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FAIRS &
FESTIVALS OF RAJASTHAN
Rajasthan is land
of fair and
festivals like
animal fairs,
religious fairs
and there are fairs to mark the changing seasons. These festivals offer
splendid opportunity for you to gain an insight into the life of the
Rajasthani. Other than the
traditional fairs,
recently established festivals which involve elephants,
camel races,
dance and music have been
specially organized for the
tourists. We
recommend you to plan your tour in a way that you are a part of any of the
following fairs and festival to truly know the rich heritage and culture
of Rajasthan:
Rajasthan is a vibrant,
exotic state in India
where tradition and royal glory meet in a riot of colors against the vast
backdrop of sand and desert. Referred to as the
Desert Jewel of India,
Rajasthan shimmers with even more vibrancy during the time of its
colourful fairs and
festivals. The
desert glitters with the colors of joyous celebration and gay abandon with
every fair and festival of Rajasthan. There is a celebration for every
religious occasion,
every change of season and every harvest, all invariably a reflection of
the genius of
their arts and crafts and their ascetic refinement.
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Nagaur Cattle Fair, Nagaur
(Jan-Feb.): Essentially an cattle fair, it provides an opportunity to participate in
some of the local sports. (Click
here for More..)
Kite Festival
(held on 14th Jan of every year):
A festival with a difference - as kites take to the sky all over
Rajasthan. In the evening, kites with lights in them and fireworks
brighten the skies above.
The main celebrations are
in Jaipur and Jodhpur.
If you like kite flying, you
should be here.
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. Highly recommended.
Be there.
(Click here for More..)
Gangaur Festival ,
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 participates.
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 colors.
A show is organized with the
elephants
turning out in their best finery.
(Click here
for More..)
Summer Festival,
Mt.Abu (June):
Organized 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 colors
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.
(More..)
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. Recommended.
(Click here
for More..)
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.
(Click
here More..)
Festival of Deepawali :
Diwali is a five day
Hindu festival
which occurs on the fifteenth day of
Kartika
It celebrated in all rajasthan region. Diwali means
"rows of lighted lamps"
and the celebration is often referred to as the Festival of Lights. During
this time, homes are thoroughly cleaned and windows are opened to
welcome goddess Laksmi,
goddess of wealth.
Candles and lamps are lit as a
greeting to Laksmi.
Gifts are exchanged and festive meals are prepared during Diwali.
Colorful Holi Festival : Holi (also
called Holika
or Phagwa)
is an annual festival celebrated on the day after the
full moon in the
Hindu month of Phalguna (early March). It celebrates spring, commemorates
various events in Hindu mythology and is time of disregarding social norms
and indulging in
general merrymaking.
Holi is probably the least
religious of Hindu holidays. During Holi, Hindus attend a public bonfire,
spray friends and family with colored powders and water, and generally go
a bit wild in the streets. In this
festival everyone enjoy with
colors like blue, green, red, orange etc. |
