In a country as diverse as India, music plays an important role – it brings people together, irrespective of the barriers of language and culture. And there are a number of music festivals in India promoting every genre right from classical, folk to electronic and rock. Here’s a whole bunch of music festivals in the country that you wouldn’t want to miss.

World Sacred Spirit Festival

Set in the majestic forts of Rajasthan, this festival is enchanting in every sense of the word. It is all about mysticism, nomadic music and touches your soul like no other. The setting in itself is magical – Mehrangarh Fort (Jodhpur) and Ahhichatragarh Fort (Nagaur) lit entirely by candles. The focus is on Sufi music and it takes you back in time when travelers of the past from mystic lands sang of peace, nature, love and other things. Previous editions of the festival have had singers from countries such as Morocco, China, France, USA, Mali, and so on, besides singers, dancers and poets from across India.

Where: Jodhpur and Nagaur in Rajasthan

When: February

Madras Music Season

This annual celebration of classical music and dance dates back to the year 1927 or so. Held in the southern city of Chennai, the capital of Tamil Nadu, it is widely acknowledged as one of the world’s largest cultural events. A month-long celebration of Carnatic music and various classical dance forms, this festival hosts over 1,000 performances across multiple venues and attracts lakhs of music lovers from across the world. Most concerts are ticketed while there are plenty of free concerts too. It’s a platform for both seasoned experts and young emerging artistes to express themselves through art, and the audience can also interact with them and learn more through lecture demonstration sessions.

Where: Chennai, Tamil Nadu

When: December and January

NH7 Weekender

Known as ‘India’s happiest music festival’, NH7 Weekender showcases the country’s vibrant indie music scene with some cool international acts flying in for special performances. Held across three cities, this three-day music festival has multiple stages headlined in the past by international acts such as Bombay Bicycle Club, The Vaccines, Chase and Status, Karnivool, Imogen Heap, Megadeth, Mutemath, Dry The River, Asian Dub Foundation, to name a few.

Where: Delhi, Pune, Bangalore

When: November

Sunburn Festival

There couldn’t be a better venue than the beaches of Goa for one of the best electronic music festivals in the country. The three-day dance music extravaganza is among Asia’s largest music festivals and attracts music and beach lovers from across the world. Ever since its conceptualization in 2007, the festival has grown by leaps and bounds and brings in the best of both Indian and international electronic dance music with top DJs such as Axwell, Paul van Dyk, Above And Beyond, Dirty Vegas, Armin van Buuren, among others, having graced the stage in the past.

Where: Vagator, Goa

When: December

Ziro Festival Of Music

This has to be one of the most picturesque music festivals in the country. Set in the beautiful town of Ziro, in the northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh, amidst rice fields enveloped by pine tree filled hills, this outdoor festival lets you camp on site and soak in the raw beauty of Ziro. With performances by rock musicians and indie acts from the north east and the rest of India, the festival also ropes in global acts. It is refreshing, original and certainly one of the most fun festivals you can attend.

Where: Ziro, Arunachal Pradesh

When: September

If these sound like fun to you, then pull out that indie music CD from your Satara Hi-Fi unit, get your friends together and plan a trip to India around one of these festivals.