Rajasthan is known as the most vibrant, colorful and culturally rich state of India. The vibrant and lively people of Rajasthan are famous for their passion for colorful costumes, dance, music and various festivals. In fact, the true color of Rajasthan can best be seen in the colorful and passionate celebration of various festival and fairs, all round the year. 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.
There are animal fairs,there are religious fairs and there are fairs to mark the changing seasons. Infact,celebrations occur almost round the year and are a splendid opportunity for the visitor to gain an insight into the life of the Rajasthani. Other than the traditional fairs, recently established festivals which involve elephants, camel races, dance and music have been specially organised for the tourists. Among the better known fairs of Rajasthan are :
Pushkar Fair, Pushkar (November) :
Each year in the month of Karthik, a spectacular 10-day fair called the “Pushkar Fair" is organized by the State Government in the desert town of Pushkar. Kartik Purnima, the day of the sacred bathing ritual arrives. It is believed that bathing in the pure water of the Pushkar Lake washes away a lifetime of sins and the scrabble for getting a place on the overcrowded bathing ghats begins right from dawn. The water is also supposed to cure all disease and once the bathing is over people go to offer prayers at the temple of Lord Brahma. During this time huge numbers of camels, horses, cows, goats and sheep collect here and then are then traded by their owners. With the sudden appearance of these hundreds of men, women and animals in the otherwise quiet town of Pushkar, the desert seems to come alive and becomes filled with colour, music, laughter and enjoyment. Men can be seen wearing their vibrant traditional turbans that are an integral part of their attire and the women are equally decked up from head to toe in their multi-coloured lehengas with glittering bangles, necklaces, silver waistbands, anklets, and flamboyant chunnis.
Desert Festival, Jaisalmer (Jan-Feb.) :
One of the most popular of the festivals,the Desert Festival of Jaisalmer coincides with the full moon in February. A three-day journey into the heart of the Thar Desert and the golden city of Jaisalmer it is a true show on the sands. The desert pulsates with a myriad of Rajasthani dances: Ghoomer, Gangaur, Gair Dhap, Moria, Chari and Tehratal. The famous Gair dancers and the Fire dances are the special highlights of the festival. Folk performers like musicians, ballad singers, snake charmers, and puppeteers all exhibit their traditional skills. There are exciting camel dances, camel acrobatics, camel races, and camel polo, competitions for the best decorated camel, tug-of-war between musclemen, a turban tying competition and a Mr. Desert contest. The culmination is a sound and light spectacle on a moonlit night amidst sand dunes.
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 colours. A show is organised with the elephants turning out in their best finery.
Camel Festival, Bikaner (January) :
An enchanting desert city which comes alive with music and dance during the famed Camel Festival of Bikaner. It is fast gaining popularity as the visitor finds an opportunity to see some unusual folk performances, camel, race camel dance etc.
Teej Festival, Jaipur (July-August) :
A festival to mark the advent of monsoon. Processions, women dressed in bright colours 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.
Ganesh Chaturthi (September) :
Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesha and is celebrated all over the country. In Sawai Madhopur, the festival is rather special. The temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha is located in the fort of Ranthambore, about 12 kms from Sawai Madhopur and it is one of the most important Ganesha temples in the State. There is always a lot of activity at the temple because people believe that the first invitation to a marriage should be sent to Lord Ganesha. As a result, hundreds of invitations pour in everyday from all over the country inviting Lord Ganesha to attend the marriage.
Gangaur Festival (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.
Marwar Festival, Jodhpur (October) :
Organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan, the Marwar Festival was originally known as the Maand Festival. Maand is a classical style of folk music centered on the romantic life style of Rajasthan's rulers, and Maand Raag recreates the old world charm and graceful dances of the desert. Held for two days during the full moon, Sharad Purnima, in October it is celebrated mainly in Jodhpur. Folk artists bring to life the inspiring mythologies, folk stories, tales and legends of battles, war victories and valor.
Summer Festival, Mount Abu (June) :
Organised 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.
Shekhawati Festival (February) :
The Shekhawati Festival held on 10th and 11th February every year is organised jointly by the State Department of Tourism, District administration of Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu, and the M.R. Morarka- GDC Rural Research Foundation. Shekhawati, already famous for its frescoes, is fast becoming a rural tourism destination too. Travelling on horse back, the tourists get a closer view of the countryside and the people. And they return with an indelible imprint of not only the friendliness of the people but also of the agricultural revolution sweeping the villages -- the region now exports 80 per cent of its crops whereas only a few years ago, it could meet only 10 per cent of its requirement through local production. For a broad-based discovery of Shekhawati's culture, the festival is spread over a number of venues - Nawalgarh, Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu. The programmes include a one day tour of the region, camel and jeep safaris, farm visits, rural games, cultural programmes, havelis competitions and fireworks.
Nagaur Fair, Nagaur (Jan-Feb.) :
Essentially an animal fair, it provides an opportunity to participate in some of the local sports. Situated half way between Bikaner and Jodhpur, Nagaur awakens with the thronging of cattle, horses and camels accompanied by their colorfully turbaned owners. There is earnest bargaining between owners and buyers, and plenty of fun and festivity. Games, tug-of-war contests, camel races and strains of ballads create a joyful atmosphere with the setting sun in the background.
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 tribals from the neighboring states of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat who join their brethren from Rajasthan in offering prayers to Lord Shiva.
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. Not to be missed during your Rajasthan tour and travel.
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. The Urs or annual pilgrimage of the devout is celebrated each May at the Dargah with millions of pilgrims arriving in Ajmer to pay homage. Lengthy queues of several kilometres snake their way past the tomb at the shrine while outside the Dargah precincts, two massive cauldrons cook sweet rice garnished with dry fruits and condiments to be served as ‘tabarukh’ or sanctified food. Within the dargah lies a mosque, built by the Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan. Like all of Shah Jahan’s buildings, the mosque too, is an architectural marvel - a magnificent building in white marble with a long and narrow courtyard for the faithful to pray in, richly embellished with ornate calligraphic inscriptions, delicate carvings and detailed trelliswork.
