a tired yet ecstatic state, a common New Year’s Day activity is horse racing. The city is abuzz with the sense of celebration and there will always be something to do or see.

Makar Sankranti: This massive celebration to mark the winter solstice sees over 500,000 pilgrims congregate on the island of Sagar Dwip, about 150kms south of Kolkata.

Gangar Sagar Mela: This event takes place at Sagar just over 100kms from the city and sees vast numbers of Hindu pilgrims gather to bathe in the healing waters at the mouth of the river Hugli.

Sarwaswati Puja: This festival dedicated to the goddess of learning sees students and their teachers come together to pay homage.

Kolkata Book Fair: Takes place each year in either January or February and is the largest in Southeast Asia.

Shivratri: Marks the night when Lord Shiva first performed his cosmic dance, the ‘Tandav’. Temples are packed with devotees, who pay homage to the god by fasting and offering prayers. Among the most prominent temples to celebrate this occasion are the Shaivite temples at Kalahasti and Chidambaram.

Dol Purnima: This is one of the largest celebrations marking the beginning of spring. People of all walks of life and social castes join together and celebrate by drinking bhang, a tea drink laced with marijuana, and spraying water at each other in childlike jubilance. Faces painted with coloured powders bring the festival to vivid life and the atmosphere is electric.

Nabobarsho: This is the celebration of the Bengali New Year. Business men flock to the Kali temples with their halkhata accounts books and Ganesh statues to be blessed to bring good luck to their businesses for the coming year. Throughout the city shop fronts are decorated in a variety of colours using natural materials such as sola pith and banana skins.

 Baisakhi: This festival marks the Hindu New Year. It is a boisterous and exciting occasion with traditional Bhangra dances performed in time to the vigorous rhythms of local drums.

Ramnavami: This is the anniversary celebration of the Lord Rama’s birth. The Ramayana is read in fine detail for 8 days before the actual event.

Id-Ul-Fitr: Marks the end of the Muslim Ramadan. Celebrations take place in the form of prayers and family feasts.

Rath Yatra: Takes place in the last days of June or early July. It is held in honour of Jagannath, one of Vishnu’s avatars. ISKON is the site for the Kolkata celebrations, where children decorate replicas of Jagannath’s chariot with flowers and clay statues of the hero.

Independence Day: Marks the day that India finally became a free state. Major activities include flag ceremonies and cultural programmes throughout the country.

Vishwa Karma Puja: This is like an annual ‘spring cleaning’ event for the artists, craftsmen and weavers of the country. They clean and repaint their tools; while colourful kites can be seen flying through the air, an activity enjoyed by young and old alike.

Durga Puja: The largest Bengali festival, celebrated by communities across the globe. It is the Bengali equivalent of Christmas and is celebrated with great reverence in Kolkata. This is a time for gift-giving and special outfits are purchased for the occasion. Throughout the city over 2,000 pandals are erected to mark the occasion and the city’s inhabitants take to the streets to find the nearest one. The festival lasts for 10 days, when the dramatic climax sees life-sized effigies of Ravana burned on the Maiden at sunset.

Gandhi Jayanti: The birthday of the world renowned Mahatma Gandhi and is a national public holiday. Prominent political figures come together to pay respects to the beloved national hero.

Diwali: One of the prettiest festivals of the year celebrates Lord Rama’s return after 14 years in exile. Clay lamps are lit in the windows of homes throughout the city and spectacular fireworks displays bring the city to light in a magical sense of unified celebration.

Textile Fair and Art & Handicraft Fair: November is the month for art fairs and exhibitions in Kolkata. National events take place in the city during this period including the Textile Fair, the excellent Art and Handicraft Fair, and a show of leather goods that draws visitors from around the world.

Guru Purab: This is the birthday celebration of the first guru of the world -renowned Sikh Guru Nanak - and involves recitation and procession of the holy book known as the ‘Akhand Path’.

Christmas: although Christianity is not widely practiced in India as a whole, the residents of Kolkata make the most of this holiday just like those in many other cities around the world. Mass is celebrated at Christian churches and cathedrals all over the city, with St Paul’s Cathedral and Murgihatta among the two most prominent establishments leading the celebrations. Clubs and hotels hold special Christmas parties and festive lights illuminate the city streets, providing visitors with all the joys of the holiday season and the added bonus of that special Asian charm.