The Rajasthani's love for color and
joyous celebrations, music, dance and festivals makes it one of the most
colorful desert in the world. We have numerous fairs and festivals of
the region. In addition to the festivals celebrated by the Hindus,
Muslims and others, there are also the traditional fairs.
I 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:
Nagaur
Fair, Nagaur (Jan-Feb.)
Essentially an cattle fair, it provides an opportunity to participate
in some of the local sports.
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.
Baneshwar
Fair, Baneshwar (Jan-Feb.)
A religious festival with simple and traditional rituals. This fair is
the centre of attraction of a large number of tribal from the
neighboring states of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat who join their brethren
from Rajasthan in offering prayers to Lord Shiva.
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.
Urs
Ajmer Sharif, Ajmer (According to Lunar Calendar)
Held in the memory of the revered Sufi saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti,
it is an occasion for thousands of believers to congregate at the shrine
and offer their prayers. All of Ajmer seems to take on a festive air and
several programmes are organized to mark the festivals.
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 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.
Kajli Teej, Bundi (July-August)
Kajli Teej of Bundi is different in several ways, while Teej is
celebrated on the third day of the month of Shravana, in Bundi it is
celebrated on the third day of the month of Bhadra.
Dussehra
Festival, Kota (October)
Dussehra means the Tenth Day, being the 10th day of the bright half of
Ashvin. This day is also known as Vijayadashmi, or the Victory Tenth,
because of the victory of Ram over Ravana.
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.
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.
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.
Hindu lunar months
The months of the Hindus lunar calendar (Vikram Samvat) and their
Gregorian equivalents are as follows:
