Don't miss: Teej Festival

Women shopping in Rajasthan. Photo / Dennis Richardson

August 2-3, Rajasthan, India

India's Teej Festival is dedicated to the Hindu deity Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati. This happy festival is most widely celebrated by women in the desert state of Rajasthan, and is a time when they dress in their finest clothing and jewellery and participate in worship, singing, dancing, shopping and pampering. The festival is celebrated in simple villages all over the state, but the most spectacular occasion is the royal procession from Jaipur's City Palace, when a palanquin carrying the image of Parvati is carried through the streets. The huge procession features decorated elephants carrying elaborate howdahs, bullock carts, camels, chariots, brass bands, traditional musicians, dancers and entertainers.