Fests of Rajasthan: A Vibrant Celebration of Culture, Tradition, and Heritage
Festival is not merely about the celebration in Rajasthan; it is more about the revival of traditions. The Rajasthan is known as the “Land of Kings”. Right from the sophisticated golden desert city of Jaisalmer to the smooth watering city of Udaipur, Rajasthan’s fairs and festivals are truly a mirror image of its basic color. Annually, the state comes to the fore a broad arrange of festivals that tourists from different corners of the globe as well as local people like to enjoy. These festivals help to reveal the cultural richness of Rajasthan, sharing some glimpses of its arts, music, dance, and others. For anyone who is planning to go for an affordable Rajasthan tour or, wants to explore the best of Rajasthan tour destinations, these festivals are a must for a visit.
Below are some of the detailed descriptions of the main festivals in Rajasthan and in the respective cities.
Pushkar Camel Fair – Pushkar
Amongst all the State of Rajasthan’s fairs and festivals, the most renowned is the Pushkar Camel Fair of the town of Pushkar which is organized every year. This carnival is normally held in November on the occasion of Kartik Purnima and is basically a cattle market center for camels, horses, and cows. In contrast, it is much more than a trading event. For those traveling to Pushakr, the fair displays camel races, beauty contests, as well as artistic performances thereby making the fair a must see. The religious aspect of the extravaganza is characterized by thousands of Pilgrims going for a ritual bath in the sacred Pushkar Lake and worshipping at the Lord Brahma Temple.
Hence, the Pushkar fair is an added attraction for the people who seek spiritual touch along with the colorful fairs and festivals. Some may come across on an economic tour of Rajasthan or for anybody interested in the countryside and religious face of Rajasthan.
Desert Festival – Jaisalmer
Celebrated in the desert city of Jaisalmer the Desert festival is a colourful affair and is generally a three-day festival performed to enshrine the cultural glory of Rajasthan. This festival normally occur in February and the desert of Jaisalmer is the perfect setting for such events as camel races, folk music dances, etc. People are blessed to get to witness dance forms such as Ghoomar and Kalbeliya, turban tying competition, and a very famous peacock of the desert also known as Mr. Desert contest.
It is a spectacular event and this Travel Trail also provides a rich experience of the desert state of Rajasthan. If you are looking to take up the best of Rajasthan tour this festival is a real experience of the desert life and true Rajasthani lifestyle.
The first one is the Jaipur Literature Festival – Jaipur.
The Jaipur Literature Festival is a three-day literary event that takes place in the pink city of Jaipur and is the world’s largest Literary Festival that is free to attend. This festival is simply known as an intellectual’s wonderland or the heaven for books. This platform takes together authors, poets, and thinkers from all over the globe to let them share their views and ideas. Organized in Diggi Palace, this festival occurs in January, and being a literary event it is a must for every culture and history buffs.
The festival is not only limited to literature but has become a meeting point of music, food, and art as well That’s perfect for travelers who wish to immerse themselves in the Literature of India aside from experiencing the heritage of the pink city, Jaipur.
Teej Festival – Jaipur
Mainly observed by females, the Teej Festival is all about the Rainy Season and the harmony of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva. The Teej festival, which takes place in August annually, is decorated with colours, dances, songs, and processions. This is done with great decorations such as nice clothes and rich jewelry by women who engage in phrased prayers for their husbands.
Jaipur’s streets come alive with the Teej procession, where idolized images of Goddess Parvati are carried in grand chariots, accompanied by folk performances and decorated elephants. For tourists, this festival provides an opportunity to witness the religious and cultural life of Rajasthan up close.
Gangaur Festival – Udaipur and Jaipur
The Gangaur festival is one of Rajasthan’s most vibrant and popular festivals that is majorly celebrated in two cities: Udaipur and Jaipur. It is dedicated to Goddess Gaauri, who is the consort of Lord Shiva and devotion to this goddess is the symbol of marital happiness and loyalty only. The unmarried girls pray for a good husband while the married women pray for the health and wellbeing of the husband.
It is normally celebrated in either March or April and lasts for 16 days. At this time women wear their finest clothes and ornaments and carry out processions with beautifully decked-up idols of Gauri. The biggest and most extravagant festivals are celebrated in Udaipur and the last process was a beautiful view of Lake Pichola. In case you are planning your list of top Rajasthan tour destinations, a visit to Udaipur or Jaipur during the Gangaur Festival must be on this list.
Mewar Festival – Udaipur
The Mewar Festival is part of a cultural celebration held in Udaipur in the month of March but falls during March’s end and is a regional festival. The festival is held over April and celebrates the folk culture of the Rajasthan kingdom with performances, songs as well as fairs. Another festival similar to the Gangaur Festival is the Rangji Fair and, similar to the Gangaur Festival it is also dedicated to Goddess Gauri and the women of Udaipur get together to celebrate this festival.
The festival culminates with the manifestation wherein the idols are then placed on a boat and taken to Lake Pichola where they are submerged. At this time, Udaipur turns into a City of Colors in which palaces and streets are illuminated to celebrate. In case you are interested in a cultural immersion experience on your cheap Rajasthan tour, then the Mewar Festival ranks among the best in one of Rajasthan’s lovely cities.
Elephant Festival – Jaipur
The Elephant Festival in Jaipur is held in the month of March, on the occasion of Holi, and is one of the most colorful festivals of Rajasthan. The major attraction of the festival is the elephants on which rich dress, ornaments and paintings are put up. Some of the entertainment that can be watched includes polo with elephants, elephant tugging, and elephants dancing among others.
A Rambagh Polo Ground hosts this festival which is more or less appealing to photographers and other tourists who want to step out of the usual routine. The Elephant Festival is therefore a bonus for any tour in Jaipur and gives a colorful touch to the upcoming Holi celebrations in Rajasthan.
Festival – Kite Festival of Jaipur and Jodhpur
Another popular festival that greatly attracts the tourists in Rajasthan is the Kite Festival which falls on Makar Sankranti (January 14th) and is enjoyed most vividly in the cities of Jaipur and Jodhpur. This is true as people of different age groups and from all over the society engage themselves in kite-flying competitions in the skies above these cities. People of this region celebrate the festival as the beginning of the harvest season and people are fond of having til ke laddoo and gajak.
The Kite Festival, therefore, is not only a feast of sight for the tourists, but also array of fun-filled activities where the tourists can join in the flying of the kites. In case you are on a cheap Rajasthan tour, the Kite Festival would probably be of interest to several Individuals as it is exciting and engaging.
Nagaur Fair – Nagaur
The Nagaur Fair, held in Nagaur, is Rajasthan’s second-largest cattle fair after the Pushkar Camel Fair. Celebrated in January or February, this fair attracts traders and herders from across Rajasthan, who gather to trade camels, horses, and other livestock. In addition to trading, the fair features camel races, bullock cart rides, and traditional performances that give tourists a taste of rural life in Rajasthan.
The Nagaur Fair is an excellent opportunity for tourists to explore Rajasthan’s pastoral traditions and immerse themselves in local customs. If you’re on the best Rajasthan tour and interested in the rural side of the state, this fair is a perfect stop.
Marwar Festival – Jodhpur
The Marwar Festival, which is annually celebrated in Jodhpur and is of two days duration that is organized in October, celebrates the story of Rajasthan’s legendary heroes and warriors. It includes Folk music, Dance, and drama where fresh performances are based on the heroic legends of Rajasthan. These colorful organizers’ cultural events are held against the magnificent palaces of Mehrangarh Fort in Jodhpur and the Umaid Bhawan Palace.
The Marwar Festival is therefore a fusion of history and culture that in one way helps the tourists to learn more about the heroic history of the state. Jodhpur the city of forts and palaces comes alive in the evening with traditional folk dances and becomes one of the most important destinations of Rajasthan tour.
Conclusion
Festival of Rajasthan: A Journey with the Best of Rajasthan
All the festivals of Rajasthan are the festivals of life, culture, and traditions, and traveling enthusiasts can enjoy Rajasthan fully during these festivals. While the Pushkar Camel Fair is a large, ‘business’-oriented event, the Gangaur Festival in contrast is more personal. These are among the interesting ways of milling around the state whether you are on an affordable Rajasthan tour or looking for the best of Rajasthan tour experiences.
Now if you wish to have rajasthan tour I would like to suggest you to travel with Rajputana Holidays. to explore these festivals as this helps to feel the soul and culture of this amazing state, meet its people, and discover more about its history.