Rajasthan Fairs Festivals

Rajasthan is a state of colors. Being a state of the Royals it depicts a vivid range of customs and enjoyments. These are the reasons to visit Rajasthan in the different times of the year. People of Rajasthan love to dance and sing and you can hear the local songs from the corners of various cities of the state. These celebrations are the integral part of people culture and lifestyle. Being a part of these festivals will take you closer to the cultural background of the state.

The Annual Fairs of Rajasthan
There are a number of Fairs and Festivals in Rajasthan that are celebrated from time to time. Fairs like Pushkar Fair or the Camel Fair, the Handicrafts fair, The Desert Festival are some of the prominent fairs and festivals of Rajasthan. These Festivals are celebrated with great joy and tourists from all around the globe come to see the dramatic folk dances, exquisite handicrafts, mouthwatering delicacies and experience the heartwarming hospitality of the state.
The Pushkar Fair is all about the camels, cows, sheep and goats buying and selling which is done by the local people and they come from all the cities and towns of Rajasthan to grab customers. There is also a ritual of the fair is to take a dip in the Pushkar Lake.

Bikaner Camel Festival
Camel is called the ship of the desert and the camels is also a dear animal among people of Rajasthan. The camel festival is celebrated in many districts of Rajasthan in different ways. The people of Rajasthan not only buy and sell them but also celebrate with them with a difference. The Bikaner Camel Festival is an event organized by the Department of Tourism, Art and Culture, of Bikaner, Government of Rajasthan. It takes place every year in the month of January. At this festival the “ships of the desert” are seen in mass. The Bikaner Camel Festival is one of the most colorful and lively festivals of the state, celebrated in the month of January. Devoted to the essential ship of desert the Camel festival starts off with a wonderful parade of decorated camels. And the camel festival also consists of a race of camels organized by the local people and this is taken as a hard competition and the camels are trained according to it.
The grace and appeal of the vividly garlanded camels leave the viewers fascinated. Further, this amazing two days festivals includes various appealing activities like camel races, fur cutting design, the best breed contest, camel bands, camel acrobatics and a lot more. A sight of remarkable camel activities like camel races and camel dances highly captivates the onlookers. You must attend this impressive festival. Camel dance performances also take place. Competitions take place for the best decorated camel, fur cutting design, camel milking and the best camel haircut. The camels display splendid footwork and dance gracefully to the direction of their drivers.

Diwali Festival
Diwali, also known as 'Deepawali' is celebrated with whole enthusiam and devotion in Rajasthan like every part of India. Known as 'The Festival of Lights', Diwali is almost celebrated by all religion in Rajasthan. Diwali is celebrated for many reasons. Some celebrates Diwali as it is believed that it marks the starting of the Hindu New Year according to the Lunar calender. But most of people celebrated it as the victory of Goodness over Evil.

Dulhendi
Holi is a fun-filled and energetic festival which is celebrated on the full moon day of Phalgun month of Hindu calendar celebrated in March. The celebration begins with lightening of bonfire on Holi eve known as Holika Dahan. On the very next day, people in large groups come out of their houses, and put colors on each other known as ‘gulal’. They also pour colorful waters on each other using balloons and color sprays. Holi is a day to forget past complaints and meet the others with great warmth and high spirit.
On Dulhendi or Holi celebrations people of Rajasthan get energized with joy and fun. They perform various folk dances of the state like Ghoomer and Gait. Ghoomer is a traditional dance form of Rajasthan. It is a women’s folk dance, developed by the Bhil tribe and later on adopted by the Rajputs. This form of dance is performed by groups of women in spinning robes, who are accompanied by both male and female chorus singers. Gait is another dance done on the occasion of Holi. This form of dance is usually performed by the men. Gait is known by different names in different regions such as Dandia Gair in Rajasthan and Geendad in the Shekhawati region. This is another form of dance, which is somewhat related to Ghoomar. Also developed by the Bhil tribe, this dance is performed by both men and women, mainly during the festival of Holi. Children enjoy throwing the water balloons to the passersby.

On Holi the entire country come out a festive look during the festival, market are at thrill during Holi festival. There are various Holi hues with gulals and abeers on the roadside on the day before festival. Pichkaris are the modern design that is used to drench the person in the town. The women or the housewives in Rajasthan at home prepares the special dishes that are generally prepared at the time of Holi like gujiyas, mathari, dahi bhalla, thandai and papri for the family members and relatives. At some places people also prepares papads and potato chips at this time. The spirit of color make the put the whole country in trance.

Ganesha Chaturthi
Like other festivals Ganesha Chaturthi is also celebrated in Rajasthan with great joy and devotion. This festival is celebrated after Lord Ganesha .Lord Ganesha is the eldest son of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and elder brother named Kartikeya with a vehicle or vahana of peacock. Lord Ganesha has his vehicle or vahana a small mouse. He is the Lord who is believed to remove all obstacles on the path of the spiritual aspirant, and bestows upon him worldly as well as spiritual success. He is the Lord of Harmony and Peace.
In Rajasthan, on the occasion of Ganesh Chaturthi, an image of Ganesh is covered in red kumkum and a garland of red flowers is put on the Ganesha idol, then the idol is placed by many households right outside their entry gates. A small puja thaal, with haldi and kumkum, is also placed at the entrance, so that the visiting people take a pinch of each and put it on their foreheads and throat as it is belived to be auspicious. Motichoor Ladoos are usually made in the house, to be first offered to Lord Ganesha as it is believed as his favorite and then distributed as prasad to the devotees.
In Rajasthan the most popular Ganesha temple is situated in ranthambore and the temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha is located in the fort of Ranthambhor, which is about 12 kms from Sawai Madhopur and 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 it would put all the obstacles away from the couple life. This temple is the site for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations attracting devotees from all over to join in the singing of devotional songs. The orange color in which the idol is painted has also become the holy color for this festival. The idol is lavishly decorated with gold ornaments and every day joys with huge garlands of marigold.

Gangaur Festival
Gangaur is the colourful and the one of the most important festivals of people of Rajasthan. This festival is dedicated to Lord Siva and his wife Parvati. “Gan” resembles Lord Shiva and “Gaur” resembles Goddess Gauri. he festival commences on the first day of hindu calender month “Chaitra“. Newly wed girls fast for 18 days which is considered the full process of the puja and have one meal at a day. Many unmarried girls also keep the fast in belief of getting a good husband in their life. Women put mehandi on their hands and feet and make delicious sweets like ghevar and distribute it among their friends and relatives. Ghevar, a sweet dish of Rajasthan is popularly shared with friends and relatives.
Gangaur is consider to be the best time of year to select a life partner. Men and women from different places get the opportunity to meet and interact. Many pick there partners and marry. Gangaur is celebrated all over Rajasthan at the end of winter and the onset of spring most probably near holi. The Gangaur grand celebrations take place in Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, and Nathdwara. In Udaipur, Gangaur coincides with the Mewar Festival.
On the final day of this festival, a procession with the image of Gauri, commences from the Zanani-Deodhi of the city Palace. This procession then pass through Tripolia Bazaar, Chhoti Chaupar, Gangauri Bazaar, Chaugan stadium and finally converge near the Talkatora.

International Kite Festival
The International Kite Festival of Jodhpur started only a few years back in Rajasthan, and it has become one of the most awaited and grand festival of Jodhpur. Its official date is 14th January, on the day of Makar Sankranti which continues for three days. The festival is celebrated at the Polo Ground in Jodhpur, where the best kite flyers from all over the world show their kite flying skills. Whole the sky becomes colorful with kites of several designs and shapes. The most adventures moment comes, when the kite gets cut and people start shouting with excitement.
Rajasthan is a place of customs and tradition. The people of Rajasthan follow their forefathers and maintain the lifestyle according to their words. Flying Kite is an integral part of the people of Rajasthan. They fly kites in several occasions and especially in the occasion of Makar Sankranti which is also another festival of kites in the whole country. On this festival people of all the states fly kites in India and the International Kite Festival of Jodhpur has been decided to celebrate on this auspicious day.
Makar Sankranti identifies a period of enlightenment, peace, prosperity and happiness followed by a period of darkness, ignorance and viciousness with immense sorrow. The six months of northern movement of the sun is followed by six months of southern movement.
Kids meet at their roofs to play and defeat each other through kites. Makar Sankranti is celebrated on 14th of January is when the sport of kite flying is almost prevalent, with an International Kite Flying Competition in Jaipur and Jodhpur, while the monsoon period is another favorite. However, but for a brief spell during the peak months of summer, kite flying continues throughout the year. This day in Rajasthan celebrated with sweets like Ghevar, Til-paati, Gajak, kheer etc.

Jaipur Literature Festival
Zee Jaipur Literature Festival is an annual literary festival which celebrates national and internal literature. Regarded as the largest literary festival in Asia-Pacific, Zee Jaipur Literature Festival now becomes Inda's most prestigious literary fest. Zee Jaipur Literature Festival is celebrated in Jaipur city of Rajasthan, India.
Jaipur Literature Festival is a best platform which brought not only writers but some elite thinkers and socialist from all over the world to carry out conversation on literature past and future. Prominent authors can be listened in the JLF arena.
Zee Jaipur Literature Festival includes variety of sessions and events. Many prominent socialites also attends this literary fest. Apart from sessions of readings, discussions, and questions and answers, there is also a musical evenings and outdoor lounge bar to relax. Every year over a lakh of visitors attends hundreds of literary sessions during five days of DSC Jaipur Literature Festival. In the previous years, it was being held at Diggi Palace hotel but due to influx of people in large number, now Char Bagh has been added with a separate music stage at The Clarks Amer lawns.
All the events except musical evening at the festival are free and not ticketed. The literature festival attracts over a lakh visitors and the organizers had a tough time handling the swelling crowd. The Directors of the Zee Jaipur Literature Festival are William Dalrymple and Namita Gokhale and the festival is produced by Sanjoy K. Roy, Sheuli Sethi and Teamwork Productions.

Jaisalmer Desert Festival
Rajasthan is a state of fairs and festivals. Being a desert state one of the most important festival is the Desert Festival over here. This is held over three days in January or in February every year. This festival is celebrated in the city of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan which is also known as the Golden city. This is the best time to visit Jaisalmer to watch performing arts like Kalbelia dances and folk songs and music.
Desert festival in Rajasthan begins with many a magnificent events and last for 3 days. As the Desert festival is celebrated in the city of Jaisalmer, is a big charm among the people all over the Rajasthan state, also the tourist from all over the India and world around gathered here to participate and enjoy the real and typical Rajasthani lifestyle and their culture.
In the Desert Festival the travelers can have fun in open air acrobatics, folk dance performances, puppet shows, stalls are filled up with the bright items and snake charmers. In spite of of these, you can see many performance and play such as Ghair and Ghoomar dances, The Vivacious Fire Dance, colorful Spinning Skirts with sparkling mirror work dupattas with lots of folk music with desert stalls and decorated camels. The captivating folk music and dances performs by local artists, called Gair and Fire dancers create a truly entertaining event. Among the interesting things to see of the Jaisalmer Desert festival the stall, carpets, rugs, and tents displaying handcrafted goods and clothing are quite interesting.
Desert Festival falls on the day of Purnima and it represents the rich and colorful Rajasthani folk culture.. Besides folk dances & music there many other means of entertainment are hugely famous as number of competitions is held in the festival like the turban tying competition and longest moustaches competition, etc. World renowned puppet shows are also organized in the Desert- festival. This festival is held once a year during winters.
The different types of famous cuisines of Rajasthan like, Daal-Baati, Churma, Gatte ki sabji and Sweets and snacks are widely served in the Desert festival. Jaisalmer is also well connected by road and rail through all major cities.

Marwar Festival
The Marwar Festival of Rajasthan is held each year in memory of the martyrs of motherland in Jodhpur. The festival is held in the month of Ashwin which falls between the months of September to October, it is celebrated for two days during the full moon occasion of Sharad Poornima.
The festival is popularly known as the Maand Festival, this festival is celebrated with folk music centered on the romantic lifestyle of Rajasthan’s rulers. This festival is devoted to the music and dance of the Marwar region and offers a good chance to watch the folk dancers dancing with carrying pots on their heads and singers who assemble here and provide hours of lively entertainment. These folk artistes provide a glimpse of the days of yore, of battles and valiant heroes who still live on in their songs.
Other attractions at the festival are the camel tattoo show and polo. Tourists can also see the Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mandore and Mehrangarh fort, which are symbols of power and strength, provide the ideal venue for the cultural show which is an integral part of the festival. Jodhpur is well connected to all major cities by road, rail and air.

Mewar Festival
The Mewar Festival is famous as it is celebrated to welcome the dawn of spring. It concurs with the festival of Gangaur, and has a unique charm about it. The festival of Gangaur is very important for women of Rajasthan. During this festival the women dress up in their best clothes and join in the festival. They come altogether to dress the images of Isar and Gangaur and then carry them in a ritual procession through different parts of the city. The procession is a part of the festival and winds its way to the Gangaur Ghat at Lake Pichhola.

Raksha Bandhan
Raksha Bandhan, which is known as the sacred the bond of protection between brother and sister is celebrated with great enthusiasm in Rajasthan. Rakhi is a Hindu festival primarily observed in India and especially in Rajasthan, which celebrates the relationship between brothers, cousins and sisters. It is also called Rakhi Purnima in most of India. The purpose of this thread is to denote the sister’s prayers and wishes for her brother’s wellbeing and good fortune for the future times. These threads come in many colors and designs. The brother traditionally gives the sister a present in return which can be money or other presents. The siblings also traditionally feed each other sweets during this occasion. In Rajasthan women make Rakhis for their brothers as well as sisters whereas in most of the places in India it is sold in markets.
The history of Raksha Bandhan is related with Rajasthan only as there are several stories about the origin of Rakshbandhan. According to a famous past history of Rakshbandhan it is traced to the medieval period. Rani Karnavati, who was the widow of King of Chittor, sent the holy thread known as Rakhi to Emperor Humayun when she felt that there was no hope of defending the kingdom of Chittor from the attack of Emperor of Gujarat, Bahadur Shah. Emperor Humayun accepted the Rakhi and started with his troops to defend her but before he reached Chittor, the war was over and kingdom was captured. Queen Karnavati committed suicide with a large number of women by consuming poison.
On the occasion of Raksha Bandhan sisters make delicious items for their brother like sweets and other favorite delicacies brother are also bound to gift their sisters and promise them protect from all obstacles and difficulties of life. It is not that Rakhi can be tied between the family members or among the relatives but anybody feels like bonding a relation of brother and sister then thay can tie Rakhi as this festival is above religion, caste and creed and this message of selfless love has been spread from Rajasthan to the country.

Pushkar Camel Fair
Rajasthan Pushkar Camel Fair, famously known in India as 'Pushkar Mela', is the annual five-day camel and cattle fair, held in the town of Pushkar in Rajasthan. Pushkar Rajasthan is known especially for this Pushkar camel fair and this fair is one of the largest trade of cattle of India. It is one of the world's largest camel fairs, and apart from buying and selling of livestock it has become an important tourist attraction and its highlights have become competitions such as the "matka phod", "longest moustache", and "bridal competition" are the main draws for this fair which attracts thousands of tourists.
Most official occasions of Pushkar Mela happen at the Mela Ground, an expansive stadium. Some of the fascinating events in Pushkar Fair are horse and camel races, Tug-of-War, traditional rural games, wrestling, turban and mustache competitions and showcases. Women make beautiful paintings on the wall for a competition called as mundane competition. An evening here then follows with the cultural programs by locals.The Pushkar Fair is all about the camels, cows, sheep and goats buying and selling which is done by the local people and they come from all the cities and towns of Rajasthan to grab customers. There is also a ritual of the fair is to drown into the Pushkar Lake. It is celebrated for five days from the Kartik Ekadashi to Kartik Poornima, the full moon day.