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Major Fairs & Festivals of Rajasthan

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Welcome to the vibrant land of Rajasthan that is known for its colorful fairs and festivals which are a source of exuberant joy and celebration!!

The exhilarating festivities of this state are deeply rooted in its Culture. The fairs and festivals of Rajasthan are reflection of the old traditions. Each and every festival has its own significance and meaning. Every religious occasion and season has its own set of festivals and fairs that are celebrated with enthusiasm and marked with different rites and rituals.

The richness of art and craft is an important feature of the fairs and festivals of Rajasthan. Festivals of all religions are celebrated with equal enthusiasm and liveliness. In fact, these cultural celebrations are a way to get break from the monotonous routines of daily life. The visitors can explore rituals, culture, art, craft, and customs of this glorious state. It is during these festivals and fairs that artist and craftsmen showcase their brilliant artworks like jewelries, ethnic dresses, paintings, and other masterpieces. There are different fairs and festivals of Rajasthan that are celebrated on various occasions. Some of them mark the beginning of new seasons while others have religious significance.

The important festivals that are celebrated every year are Desert Festival, Teej Festival, Camel Festival and Brij Festival. Among the fairs, the most popular are Pushkar Fair, Baneshwar Fair, Mewar Fair, and Urs Fair. These events entice large number of national and international tourists every year who flock to this land of color and festivities. This has made Rajasthan a leading tourist destination.

History

The history of the cultural festivities of Rajasthan is very old. The colorful festivities of Jaisalmer and Ajmer date back to 12th century AD. The potpourri of festivals of Rajasthan has remained the source of fine spectacle for many historical periods.

Desert Festival

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Desert Festival is a festivity of music, dance and color that is celebrated with full gaiety and enthusiasm every year. This extravaganza takes place amidst sand dunes of desert and is an epitome of the folk Culture and traditions of Rajasthan. At the time of festivities, the solitude of the Thar Desert gets replaced with the vibrancy of the cultural event.

Highlights of the Festival

The Desert Festival is marked with the melodious rhythms of music and dance. The fire dancers gyrate to the tunes of folk songs; happy folklore sings the ballads of love, romance and bravery. There are several competitions that are the highlights of the festival; these include turban tying and moustache competitions; and camel races. Foreigners are enthusiastically involved in these colorful events. The local people and the participants are dressed in gaudy costumes which they flaunt proudly. Snake charmers and puppeteers attract the tourists with their charming shows. Camels, which are vital to the life of desert-folk, also play an important role in the Desert Festival. They are decorated beautifully and are made to participate in acrobatics and polo competitions. The sand dunes of Rajasthan vibrate to the beats of folk dances like Ghoomer, Gair Dhap, and Tehratal.

Religious Significance: The city of Jaisalmer was prophesied by Lord Krishna to be built by a descendent of Yadav Clan which came out to be true when Rawal Jaisal laid down the foundation of the city in twelfth century. The Desert Festival was initiated to celebrate the richness of culture that is deeply rooted in the History of Rajasthan. Festival soon became popular among tourists.

This festival is organized by Rajasthan tourism which organizes bus tours to facilitate the transportation services.

Gangaur Festival

Gangaur Festival is celebrated by womenfolk of Rajasthan to pay their offerings to Goddess Parvati, who is a consort of Lord Shiva. This local festival is celebrated a day after Holi and is of immense religious significance to the womenfolk. The word Gangaur is made up two separate words, namely “Gan” which symbolizes Shiva and “Gauri” which is the other name of Parvati.

Religious Significance

Gauri is considered an epitome of fertility and perfect marriage. Both married and unmarried women take part in this revelry and offer prayers wishing long lives of their husbands or prospective grooms. The festival is considered a revered one and women pay homage to the Goddess in order to get marital bliss.

Rituals of the Festival

Formation of clay images: The course of the Gangaur Festival extends up to 18 days. The married women perform a number of rites and rituals during this period. The beginning of the festivities is marked with sowing the seeds of wheat in the ash-laden soil. The images of both Gang and Gauri are prepared and are worshipped with full devotion. These rituals are celebrated with chanting of sacred songs.

Mehendi: Married women and teenage girls apply Mehandi on their hands and other body parts. The application of henna paste is considered auspicious and is believed to bring good luck.

Procession of images: A procession of women carries the bejeweled images on their heads and March towards a well or a garden. Women, while heading to the destinations, chant beautiful songs and dance in honor of Gauri. The images of the goddess that are kept in backward and the forward direction on different days symbolize the culmination of love of Gan and Gauri. The festival ends with breaking of clay pots and throwing them into water.

At many places, women fast and offer sweets to their divine goddesses. The procession continues for seven days and images of Parvati are adorned with beautiful attires.

Gangaur Festival is religiously significant to womenfolk of Rajasthan. It is celebrated with full devotion and enthusiasm.

Nagaur Fair

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Nagaur Festival, the second largest cattle-fair in India, is a festive occasion that is celebrated in Rajput district of Nagaur. This grand fair boasts of trading of about 75,000 animals like camels, bullocks etc. every year. This fascinating event is a delightful experience for the tourists who come from far-flung areas to have a glimpse of this culturally-rich and charming festival.

Highlights of the Festival

Cattle Trade: Organized by Animal Husbandry Department in collaboration with the Tourism Department of Government of Rajasthan, Nagaur Festival excels in selling and buying of lavishly decorated cattle. The fair is popular both among masses and tourists as high quality breeds of livestock are available for trade. The animals are adorned with beautiful accessories to increase their aesthetic appearance as well as chances of getting sold. Bargaining is prominent at fair. The sellers try hard to convince the buyers by making them informed about the best features of the cattle. The whole ambiance of the fair is filled with different types of animal sounds. One may hear neighing of horses, growling of camels, and many more lowing sounds.

Other Markets: Markets at Nagaur Festival also sell several other items like wooden, iron and leather accessories. A Chili Market is quite famous among the tourists.

Entertainment: Several animal competitions are held at the premises of the festival. Tug-of-war, camel races and cockfights are highly enjoyable. Entertainment in the form of juggling and puppetry are prevalent. These events reflect the traditions and ancient art forms that have evolved over a long period of time. The evenings are dedicated to the great warriors and heroes in whom praise the artists sing ballads and folk songs. As far as local inhabitants are concerned, they keep the spirits of the festival alive by getting dressed in colorful attires bedecked with ornaments and jewelry. As the desert temperature gets down at nights, camp fires are available to keep the visitors warm.

Nagaur Festival, like other cultural events of Rajasthan, symbolizes the rustic charm of the state.

Shri Mahavirji Fair

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Shri Mahavirji Fair is a sacred festival of Digambar Jains who pay their homage to their venerated saint Shri Mahavir Ji, their last Tirthankara. The celebrations begin in the month of Chaitra on Ekadasi i.e. 11th day of the month. Devotees gather at the premises of Mahavirji Temple to offer their prayers. The Temple is enclosed in chamber called “katala”.

Highlights of the Fair

Prayers: Jain devotees from far flung areas pay their visits and offer prayers to their sacred saint. The idols of other tirthankars are believed to be the protectors of the Temple. The tower of glory or Man Stambha is a pillar that faces Mahavir Temple and is considered sacred as foot steps of the venerated saint are known to be consecrated here. The pillar is made in marble.

Sacred March: The devotees, at the time of celebration of Shri Mahavirji Fair, take the image of Mahavirji to Gambhiri River. The procession of the idol takes place in a Rath or palanquin which is drawn by animals. After the culmination of the pious ceremony, the image of the holy saint is waved by whisks. A magical environment is created as people chant the name of their deity with full devotion and enthusiasm.

Tilak Ceremony: The idol is washed and various rites and rituals are performed. The saint is offered oblations. Hymns are sung in his praise, offerings in the form of sandalwood, flowers and saffron are made.

Other Attractions: While visiting Shri Mahavirji Fair, a traveler can spend time in exploring the art and architecture of this glorious temple. Built in marble, the walls of the temple depict scenes related to Jainism. Beautiful umbrellas or Chhatris, as they are commonly called adorn the premises. Idols of other Jain tirthankars are placed in separate enclosures.

This fair has immense religious significance for Jain devotees. They perform all the rituals with great dedication.

Urs Fair

Urs Fair is the biggest Muslim festival of India that commemorates death anniversary of Moin Moin-ud-Din Chishti, the pious peer or Khwaja of Muslims. The saint left his mortal body at the place called Ajmer Sharif in thirteenth century AD. He was considered a Fakir of the highest order and was hugely popular among masses. Better known by the name of Gharib Nawaz, majority of his life was spent in the service of poor and downtrodden. The fair is sacred for people of all the communities.

Highlights of the Fair

Prayers: The Dargah Sharif, the place containing the mortal remains of the revered saint, is visited by thousands of Pilgrims from all over the world during the month of Rajab. The devotees offer their prayers wishing for the blessings of the saint. Urs Fair is initiated by one of the successors of Chishtis called Sajjada Nashin.

Tomb Decoration: The sacred tomb of the saint is washed with scented water and paste of sandalwood. The tomb is covered with a decorative sheet of silk.

Offerings: The pilgrims make several offerings including scented flowers, and “chadar”. The melodious songs are sung by qawwals on the outside premises. Their rustic voices add charm to the serene atmosphere.

Other Attractions

The city of Ajmer is decorated beautifully. The markets are full of sweets and religious items. At night, Sufis sing ballads in memory of their Peer. The last day of the Urs Fair is devoted for celebrations of Qul ceremony in which people recite holy verse from the sacred books of Quran and Darood. These verses are supposed to bring good luck. As one enters the Dargah, he is supposed to cover his head with a scarf.

Urs Fair is the embodiment of the austerity, simplicity and divine knowledge. Devotees are inspired by the spartan life that the divine soul lived.

Brij Festival

Rajasthan is a land of colorful festivals and fairs that showcase it to be a state embedded with age old traditions and cultural values. Brij Festival is one such event that symbolizes the culmination of love of Krishna and Radha. Celebrated just before Holi, this festival is popular among tourists who also take part in the cultural events.

Highlights of the Festival

The impersonation of love of Radha-Krishna is celebrated in form of Raslila which is an ancient dance form. This dance is a symbol of timeless and true love. The villagers get dressed in lovely attires and give the best of their dance performances. The Dances of Raslila is choreographed beautifully. Thrilling performances of the artists are the results of their dedication and devotion. Artists at Raslila get dressed in colorful attires. The lead performers, accompanied by a number of other artists, sing the songs of ballads. Their stupendous performances make Brij Festival an attraction for the tourists.

As the festival is celebrated before Holi, this religious event is marked with splashing of different colors. Air is filled with folk songs and merriment. People indulge themselves in joy and merriment. The environment is full of ecstasy and exuberance.

Religious Significance

Brij Festival is a festival of love and is considered pious by Hindus. People visit temples and make offerings to their deities. Sacred baths taken by the devotees at Banganga are meant to purify their souls.

Elephant Festival

Elephant Festival is a flamboyant cultural event that is marked by the huge procession of excessively decorated elephants. Considered as embodiment of strength, elephants have been treated as beasts of immense royal importance since ancient times in Rajasthan.

Highlights of the Festival

Elephant Festival brings together the most charming elephants that are draped in exquisite embellishments and jeweled attires. These majestic animals walk gracefully and are the center of attraction of the entire event. Various body parts of these animals are painted in lively colors. Adorable trinkets adorn their massive bodies. Several floral designs are painted on their feet and trunk. The procession of elephants is an embodiment of the charm and grandeur of the past. Recreation of historical events is an important part of this peculiar festival.

Thrilling dance and musical performances also characterize Elephant Festival. Horses, camels, and decorative chariots accompany the colossal beasts and offer extra excitement to the event. Besides this, royal palanquins and cannons are also on display. The sounds of trumpets add majestic aura to the environment. Men and women are dressed in bright attires with men wearing big turbans.

Other Activities

Several competitions are held that include elephant races and polo matches. A tug-of-war competition between men and elephants is fun to watch and participate. The procession culminates by splashing the colors of Holi on each other.

Historical Significance

Elephants have remained the embodiment of strength and royal charm from time immemorial. The tradition of elephant-procession dates back to Buddhist period. Royal kings used to ride caparisoned elephants to flaunt their wealth. Royal rides were organized to honor special guests.

Elephant Festival reflects the royal extravaganza of Rajasthan at its best. The event is marked by joyous celebrations and beautiful colors of Holi.

Kajli Teej

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Kajli Teej is an auspicious festival of Bundi, Rajasthan. It is celebrated on the third day of the Hindu month, Shravana. Although Teej is celebrated in all parts of Northern India, Kajli Teej of Bundi is a special one.

Highlights of the Festival

This festival is characterized by an adorned procession that involves goddess Teej being paraded in an enclosed carriage that is carried over the shoulders. This carriage or the palanquin is decorated beautifully. The charming pageant starts from Naval Sagar and comprises of adorned elephants and camels that march towards Azad Park, a place where the parade comes to an end. Different bands and artists give their best performances. Kajli Teej is a festival of joy and merriment.

People from the nearby areas gather at Bundi to view the proceedings of this colorful parade. Local people also participate in this cultural event. A variety of cultural programs are held at different places. The performances of artists from Hadoti are particularly charming. The entire festivities are marked with feasting and entertainment events. Women sing and dance merrily. The celebrations of this festival continue up to Janmashtami, another sacred festival of Hindus.

Religious Significance

Kajli Teej is a pious festival for married couples and is supposed to grant marital bliss to them and tighten their bond.

Baneshwar Fair

Celebrated during Shivratri, Baneshwar Festival is a tribal event in which devotees from Rajasthan and the nearby states like Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh flock to Baneshwar Temple to offer their prayers to Lord Shiva. According to the local dialect, the term “Baneshwar” stands for master of delta. Every year, the tribal devotees, most of whom are Bhils, visit Mahadeva Temple at Dungarpur to pay their reverence to Shiva Lingam. The Lingam is bathed with water and adorned with saffron and incense. In the evening, sacred offerings are performed.

Festival Attractions

Baneshwar Festival is celebrated with joy and gaiety by the tribal population. The festivities are marked by songs that are sung by Bhils in their rustic tones. Several animals and magic shows also form the part of the rapture. Folk dances and acrobatics performed by artists are enchanting. Children can enjoy joy rides like swings and giant wheel. Like other festivals, this cultural event involves selling of arts and artifacts that belong to different states. Main selling items are textiles, brassware and jewelry. The cultural gala also showcases several competitions and exhibitions.

Religious Significance

The festival is celebrated to honor Mahadeva i.e. Lord Shiva. Aje and Vaje, the disciples of Mavji built the temple at the confluence of Mahi and Som Rivers. Baneshwar Festival is a sacred event for Hindus; it is an epitome of the deep religious faith enshrined in the heart of devotees.

Summer Festival

Mt. Abu, a hill station of Rajasthan that is blessed with picturesque hills, enchanting lakes, and serene environment, is a venue for the famous Summer Festival that showcases traditional tribal lifestyle of the state. The festival gives an insight into the art and Culture of Rajasthan Mt. Abu is the coldest place of Rajasthan at this time of calendar.

Highlights

Main feature of the Summer Festival is the song and dance saga that continues for three days. Beautiful ballads are sung in the praise of brave heroes of Rajasthan. The resonating sounds of joy and merriment attract the tourists. The incredible and beautifully choreographed dances by the folk dancers mesmerize the spectators. Various types of dances are performed at Summer Festival; these include Ghoomar, Daph, and Gair dances. These dances are not only pleasant to watch but also are the mirrors of the folk and tribal life of Rajasthan.

A number of sporting events like boat-racing make the Summer Festival even more enchanting. Breathtaking performances by the famous qawwals at the Sham-e-Qawwali event make this festival even more dazzling. A spectacular display of fireworks on the final day is enough to regale the visitors. Several competitions are held during the day time. Some of these competitions are tug of war, matka race, horse and skating race. The splendid CRPF show is the worth-watching. The Deepdan and Skaters show are also the part of this tribal event.

Religious significance

Mount Abu is a place of saints and legends. It is the living place of saint Vashishth who is considered to be the creator of Agnikula. The place where he performed his Yagna is considered sacred. Jains also consider Abu as a blessed place as it was visited by the last Tirthankara of Jains.

Summer Festival celebrates the colorful tribal life of Rajasthan and it is during this event that an atmosphere of fun and frolic is created.

Mewar Festival

Mewar Festival is celebrated in Rajasthan to welcome the spring season. The rites and rituals of this festival resemble to that of Gangaur Festival which is celebrated about the same time. The celebrations are important from religious point of view and reflect the inherent traditions and age-old customs of Rajasthan. The customs followed during the course of the festival are especially important for women who take part in the ceremonies with full devotion.

Highlights of the Festival

During Mewar Festival, womenfolk get dressed in beautiful attires. They adorn the images of Gauri and Isar with glittering dresses and spectacular ornaments. These images are then carried over in a procession towards Gangaur Ghat situated at the bank of Lake Pichola. From here, these sacred images are taken in boats amidst much singing and fanfare. This is then followed by cultural activities like music, dance etc.

Other Attractions

There are several attractions of Mewar Festival that are interesting for the tourists. Some of these are folk music, dazzling fire displays and devotional songs that form part of this cultural event. Like other fairs and festivals, this event is also marked with joy and merriment.

Kites Festival

Kites Festival is celebrated every year on Makar Sankranti i.e. January 14, when direction of sun changes in the sky. Huge participation from people of all age groups makes this festival an event of joy and gaiety. Countless kites can be seen soaring and covering the entire vista of the sky.

Highlights of the Festival

This riotous event is celebrated with full enthusiasm and zest. The entire atmosphere reverberates with the shouting of kite fliers. Innumerable colorful kites in the sky seem to fight with each other in order to win the competition. As a kite string gets cut by the competitor kite, joyous shouting makes the environment much more jovial.

Kites Festival is a delightful event that attracts number of tourists to Jaipur. Jodhpur Polo Ground is the main venue of this festive event. On the very first day of inauguration, a grand ceremony takes place which is followed by letting loose thousand numbers of kites from the helicopters. Several kite flying competitions are the main highlights of this extravaganza. Participants from all age groups participate with eager and a zest to win. The lure of winning prizes and trophies makes the participants even more enthusiastic.

Display Flying competitions are meant for experts for testing their abilities and competencies. The kites are available in variable sizes and shapes. Some of them are even the caricatures of celebrities and politicians.

The concluding ceremony takes palace at the majestic Umaid Bhawan Palace that is the host of the grand finale and prize giving ceremony.

The Department of Tourism has played a vital role in reviving Kites Festival and has promoted it extensively to attract the tourists who can participate in this cultural gala.

Camel Festival

Camel Festival is a spectacle of beautifully decorated camels that are adorned magnificently and exclusively. This event is organized by Department of Tourism, Rajasthan. It is marked by festive dances and folk songs that reflect the true spirit of this majestic state.

Highlights of the Festival

Camel March: Camel Festival is dedicated to camels which are considered ship of the desert. The rapture of this delightful event is aggravated by the splendid backdrop of lavish forts and palaces. Camels are bedecked with accessories and finest pieces of jewelry. The owners of the camels also get in best of their attires and colorful turbans. As the camels proceed in their royal parade, covering parched sands of Bikaner, one gets totally enthralled. An ecstatic atmosphere is created as the camels, stuffed with anklets and bridles, move in regal manner. Their grace, style and decoration catch the fancy of the tourists.

Camel Races: Major attractions are the camel races that are organized at Camel Festival. Several camels are made to stand in a line and are made to run through the storms of dust as a shot is fired by gun. The winning camels are awarded with honors.

Competitions and Dances: Various competitions like best decorated camel, best hair and best fur cut are the prominent features of this cultural saga. Another enjoyable event that attracts tourists is the camel dance. As these animals sway their bodies to the musical beats, one gets spell bound. Milking competitions are the other attractions of the festival.

Cultural Events: Local people spend the festival with joy and merriment. Breathtaking performances by the renowned artists, traditional swirling dances and folk music make the mood jubilant. The dazzling fireworks are enough to charm anyone.

History

Camel is considered an animal of extreme importance in Rajasthan. The survival in the parched and sandy areas of their state is almost unimaginable without this ship of desert. The festival is a dedication to this beast of strength and tolerance.

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