There are a number of Fairs and Festivals of Rajasthan happen to celebrate various rituals and lifestyle of the people. Fairs like Pushkar Fair or the Camel Fair, the Kite Festival, Gangaur Festival, Marwar Festivals The Desert Festival are some of the prominent fairs and festivals of Rajasthan. These Festivals are celebrated with great joy and tourists from all around the globe come to see the dramatic folk dances, exquisite handicrafts, mouthwatering delicacies and experience the heartwarming hospitality of the state.
Check out our dedicated websites for Jaisalmer Desert Festival, Bikaner Camel Festival and Pushkar Camel Fair.
Camel Festival Bikaner:
The BikanerCamel Festival is organized in the beautiful city of Bikaner, Rajasthan by the state’s Tourism Department. The desert town of Bikaner is located in the Northern part of Rajasthan. The festival is organized every year in the month of January or late December to emphasize the value of ship of the desert – “Camel”. The two day festival is marked by different interesting activities. This festival starts off with a magnificent procession of bedecked camels against the red sandstone backdrop of the Junagarh Fort (1588-1593) in the town.
Nagaur Fair:
Nagaur Fair is the second biggest fair in India. The fair goes on for eight days. NagaurFair, Rajasthan is held every year during the month of Jan-Feb. It is popularly known as the Cattle fair of Nagaur. This is because the Nagaur Fair is mainly all about trading of animals. Approximately 70,000 bullocks, camels and horses are traded every year in this fair. The animals lavishly decorated and even their owners dress up wearing colorful turbans and long moustaches.
Kite festival:
Kite festival of Jaipur is observed on the day of Makar Sankranti or Uttarayan. Celebrated on 14th of January to mark the transition of the sun from dhanu rashi (Sagittarius) to makara rashi (Capricorn), the day is considered auspicious. It is said that Uttarayan or northward journey of the sun begins on the day of Makar Sankranti. A prominent one out of the festivals of Rajasthan is the Kite Festival. Certainly, it’s a festival that is unique in its own way. The colourful kites hovering over whole of Rajasthan brighten up the skies. This festival is largely celebrated in Jaipur and Jodhpur. The kites-with-lights flown add to the fancy of the festival. If you like kite flying, this is the festival for you.
Baneshwar Fair Baneshwar:
Baneshwar Fair is a five days event starting from Shukla ekadeshi of Magh month, as per the Hindu calendar. This is the unique and biggest tribal fair of the country that attracts lakhs of devotees. This fair is annually held in Dungarpur, Rajasthan. The name Baneshwar is derived from the holy Shiva Linga located in the Shiv temple in Dungarpur. ‘Baneshwar’ in the local language Vagdi means ‘master of delta’. The fair is organised at the delta formed by rivers- Mahi and Som. The fair continues till Shukla Purnima of Magh. Baneshwar is situated 24 kms away from Aspur, which is in the Dungarpur district.
Gangaur Festival:
Gangaur is one of the most vivid festivals rejoiced with great enthusiasm and happiness all over the Indian state of Rajasthan. In the word Gangaur, ‘Gan’ is the synonym for Lord Shiva whereas ‘Gaur’ stands for Gauri or Goddess Parvati. But mainly, this festival is held in the honors of Goddess Parvati as she is regarded as the epitome of marital love, strength, courage, power and excellence. During the festivities, married women worship Goddess Parvati for the long life, well being and wealth of their husbands while the girls pray for getting a smart and an understanding life partner.
Mewar festival:
Mewarfestival is observed to welcome the arrival of spring season with all zest and dedication in Udaipur, Rajasthan. During the days of festival, the whole city of Udaipur gets drenched in colors of festivity. Local markets and shops beautify their frontage with bright lights and decorations. Coinciding with the Gangaur festival, Mewar festival is equally significant for the womenfolk of Rajasthan.
Elephant Festival:
The Elephant Festival is an annual festival which is held every year in the Pink City, Jaipur. This matchless event is organized on the full moon day of Phalgun Purnima which falls in the month of February/March. The Elephant-headed God, Ganesha, believed to be the remover of obstacles and foremost to all the gods, is revered and devotedly worshipped in all the parts of India. its venue got changed in 2011 and has been shifted to Jaipur Polo Ground which is opposite to the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
Urs Ajmer Sharif, Ajmer:
The DargahSharif Ajmer, located at the foot of a barren hill, is the place where the Khawaja Moinuddin Chishti mortal remains lie buried. The Dargah (tomb) with a marble dome is situated in the center of a courtyard and is surrounded by a silver platform. It’s believed that the shrine is a place of wish fulfillment for those who pray with devout and pure hearts. People of all religious faiths visit the Dargah and make offerings of rose and jasmine flowers to seek the blessings of the Khawaja.
Teej Festival:
festival is Teej, which falls in the monsoon months of July-August. On this occasion, married women pray to Lord Shiva and Parvati to bless them with happy and long married life. Celebrated in and around Rajasthan this festival of swings welcomes monsoon.
Kajli Teej:
As per the Hindu calendar, Kajli Teej is celebrated on the third day of the fifth Hindu Month ‘Saawan/Shravan’. On this day Lord Krishna is honored by the women by singing prayers and devotional songs and performing the scared ritual of ‘Neem Puja’. Kajli Teej celebrations in Bundi, Rajasthan is the most popular one. In Bundi, it is celebrated on the third day of the Hindu month ‘Bhadra’. This day is completely dedicated to the Goddess Teej. Although Kajli Teej takes place for two days, its celebrations are generally extended till Janmashtami (Lord Krishna’s birth anniversary).
Dussehra Festival:
Dussehra is the beloved festival that is celebrated almost all over India but Dussehra in Kota certainly sets it apart with 75 feet tall effigies of the demons Ravana, Kumbhakarana and Meghnath that are burnt here on Dussehra day. Villagers dress themselves in colorful dresses and offer prayers to Lord Rama. There is a dazzling procession that mesmerizes the onlookers that come here from the surrounding villages and provide a ripe opportunity for the traders to display their wares. Cultural Programmers are organized and one can see the scintillating performances by the prominent artistes who come here from all over the country.
Marwar Festival, Jodhpur:
The most popular Jodhpur festival is the Jodhpur Marwar Festival. It is held every year in memory of the heroes of Rajasthan. Marwar Festival of Jodhpur, Rajasthan was originally known as the Maand Festival. The festival is held in the month of Ashwin. Ashwin is a Hindu month between September-October. The venue of this festival includes the famous Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mandore and Mehrangarh Fort.
Pushkar fair:
The sprawling annual festivities of the 100 year old Pushkar Mela through its dramatic collage of diversified pictures, mirrors the vibrancy of the gracious state of Rajasthan. It is celebrated for five days from the Kartik ekadashi to Kartik Poornima, the full moon day of Kartik (October–November) in Hindu calendar.
