FAIRS AND FESTIVALS OF RAJASTHAN |
Fairs and festivals break the monotony of routines
and add colour to our lives. |
Nagaur Fair
Nagaur bustles with life during its annual cattle
fair which is one of the largest in the country. Exciting
games and races are part of the festivities. |
Elephant Festival
A festival where elephants are the centre of attraction.
The festival begins with a procession of elephants,
camels and horses, followed by lively folk dancers.
Elephant races, elephant polo matches and a most interesting
tug of war between elephants and men, are all parts
of this spectacular event. |
Gangaur
The most important local festival in Rajasthan,
Gangaur celebrations last for 18 days. It is dedicated
to Gauri, a manifestation of goddess Parvati. The festival
is celebrated by girls and married women throughout
Rajasthan. The images of Gauri are ornamented and offerings
are made. This is also an auspicious day for young people
to select their life partners. Colourful procession
with the town band playing, horses and elaborate palanquins
make it a fascinating spectacle. |
Urs
The Urs are held every year at the dargah of Sufi
Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, commemorating his symbolic
union with god. Pilgrims from all over the world gather
to pay homage. Qawalis and poems are presented in the
saint's honour. |
Teej
This swing festival welcomes the advent of the monsoon.
Swings are hung from trees and decorated with flowers.
Women, colourful and attired, swing on them and sing
songs in celebration. |
Shilpigram Craft Mela
Some of the magnificent crafts of Rajasthan displayed
at a colourful festival held in Udaipur. |
Mewar Festival
Udaipur This festival welcomes spring, offering
the best overview of Rajasthani culture through songs,
dances, processions, devotional music and firework displays.
Groups of women dressed in bright colors carry images
in a procession to the gangaur ghat of Lake Pichola. |
Desert Festival
Jaisalmer Desert festival of Jaisalmer is a magnifgicent
spectacle of color, music and festivity. It coincides
with the full moon in February when the cherished moments
of its glorious past and rich colors are on display
. The famous Gair dancers and the Fire dancers are the
special highlights of the festival. Further excitement
is in the air with the turban-lying competition and
Mr. desert contest. The grand finale is a trip to the
Sam sand dunes where one can have the pleasure of a
camel ride and also view the musicians and dancers performing
on the dunes. |
Kartik Fair/Chandrabhaga Fair
Jhalawar (Oct./Nov.) A cattle fair which takes place
at Chandrabhaga near Jhalarapatan. On kartik purnima
day devotees throng this place and take a dip in the
holy river. |
Pushkar Fair
Ajmer (Nov.) On kartik poornima, thousands of pilgrims
come to take bath in the holy water of the Pushkar lake.
The fair is overwhelming in its magnitude and its visual
impact. Beautiful camels are also bought and sold. The
visit to all the shrines is completed in seven days
and is known as chaubis-kosi-parikrama. |
Camel Festival
Bikaner Ships of desert begin there show with an
enchanting procession. The camels enthrall visitors
with their stunning feats and natural grace and the
festival sways to the sound of joyous music. On this
occasion various contests are also held. |
Karni Mata Fair
Bikaner Celebrated on the ninth day of Navratra.
It is held twice a year - April/May and Oct./Nov. Devotees
come to Deshnoke to attend this fair and offerings are
made to the charan mystic karni mata . This festival
has a distinct religious flavour. |
Summer Festival
Mount Abu (June) Mount Abu, the venue for the Summer
festival, is covered with mango groves, beautiful bauhinia
trees and thickets of wild berries. Rocks and lakes
of Abu combined with the folk and classical music are
a window to the tribal festivities. |
Marwar Festival
Jodhpur Organised by the Department of Tourism,
Government of Rajasthan, it was originally known as
the "Maand Festival". Maand is a classical style of
the folk music centered on the romantic life style of
Rajasthan's rulers. It is held for two days during the
full moon of sharad purnima. |
Sitabari Fair
Sitabari Fair Kota (May-June) A small place near
village Kelwara of Barran district, this fair of religious
importance, is held from Baisakh sudi punam to Jeth
amavas. The fair is at its peak on Chandra amavas and
Padwa dooj. Thousands of people take a body dip in tanks
called Sita kund, Laxman kund and Suraj kund. Sitabari
marks the place where Sita was left by Lakshman in the
forest. |
