Rajasthan Fairs
& Festivals
Fairs & Festivals
The people of Rajasthan live life to the hilt and nobody can really
match the gay abandon with which the Rajasthani surrenders himself to the numerous
fairs and festivals that are celebrated here.
There are animal fairs, to mark the chanting seasons. In fact, celebrations
occur almost round the year and provide the visitor with a splendid opportunity
to gain an insight in to the life of the Rajasthani. There is dancing, singing,
drama, devotional music and other community activities that can enthrall the
visitor.
Some of the more important fairs and festivals are the
Desert Festival of
Jaisalmer (held in January- February),
Pushkar Fair, held in Pushkar,
near Ajmer (November),
Gangaur Festival, Jaipur (Murch- April ),
Elephant
Festival, Jaipur (March- April ),
Marwar Festival, Jodpur (October),
Camel Festival, Bikaner (January), Mewar Festival, Udaipur.
Listed here is a very small selection of the countless number of exciting events
that are held in Rajasthan throughout the year.
Nagaur Fair,Nagaur
(Jan-Feb.): Essentially an animal fair, it provides an opportunity to participate
in some of the local sports.
Desert Festival,Jaisalmer (Jan-Feb.): One
of the most popular of all festivals it is a journey into the heart of the desert,the
golden city of Jaisalmer that has a charm of its own. A true show on the sands
which attracts even the much traveled visitor.
Baneshwar Fair,Baneshwar (Jan-Feb.): A religious
festival with simple and traditional rituals. This fair is the centre of
attraction
of a large number of tribals from the neighboring states of Madhya Pradesh and
Gujarat who join their brethren from Rajasthan in offering prayers to Lord Shiva.
Gangaur,Jaipur (March-April): A festival
devoted to Goddess Parvati,the consort of Lord Shiva. It is time for young girls
to dress up in their finery and pray for grooms of their choice while the married
women pray for the well-being of their husbands. This 18-day festival is laced
with various activities and culminates in a grand procession marking the arrival
of Shiva to escort his bride home.
Mewar Festival,Udaipur (March-April): A
festival to welcome the spring season. There is song, dance, processions,devotional
music and fireworks where almost everybody participate
Elephant Festival,Jaipur (March-April):
A festival to celebrate Holi, this is a great occasion for the visitor to watch
several elephant sports and also play this festival of colours. A show is organised
with the elephants turning out in their best finery.
Urs Ajmer Sharif,Ajmer (According to Lunar
Calendar): Held in the memory of the revered Sufi saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti,
it is an occasion for thousands of believers to congregate at the shrine and
offer their prayers. All of Ajmer seems to take on a festive air and several
programmes are organised to mark the festivals.
Summer Festival, Mt.Abu (June): Organised
in the only hill station of Rajasthan,this is the coldest place at this time
of the year. Folk dances and a general atmosphere of gaiety prevails in this
tiny hill resort and the tourist has ample time to relax and enjoy himself.
Teej, Jaipur (July-August): A festival to
mark the advent of monsoon.Processions,women dressed in bright colours and a
lot of merriment prevails during Teej. Essentially a women’s festival,
it is interesting to watch them enjoying in groups and at various bazaars where
they turn up to shop in all their finery.
Marwar Festival,Jodhpur (October): A festival
devoted mainly to the music and dance of the Marwar region. This is a festival
that allows the visitor to understand and enjoy the folk traditions of this
part of the state.
Pushkar Fair,Ajmer (November): The well-known
and marked with largest participation of all the festivals of Rajasthan,Pushkar
is an important pilgrimage as well as the venue of a mammoth cattle fair. Bazaars,auctions,music
and sports are highlight of this event.
Camel Festival,Bikaner (January): An enchanting
desert city which comes alive with music and dance. It is fast gaining popularity
as the visitor finds an opportunity to see some unusual folk performances,camel,
race camel dance etc. here.
