January
JAN 6–FEB 18
MAGH MELA
India
The Hindu festival is celebrated annually on river banks and sacred tanks near temples. Devotees bathe in the waters, atoning for past sins, and offer prayers to the gods
JAN 8–14
UTTARAYAN (INTERNATIONAL KITE FESTIVAL)
India
Considered one of the biggest and most important festivals celebrated in Gujarat, the festival of Uttarayan marks the day when winter begins to turn into summer according to the Indian calendar. Residents spend months preparing grand, colourful and decorative kites
February
FEB 5
THAIPUSAM
Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Singapore and India
Celebrated by the Tamil Hindu community, the festival is a foot procession) are pierced into male devotees’ skin and women carry pots of milk
