Abhaneri Festival Rajasthan is celebrated in the historical Abhaneri village, situated at a distance of 80 km from Jaipur. The village is famous for its ancient and medieval period heritage. The main dance performances of the Abhaneri Festival like the Kachhi Ghodi and Bhawai take place in the thousands of year old Chand Baori Step-well.
The Kachhi Ghodi is a famous folk performance of Rajasthan. It is a heroic style dummy horse dance performed by the Bavaria bandits of the Shekhawati region. The Bhawai Dance is a traditional folk dance of Rajasthan. It is performed by skilled women dancers dressed in bright ghagra cholis, silver neckpieces and armlets.
Another important tourist attraction of this festival is the Raas Leela. It is a cultural performance which depicts the lives of Radha and Krishna. The Kalbelia Dance, a traditional snake charmer dance of Rajasthan, attracts tourists with its rhythmic beats and exotic moves.
This cultural festival of Rajasthan is incomplete without puppetry, the famous traditional art form of this state. Witness numerous interesting stories of Rajasthani folklore enacted through these expressive puppets. The Abhaneri festival also offers you the chance to shop for exquisite handicrafts and artifacts in the Art and Crafts Exhibition.
After witnessing the many spectacular sights of the festival, you can also try the Camel Cart Rides and experience the rustic charm of Abhaneri Festival Rajasthan.
History of Abhaneri Festival
Abhaneri village is thriving despite its minuscule size, since 9th century. It had great value in terms of historic elements and social beauty. This is very clear, thanks to the sculptures and structures of ancient times. The main element of all is the step well, which holds more than 2500 steps, built in perfect symmetry. One need to descend 20 m to reach the bottom of the well.
The wells were built in a strategic manner to store as much water as possible during monsoon and to serve as a public arena for womenfolk to enjoy, during summer season. Indication of this festival can be found in many historic monuments, which were built thousands of years ago. Abhaneri Festival Rajasthan Some believe that the festival welcomes monsoon.
How Abhaneri Festival is Celebrated?
This celebration is ideal for arranging a short escape particularly from Delhi and neighboring territories to encounter the shading, energy and wealth of Rajasthan. The scope of attractions here will drench you in their provincial appeal and inundate you in its warm accommodation.
Performed by the Manganiyars with their verses discussing the narratives of valor of Alexander the Great, the rajas and maharajas of Rajasthan, Langa singing of Rajasthan is incredibly famous. Artists, writers and artists summon the favors of Krishna to play captivating music on percussion instruments, ghungroos and sarangi.
The Bhawai society move of Rajasthan has gifted ladies artists in splendid ghagra-cholis and silver neckpieces and armlets, performing spinning move while adjusting a heap of pots. It is an absolute necessity to watch while visiting the Abhaneri celebration.
Abhaneri celebration, as a rule, has a stupendous expressions and artworks display where you can search for ethnic doodads and painstaking work of Rajasthan. The setting is wonderfully adorned with blossoms and rangolis, which in itself is an incredible sight Abhaneri Festival Rajasthan.
Things To Do in Abhaneri Festival
Actually, Abhaneri Festival Rajasthan is observed between the period of Kajli Teej and the Marwar festival (Jodhpur). The dates usually fall in the month of September or October or the combination of the two. This awe-inspiring festival is celebrated for two to four days.
- Langa Singing
This is a musical rendezvous hosted by the Manganiyars community singers. The musical experience through various folk-singing performances and enchanting tunes of the traditional instruments will transcend you into another reality. The Manganiyars seek blessings of Lord Krishna before beginning their performance. Their songs take you down the history lane and speak of the valour of kings, queens and Rajasthan’s rich history. The Langa Singing event of the festival is popular far and wide and will certainly leave you humming a tune or two Abhaneri Festival Rajasthan.
- Kalbelia Dance
Kalbelia dance or also known as the ‘snake-charmer dance’ is a unique showcase by the tribal community that will forever stay with you as a memory. The vivid traditional clothes can be seen moving gracefully, as the dancers move to the rhythmic beats and unfurl an exotic aura. Abhaneri Festival Rajasthan The experience is so joyous that by the end of it, you will be tapping your feet to match with the tune.
- Kachhi Ghodi Dance
Just when you are unwinding from the magical spell of the singing of the Manganiyars, the ‘Kacchi Ghodi Dance’ will bring you back to your senses immediately.
Performed by Bavaria bandits of the Shekhawati region, this art form is unique to the culture of Rajasthan and brings a sense of adventure and passion into the celebrations. The dance is performed by males situated on a dummy horse. They carry real swords in their hands and move them in rhythmic motions with the loud sounds of the ‘dhol’ or ‘drum.’ An element of daredevilry is also added, as the performers play with fire. The procession is like a scene straight out of a movie, that you cannot take your eyes away from Abhaneri Festival Rajasthan.
- Bhawai Dance
If the men perform acts of courage in the ‘Kachhi Ghodi Dance’, the women bring the spotlight onto them during this event. The dance is generally performed by women of the Bhawai community. Wearing colourful ghagra-cholis, the motion of them twirling in the night while balancing 7-8 earthern pots on their head without any support, is a sight to behold. This is a must-watch event if you attend the Abhaneri Festival Rajasthan.
- Raas Leela
Raas-Leelas are popular throughout the country, but in Rajasthan, the Abhaneri Festival Rajasthan displays the best kind of these performances. A dance cum drama exhibition. these lively events are of great entertainment to the audience, as they outline a 200-year-old tradition of Ramayana on the stage. Many enjoy these performances as they outline a religious history while others appreciate the artform and the traditional music accompanying the performance.
- Puppet Shows
Want to take a trip down to your childhood? Remember, when you watched your first-ever puppet show as a kid and were completely blown away?
The puppet shows in the festival serve the purpose of igniting your inner child and instilling in you that familiar sense of awe and excitement. Puppetry in Rajasthan is an art form that has been growing since a long time. Hence, there is no better place and time to watch puppets narrating interesting tales and meeting your inner-child again Abhaneri Festival Rajasthan.