Nagaur Fair
January/February
Nagaur
The sleepy town of Nagaur stirs to life at its annual cattle fair—one of the largest in the country. Thousands of camels, bullocks and horses are offered for sale.
Desert Festival
January/February
Jaisalmer
A perfect 3-day show on the sands, when the desert blooms with the riotous colour of Rajasthan's heritage. Cattle fair, Pushkar The biggest draw however lies in the camel race, acrobatics and camel dance.
Baneshwar Fair
January/February
Baneshwar(Dungarpur)
Quaint rhythms conjure up the cultural identity of the Bhils. They assemble here to offer prayers to Lord Shiva.
Gangaur Fair
March/April
Jaipur
Jshar and Gangaur are the mythic man and wife who embody marital love. Dedicated to Goddess Gauri (Parvati), the festival commences on Holi. Young girls pray for grooms of their choice while married women seek a long life for their husbands. Primarily a festival for women, the celebrations include flower plucking and drawing water from wells. All this the women do 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 procession, with the idol of Gauri in a palanquin, caparisoned elephants, camels, horses, dancers, drummers and joyous children, goes through the city streets.
Mewar Festival
March/April
Udaipur
Welcoming the spring season, 'the festivities diverge into song, dance rituals and fireworks. The best that Rajasthani culture can offer can be savoured here. This is also dedicated to Goddess Gauri(Parvati).
Elephant Festival
March
Jaipur
A magnificent spectacle, it unveils the majesty and grandeur of elephants. The festival is celebrated around Holi. Royal procession of fifty decorated elephants, elephant polo, elephant race and playing Holi on elephants are main events.
Urs, Ajmer
May/June
Ajmer
The Urs, a commemorative celebration, is held in the solemn memory of Khwaja Mohiuddin Chishti, a Sufi saint fondly revered as the helper of the poor. Several thousands pay obeisance at this shrine in Ajmer every year.
Summer Festival
June
Mt Abu
Mango groves, bauhinia trees and thickets of wild berries cover this hilly mount. Jagged rocks and rippling waters are visible through the green cloak, while down below lies dry scrub land.
Teej Fair
July/August
Jaipur
Teej marks the advent of monsoon. Itis celebrated on the third day of the bright lunar half of the month of Shravan according to the Hindu calendar. Goddess Parvati is invoked to bless her suppliants with conjugal harmony.
Marwar Festival
October
Jodhpur
Jodhp)ir is the ideal venue for the celebrations. The Decorated camel Umaid Bhawan Palace is a symbol of the ingenuity, might and valour of the Rajputs. The palace recaptures proud moments. Spirited folk ensemble performed with gusto introduce audiences to Rajasthani folklore.
Pushkar Fair
November
Pushkar (Ajmer)
Excitement, gaiety and a keen sense of competition fill the air as the long journey to Pushkar begins. Spirited columns of people with camels, horses, bullock-carts, car and jeeps head frPushkar soon after Diwali. The fair offers a matchless opportunity to trade in cattle and leather goods. Womenfolk shop for bangles, clothes, utensils and sundry household items.
Chandrabhaga Fair
November
Jhalrapatan (Jhalawar)
Chandrabhaga is considered the holiest river in this part of the country. On Kartik Poornima (full moon) night, thousands of Hindus undertake a pilgrimage here for a dip in the holy waters of the river. A big cattle fair, next only to the Pushkar Fair, is held here on Kartik Purnima, blending religion with commerce. Livestock brought on this occasion includes cows, bullocks, buffaloes and camels. The fair provides an opportunity to acquaint with the people of Hadoti and their cultural rituals and traditions. Besides the people of this region, a considerable number of people converge here from nearby areas of Madhya Pradesh.
Dussehra Mela
October Kota
Tall effigies of the demons Ravana, Kumbhakarana and Meghnad are burnt on Dussehra day to symbolise the victory of good over evil. Dussehra in Kota is the beginning of a festive period when people gather here from their villages to offer their prayers to Lord Ram and celebrate his victory over Ravana, the ten-headed demon King. Men, women and children in colourful dresses participate in the festival to the strains of -traditional music. Rural markets and shopping arcades emerge from nowhere, resulting in brisk trading. The whole festival takes on the form of a big carnival.
Rajasthan is, no doubt, synonymous with celebrations. Because countless fairs and festivals packed with fun, frolic, enthusiasm, excitement, gaiety, rituals are observed twelve months of the year across this glorious State. And that is the reason why Rajasthan is called a colourful State. The festivities are usually marked by folk-dances accompanied by music played on the locally-made instruments. Participants costumed in their traditional finery and whole-heartedly partaking in these events are a visual delight. Old and the young alike are witnessed fully immersed on these occasions. The festivities assuredly extend you an opportunity to mingle with local folks and acquaint with various aspects of their cultural life. It will be indeed an irresistible and captivating experience that will tempt you to make repeat visits to this resplendent terrain. Come to Rajasthan. A festive welcome keenly awaits you.