7 Unusual Festivals That You Should Attend in India

The diversity of Indian culture is reflected in different languages, traditions, customs, and festivals. Every day in this country is a festival, but some of them are a little weird. Despite their weirdness, unusual festivals in India are still celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm. Here’s a list of seven such festivals:
1. Lathmar Holi, Uttar Pradesh
The legend has it that during the days preceding Holi, Krishna visited his beloved Radha and ended up teasing her friends. The women of Barsana reacted by chasing down Krishna with sticks (lathis). Since then men and women of these villages recreate the famous event every year as women beat up men with long sticks. This is recreated by the women of Barsana beating men of Nandgaon with lathis is the highlight of the festival. The unfortunate men who get caught are made to dress like a woman and dance in public.
2. Kila Raipur Rural Olympics, Punjab
The adrenaline-pumping bullock cart race is the main attraction. Other events that are big on entertainment include a dog race, horse dance, camel race, tractor race, and a tug-of-war. But the chance to see some really off-beat activities is the hugest drawcard -- such as people lifting bicycles with their teeth, pulling cars with their teeth or ears, or riding a bicycle ringed with a burning tire, and other daredevil stunts. 
3. Karni Mata Festival, Rajasthan
The famous 600-year-old Karni Mata temple, near Bikaner in Rajasthan, is home to thousands of rats. They're considered to be sacred and the souls of Karni Mata's devotees are said to reside in the rats. Twice a year, pilgrims flock to the Karni Mata temple to worship Goddess Durga and her incarnations. Food is offered to the deity, and it's considered most auspicious to eat what the rats have salivated over. If you can brave it, letting them scamper over your feet is said to bring good luck as well. And if you see a rare white rat, plenty of good fortune will come your way!
4. Theyyam, Kerala
Theyyam sees people perform dangerous feats dedicated to the divine power making it one of the most unique festivals of India. These feats include dancing while wearing a crown of hair of length 10-12 meters, walking fire embers, wearing coconut fronds, and performing with burning wicks of wire tied around the waist. Theyyam celebrates the ancient rituals and traditions of Kerala that are almost 800 years old. The festival involves a variety (close to 400 types) of traditional dances. Theyyam exhibits the ritual of spirits and wonderful artwork by beautifully adorned devotees who dance and worship gods and celestial bodies.
5. Pushkar Camel Festival, Rajasthan
This annual five-day (af)fair with lots of cultural events is much more than just a livestock fair. Held in Pushkar town of Rajasthan, it is one of the largest camel fairs in the world. Every year, lakhs of visitors witness the amazing carnival full of colour and celebrations. Amusing competitions like “matka phod”, “longest moustache”, etc. are some of the interesting attractions. Pushkar lake, where the event is held, attracts a large number of tourists during this festival.
6. Kodungallur Bharani, Kerala
The temple is dedicated to the goddess Bhadrakali, which is a form of Kali worshipped in Kerala. Legend has it that the goddess was angry and thirsty for blood after her victorious battle against the demon Darika, and her soldiers sung to her to make her feel better. The rather intense and gruesome festival event, called kaavu theendal, is a reenactment of it. Thousands of sword-wielding oracles, both male and female, clad in red swarm Kodungallur Bhagavathy temple or the oracles run in around a trance and flagellate themselves on their foreheads to draw blood. Meanwhile, devotees strike the temple rafters with sticks, hurl offerings, yell lewdly, and sing sexually explicit songs. It's a sight to behold!
7. The Story of Light Festival, Goa
Hailed as India’s first science-meets-art festival in Goa said to have hosted several national and international artists and scientists from around the world who puts up installations in the public spaces of Goa. The festival is full of visual play, dance performances, installations with light and colour, photography workshops, and live projections. It aims to raise awareness about the breakthroughs in light science, its applications and its importance to mankind. In an effort to unravel all the mysteries of light, scientists and artists from all over the world congregate in Panjim for the unusual event.