Fairs And Festivals of Rajasthan
Mewar Festival | Elephant Festival |
Urs Ajmer Sharif | Gangaur Festival |
Baneshwar Fair | Summer Festival | Pushkar
Fair | Shekhawati Fair |
Teej Festival | Desert Festival |
Camel Festival | Brij Festival
Mewar Festival, Udaipur:
The Marwar Festival is held every year in memory of the heroes of Rajasthan. The
festival is held in the month of Ashwin (Sept-Oct) in Jodhpur, for two days during
the full moon of Sharad Poornima.
Originally known as the Maand Festival, this festival features folk music centred
on the romantic lifestyle of Rajasthan's rulers. This festival is devoted to the
music and dance of the Marwar region and offers a good opportunity to see the folk
dancers carrying pots on their heads and singers who assemble here and provide hours
of lively entertainment. These folk artistes provide a glimpse of the days of yore,
of battles and valiant heroes who still live on in their songs.
The Mewar Festival is celebrated to welcome the advent of spring. It coincides with
the festival of Gangaur in Udaipur, and has a unique charm about it. The women folk
gather to dress the images of Isar and Gangaur and then carry them in a ceremonial
procession through different parts of the city.
Other attractions at the festival are the camel tattoo show and polo. The impressive
Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mandore and Mehrangarh fort, which are symbols of might and
valour, provide the ideal venue for the cultural extravaganza an integral part of
the festival
Elephant Festival, Jaipur:
The Elephant Festival is an inimitable event held annually in Jaipur. Groomed flawlessly,
rows of elephants do a catwalk before an enthralled audience liked best fashion
models to make this festival an amazing one.
The elephants move with poise in pageant, run races, play the regal game of polo,
and finally participate in the spring festival of Holi.It is festival time with
elephants typically celebrated one day before the Holi, Indian festival of colours.
Staged at Jaipur Chaugan Stadium elephants put up a variety programme and the arena
is brought alive with musician and dancer. The crowd, which includes sizable presences
of foreign and Indian tourist, electrify the atmosphere.
The festival starts with an impressive procession of the majestic animals lovingly
painted and tastefully attired with glittering ornaments and embroidered velvets.
There are deadly and fierce elephant fights.A ceremonial procession is recreated
with caparisoned elephants, lancers on horses, chariots, camels, cannons, and palanquins.
Elephant is the centre of attraction in the many races and beauty pageants.
Most of the participants are female elephants. The mahouts (elephant keepers) take
great care to decorate the elephants painting their trunks, foreheads, and feet
with floral motifs and adorning them from tusk to tail with interesting trinkets.
Female elephants wear anklets with and make music as they walk.The game of polo
forms the highlight of the festival. Dressed in saffron and red turbans, the teams
try to score goals with long sticks and a plastic football.
Finally, the tourists are invited to mount the elephants and play Holi. Participants
dance with great vigour and the excitement rising to a crescendo. The Rajput kings
had extraordinary implication for elephants not only during war but also during
the royal festivities-a must at royal pageant. Nishan-ka-hathi, the flag bearer,
led the procession. The king always mounted a caparisoned elephant.
Special hunting programs and elephant fights were organized to entertain the royal
guests. Jaipur was a favourite spot with the important personalities of the British
Raj and the Maharajas always arranged for their guests of honour elephant rides
up to the Amber palace. Even today, the mahouts take tourists up to the Amber Palace
on elephant back like shuttle taxis.
The inclusion of the game of polo is more recent, being inspired by a cartoon in
Punch magazine that showed the Indian polo team atop an elephant after it won all
the international tournaments. Every year on Holi, the old stadium at Jaipur, the
Chaugan (originally planned for elephants), makes the setting for a stunning fete.
A magnificent spectactle, it unveils the majesty and grandeur of elephants celebrated
around Holi. The Mahavats or owners proudly decorate their elephants with bright
colours, jhool., (saddle cloth) and heavy jewellary. A royal procession of decorated
elephants, a match of elephant polo, an elephant race and playing Holi on elephants
are main events.
Urs Ajmer Sharif, Ajmer:
The urs, acommomerative celebration is held in the solemn memory of Khwaja Muin-nddin
Chisti, a prighly respected sufi saint fondly revered as the benefactor of the poor,
popularly known as Gareeb Nawaz.
The Dargah Sharif in Ajmer, is the place where the Saints mortal remains lie burried
and is the site of the largest Muslim Fair in India.
Chadar; Ghilaph & Neema which are votive offerings for the tomb are offered by several
hundred thousand devotees. Mehfils & Qawwalis are held and mass prayer calls for
the eternal peace of the mankind.
The lakeside city of Ajmer is located in central Rajasthan, and is held in great
reverence by devotees of all communities who call it 'Ajmer Sharif' (Holy Ajmer).
It is here that the mortal remains of the highly respected Sufi saint Khwaja Moin-ud-din
Chishti lie buried.
The Khwaja came from Persia and established the Chishtia order of fakirs in India.
He is popularly known as Gharib Nawaz (protector of the poor) because he dedicated
his entire life to the service of mankind. His spartan life spanned almost a hundred
years and he embraced death in solitude while he had withdrawn to his cell for six
days, asking not to be disturbed.
Gangaur Festival, Jaipur:
A festival devoted to Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. Ishar & Gangaur
are the divine male and female ho embody marital love. Dedicated to goddess Gauri
(Parvati), the festival commences on Holi/ Young girls pray for rooms of their choice
while married women seek a long life for their husbands. The ladies decorate their
hands and feet )y drawing designs with Mehendi (Myrtle Jaste).
On the evening of the 7th day after -ioli, unmarried girls go around singing songs
of ghudlia (earthern pots with numerous holes all around with a lamp lit aside)
carrying the pots on their hands. )n their way they collect small presents ,f cash,
sweets, jaggery, ghee, oil etc. The women do these while chanting hymns to the Goddess.
Festivities continue for 18 days culminating with the arrival of Lord Shiva to escort
his bride home. A grand process Ion with the ideal of Gauri in beautifully decorated
gold and silver a palanquin caparisoned elephants, camels, horses, dances, drummers
& joyous children, goes through the city streets.
In Jaipur procession forms at the Palace Gate known as Tripolia and moves on the
city streets on to Talkatora. A vast gathering of jaipurites & villagers from nearby
areas witness the procession. A sweet dish called Ghewar characteristic of the Gangaur
festival is distributed among friends & relatives.
Baneshwar Fair, Dungarpur:
A religious festival with simple & traditional rituals. Quaint rhythms conjure up
the tribal cultural identity of the Bhils of Rajasthan, Gujarat & M.P.
Baneshwar means the master of the delta and this name was given to the Shiva linga.
The Baneshwar fair is held at a small delta formed by the river Som & Mahi & prayers
are offered to Lord Shiva locally named as Baneshwar.
The fair resounds with the gaeity of traditional folk songs, folk dances, Raslila,
animal show, magic shows acrobatic feats. Adding to the excitement are me joy ride."
on merygo rounds & swings.
Summer Festival, Mount Abu:
Hill Station of the Rajasthan in a festive mood with the Summer Festival, held every
year in the month of June. The steep rocks, tranquil lakes, picturesque locations
and the pleasant climate of Mount Abu make it an ideal location for the festival.
The three-day festival is a feast of folk and classical music and a window to the
tribal life and culture of Rajasthan.
The festival begins with the singing of a ballad which is followed by folk dances
which enthral the spectators. Sporting events such as the boat race on the Nakki
lake add variety to the festival.
The Sham-e-Qawwali is a much-awaited musical extravaganza, as renowned qawwals from
all over the country can be heard regaling the audience. The grand finale of the
festival is a display of dazzling fireworks which adds to the tourist's delight.
Pushkar Fair, Pushkar:
The famous Pushkar Fair is a great tourist attraction. People from around the globe
come to the ancient religious town of Pushkar which is transformed into a spectacular
fair ground in the month of Kartik. People bathe, worship and delight in the dazzling
wares of roadside stalls. Camels are bought, sold, beautified, raced and parade.
Most unusual are the small groups of men and women seen busy tattooing their hands
and other parts of the body.
The fair is predominantly a rural gathering. Villagers come from different parts
of the state and bring their cattle with them. On spectacular sanddunes camel, horse
and bullock races are great crowd pullers. All roads lead to the lake, which is
flooded with pilgrims. The movement of the crowd is like a tide of colour with currents
of crimson, yellow and turquoise.
Evenings at the Pushkar Fair have their own charm. The silent night is pierced by
calls of camels. Ballads are sung by actors in passionate tones. Folk dramas, skits
and folk dance are organised for the entertainment of the tourists. The tourist
village is self sufficient and specially designed to complement the natural beauty
of the site. It has a Coffee Shop and Dining Hall which can cater to 1500 guests
at a time.
The village is arranged in blocks of tents, each with its own identity, being named
after the famous dances of Rajasthan. The village also has huts with attached western
style toilets and running water. One can also stay in Sarovar Hotel, Pushkar and
Khadim Tourist Bunglow at Ajmer.
Shekhawati Fair:
The Shekhawati Festival held on 10th and 11th February every year is organised jointly
by the State Department of Tourism, District administrations of Sikar, Jhunjhunu
and Churu. Shekhawati, already famous for its frescoes, is fast becoming a rural
tourism destination too. Travelling on horse back, the tourists get a closer view
of the countryside and the people.
And they return with an indelible imprint of not only the friendliness of the people
but also of the agricultural revolution sweeping the villages -- the region now
exports 80 per cent of its crops whereas only a few years ago it could meet only
10 per cent of its requirement through local production.
For a broad-based discovery of Shekhawati's culture, the festival is spread over
a number of venues - Nawalgarh, Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu. The programmes include
a one day tour of the region, camel and jeep safaris, farm visits, rural games,
cultural programmes, haveli competitions and fireworks.
Nawalgarh is the central venue of the festival and can be reached comfortably by
train and road from Jaipur (140 kms by Road). Nawalgarh also has some of the finest
frescoes of Shekhawati. The Clock Tower is a famous landmark and the Roop Niwas
Palace hotel occupies a place of pride in the town.
Teej Festival, jaipur:
Teej is the festival of swings. It marks the advent of the monsoon month of Shravan
(August). The monsoon rains fall on the parched land and the pleasing scent of the
wet soil raises into the air. Swings are hung from trees and decorated with flowers.
Young girls and women dressed in green clothes sing songs in celebration of the
advent of the monsoon. This festival is dedicated to the Goddess Parvati, commemorating
her union with Lord Shiva. Goddess Parvati is worshipped by seekers of conjugal
bliss and happiness.
An elaborate procession is taken out in Jaipur for two consecutive days on the festive
occasion which is watched by people in large numbers. The teej idol is richly decorated
with ornaments and gaudy dresses. The Teej idol is covered with a canopy whereas
the Gangaur idol is open.
Desert Festival, Jaisalmer:
Once a year in winters and on the middle of the continually rising and falling stark
yellow sands of the great Thar Desert, the empty sands around Jaisalmer come alive
with the brilliant colour, music and laughter of the Desert Festival.
The festival is organised by the tourist authorities as tourist entertainment around
January-February.
The very rich and colourful Rajasthani folk culture is on show here for a few days.
Rajasthani men and tall beautiful women dressed in their brightly costumes dance
and sing lingering ballads of valour, romance and tragedy. Traditional musicians
attempt to outdo each other in their musical superiority.
Camel Festival, Bikaner:
A lively and colourful event, the Camel Festival is organised by the Department
of Tourism, Art & Culture, Rajasthan in Bikaner every year. January is just the
right month for a desert spree, and Bikaner just the right place to see the Ships
of the Desert. In the camel country Bikaner, these desert leviathans pull heavy
cart loads, transport grain and even work at the wells.
The Camel Festival begins with a colourful procession of bedecked camels against
the red sandstone backdrop of the Junagarh Fort, the festivity advances to the open
sand-spreads of the grounds, followed by the best breed competition, the tug-of-war
contest, camel dance and acrobatics, etc.
The camels display amazing footwork, dancing gracefully to the slightest direction
of their trainers. Bridal, bridles, bejewelled necks, jingling anklets and long,
lanky camel shadows on dusky sands cast a magical spell.
Hundreds of tourists and thousands of locals and dignitaries revel in this man-and-animal
affair organised especially for the tourists. The evenings close with a different
tenor and tempo altogether: a traditional rendezvous of renowned artistes of Rajasthan
and the local folk performers. The jubilant skirt-swirling dancers, the awe inspiring
fire dance, and the dazzling fireworks light up the fortified desert city of Bikaner.
Brij Festival, Bharatpur:
The Brij Festival takes place a few days before Holi, (the festival of colours)
in the month of March. Held in honour of Lord Krishna, this festival is marked by
verve and zest. Villagers, in gay, multihued attire, can be seen singing and performing
the Raslila dance (dance depicting the immortal love-story of Radha and Krishna).
All of Bharatpur echoes the sound of folk melodies on this festival held on the
eve of Holi. Men and women, young and old, rich and poor-all are touched by the
spirit of this festival. Boisterous revellers spare no one during this festival
and delight in splashing colour on everyone around.