Festivals of Rajasthan | Rajasthani Festivals

The Rajasthanis love for color and joyous celebrations is well reflected by the elaborate rituals and the gay abandon with which they surrender themselves to the numerous festivals of the region. In fact the love for fun and frolic during the festive celebrations makes this the most colorful deserts in the world. Many traditional fairs are held after the respective festival comes to an end. The festivals of Rajasthan are well known all over the globe and marked with the largest participation of all. The state festivals of Rajasthan are marked with as much exuberance and ebullience as the religious festivals.

Kite Festival - This festival is celebrated as Makar Sankranti by the Rajasthanis on the 14th of January every year and heralds the transition of the Sun into the Northern hemisphere. This is also regarded as a big kite day in most parts of the Indian subcontinent and on this special day the young as well as the old are seen with their heads turned towards the sky. Every member of the family joins in the joyous celebration and shouts of `"Who Kata Hai!" This is a three days festival and the inauguration of the festival is held at the Polo ground. The last day of the festival can be witnessed in the exquisite lawns of the Umaid Bhawan Palace, the royal residence of the Maharaja of Jodhpur.

Elephant Festival - During this festival one can witness a stunning spectacle of rows of elephants, all groomed to perfection and glittering in gold cat walking before a spellbound audience. It is in fact a festival time for the elephants that not only move gracefully in procession but also run races, play the royal game of polo and participate in the `festival of colors`. The Elephant Festival of Rajasthan is one of the major tourist attractions of the state and reflects the ancient splendor of the bygone imperial era. In fact the inhabitants of Rajasthan revived the tradition by including the Elephant Festival in the cultural calendar.

Desert Festival - Desert Festival is one of the most important events of Rajasthan and is held in the months of January/February. In this much-awaited festival, performing arts of the region is showcased with much enthusiasm and vigor. Numerous turban tying competitions and camel races are some added attractions of this festival. During this festival the city reverberates to the sound of the melodious tunes and rhythms. Colorful craft bazaars are also set up during this much-awaited occasion and folk artists from the remotest corners of the state can be seen performing against the splendiferous backdrop of the far-famed sand dunes on the full moon night.

Mewar Festival - This grand festival is celebrated to welcome the season of spring. Though it has a unique charm about it, it coincides with the festival of Gangaur in Udaipur. It holds a special symbolic significance for the women of Rajasthan. They adorn themselves in best clothes and gather together to dress the images of Isar and Gangaur, which are then carried in a ceremonial procession through the different parts of the city. The cultural events take place once the religious part of the festival comes to an end. In the cultural programmes one can witness the beauty of the Rajasthani culture.

Marwar Festival - This festival is held in the month of October in the region of Jodhpur in Rajasthan. It is grandly celebrated to showcase the art and culture of the region and is also devoted exclusively to songs and dances. It is observed for two days during the full moon of Sharad Purnima. Horse riding, horse polo and various other competitions marks this hugely popular festival of the state.

Camel Festival - The camel festival event, organized by the Department of Tourism, Art and Culture, Government of Rajasthan every year in the first month of the English calendar. The folk dances and songs enhances the spirit of the festival and the activities of the camels fascinate tourists from all over the world with their movements, beguile and gracility. The Camel Pageant is observed on the first day and the best-decorated camel is awarded. The tea and sweets prepared from camel milk are made available to the visitors who are interested in trying them out. The conclusion of the festival is marked by a magnificent display of fireworks, which illuminates the desert city of Bikaner