Cultural Immersion: Regarding the traditions and festivals, Cherrapunji is one of the best places to visit to feel its atmosphere.

Tourism is not restricted to places and site visitation but it is about culturally imbibing the spirit of a place and its festivities. Tourism is a way that enables travelers to touch the cultural aspects of other people and even embrace the customs that they have inherited for ages. Now is a good time to discover the most interesting traditions and festivals of different countries which help to open the soul of the nation.

1. Diwali, India
Diwali known as the festival of light is one of the most prominent and rejoiced festivals in India. The people of Tamil Nadu called this five-day festival Deepavali, which means a row of lights and it refers to victory of light over darkness, or good over evil. Houses have oil lamps, candles, and bright colorful patterns called Rangoli on the floor that give a beautiful look and appear to glow. During the events, families are involved in dance and other performances, gift-giving, and sweets. Gleaming with fireworks and joyous devotees, there is no better time to be in India and take a look into the profound culture of the land. Traveling to India during Diwali one can observe Indian families and observe the value of true traditions in this country and the warm welcome.

2. Carnival, Brazil
Carnival in Brazil is that famous festivity which reveals the vivacity character and music and dance passion of this country. Carnival is the Brazilian celebration held before Lent, which means before fasting; it is full of colors, costumes, and samba music. Procession of samba schools together with the performance taking place at Sambadrome, Rio de Janeiro streets are filled with dances and music. It is very lively and people celebrate the Carnival with much zeal it is an open celebration therefore anyone can participate. Dancing during the Carnival street, watching the parades, or else, joining a bloco (street party), makes one actively participate in the Caribbean festivals, which are the quintessence of enthusiasm for life and Brazilian spirit.

3. Hanami, Japan
Hanami also known as the viewing of cherry blossoms is one of the most popular festivals in Japan that glorify the transience of the beauty of flowers. During the springtime, the civil structures and the natural greenery in different areas of the country are filled with tiny and beautiful pink and white flowers. Often the places where cherry trees grow are used for family parties; many people cook, bring food, and drinks, and have fun with friends. Hanami is more than the flowers and their beauty, but is a time when people contemplate life and how fragile it is. Travelers find value in the Asian sense of values such as harmony by visiting Hanami. Through the ambiance in Hanami, the TV series brings the audience an actually relaxed and even meditative view of Japanese culture.

4. Oktoberfest, Germany
The largest beer festival in the world takes place in Munich, Germany, annually known as Oktoberfest. Traditionally, Oktoberfest occurs from the last weekend in September to the first weekend in October; however, millions of people attend this event. The festival includes an enormous beer garden, the playing of traditional music of Bavaria, and local beer and food. There will be different beers, made for the event, pretzels, sausages, and other specialties of the region for people to enjoy. The cheerful settings of the live music, or the guests wearing Bavarian costumes like lederhosen or dirndls, consumers are made to feel the companionship and celebration. Octoberfest is interesting as a cultural event because it presents a chance to as a German state particularly Bavaria and it also presents a communal idea where people enjoy their beer together.

5. Ofrenda de Down and Out, México
‘Day of Dead’ also known as ‘Diez y Seis’ is a fiesta that is full of colors and enjoys great popularity in Mexico to pay respect to the dead ancestors. While death is a grim subject, Dia de los Muertos is a happy occasion in which people welcome death and remember the departed. To honor their dead/families set up a special table, or ofrenda, where they place the picture of the dead person, marigold flowers, candles, and favorite foods and drinks the deceased used to enjoy. Samba parades take place in the streets along with music and people wearing costumes with skeletons indicating the links between life and death. Traveling to Mexico, though, and choosing to celebrate Dia de los Muertos, visitors will have an opportunity to apprehend the Mexican people’s attitude towards death and their customs. Being ultimately a cultural program, one can hardly fail to notice the warmth of the colors, the liveliness of the sound, and the sincerity of the rite.

6. Songkran, Thailand
Thai New Year is called Songkran – The water festival celebrated all over the country as the cleansing ritual gets rid of the bad luck of the previous year. Celebrated in mid-April, Songkran includes water fights, parades, and religious activities. There are groups of people running around with water pistols, buckets, and hoses optionally soaking one another with water. Temples also conduct specific functions such as pouring water on the statue of the lord Buddha or washing the hands of a dignified elder. Songkran is a wonderful chance to feel the Thai spirit, try to perform some rituals, that are followed by Thais during the holiday, and enjoy the happy disposition of people during the festival. From a cultural perspective, the festival season that centers on the themes of renewal, purification, and gathering gives an appropriate social experience.

7. Holi, India
The Festival of Colors or the Holi is yet another spectacular festival of India that brings happiness and colors of the season – spring. People engage themselves in colored powders and water and it has the effects of all the different colors and the feeling of togetherness and happiness. Performing arts such as singing, and dancing, and the consumption of festival-specific foods and sweets are other activities that are involved. And yes, one sign that is created to love and cradle is the Holi festival which reminds people to forget their grudges and celebrate the bond of togetherness. Traveling to India during Holi is also a means for the visitors to catch the true spirit and welcome that Indian people are keen to share with others; it also gives people an opportunity to unite and celebrate regardless of cultural differences.

Direct cultural exposure through commodities such as local festivals increases travelers’ awareness of the places they visit, as well as the inhabitants. If it is Diwali when you light lamps, or Carnival when you dance in the street, or Holi when you make people throw colors, these make one feel close to the rich culture of different parts of the globe. Thus, gather your things, tighten your spirit, and get ready for the amazing journey in the sphere of culture which will give only spicy memories and an increased passion for cultural tolerance.