The Indian state of Rajasthan hosts more cultural and architectural treasures than most other places in the world. Its name means the land of the kings and it definitely is a befitting name for this state. Despite large stretches of land being covered by deserts, Rajasthan was one of the most prosperous lands in the world prior to British rule in the country. Here you will find palaces, forts, and other architectural masterpieces of unparalleled beauty. The rulers of this state definitely had excellent aesthetic sense and in their pursuit of beauty, they commissioned the construction of structures whose beauty continue to enthrall all who visit the state from different corners of the globe. The culture of the state is also equally rich, vibrant, and interesting. Numerous festivals and fairs are held in Rajasthan throughout the year and provide visitors with an intimate experience of the Rajasthani people’s tradition and way of life. They have been listed below:
Camel Festival, Bikaner (January)
The Camel Festival is a must-attend event in Bikaner, Rajasthan. It is held every year in the month of January in the Bikaner city of the state. The festival is organized by the Department of Tourism, Art, and Culture of the state. It is held in honor of the ship of the desert, the camel. During this festival, spectacular processions of colorfully decorated camels and people in their folk costumes move from the Junagarh fort to the stadium where the performances are held. Beautiful camel performances like camel dances, neck shaking camel rides, camel races, etc., are held during this time.
Nagaur Fair, Nagaur (Jan-Feb)
It is one of the biggest cattle fairs in India and is held for an 8-day period from late January to early February. Cattle, horses, and camels are traded during this fair but the mood here is not all about business. Cattle are often ornamented by their owners and the atmosphere is generally festive in nature. The fair is conducted by the Animal Husbandry Department of the state. About 200,000 livestock and 80,000 farmers participate in this fair. Tourists from across the world visit this event for photographic opportunities. Here they also get a glimpse of north Indian rural culture.
Desert Festival, Jaisalmer (Jan-Feb)
The Desert Festival held in Jaisalmer is one of the biggest and best displays of traditional Rajasthani culture. This three-day long festival includes attractions like camel polo, musical concerts, folk dances, regional food counters, adventurous stunts by gymnasts, traditional games, turban tying contests, and more.
Gangaur Festival, Jaipur (March–April)
Rajasthan and some other parts of India celebrate the Gangaur Festival every March-April. During this festival, the Hindu women worship Goddess Gauri, the wife of Lord Shiva. It is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the harvest season. Women also pray for a peaceful married life. Although the festival is celebrated throughout Rajasthan, the one held at Jaipur is internationally famous. A massive, vibrant procession commences from the City Palace of Jaipur on this day. It passes through the various localities of the city to converge near Talkatora. Elephants, chariots, bullock carts, palanquins, and folk performances are all part of the procession.
Mewar Festival, Udaipur (March–April)
This festival is celebrated in the picturesque city of Udaipur and coincides with the Gangaur Festival. During this festival, the entire city is filled with festive spirit. Local markets and shops decorate their frontage with decorations and lights. It is a festival when women dress beautifully and carry the idols of deities in colorful processions through the city streets. Dances, songs, and other cultural events also accompany the festivities. A fireworks show puts an end to the beautiful festival of Udaipur.
Elephant Festival, Jaipur (March–April)
The Elephant Festival is held on the day of the Holi in Jaipur. Elephant Dance and Elephant Polo are the major attractions of this festival. The festival starts with a spectacular procession of bedecked elephants, horses, camels, and folk dancers. The elephant owners proudly display their beautifully dressed up elephants. Some people sitting on the elephant backs sprinkle colorful powders on the crowd below.
Summer Festival, Mt.Abu (June)
Although most of Rajasthan is scorchingly hot during summer, Mount Abu, a hill station in the state offers some respite from this sweltering heat. What more? Those visiting Mount Abu during summer can also attend the Summer Festival held here in June every year. Folk dance performances like the Ghoomar dance, ballads, Daph dances, etc., accompanied with traditional music create a magical environment in the spectacular backdrop of the mountains. The three-day festival also features amazing fireworks displays.
Marwar Festival, Jodhpur (October)
The Marwar Festival is celebrated each year in the city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan. The festival honors the legendary heroes of the state. Cultural events like music shows, folk song performances, traditional dances, etc., are held during this festival. The locals dress up in their colorful costumes and dance to the sound of folk music. Many of the performances take place in the backdrop of ancient palaces and forts. Stories of bravery and battles are mentioned during these performances. It takes one back to the time of the Indian maharajahs and their immense wealth.
Pushkar Fair, Ajmer (November)
The Pushkar Fair is a globally famous festival held in Rajasthan every year. Although it is a camel, cattle, and horse fair, there is much more to the Pushkar Fair than just this. During this time, thousands of Hindu pilgrims arrive in Pushkar to pay their homage to the gods at the Pushkar Lake. Cultural events and competitions are held during this time. Bridal competition, "longest mustache" competition, ‘break-the-pot’ competition, tug of war, folk dance and music performances, etc., are all part of the celebrations. Local handicrafts are sold during this time.
Camel Festival, Bikaner (January)
The Camel Festival is a must-attend event in Bikaner, Rajasthan. It is held every year in the month of January in the Bikaner city of the state. The festival is organized by the Department of Tourism, Art, and Culture of the state. It is held in honor of the ship of the desert, the camel. During this festival, spectacular processions of colorfully decorated camels and people in their folk costumes move from the Junagarh fort to the stadium where the performances are held. Beautiful camel performances like camel dances, neck shaking camel rides, camel races, etc., are held during this time.
Nagaur Fair, Nagaur (Jan-Feb)
It is one of the biggest cattle fairs in India and is held for an 8-day period from late January to early February. Cattle, horses, and camels are traded during this fair but the mood here is not all about business. Cattle are often ornamented by their owners and the atmosphere is generally festive in nature. The fair is conducted by the Animal Husbandry Department of the state. About 200,000 livestock and 80,000 farmers participate in this fair. Tourists from across the world visit this event for photographic opportunities. Here they also get a glimpse of north Indian rural culture.
Desert Festival, Jaisalmer (Jan-Feb)
The Desert Festival held in Jaisalmer is one of the biggest and best displays of traditional Rajasthani culture. This three-day long festival includes attractions like camel polo, musical concerts, folk dances, regional food counters, adventurous stunts by gymnasts, traditional games, turban tying contests, and more.
Gangaur Festival, Jaipur (March–April)
Rajasthan and some other parts of India celebrate the Gangaur Festival every March-April. During this festival, the Hindu women worship Goddess Gauri, the wife of Lord Shiva. It is a celebration of the arrival of spring and the harvest season. Women also pray for a peaceful married life. Although the festival is celebrated throughout Rajasthan, the one held at Jaipur is internationally famous. A massive, vibrant procession commences from the City Palace of Jaipur on this day. It passes through the various localities of the city to converge near Talkatora. Elephants, chariots, bullock carts, palanquins, and folk performances are all part of the procession.
Mewar Festival, Udaipur (March–April)
This festival is celebrated in the picturesque city of Udaipur and coincides with the Gangaur Festival. During this festival, the entire city is filled with festive spirit. Local markets and shops decorate their frontage with decorations and lights. It is a festival when women dress beautifully and carry the idols of deities in colorful processions through the city streets. Dances, songs, and other cultural events also accompany the festivities. A fireworks show puts an end to the beautiful festival of Udaipur.
Elephant Festival, Jaipur (March–April)
The Elephant Festival is held on the day of the Holi in Jaipur. Elephant Dance and Elephant Polo are the major attractions of this festival. The festival starts with a spectacular procession of bedecked elephants, horses, camels, and folk dancers. The elephant owners proudly display their beautifully dressed up elephants. Some people sitting on the elephant backs sprinkle colorful powders on the crowd below.
Summer Festival, Mt.Abu (June)
Although most of Rajasthan is scorchingly hot during summer, Mount Abu, a hill station in the state offers some respite from this sweltering heat. What more? Those visiting Mount Abu during summer can also attend the Summer Festival held here in June every year. Folk dance performances like the Ghoomar dance, ballads, Daph dances, etc., accompanied with traditional music create a magical environment in the spectacular backdrop of the mountains. The three-day festival also features amazing fireworks displays.
Marwar Festival, Jodhpur (October)
The Marwar Festival is celebrated each year in the city of Jodhpur in Rajasthan. The festival honors the legendary heroes of the state. Cultural events like music shows, folk song performances, traditional dances, etc., are held during this festival. The locals dress up in their colorful costumes and dance to the sound of folk music. Many of the performances take place in the backdrop of ancient palaces and forts. Stories of bravery and battles are mentioned during these performances. It takes one back to the time of the Indian maharajahs and their immense wealth.
Pushkar Fair, Ajmer (November)
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