A fair or festival takes place in India almost every week. Some are stunning: Pushkar Fair, Teej Festival, Gangaur Festival, Holi, Desert Festival, Snake Charmers’ Day, Elephant God’s Birthday, Lord Jagannath’s Chariot Festival, Boat Race Festival, Onam, Bihu, Id, X Mass, Bird Fair (Man Sagar, Jaipur).

Each is a celebration of an occasion or deity or season and joined by large crowd, generally from rural areas. Ideal opportunities for photography – colours of costumes and activities are most impressive.