Fairs and Festivals Of Rajasthan

Fairs and Festivals are intricately woven into the life of the people of Rajasthan. They celebrate their fairs and festivals with great enthusiasm and joy. The desert comes alive with a plethora of celebrations that continue almost throughout the year. The fairs and festivals offer a great opportunity to the tourists to get acquainted with the Rajasthani culture. The celebrations are also high on entertainment quotient due to the various competitions and events. While touring Rajasthan do not miss the opportunity of participating in its fairs and festivals. The experience is sure to remain etched in your mind forever.

Some Of The Famous Fairs And Festivals are:

Pushkar: It is the largest and most admired fair of Rajasthan. People from far-flung places flock here to see it. It is held in November in Pushkar, a town close to Ajmer.It is the world's largest camel fair attracting traders from all over India to strike lucrative deals of animals. Horses, sheep and goats are also sold here.Months ahead people start preparing for various competitions, camel race being the most thrilling. During the fair, camps are set for the tourists to enjoy in the best possible way. Tourists can mingle with Rajasthanis and see them cook, dance and sing. Other interesting things include exhibitions, tie and dye fabrics, traditional dances and food stalls serving wide variety of Rajasthani food.

Urs Ajmer Sharif: This holy fair is held in Ajmer. It is held in honor of the Sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti. People from all religious backgrounds come here to offer prayers. It is believed that here no prayer goes unanswered, the only requirement is faith.

Sitla Mata Fair: It is held in the honor of Shitla Mata goddess in a temple at Amber, Jaipur.

Teej Festival: Entirely a women's festival devoted to the worship of Shiva and Parvati. Married women offer prayers for a long and fulfilling married life. They dress up very beautifully. Held in the months of monsoon (July-August).

Marwar Festival: Held in October in Jodhpur. This festival gives an insight into the traditional culture of the Marwar region. It is packed with music and dance performances.

Elephant Festival:Celebrated between March to April in Jaipur. Elephant sports are the highlight of the event. Elephants are adorned with colorful flowers.

Mewar Festival: Eighteen day long festival of sheer fun and revelry held in Udaipur. Marking the advent of Spring, it is dedicated to music,dance and fireworks.

Desert Festival : One of the most colorful festivals organized on the golden sands of Jaisalmer. It is celebrated between January to February. Traditional musicians and dancers set the stage on fire with their mind blowing performances. Camel dances, camel races, and camel polo, competitions for the best decorated camel, tug-of-war between muscle men, a turban tying competition and a Mr. Desert contest are the main highlights of this festival.

Summer Festival:This festival is celebrated in June on the hills of Mount Abu, the only hill station in Rajasthan. Folk dances are the main attractions.

Gangaur Festival (March-April): This 18 days long festival is especially for girls and married women. It is held between March to April. The girls and women dress up beautifully and take out processions in the streets. Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva is worshiped on this festival. Girls pray for a husband who s like Lord Shiva and women pray for their husband's long life.

No wonder Rajasthan is known as the most colorful desert on this earth!