About Rajasthan
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Fair & Festivals in Rajasthan
Elephant Festival
Place: Jaipur
Time: March (Phagun), on the eve of Holi
Rites & Rituals:Elephant Festival attracts visitors from every nook and corner of the world. The festival begins with a procession of elephants, camels, horses and folk dancers. Attractively decorated mighty jumbos striding majestically is a sight to behold. Female elephants are made to wear anklets, which tinkle as they walk. There are prizes for the most beautifully decorated elephant.
In addition to this, several other exciting events also take place including elephant race, the tug-of-war between elephant and playing of Holi on elephant back.
Place: The festival is observed throughout the state
Time: March (Chaitra), the day following Holi
Rites & Rituals: The festival holds a special place among the newly wedded girls in Rajasthan. For them, it is binding to observe the full course of 18 days of the festival that succeeds her marriage. The ladies decorate their hands and feet by drawing designs with mehendi (myrtle paste).
Images of Isar and Gauri are made of the clay for the festival. On the evening of the 7th day after Holi, unmarried girls go around singing songs of ghudlia carrying pots with a burning lamp inside, on their heads. The festival reaches its climax during the last three days when women, carrying the idols of Gauri, take out processions and bid farewell to Gauri in the end.
Place: Nagaur
Time: January-February
Rites & Rituals: The picturesque town of Nagaur stirs to life with the arrival of Nagaur Fair. The cattle fair here is reputed as the second largest in Rajasthan and offers some of the best sight of Rajasthan. The fair attracts visitors from all corners of the world for the trading in cows, camels and horses.
Various games are organized during this four day festival that include tug-of-war, camel races, cock fights and countless others. It offers tourist a memorable extravaganza of fun and frolic. As the sun goes down, the folk musicians, whose voices echo far and wide across the tranquil desert land, create a joyous atmosphere.
Place: Bikaner
Time: January
Rites & Rituals: Camel Festival is just the right place to see and admire the Ships of the Desert. It begins with a colorful procession of bedecked camels against the red sandstone backdrop of the Junagarh Fort. The festivity advances to the open sand-spreads of the grounds followed by a variety of competitions including war contest, camel dance and acrobatics.
The camels display spellbinding footwork, dancing gracefully to the direction of their trainers. The jubilant skirt swirling dancers, the awe-inspiring fire dance and the dazzling fireworks light up the fortified Desert City. The festivities reach to the peak with a different tenor as the renowned artists display a medley of folk dances and songs.
Place: Pushkar
Time: November
Rites & Rituals: Pushkar Fair is reputed as the biggest cattle fair in the world. Cattle breeders from across the world bring a large number of cattle of various breeds to be sold here. The cattle, decorated by their owners, participate in the races and are paraded on sand dunes. During the fair, the entire town transforms into a spectacular fair ground and reverberates with festivity.
Rows of makeshift stalls displaying a breathtaking variety of items is a sight to behold, but the major attraction of the fair remains the trading of camels. The fair also attracts a large number of villagers from different parts of the state who come here to buy, offer prayers or just enjoy the festivity.
During the festival, cultural shows and exhibitions are also organized to that add a touch of zeal to the festival. Various jugglers displaying their breathtaking stunts make the fair an event to remember for the rest of life.
Place: Ajmer
Time: 25th day of the sixth lunar month
Rites & Rituals:The urs is one of the most important religious occasions for the Muslims especially for those belonging to South Asia. It is initiated by the hoisting of a white flag on the dargah by the Sajjada Nashin (successor representative) of the Chishtis. The ceremony takes place on Jamadi-ul-Akhir with the accompaniment of music.
At night religious assemblies called mehfils are held in the mehfilkhana, a large hall meant for this purpose. Qawwalis are sung and a large number of devotees gather to witness the occasion. Separate places are reserved for women who attend the mehfil that terminates late in the night with fatiha.
The looting of kheer (milk pudding) is an occasion not to be missed. The kheer is distributed among the devotees as tabarruk (blessed food).
Place: Jaipur
Time: August
Rites & Rituals: Teej is the festival of swings. Dedicated to the Goddess Parvati, it marks the advent of the monsoon, which is the season of drizzling raindrops. Swings are hung from trees and decorated with flowers. Young girls and women dressed in green clothes sing songs in celebration of the advent of the monsoon.
Goddess Parvati is worshipped by seekers of conjugal bliss and happiness. An elaborate procession is taken out on the streets of Jaipur for two consecutive days on the festive occasion.
Place: Udaipur
Time: April
Rites & Rituals: The festival is held to welcome the arrival of spring. Though it coincides with the Gangaur Festival in Udaipur, yet it has a charm of its own. The festival holds a very prominent place among the women of Rajasthan. They dress up in traditional clothes and perform various religious activities.
They gather to dress the images of Isar and Gangaur and then carry them in a ceremonial procession through different parts of the city. The procession winds its way to the Gangaur Ghat where images are transferred to special boats amidst singing and festivity. Once the religious part is over, it is time for cultural events where Rajasthani culture is portrayed through dance, culture and other programs.
Place: Jaisalmer
Time: January-February
Rites & Rituals : The otherwise barren land of Jaisalmer comes to life and displays some cherished moments of its illustrious past and affluent culture. Traditional dances backed by high-pitched music create an out-of-this-world environment. The Turban Tying Competition and Mr. Desert contest give a totally distinct touch to the festival.
The famous Gair dancers and the traditional fire dancers leave the crowd enchanted and asking for more. The festival ends with a trip to the sand dunes where you can enjoy the pleasure of a camel ride while viewing dancers and musicians displaying their skills. It will be a time that you will cherish for years to come.
Place: Dungarpur
Time: February
Rites & Rituals: Baneshwar Fair is predominately a tribal fair. It provides a unique opportunity to the local tribes to take a break from their routine and appreciate the various colors of the 'Mela'. In the morning, saffron is applied to the Shiva Linga in the temple of Baneshwar Mahadev. After that it is bathed and an aarti of burning incense is waved before it. Devotees offer wheat flour, pulses, rice, jaggery, ghee, salt, chilies, coconut and cash.
The major attractions of the fair include acrobatic feats by the skilled jugglers, traditional songs and folk dances, magic shows and animal shows. A variety of joyrides including giant wheel, merry-go-round and others add to the excitement. The large number of shops in the fair provides an opportunity for buying and selling of essential goods and fancy articles.
Place: Mount Abu
Time: June
Rites & Rituals: Rites & Rituals: If you think Rajasthan is all about ruined palaces, ancient forts and colorful fairs & festivals, think again. For a first hand experience of a distinct face of Rajasthan, come to Mount Abu during Summer Festival and savor the experience. The steep rocks, tranquil lakes, picturesque locations and pleasant climate make it an ideal location for the festival.
The three-day festival begins with the singing of ballad followed by Gair, Ghoomar and Dhap folk dances that enthrall the spectators. Sporting events such as the boat race on the Nakki Lake add variety to the festival. The festival comes to end with a dazzling display of fireworks.
Place: Jodhpur
Time: September-October
Rites & Rituals: Marwar Festival showcases the best of Rajasthan's culture and lifestyle. The festival starts with a bash and for two days the city of Jodhpur reverberates with various festivities. Originally known as the Maand Festival, it features folk music centered on the romantic lifestyle of Rajasthan's rulers.
The festival offers a variety of attractions including camel tattoo show and polo. The various competition take place in and around the impressive Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mandore Fort, Mehrangarh Fort the symbolize the might and valor of this royal land.
