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Rajasthan Festival Tours
Experience
the vibrant Fairs and Festivals of Rajasthan during your royal journey aboard
the Palace on Wheels.
As the Palace on Wheels chugs through the heart of
Rajasthan in the kind of royal style that only the Maharajas of yesteryear could
have enjoyed,
you not only experience the romance of old-fashioned rail travel,
but also get to experience
The splendid architecture, colourful bazaars, the
rich culture, the myriad topography of the Thar Desert, the vibrant people and
colourful fairs and festivals of Rajasthan. Rajasthan is a vibrant,
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Exotic state in India where tradition and royal glory meet in a riot of colors
against the vast backdrop of sand and desert. Referred to as the Desert Jewel of
India, Rajasthan shimmers with even more vibrancy during the time of its
colourful fairs and festivals.
The desert glitters with the colors of joyous
celebration and gay abandon with every fair and festival of Rajasthan. There is
a celebration for every religious occasion, every change of season and every
harvest, all invariably a reflection of the genius of their arts and crafts and
their ascetic refinement.
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In fact, celebrations occur almost round the
year and are a splendid opportunity for tourists to gain an insight into the
life of the Rajasthan during their travel.
Other than the traditional fairs,
recently established festivals which involve elephants, camel races, dance and
music have been specially organised for tourists.
Among the better known fairs
and festivals of Rajasthan are: Pushkar Fair, Pushkar (November):
The well-known and marked with largest participation of all the festivals of
Rajasthan, Pushkar is an important pilgrimage as well as the venue of a mammoth
cattle fair.
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Bazaars, auctions, music and sports are highlight of this event. Desert
Festival, Jaisalmer (Jan-Feb.): One of the most popular among the festivals
of Rajasthan, the Jaisalmer Desert festival is a journey into the heart of the
Rajasthan desert, the golden city of Jaisalmer. A true show on the sands which
attracts even the much traveled visitor.
Folk performers like musicians, ballad
singers, snake charmers, and puppeteers all exhibit their traditional skills.
There are exciting camel dances, camel acrobatics, camel races, and camel polo,
competitions for the best decorated camel, tug-of-war between musclemen, a
turban tying competition and a Mr. Desert contest. The culmination is a sound
and light spectacle on a moonlit night amidst sand dunes. Elephant
Festival, Jaipur (March-April):
A festival to celebrate Holi, this is a
great occasion for the visitor to watch several elephant sports and also play
this festival of colours.
A show is organised with the elephants turning out in
their best finery. Gangaur Festival (March-April):
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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Marwar Festival, Jodhpur (October): A
festival devoted mainly to the music and dance of the Marwar region. This is a
festival that allows the visitor to understand and enjoy the folk traditions of
this part of the state. Organized by the Department of Tourism, Government of
Rajasthan, the Marwar Festival was originally known as the Maand Festival. Maand
is a classical style of folk music centered
on the romantic life style of Rajasthan's rulers, and Maand Raag recreates the
old world charm and graceful dances of the desert. A must for those interested
in folk music during their holidays in Rajasthan.
Camel Festival,
Bikaner (January): An enchanting desert city which comes alive with music
and dance during the famed Camel Festival of Bikaner. It is fast gaining
popularity as the visitor finds an opportunity to see some unusual folk
performances, camel, race camel dance etc.
Teej Festival, Jaipur
(July-August): A festival to mark the advent of monsoon. Processions, women
dressed in bright colours and a lot of merriment prevails during Teej.
Essentially a women's festival, it is interesting to watch them enjoying in
groups and at various bazaars where they turn up to shop in all their finery.
Nagaur Fair, Nagaur (Jan-Feb.): Essentially an animal fair, it
provides an opportunity to participate in some of the local sports. Situated
half way between Bikaner and Jodhpur, Nagaur awakens with the thronging of
cattle, horses and camels accompanied by their colorfully turbaned owners. There
is earnest bargaining between owners and buyers, and plenty of fun and
festivity. Games, tug-of-war contests, camel races and strains of ballads create
a joyful atmosphere with the setting sun in the background.
Baneshwar
Fair, Baneshwar (Jan-Feb.): A religious festival with simple and traditional
rituals. This fair is the centre of attraction of a large number of tribals from
the neighboring states of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat who join their brethren
from Rajasthan in offering prayers to Lord Shiva.
Mewar Festival,
Udaipur (March-April): A festival to welcome the spring season. There is
song, dance, processions, devotional music and fireworks where almost everybody
participates. Not to be missed during your Rajasthan tour and travel.
Urs Ajmer Sharif, Ajmer (According to Lunar Calendar): Held in the
memory of the revered Sufi Saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti, it is an occasion for
thousands of believers to congregate at the shrine and offer their prayers. All
of Ajmer seems to take on a festive air and several programmes are organised to
mark the festival.
Summer Festival, Mount Abu (June): Organised in
the only hill station of Rajasthan, this is the coldest place at this time of
the year. Folk dances and a general atmosphere of gaiety prevails in this tiny
hill resort and the tourist has ample time to relax and enjoy himself. | |
