Festivals: Rajasthan Tourism

Festivals paint a mosaic of vibrant hues in Rajasthan. The desert becomes resplendent with the colors of joyous celebration and gay abandon during festivals. There is a festival 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. Rajasthan has all the usual Hindu and Muslim festivals, some celebrated with special local fervor as well as a number of festivals of its own. The exact dates, determined by the lunar calendar have specific religious significance. While some of these are traditional festivals, there are also a large number that have been recently introduced by the tourism department to showcase the heritage of a region.

Elephant Festival: Rajasthan Tourism Celebrated annually on the occasion of Holi (March) in Jaipur, the Elephant Festival is a unique event. The caparisoned elephants, their bodies painted with floral decorations by the mahouts, are asight to behold. Groomed to perfection, glittering in gold, row upon row of elephants catwalk before an enthralled audience. The elephants move gracefully in procession, run races, play the regal game of polo, and finally participate in the spring festival of Holi. It is festival time for the elephants.

Camel Festival: Rajasthan Tourism A recent introduction in Bikaner, the city with the only camel breeding farm in the country, is celebrated in January. Not unexpectedly, most of the events are staged around this beast - camel races and camel dances. There are also several folk performances, and this may also be your chance to experience the rare fire dance staged late at night.

Gangaur Fair:Rajasthan Tourism One of Rajasthan's most important local festivals is the spring festival of Gangaur celebrated in March-April. Dedicated to Gauri, a manifestation of goddess Parvati and the consort of Lord Shiva, it symbolizes conjugal bliss and marital happiness. A festival of maidens and married women, it begins on the day following Holi, and is celebrated for 18 days. While married women pray for the well being of their husbands, young girls pray for a groom of their choice. Celebrated all over Rajasthan, it has women taking out processions through the streets of towns and is especially colourful in Jaipur, Udaipur and at Mandawa in the Shekhawati region.

Baneshwar Fair: Rajasthan Tourism This is a tribal fair on the banks of the Mahi and Som rivers in the forested area around the border of Rajasthan that it shares with Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat called Baneshwar. The Bhil tribals from all three states gather in Baneshwar to celebrate Shivratri, the worship of Lord Shiva (January-February, and set camp in colourful groups.

Desert Fair: Rajasthan Tourism Jaisalmer exercises immense char, but with the staging of the annual Desert Festival (January-February), it has also become one of the more important events on the annual calendar. Essentially, it is a chowcase of the performing arts of the region on the stretching sands around this desert citadel. A number of amusing events at the stadium include turban tying competitions and camel races.

Brij Festival: Rajasthan Tourism Celebrated few days before Holi (March), this festival of spring comes alive with spontaneous expressions of music and dance in Brij area around Bharatpur.

Chaksu Fair: Rajasthan Tourism A gathering of people from Jaipur's rural pockets collects here in almost all forms of transport-laden into tractor trolleys and jeeps- at what must be one of the most colourful events on the Rajasthani fair calendar.

Mewar Festival: Rajasthan Tourism The Mewar Festival of Udaipur welcomes spring, offering the best overview of Rajasthani culture through songs, dances, processions, devotional music and firework displays

Kolayat Fair: Rajasthan Tourism The sacred site where Kapil Muni is supposed to have meditated, a fair is held here on the banks of its lakes, and the air bristles with excitement. Kolayat can be visited from Bikaner.