Fairs & Festivals of Rajasthan

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» Nagaur Fair

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Essentially an animal fair, it provides an opportunity to participate in some of the local sports. This eight days fair held every year during the month of Jan-Feb, is popularly known as the Cattle fair and is the second largest in Rajasthan. Nagaur Town is the most picturesque of Rajput townships. Nagaur is a sea of animals, trading over 70,000 bullocks, camels and horses every year. The bullocks are known for their fleetness. Not only are the animals lavishly decorated, even their owners flaunt wearing colourful turbans and long moustaches. Sports like tug-of-war, camel races, bullock races and cock fights; jugglers; puppeteers, story-tellers; and exciting campfire evenings are held to entertain the tourists. Folk music of the Jodhpur variation echoes the tranquil desert sand. Nagaur is well connected to the major cities by road and rail. Nearest airport is Jodhpur, some 135kms away.

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» Pushkar Fair

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The Pushkar Fair, a major tourist attraction draws people from all over the globe to the ancient and secluded environment of Pushkar town. Pushkar Fair is perhaps the largest cattle fair in the world. Rajasthan which is enriched by cattle wealth is the home to many recognized breeds of cattle. A large number of cattle converge here and brisk trading takes place. The fair is predominantly a rural gathering and is overwhelming in its magnitude and visual impact. Vendors peddle their dazzling range of wares at hundreds of roadside stalls. Evenings at the fair have their own charm. Folk Dramas, Music and Dances are organized for the entertainment of the tourists. The camels, horse and donkey races are great crowd pullers and enthrall the tourists.

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» Urs Fair

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The urs is one of the most important religious occasions for the Muslims especially for those belonging to South Asia. It is initiated by the hoisting of a white flag on the dargah by the Sajjada Nashin (successor representative) of the Chishtis. The ceremony takes place on Jamadi-ul-Akhir with the accompaniment of music. At night religious assemblies called mehfils are held in the mehfilkhana, a large hall meant for this purpose. Qawwalis are sung and a large number of devotees gather to witness the occasion. Separate places are reserved for women who attend the mehfil that terminates late in the night with fatiha. The looting of kheer (milk pudding) is an occasion not to be missed. The kheer is distributed among the devotees as tabarruk (blessed food).

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» Baneshwar Fair

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Baneshwar Fair is predominately a tribal fair. It provides a unique opportunity to the local tribes to take a break from their routine and appreciate the various colors of the 'Mela'. In the morning, saffron is applied to the Shiva Linga in the temple of Baneshwar Mahadev. After that it is bathed and an aarti of burning incense is waved before it. Devotees offer wheat flour, pulses, rice, jaggery, ghee, salt, chilies, coconut and cash. The major attractions of the fair include acrobatic feats by the skilled jugglers, traditional songs and folk dances, magic shows and animal shows. A variety of joyrides including giant wheel, merry-go-round and others add to the excitement. The large number of shops in the fair provides an opportunity for buying and selling of essential goods and fancy articles.

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» Gangaur Festival

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A festival devoted to Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. It is time for young girls to dress up in their finery and pray for grooms of their choice while the married women pray for the well-being of their husbands. This 18-day festival is laced with various activities and culminates in a grand procession marking the arrival of Shiva to escort his bride home.

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» Mewar Festival

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Welcoming the spring season, the festivities diverge into song, dance, rituals and fireworks. The best that Rajasthani culture can offer can be savoured here. This is also dedicated to Goddess Gauri (Parvati). The evenings are made colourful with Gangaur processions. The grand climax is seen when group of women dressed in rainbow hues of scarlet, yellow, green and purple carry images to the Gangaur Ghat of lake Pichola and a stately boat procession starts from the Lake Palace.

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» Summer Festival

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Hill Station of the Rajasthan in a festive mood with the Summer Festival, held every year in the month of June. The steep rocks, tranquil lakes, picturesque locations and the pleasant climate of Mount Abu make it an ideal location for the festival. The three-day festival is a feast of folk and classical music and a window to the tribal life and culture of Rajasthan. The festival begins with the singing of a ballad which is followed by folk dances which enthral the spectators. Sporting events such as the boat race on the Nakki lake add variety to the festival.

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» Shekhawati Festival

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Shekhawati Festival held on 10th and 11th February every year is organised jointly by the State Department of Tourism, District administrations of Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu. Shekhawati, already famous for its frescoes, is fast becoming a rural tourism destination too. Travelling on horse back, the tourists get a closer view of the countryside and the people. And they return with an indelible imprint of not only the friendliness of the people but also of the agricultural revolution sweeping the villages -- the region now exports 80 per cent of its crops whereas only a few years ago it could meet only 10 per cent of its requirement through local production.

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» Brij Festival

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The Festival of Brij takes place a few days before Holi, in the month of March. Held in honour of Lord Krishna, this festival is marked by verve and zest. Villagers, in gay, multihued attire, can be seen singing and performing the Raslila dance (dance depicting the immortal love-story of Radha and Krishna). All of Bharatpur echoes the sound of folk melodies on this festival held on the eve of Holi. Men and women, young and old, rich and poor-all are touched by the spirit of this festival. Boisterous revellers spare no one during this festival and delight in splashing colour on everyone around.

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» Camel Festival

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This festival is organised by the Department of Tourism, Art & Culture, Rajasthan in Bikaner every year in January . 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 dance and acrobatics, etc. The camels display amazing footwork, dancing gracefully to the slightest direction of their trainers. Bridal, bridles, bejewelled necks, jingling anklets and long, lanky camel shadows on dusky sands cast a magical spell. Hundreds of tourists and thousands of locals and dignitaries revel in this man-and-animal affair organised especially for the tourists.

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» Desert Festival

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Held in the months of January-February, the Desert Festival exudes a delightful spirit. For three days, the otherwise barren land of Jaisalmer comes to life and is clustered with hordes of colourfully dressed people. In fact during these days, Jaisalmer gets a chance to parade its exuberant charm to the world. Some chosen and cherished moments of the glorious and illustrious past and affluent culture are on display. The traditional dances backed by high pitched music take the folk dancers and the audience on a euphoric trip. The turban-tying competition and Mr. Desert contest add a touch of excitement to the festive celebrations. The famous Gair dancers and the traditional fire-dancers leave the crowds enchanted whenever they perform. The grand finale is a trip to the sand dunes where one can enjoy the pleasure of a camel ride and at times also view the musicians and dancers performing on the dunes. All arrangements are made by the Department of Tourism and RTDC.

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» Ganesh Chaturthi

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Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesha and is celebrated all over the country. In Sawai Madhopur, the festival is rather special. The temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha is located in the fort of Ranthambore, about 12 kms from Sawai Madhopur and it 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 a result, hundreds of invitations pour in everyday from all over the country inviting Lord Ganesha to attend the marriage. Some people also enclose money to enable Lord Ganesha to pay for his fare! This temple is the site for Ganesh Chaturthi celebrations attracting devotees from all over to join in the singing of devotional songs. Markets spring up in the area, allowing the people to do their shopping as well.

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» Kota Dusshera Festival

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More than 75 feet tall effigies of the demons Ravana, Kumbhakarana and Meghnath are burnt on Dusshera day to symbolise the victory of good over evil.The Dussehra Festival mela is held in Kota, every year in the Hindu month of Ashvin (Sept-Oct). This festival is celebrated all over the country but the Kota Dussehra is quite unique for it marks more than just the beginning of a festive period. Villagers gather here dressed in multicoloured clothes to offer prayers to Lord Rama and to celebrate his victory over Ravana. Rich in courtly splendour and age old traditions, the Dussehra festival here is marked by a glittering procession, which attracts thousands from the surrounding villages. Like all festivals in Rajasthan, it provides a good opportunity to the traders to display their attractive wares to the rural and urban buyers. Prominent artists from all over the country are invited to participate in cultural programmes who enthral the huge audience with their performances. The fair lasts for about a fortnight.