Fairs and festivals of Rajasthan

Perhaps more than any state in India, Rajasthan epitomizes the essence of joyfulness very well that are present in each and every sweet moments of life. And Rajasthani people love to cherish all these moments to the hilt with utmost enthusiasm and gay spirits. They indulge their heart and soul to these colorful and spectacular events completely, forgetting all their worries and tensions.

People of Rajasthan loves to celebrate all festivals elaborately following all the traditions and rituals. These fairs and festivals are an ideal source of building the feeling of brotherhood in every community. There is a fair for every religious occasion, every season change and every harvest. Lunar calender decides the exact date and time of every festival which are of great religious significance. Some of the prominent fairs and festivals of Rajasthan are :

Pushkar Fair-Pushkar

Time - October- November

The famous Pushkar fair is organize on the occasion of the Kartik Purnima when thousands of pilgrims comes at Pushkar to have a holy dip at the lake. It is believed that a holy bath at the lake is equivalent to several yagnas. This is one of the world's largest cattle fair. Camel race, camel parade, folk dance and music performances, bridal competition, moustache contest, tug-of-war and bazaars are the highlights of Pushkar fair.

Camel Festival - Bikaner

Time - January

The year begins with the colorful Camel Festival at Bikaner in January. This camel festival creates joyous ambiance. The main highlights of this festival are the camel races and camel dances. Decorated and graceful camels famously called as the "ships of deserts" fascinates the onlookers at the very first sight.

Desert Festival - Jaisalmer

Time - Full Moon of February

The golden city of Rajasthan, Jaisalmer awakens with the Desert Festival which coincides with the full moon in February month of every year. It is a three day festival. With the rhythm of folk music and innumerable Rajasthani dance forms like Ghoomer, Gangaur, Gair Dhap, Moria, Chari and Tehratal, this desert city attracts thousands of international and national tourists. The special highlights are Gair dance and the Fire dance. It is the best platform for the folk performers like musicians, ballad singers, snake charmers, and puppeteers to exhibit their traditional skills.

Other exciting attractions includes 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 cumulative effect of sound and light on a moonlit night amidst sand dunes mesmerizes every spectator.

Gangaur Festival - All over Rajasthan

Time - March-April

Gangaur festival is one of the most important local festivals of Rajasthan. It is a spring festival celebrated in the month of March-April. This festival is dedicated to Gauri, another form of goddess Parvati and the consort of Lord Shiva. It symbolizes conjugal bliss and marital happiness. A festival both for the maidens and married women, it begins on the day following Holi, and is celebrated for 18 days. While married women pray for the well being of their husbands, young girls pray for a groom of their choice. This festival is celebrated in every region of Rajasthan.

Nagaur Fair - Nagaur

Time - Between January and February

Every year between late January and early February, Nagaur a small town half way between Bikaner and Jodhpur, comes to life with the annual animal fair. The main attraction of the Nagaur fair are the cattle, horses, and camels who are accompanied by their turbaned owners. Countrymen comes here to buy and sell their live stocks at a good price. Various sports, tug-of-war competitions, camel races, strains of ballads creates an atmosphere of joyfulness.

Elephant Festival - Jaipur

Time - March

Celebrated in March around Holi, the Elephant Festival held at Jaipur is a fantastic festival to enjoy. The decorated and large elephants are the center of attraction and exhibits their decorated trunks and tusks during parade. A procession of elephants, camels and horses followed by folk dancers initiates the festival. Lord Ganesh, the elephant son of Shiva and Parvati is worship during the festival.

Urs Ajmer Sharif - Ajmer

Time - Set according to the lunar calendar
Urs Ajmer Sharif, held according to the lunar calendar, in remembrance of the saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti,. He was great helper of the poor. Urs Ajmer Sharif, celebrated at Ajmer, one of the biggest Muslim fairs in India.

Teej Festival - All over Rajasthan, mainly in Jaipur

Time - August

Teej, the festival of swings which marks the arrival of the monsoons is celebrated in every part of Rajasthan but mainly in Jaipur. Like Gangaur, this festival is also dedicated to the Goddess Parvati. On On the third day of the Shravan month (August), this festival is celebrated to observe the occasion of union of Goddess Parvati's with Lord Shiva after an agonizing separation.