Fairs & Festivals of Rajasthan
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.
Banganga Fair
The Banganga Fair is held annually on the full moon day of Vaishakh (April-May)
near a rivulet 11 kms from the historical township of Bairath in Jaipur district.
The stream is believed to have been created by Arjun, one of the Pandavas. Visiting
the Banganga Fair, taking a bath and paying homage to the holy sites in the
vicinity at this time is therefore considered very auspicious by the pilgrims
who come from Alwar, Behror, Jaipur, Bharatpur and many other places.
Brij Festival
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).
Desert Festival
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).
Camel Festival
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.
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.
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).
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.
Teej Festival
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 rises 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.
Mewar Festival
In Rajasthan, men and women traditionally wore necklaces, armlets, anklets,
earings and rings. With the advent of the Mughal Empire, Rajasthan became a
major centre for production of the finest kind of jewellery. It was a true blend
of the Mughal with the Rajasthani craftsmanship. The Mughals brought sophisticated
design and technical know-how of the Persian with them. The common link was
the inherently decorative nature of the Muslim and Hindu art.
Urs Ajmer Fair
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.
Kaila Devi Fair
The annual fair of Kaila Devi, (Mahalakshmi or the goddess of wealth), is held
at the village Kaila (24 kms to the south west) in Karauli district in the month
of Chaitra (Mar-Apr), lasting for a fortnight. The temple of Kaila Devi is located
on the banks of the Kalisil river in the hills of Trikut, 2 Kms. to the north-west
of Kaila village.
Summer Festival
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.
Nagaur Festival
Essentially an animal fair, it provides an opportunity to participate in some
of the local sports. This eight days fair held every year during the month of
Jan-Feb, is popularly known as the Cattle fair and is the second largest in
Rajasthan. Nagaur Town is the most picturesque of Rajput townships.
Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesha and is celebrated all over
the country. This is also symbolic of the advent of all festivals dedicated
to other Indian Gods. The temple dedicated to Lord Ganesha is located in the
fort of Ranthambhor, about 12 kms from Sawai Madhopur and it is one of the most
important Ganesha temples in the State.
Fairs & Festivals
Calendar 2005 - 2010
