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 Rajasthan
Fairs & Festivals
"Rajasthan is
the 'Land of Celebrations". The fairy-tale
forts and palaces across its golden sands
conjure up endless fascinating images of
chivalrous kings, beautiful princesses and
lavish darbars. The mark of royalty is
all-pervasive in this desert land and is seen
not only on the vivid frescoes and murals of
the palaces but also in the pomp and pageantry
of the brightly dressed people.
Rajasthan, is a colorful desert. The Thar
Desert and with it all the barren land of
Rajasthan has much to offer through the
plethora of celebrations. Festivals and fairs,
music and dances, turns the land to a creative
fertile basin.
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Pushkar Fair, Pushkar
Pushkar-Ajmer, November) Excitement, gaiety
and a keen sense of competition fill the air
as the long journey to Pushkar begins. The
only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma (the
creator) is located at Pushkar. The Pushkar
lake is surrounded by 52 flights of steps
called ghats. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu
appeared at the Varah ghat in the form of a
boar. Brahma took a bath here and performed
yagna at the Brahma Ghat accompanied by Vishnu
& Mahadev. The ashes of Mahatma Gandhi (Father
of the Nation) were immersed at the Gandhi
ghat. Pushkar is among the five principal
places of Hindu pilgrimage. People consider
the water of the Pushkar lake to be very
sacred and the ritual of taking dips in the
holy water IS believed to bestow salvation.
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Mewar Festival, Udaipur
The
Mewar Festival is celebrated to welcome the
advent of spring. It coincides with the
festival of Gangaur in Udaipur and has a
unique charm about it. The festival of Gangaur
is very significant for women of Rajasthan. It
is a time for them to dress up in their best
clothes and participate in the festival.
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 at Lake Pichhola. Here, the
images are transferred to special boats amidst
much singing and festivity.
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Elephant Festival, Jaipur
The
Elephant Festival is an inimitable event held
annually in Jaipur. Groomed flawlessly, rows
of elephants do a catwalk before an enthralled
audience liked best fashion models to make
this festival an amazing one. The elephants
move with poise in pageant, run races, play
the regal game of polo, and finally
participate in the spring festival of Holi. It
is festival time with elephants typically
celebrated one day before the Holi, Indian
festival of colours.
A magnificent spectactle, it unveils the
majesty and grandeur of elephants celebrated
around Holi. The Mahavats or owners proudly
decorate their elephants with bright colours,
jhool., (saddle cloth) and heavy jewellary. A
royal procession of decorated elephants, a
match of elephant polo, an elephant race and
playing Holi on elephants are main events.
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Urs Ajmer Sharif
The
urs, acommomerative celebration is held in the
solemn memory of Khwaja Muin-nddin Chisti, a
prighly respected sufi saint fondly revered as
the benefactor of the poor, popularly known as
Gareeb Nawaz. The Dargah Sharif in Ajmer, is
the place where the Saints mortal remains lie
burried and is the site of the largest Muslim
Fair in India.
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Summer Festival, Mount Abu
Hill
Station of the Rajasthan in a festive mood
with the Summer Festival, held every year in
the month of June. The steep rocks, tranquil
lakes, picturesque locations and the pleasant
climate of Mount Abu make it an ideal location
for the festival. The three-day festival is a
feast of folk and classical music and a window
to the tribal life and culture of Rajasthan.
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Nagaur Fair, Nagaur
Essentially an animal fair, it provides an
opportunity to participate in some of the
local sports. This eight days fair held every
year during the month of Jan-Feb, is popularly
known as the Cattle fair and is the second
largest in Rajasthan. Nagaur Town is the most
picturesque of Rajput townships.
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Baneshwar Fair, Dungarpur
A
religious festival with simple & traditional
rituals. Quaint rhythms conjure up the tribal
cultural identity of the Bhils of Rajasthan,
Gujarat & M.P. Baneshwar means the master of
the delta and this name was given to the Shiva
linga.
» Gangaur
Festival, Jaipur
A
festival devoted to Goddess Parvati, the
consort of Lord Shiva. Ishar & Gangaur are the
divine male and female ho embody marital love.
Dedicated to goddess Gauri (Parvati), the
festival commences on Holi/ Young girls pray
for rooms of their choice while married women
seek a long life for their husbands. rhe
ladies decorate their hands and feet )y
drawing designs with Mehendi (Myrtle Jaste).
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Banganga Fair
The
Banganga Fair is held annually on the full
moon day of Vaishakh (April-May) near a
rivulet 11 kms from the historical township of
Bairath in Jaipur district. The stream is
believed to have been created by Arjun, one of
the Pandavas.
» Brij
Festival
The
Brij Festival takes place a few days before
Holi, (the festival of colours) in the month
of March. Held in honour of Lord Krishna, this
festival is marked by verve and zest.
Villagers, in gay, multihued attire, can be
seen singing and performing the Raslila dance
(dance depicting the immortal love-story of
Radha and Krishna).
»
Camel Festival
A
lively and colourful event, the Camel Festival
is organised by the Department of Tourism, Art
& Culture, Rajasthan in Bikaner every year.
January is just the right month for a desert
spree, and Bikaner just the right place to see
the Ships of the Desert. In the camel country
Bikaner, these desert leviathans pull heavy
cart loads, transport grain and even work at
the wells.
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Desert Festival
Once a
year in winters and on the middle of the
continually rising and falling stark yellow
sands of the great Thar Desert, the empty
sands around Jaisalmer come alive with the
brilliant colour, music and laughter of the
Desert Festival. The festival is organised by
the tourist authorities as tourist
entertainment around January-February.
In fact
during these days, Jaisalmer gets a chance to
parade its exuberant charm to the world. Some
chosen and cherished moments of the glorious
and illustrious past and affluent culture are
on display. The traditional dances backed by
high pitched music take the folk dancers and
the audience on an euphoric trip. The
turban-tying competition and Mr. Desert Contest
add a touch of excitement to the festive
celebrations.
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