FESTIVALS AND FAIRS
Rajasthani people's' love
for joyful celebrations, dance & music, festivals and
fairs make this land a most colorful desert-land in the world.
Apart from numerous festivals of the region, there are also
the traditional fairs.
You can plan your tour in such 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:
|
Camel
Festival, Bikaner (21-22, Jan, 2008): 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. |
Jaipur
Festival (14-21 Jan.): A festive crossroads of India's
cultural past and future, old and new. This is a unique meeting
point of Jaipur's arts, buildings, crafts and culinary delights,
dance and development, exhibitions, film, history, music,
theatre, sports and Jaipur's fabled shopping. |
Desert
Festival, Jaisalmer (19-21 Jan, 2008): 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.
|
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. |
| |
Elephant
Festival, Jaipur (21 March, 2008l): 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. |
Summer
Festival, Mt.Abu (18-20 May): 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
Festival, Jaipur (July-August): A festival to mark
the advent of monsoon. 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. |
Ramdevra
Fair, Jaisalmer (21-22 Sept, 07): The
Ramdevra Fair is held in Ramdevra village in Jaisalmer. A
large fair is held here which is attended by lakhs of devotees
who come in large groups from various places. |
Dusshera
Festival, Kota (19-21 October, 07): Dusshera
celebrates the triumph of good over evil- the victory of Lord
Rama over Ravana. This day is also known as Vijayadashmi,
or the Victory Tenth, and is celebrated all over the country. |
Marwar
Festival, Jodhpur (13-14 October, 07): 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 (17-24 November, 07): 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. |
Chandrabhaga
Fair, Jhalawar (23-25 Nov., 07): Next in importance
to Pushkar is the Chandrabhaga Fair on the banks of the holy
river Chandrabhaga. Pilgrims from Rajasthan, Gujarat and Madhya
Pradesh come for Kartik Poornima celebrations that attract
tourists from far and wide. |
| Holy
Urs Fair (Oct-
Nov): Urs Festival of Ajmer Sharif is held in the holy town
of Ajmer in Rajasthan, India. The Urs Fair is held in honour
of the Sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. On this occasion
a special prayers are offered at the mosque and huge amount
of consecrated food is offered to the pilgrims. |
Month-wise Fairs
& Festivals Calendar, '07 |
