Desert Festival jaisalmer

Location: Sam Sand Dunes 42 K.M. from Jaisalmer
Timing: In the month of February
Attractions: Cultural showcase

The Jaisalmer Desert Festival is an annual event that take place in February month in the beautiful city Jaisalmer (Rajasthan). It is held in the Hindu month of Magh, three days prior to the full moon. The festival is celebrated amidst the beautiful dunes of the Thar Desert in the Sam dunes (42 kilometers from Jaisalmer). Romantic, remote and unspoiled, the location comes to life during the three day extravaganza of the delights of the desert.
As legends goes; Lord Krishna, ruler of Yadav community told Arjuna (one of the Pandavas) that a successor belonging from the Yadav community will set up his kingdom on the Trikuta Hill.

In the year 1196, the prediction made by the Lord Krishna came true, when Rawal Jaiswal, a descendant of the Yadav clan, established his kingdom in Jaisalmer. Celebrations were organized throughout the kingdom, when the people came to know that the prophecy has come true. The celebrations soon developed into a festival that is now organized every year. The government started marketing the vibrant festival as international drawing visitor to the Desert City.

The celebrations of this festival make the desert come alive with color, enthusiasm and happiness. The festival commences with a procession in the morning from the Jaisalmer Fort to the Shahid Poonam Singh Stadium. The locals dress in traditional and bright costumes. They sing and dance depicting the tragedies and accomplishments of the desert. The Gair and the fire dance are highlights of the festival. The Kalabaz or the Nat’s are a group of local nomads who are popular for their gymnastic acts. The Bhopa’s Langhas and Manganiars create an enchanting environment with their poignant folk music recitals and ballads.

History of Jaisalmer Desert Festival
Well, most of the people are not aware of the history and background of the Desert festival Jaisalmer. The ruler of Yadav Community, Lord Krishna once asked the Arjuna about the successor of the Yadav’s and stated that the successor of the Yadav community will build his kingdom on the hills of Trikuta.
Undoubtedly, this prediction of Lord Krishna became true when the same thing happened. When people came to know that the prediction had become true they started to celebrate throughout the kingdom. However, these celebrations after that changed into a festival and from many decades people used to organize and celebrate it every year. Whereas, government has also taken many steps for the preparation and arrangements in the Desert festival of Jaisalmer.

The Fusion of Dance, Music and Puppet Shows
While one part of the fair is crowed with snake charmers, puppet shows, folk singers and dancers, the other part showcases the beauty of the place with stalls on handicrafts, leather shoes, boutique apparels, handbags, silver jewelry and many more. For music lovers, the festival is nothing less than a paradise for them as many well-known singers and musicians participate in the festival. The traditional dance performance of the city fills the tourists with the utmost passion and excitement. The songs of the ghazal or Sufi singers are certainly delights of the ears.

Celebration of Jaisalmer Desert Festival 2023
The festival commences with a procession in the morning from the Jaisalmer Fort to the Shahid Poonam Singh Stadium. The locals dress in traditional and bright costumes. They sing and dance depicting the tragedies and accomplishments of the desert. The Gair and the fire dance are highlights of the festival. one of the most visited festival of Jaisalmer City. Attractions of the fest are the snake charmers, puppeters, acrobats and folk performers.

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