Joydeb Mela
This festival, usually falling around January,
commemorates Joydeb, the author of the Gita Govinda. Celebrations
are held in the village of Kenduli near Shantiniketan; this is the
place to hear Baul minstrels in their element.
Ganga Sagar Mela
 During
the winter solstice of Makar Sankranti (December-January), thousands
of Hindu pilgrims travel through Kolkata for a 3-day festival at
Sagar Dwip, 150km south at the mouth of the Hooghly where the Ganges
meets the sea.
 Saraswati
Puja
Usually falling around January/February, this worship of the goddess
of learning is enthusiastically celebrated by students throughout
the state.
Chinese New Year
This is the occasion when Kolkata's Chinatown in Tangra celebrates
with a week-long festival of dragon dances, firecrackers and fine
food.
Dol Purnima or Holi
The spring festival, occuring around February/March, is especially
popular with young roving groups of men!
Rath Yatra
The chariot festival held around June/July, honours Jagganath, the
Lord of the World. Of course Orissa is the epicentre for these festivities;
in Calcutta, festivities are organized by ISKCON.
Vishvakarma Puja
Dedicated to the God of Creation; craftsmen and artists decorate
their tools with images of the deity during celebrations around
September.
Lakshmi
Puja
This is held five days after Dashami.
 Kali
Puja
Around October/November, two weeks afterLakshmi Puja, Kali Puja
is held on a moonless night. Kali Puja coincides with Diwali, the
festival of light.
Poush Mela
The mela or fair, held in Shantiniketan just after Christmas, attracts
Bauls -- wandering minstrels who perform songs and dances, accompanied
by their unique instrument, the ektara.
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