Rajasthan is a cheerful state that celebrates its vibrant culture through an array of fairs and festivals running all year round, adding numerous colors to the arid land of the state. These glaring fairs and festivals come with a chance for the travellers to delve into the art, culture, traditions that are very nicely interwoven with the state’s royal history. Rajasthan is a unique place that believes in celebrating life. And to savour the true flavours of this amazing land, visit during this festivity and become a part of it. These varieties of fairs and festivals infuse life into the barren land of Rajasthan and fill the colors of joy all around. Out of all of such festivities, some of the major ones are Ashwa Poojan, Navratri, Guru Purnima, Mt. Abu: Summer and Winter Festival, Pushkar Fair, Gangaur Festival, Nagaur Festival, Kite Festival, Kumbhalgarh Festival, Teej, Marwar Festival, Summer Festival, Baneshwar Fair, Sheetla Mata Fair, Elephant Festival, Camel Festival, Desert Festival, Pushkar Fair and Urs Fair, that are celebrated in different parts of Rajasthan. Also, Hindus one of the biggest festival Dussehra and Diwali are also celebrated with much grandeur and the display of fireworks. To add more fun to these celebrations there are various activities and competitions that are organised like turban tying competition, puppet shows, camel races, Mr. and Miss. Desert competition, folk music and dance performances, cock and bull fighting, camels and cattles trading. These occasions serve as an exceptional platform to showcase state’s traditional artifacts and handicrafts where the shopaholics and art lovers can gather a lot of fun. Where: Jaisalmer Vibrant desert festival in Jaisalmer is a wonderful opportunity to experience the sandstones and magical castles. The festival lasts for 3 days- one can experience fancy camel ride, participate in camel races, polo matches, turban tying competitions and various other things. The best part about the festival is the folk dance performance on the last day of the event. The major attractions of the desert festival of Jaisalmer include snake charmers, puppeteers, acrobats, folk performers, fire dancers and various other things that will capture your heart. . Where : Bikaner Join this festival and witness some of the best camel performances. Bikaner camel festival showcases the creative side of the people as they perform various activities like camel decoration, camel hair cutting, camel milking and camel dancing. Beside this, there is an enlightening celebration organized by the end of the day. Every year this fest is organized by Department of Tourism, Art and Culture, of Bikaner, Government of Rajasthan. Euphoric performances keep on entertaining visitors. On the final day of fest, there is a magnificent firework which lights up the entire city of Bikaner. Where: Nagaur (137 km from Jodhpur towards Bikaner) Nagaur Fair is the 2nd largest cattle feast in India. This carnival provides the largest platform for trading cattle, cows, bullocks, oxen, camel and horses. People are seen wearing vibrant dresses and long moustaches. Visited by many tourists every year, Nagaur Fair captures the essence of Rajasthan and will blend you with their beautiful culture. Folk and cultural competition keeps on happening side by side. Various games like tug-of-war, camel races, cock fights etc are organized for the entertainment of tourists. Where: Pushkar Every year in the month of Kartik, Pushkar Mela is celebrated. Drawing in 50,000 camels and 200,000 people, this fair is considered as the largest platform to buy and sell camels, cattle and horses – most of the trading, however, is completed in the days leading up to the fair. This carnival gathers camel traders and associates from all the parts of the world. One can witness unusual performances like camel dancing, bump riding, neck shaking and various other things. A huge camel procession is organized on the 1st day followed by various competitions and trading activities. Owners decorate their camels with paints, jewellery, cloths etc. By the end of the day, live dance and music performances are organized to celebrate the culture of Rajasthan. One the last day, fireworks are organized to lighten-up the entire city and illuminate the deserts of Pushkar. Where: Jaipur Here comes Holi and the best manner to celebrate it in Rajasthan is by being a part of the Elephant festival. This parade is considered as a symbol of Rajasthan royalty. This event begins with a huge procession of large and beautiful elephants. For this special day, elephants are groomed, painted, dressed and embodied with heavy ornaments like gold. All the participants of this festival are female elephants and they take part in race, tug of war and polo. The festival pulls huge crowd and is loved by all. Beside this, there are live musical and dance performance too. Where: Udaipur Here comes the spring! This is the time when Mewar festival takes place. During this festival, women carry the statues of Isar and Gangaur towards Lake Pichola. The whole city of Udaipur is decorated beautifully in colourful streamers and one can feel that a grand celebration is round the corner. The Mewar festival is one of the most important celebrations of Udaipur and the rich culture of Rajasthan is at its all time best. This is an event that should not be missed if you are travelling to Udaipur! Where: Mount Abu During the last weekend of December, a cultural festival is organized in Mount Abu. Warm hospitality, folk dance performances, ceremonial processions and colourful culture make this festival an unforgettable experience. Huge firework enlightens the deserts of Pushkar on the last day. From worship of camels, elephants to sculptures, Rajasthan has shown its religious side in every aspect. This time, plan your holiday in this ‘land of celebrations’ and blend yourself with the colourful fiesta of ethnic traditions. The fairs and festivals of Rajasthan welcome visitors to India from all over the globe. Where: All over Rajasthan Mahashivratri is considered as the most auspicious festival and celebrated all over India. Lots of mythological beliefs are associated with this festival. Lord Shiva is facilitated with honey, flowers and bel leaves. Most of the women keep a vigilant fast on this day. Celebrations take place throughout the night, and people keep on chanting devotional songs; devotees also take a dive dip in the holy River ‘Ganga’ Where: All over Rajasthan The colourful state of Rajasthan celebrates Holi much the same way as Mathura. Crowds of people come together before the full moon night and light huge bonfires to burn the residual dried leaves of the winter. On the second day, people throw coloured water and powders (gulal and kumkum) at each other and make merry. Singing, dancing and the traditional beats of dhol add to the gaiety of the occasion. Where: Mount Abu To celebrate the exuberance and spirit of this small hill station, every year Mount Abu organizes a 3 days cultural festival on Buddh Purnima. This carnival starts with a procession, live dance programme on the first day, followed by sports activities like skating race, horse race, boat race and various other on the 2nd and the 3rd day. The festival comes to an end with an electrifying fire work and a road show by the CRPF band. Where: Ajmer During this festival thousands of pilgrims, Sufis and tourists head to Ajmer in Northern Rajasthan to celebrate the festival of Urs, to commemorate the death anniversary of Moinuddin Chisti. Music in the form of quawwalis is constantly performed both in the dargah compound as well as outside its gates. The entire city is decorated with lights and frills. Where: All over Rajasthan This is the day when you can thank everyone who has taught you spiritual lessons in life. It is celebrated on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Ashad. Where: All over Rajasthan (particularly in Jaipur) To improve the marital status of their lives, women in Rajasthan fast on the day of Teej for marital bliss. Teej plays a very significant role in the life of women as they celebrate this festival in the honour of Parvati, who is also known as ‘Teej Mata’. Other than this, it is a very colourful festival where all the ladies enjoy swing, sing, apply heena and adorn themselves with all the jewellery. A special sweet called “ghewar” is prepared specially for this day and also served as Prasad. Teej provides an opportunity to renew family bonds. Where: All over Rajasthan Rakhi reflects the sweet relationship of a brother and a sister. All the girls tie a thread on their brother’s wrist and in-return all brothers give a promise to their sisters that they will protect them always. This is a special day to celebrate the emotional bonding of siblings. The ritual is observed on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Shravan Where: All over Rajasthan Considered as the most auspicious 9 days of the Hindu calendar, Navratri is celebrate with great fervour and verve all across Rajasthan. Worship and fasting takes place during the day time while the nights are reserved for feasting and dancing. Where: All over Rajasthan Considered as the festival of lights, Diwali is celebrated as the homecoming of Lord Rama. This 5 day long carnival is celebrated with great enthusiasm. Houses and shops are given a rigorous spring clean before being lovingly decorated with fairy lights, patterned lanterns and colourful rangolis/kolams. Puja is organized in the evening to seek the blessings of Devi Lakshmi. After the religious ceremony, people share sweets with family and neighbours, followed by splendid fireworks. People exchange gifts and enjoy them as much possible. These 5 days are considered very auspicious as people purchase utensils and cloths, some even start new business during this time. Where: All over Rajasthan To celebrate the victory of good over evil, Dusshera is celebrated all over Rajasthan. This day also symbolizes triumph of Goddess Durga over the buffalo demon, Mahishasura. Huge and colourful processions of Lord Rama is organized everywhere. To celebrate the victory of Lord Rama, paper statues of Ravana along with Meghnath and Kumbhkaran are set on fire; this is followed by a huge carnival where people can enjoy sweets, food, rides, dance and musical performances. Where: Udaipur On the 9th day of Navratri, a regal festival for the worship of horse is organized in Udaipur. This one of its kind festival acknowledges the special relationship between honour and horse. During this festival, the horse is worshiped by the eldest member of the house; the religious ceremony is followed by a mouth-watering Rajasthani cuisine treat.Desert Festival
Duration of Festival:3 days (Comes to end on full moon day)
Special attractions: Cultural shows
Bikaner Camel Festival
Duration of Festival: 2 days
Special attractions: Spectacular and unusual camel performances.Nagaur Fair
Duration of Festival: 4 days
Special attractions: Cattle Fair, Methi & Mirch (chillies)
Pushkar Fair
Duration of Festival: 13 days
Special attractions: A Camel Safari, Hot Air BallooningElephant Festival
Duration of Festival: 1 day
Special attractions: Traditional procession of decorated elephants
Mewar Festival
Duration of Festival: 3 days
Special attractions: Cultural performances on folk music!Mount Abu : Winter Festival
Duration of Festival: 3 days
Special attractions: Cultural festival
Mahashivratri
Duration of Festival: 1 day
Special attractions: Shiv temple decoration in colourful mannerHoli
Duration of Festival: 2 days
Special attractions: festival of colours
Mount Abu: Summer Festival
Duration of Festival: 3 days
Special attractions: Live shows, CRPF road show, processionsUrs Fair
Duration of Festival: 6 days
Special attractions: Night-long dhikr/zikr qawwali singing
Guru Purnima
Duration of Festival: 1 day
Special attractions: Thanksgiving ceremonyTeej
Duration of Festival: 1 day
Special attractions: Uplifting occasion filled with singing, swinging, and dancing
Raksha Bandhan
Duration of Festival: 1 dayNavratri
Duration of Festival: 9 days
Diwali
Duration of Festival: 5 days
Special attractions: Festival of lights, fireworkDussehra
Duration of Festival: 1 day
Special attractions: Carnival, rides
Ashwa Poojan
Duration of Festival: 1 day
Special attractions: Worshipping the Horse
