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Rajasthan is more commonly known for its colourful and
exciting Festivals and fairs. Every year thousands of
Rajasthani men & women gathers in this festivals and
fairs, and people from all across world come here to
enjoy these exciting moments. These fairs & Festivals
arte organized for religious purpose as well as
commercial.
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Click here to get the Fairs &
Festival Calendar |
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(Bikaner, January) A unique celebration highlighting
camel & cultural heritage of northern Rajasthan. The
camel festival begins with a colourful procession of
bedecked camels against the red sandstone backdrop of
the Junagarh fort, the festivity advances to the open
sand spreads of the grounds, followed by the best breed
competition, the tug of war contest, camel dances &
acrobatics. The camels dance gracefully to the slightest
direction of their trainers their bejeweled necks,
jingling anklets cast a magical spell. Glorious Gorbandh
dance, local folk performs and dazzling fireworks offer
a different tenor & tempo altogether.
Where to Stay :
Bikaner |
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(Nagaur. Jan.-Feb.) Essentially an animal fair is one of
the largest in the colmtry. The fair is renowned for the
trading in cows, bullocks, camels & horses Mirchi Bazar
is the main attraction and wooden items, iron craft &
leather accessories are available in plenty during the
fair. As the Sun goes down, a joyous atmosphere is
created by the folk musicians whose voices echo far &
wide across the tranquil desert sand. Nagaur is well
connected to the mal or tourist centers of Rajasthan.
The nearest airport is Jodhpur (135 Km.).
Where to Stay :
Nagaur |
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(Jaisalmer, Jan.-Feb.) A unique three day show on the
sands, when the desert blooms with the riotous colour of
Rajasthan 's desert heritage. The traditional dances
(famous Gair & Fire dances) backed by high pitched music
take the folk dances and the audience on an Euphoric
trip. The turban tying competition & Mr. Desert contest
coupled with camel race & acrobatics add a touch of
excitement to the celebrations. One can enjoy the
pleasure of a camel ride to the sand dances and view
musicians & dancers performing.
Where to Stay :
Jaisalmer |
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(Baneshwar Dungarpur,Jan.-Feb.) A religious festival
with simple & traditional rituals. Quaint rhythms
conjure up the tribal cultural identity of the Bhils of
Rajasthan, Gujarat & M.P. Baneshwar means the master of
the delta and this name was given to the Shiva linga.
The Beneshwar fair is held at a small delta formed by
the river Som & Mahi & prayers are offered to Lord Shiva
locally named as Baneshwar. The fair resounds with the
gaeity of traditional folk songs, folk dances, Raslila,
animal show, magic shows acrobatic feats. Adding to the
excitement are me joy ride." on merygo rounds & swings.
Where to Stay :
Dungarpur |
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(Jaipur, March) A magnificent spectactle, it unveils the
majesty and grandeur of elephants celebrated around Holi.
The Mahavats or owners proudly decorate their elephants
with bright colours, jhool., (saddle cloth) and heavy
jewellary. A royal procession of decorated elephants, a
match of elephant polo, an elephant race and playing
Holi on elephants are main events.
Where to Stay :
Jaipur |
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(Bharatpur, March) Held on the eve of Holi
in honour of Lord Krishna, this festival is marked by
verve & east
Villagers, in gay, multitude attire can be seen singing
and performing the Raslila dance the immortal love story
of Radha & Krishna.
Where to Stay :
Bharatpur |
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(Chaksu, March April) The fair is held in the honour of
Sheetla Mata. People believe that epidemics spread
because of the wrath of Sheetla mata and hence they
worship her and cook one's own food at the site and
offer first to the shrine. A temporary market comes up
at the fair and rural folk can be seen trading in shoes,
clothes, utensils, food stuff & agricultural implements.
A cattle fair is also organised during the fair. |
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(Jaipur, MarchApril) A festival devoted to Goddess
Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. Ishar & Gangaur are
the divine male and female ho embody marital love.
Dedicated to goddess Gauri (Parvati), the festival
commences on Holi/ Young girls pray for ;rooms of their
choice while married women seek a long life for their
husbands. rhe ladies decorate their hands and feet )y
drawing designs with Mehendi (Myrtle Jaste). On the
evening of the 7th day after -ioli, unmarried girls go
around singing songs of ghudlia (earthern pots with
numerous holes all around with a lamp lit aside)
carrying the pots on their hands. )n their way they
collect small presents ,f cash, sweets, jaggery, ghee,
oil etc. The women do these while chanting hymns to the
Goddess. Festivities continue for 18 days culminating
with the arrival of Lord Shiva to escort his bride home.
A grand process Ion with the ideal of Gauri in
beautifully decorated gold and silver a palanquin
caparisoned elephants, camels, horses, dances, drummers
& joyous children, goes through the city streets. In
Jaipur procession forms at the Palace Gate known as T
ripolia and moves on the city streets on to Talkatora. A
vast gathering of jaipurites & villagers from nearby
areas witness the procession. A sweet dish called Ghewar
characteristic of the Gangaur festival is distributed
among friends & relatives. In Jodhpur early in the
morning thousands of maidens, clad in their best attire,
singing melodious songs, bring water and durba grass in
silver or brass pots to a place known as Girdikot. In
Udaipur the images of Isar & Gauri are taken in a
procession to the Pichola lake there after in a boat for
an hour they go around the lake and the ceremony comes
to an end with a display of fireworks on the banks. The
Girasia tribe eligible boys & girls in Sirohi, Mount Abu
region during Gangaur festival select their life
partners & elope with them. This form of marriage has
the sanction of the community.
Where to Stay :
Jaipur |
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(Udaipur, MarchApril) Coinciding with the festival of
Gangaur the Mewar festival is celebrated to welcome the
advent of spring. Once the religions part of the
festival is over it is time for potrayal of Rajasthani
culture through songs, dances and other programmes. The
festival culminates with an impressive fire works
display.
Kaila Devi Fair
Where to Stay :
Udaipur |
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(Kaila-Karauli, March April) The temple of Kaila Devi
popularly known as Mahalakshmi (the goddess of wealth)
is the venue of the fair lasting for a fortnight. Kaila
Devi has been regarded as the guardian deity throughout
the ages by the Khinchis the Yadavs & the princes of
Karauli. The ritual of Kanak-Oandoti is observed by the
staunch devotees. They cover a distance of 15 to 20 Kms.
to reach the temple lying prostrate, making lines with
their hands in that position, advancing upto the line
drawn and repeating this procedure till they reach the
temple.
Groups of M i n a tribemen arrIve ill a spirit gaiety
singing and creating a lively Kaila is 24 Kms. to south
west of Karauli & Mahavirji. The site is approachable by
motorable road from Karauli, Hindaun (rail-head also) |
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(Chandangaon, March-April) : Followes of Mahavir Swami
-24th tirthankara (Saint) of digambar Jains come from
far & wide to pay homage at the shrine at Chandangaon.
There is a Manstambha (tower of glory) made of marble in
front of the temple. The pilgrims gather at the temple
to workship, meditate & seek the blessings of the saint.
The image of Mahavirji is washed early in the morning,
the ritual called prakshalan. This is followed by pujan
& evening aarti. The fair reaches its peak when the
image of the deity is taken to the bank of river
Ganlbhiri in gra~d processIon for Kalash Abhishek. The
procession with the golden chariot returns with the same
grandeur & the image is restored at the vedi of the
temple. Students of Jain schools stage plays based on
Jain philosophy. Chandangaon the site of the fair is 6.5
km. away from Shri Mahavirji Railway Station of the
Western Railway Delhi-Mumbai line. Buses ply regularly
between Jaipur &
Mahavirji.
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(Mt. Abu, June) The steep rocks, tranqillake, mango
grooves, bauhinia trees & thickets of wild berries cover
this hilly mount. The three day festival is a feast of
folk & classical music and a window to the tribal life &
culture of Rajasthan. Cail; Choomar & Dhap folk dances
enthrall the spectators. Sporting events such as the
boat race on the Nakki lake add variety to the festival.
Udaipur (185 Kms.) is the nearest airport and Abu Road
(29 Kms.) is the nearest Railway station and, there is a
good network of bus services connecting Mount Abu to
Jaipur, Jodhpur, Udaipur & Ahmedabad.
Where to Stay :
Mount Abu |
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(Jaipur , July-August) The festival celebrating the
reunion of Shiva & Parvati, is celebrated at the onset
of the onsoon. Teej is the festival of swings. Young
girls & women dressed in green clothes sing songs &
swing in celebrating the advent of the mansoon. An
elaborate procession is taken out in Jaipur for two
consecutive days with ornately dressed elephants, horses
& camels, bands, performing artists & coluorfully
dressed people Goddess Parvati is invoked to bless her
worshippers with conjugal harmony & bliss.
Where to Stay :
Jaipur |
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(Gogamedi, Aug.-Sept.): Gogaji Fair is held is the
memory of a popular hero of the area who is known as
Goga Veer among the Hindus & Jahar Peer(saint) among the
muslims. Gogaji is popular as a snake god and almost
every village in Rajasthan has a Than (sacred place)
dedicated to him. The idol of Gogaji is seated on a blue
horse with a snake coiled around the neck. An
inscription in Persian can be seen at the main entrance
which describes Mahmud Ghaznavi's regard for Gogaji.
Many people can be seen singing & dancing carrying
multicoloured flags called nishan in their hands.
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(Bundi, Aug.) The festival starts with the procession of
goddess Teej in a decorated palanquin from the beautiful
Naval Sagar, passing through the main bazaars
terminating at Azad park. The procession has decorated
elephants, camels, bands, performing artists & the days
of yore, of battles & valiant heroes who still live on
in their songs. The impressive U maid Bhawan Palace
Meherangarh fort which are symbols of the ingenuity,
might and valour of the Rajputs of the Marwar region
provide the ideal venue for the cultural extravaganza
colourfully attired people. The cultural programme
organised during the evenings performances region.
Where to Stay :
Bundi |
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(Ramdevra-Pokaran, Aug-Sept.) Regarded as an in
carnation of Lord Krishna by Hindus & venerated by
Muslims also as Ram Shah Pir, Baba Ramdev was a T anwar
Rajput and a saint who had miraculous powers. He
believed in the equality of all human beings and helped
the down trodden by granting them their wishes. The
Ramdevra fair is attended by hundreds of thousands of
devotees irrespective of their caste, creed & religion.
These groups organise night long singing of bhajans &
kirtans to pay homage to Baba. Ramdevra village lies
about 12 Kms. From Pokaran in Jaisalmer district & can
be reached from Jodhpur and Pokaran by bus & rail.
Where to Stay :
Pokaran |
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(Kota, Oct.) Tall effigies of the demons Ravana,
Kumbhakarna & Meghnad are burnt on Dussehra day to
symbolise the victory of good over evil. Dussehra in
Kota is the begining of a festive period when people
gather here from their villages to offer prayers to Lord
Ram and celebrate his victory over Ravana, the ten
headed demon king. Men, women & children in colourful
dresses participate in the festival to the strains of
traditional music. Rural markets and shopping arcades
emerge from nowhere, resulting in b r i s k trading. The
whole festival lasting about a fortnight takes on the
form of a big carnival. Artists from allover the country
are invited to participate in cultural programmes.
Where to Stay :
Kota |
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(Pushkar-Ajmer, November) Excitement, gaiety and a keen
sense of competition fill the air as the long journey to
Pushkar begins. The only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma
(the creator) is located at Pushkar. The Pushkar lake is
surrounded by 52 flights of steps called ghats. Legend
has it that Lord Vishnu appeared at the Varah ghat in
the form of a boar. Brahma took a bath here and
performed yagna at the Brahma Ghat accompanied by Vishnu
& Mahadev. The ashes of Mahatma Gandhi (Father of the
Nation) were immersed at the Gandhi ghat. Pushkar is
among the five principal places of Hindu pilgrimage.
People consider the water of the Pushkar lake to be very
sacred and the ritual of taking dips in the holy water
IS believed to bestow salvation. It I s customary to
float lighted eastern lamps ed on pattals (plates made
of leaves) on the waters of lake. This creales a
spectacular view when the sacred lake takes on a
mystical tint sprankled with twinkling spots of light.
In conjunction with he religious fair, a cattle fair is
also organised. The ancient town of Pushkar is
transformed into a spectacular fair ground. The fair
grounds reverberate with festivity and woman folk shop
for bangles, clothes, utensils, sundry household items &
leather goods. The highlight of the Pushkar fair is the
trading in camels. The camel, horse & donkey races are
events that draw huge attendance. Body tatooing is yet
another favourite activity. Come dusk, and the rich
strains of haunting music are carried across the desert
sands as the merrymaking continues deep into the night.
Where to Stay :
Pushkar |
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(Ghalrapatan Jhalawar, November) Chandrabhaga is
considered the holiest river in this part of Rajasthan.
On Kartik Purmma (full moon) night, thousands of Hindus
undertake a pilgrimage here for a dip in the holy waters
of the river. A big cattle fair, next only to the
Pushkar Fair, is held here on this commerce. The fair
provides an opportunity to acquaint with the people of
Hadoti and their cultural rituals & traditions.
Jhalarapatan is 6 kms from Jhalawar and Jhalawar is well
connected by road to Kota, Bundi & Jaipur. Ramganj Mandi
(25 kms) is the nearest Railway Station.
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(Jaipur, Oct.-Nov.) Diwali is the most popular of all
Indian festivals celebrated throughout the country. It
is a celebration of light, roughly marks the advent of
winter. The origin of this festival
can be traced back to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana,
when Lord Rama returned to his kingdom Ayodhya after 14
years of exile. Houses allover India glow with the
twinkle of innumerable diya, candles & electric lights.
The night is illuminated with the flaming lights of fire
works. For Hindus Diwali " marks the begining of the new
yea r . Prayers are set to invoke the blessing of
Lakshmf, the goddess of wealth & new books of accounts
are opened. Friends, relatives & business associates of
every faith exchange gaily wrapped boxes of sweets &
gifts. During Diwali Celeration in Jaipur decoration &
lighting is done throughout the city with every market
competing with the others to pick-up the best decorated
market award.
Where to Stay :
Jaipur |
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(March) Holi is celebrated throughout the northern belt
of India to welcome the spring season when crowds of
merry makers spray coloured powder (Gulal) on one
another. Allover the place blithe faces smeared in
rainbow hues and drenched in coloured water can be seen.
On this day barriers of social status are let down as
prince & pauper alike enjoy a bout of revelry.
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(Ajmer) The urs, acommomerative celebration is held in
the solemn memory of Khwaja Muin-nddin Chisti, a prighly
respected sufi saint fondly revered as the benefactor of
the poor, popularly known as Gareeb Nawaz. The Dargah
Sharif in Ajmer, is the place where the Saints mortal
remains lie burried and is the site of the largest
Muslim Fair in India. Chadar; Ghilaph & Neema which are
votive offerings for the tomb are offered by several
hundred thousand devotees. Mehfils & Qawwalis are held
and mass prayer calls for the eternal peace of the
mankind. An interesting ritual is the looting of Kheer
(Milk Pudding) which is cooked in two large cauldrons
called Degs and distributed to the devotees as tabarruk
(blessed food).
Where to Stay :
Ajmer |
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