The monsoon has arrived and we are sure that the thought about unwinding is tinkling the traveller in you. However, stay aback and have a look at these 4 monsoon festivals in India that are soul-enlightening.

1. Open Air: Bengaluru

Powered by Wacken Open Air, Bangalore Open Air is the only music festival that is solely dedicated to keeping the metal genre alive in the country. The third edition of the festival took place on September 13 which saw acts like Destruction, Rotting Christ, The Down Troddence, Threinody, Armament and Girish and The Chronicles. A festival purely for all metal-heads in the country, it has been inspired by the biggest metal festival Wacken Open Air. The event starts on July 9th at Royal orchid resorts, Bengaluru and the tickets are available on major ticket booking portals.

2. Covelong Point Surf, Music And Yoga Festival: Chennai

Started by Arun Vasu of TT Group along with Yotam Agam of EarthSync and popular surfer Murthy Megavan, this would be the fourth edition of the festival. They have been organising social activities around surfing and developed the surfing culture in the city. The idea is to develop tourism around it, which will benefit the locals, hence the inception of this festival. Spread over three days (August 26, 27 and 28), the festival will have a host of activities planned. While the highlight is the surfing competition, the organisers want people to know it’s not just limited to that. There are music performances, yoga activities, art and craft workshops and food. And cricketer Jonty Rhodes will be present at the venue to start the proceedings on day one.

3. Ziro Festival Of Music: Arunachal Pradesh

The Ziro Festival of Music is billed as India’s most fun outdoor music festival. Held in the state of Arunachal Pradesh, a region of pristine beauty the Ziro Festival just completed its fourth edition in the last week of September, 2015. This year as well, the multi-genre festival is all set to rock you for 4 days (22, 23,24 and 25 September). The festival will feature some of the most talented musicians from India and abroad. But in particular, this festival is a great event to showcase the most talented musicians in the North-East- from all seven states – Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Nagaland and Tripura.

4. Go: Madras Music Festival: Chennai, Tamil Nadu

It is time for the sixth edition of Go Madras. A festival where dance music fans, artists and industry management alike will all gather in the beautiful town of Mahabalipuram, Chennai. Go Madras is much more than a music festival. Many see it as a festival where the love of music is still alive and well. Where every person can be entirely accepted regardless of his or her beliefs and actions. This year GoMadras is going to make one intimate main stage and an after-hours stage; which will showcase some of the best talent the Indian scene has to offer today. The standard of music and performances by our home-grown talent couldn’t have been personified the way it is by GoMadras. Not to forget spell-bounding performances by Darren Emerson and Sam Paganini as well. Chennai and its people are well known for embracing the underground sound, which made it the perfect venue for GoMadras. The event will be held on 10th and 11th September at Raddison Blu Resort Temple Bay.