FAIRS & FESTIVALS

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The people of Rajasthan live life to the hilt and nobody can really match the gay abandon with which the Rajasthani surrenders himself to the numerous fairs and festivals that are celebrated here.

There are animal fairs, to mark the chanting seasons. In fact, celebrations occur almost round the year and provide the visitor with a splendid opportunity to gain an insight in to the life of the Rajasthani. There is dancing, singing, drama, devotional music and other community activities that can enthrall the visitor.

Some of the more important fairs and festivals are the Desert Festival of Jaisalmer (held in January- February), Pushkar Fair, held in Pushkar, near Ajmer (November), Gangaur Festival, Jaipur (Murch- April ), Elephant Festival, Jaipur (March- April ), Marwar Festival, Jodpur (October), Camel Festival, Bikaner (January), Mewar Festival, Udaipur.

Listed here is a very small selection of the countless number of exciting events that are held in Rajasthan throughout the year.

Bikaner Festival (Bikaner, RAJASTHAN) :- Dedicated to the indispensable `ship of the desert', the festival starts off with a magnificent procession of bedecked camels. There are displays and competitions together with all the colour, music and rhythm unique to a fair in Rajasthan. 

Desert Festival (Jaisalmer, RAJASTHAN) :- A three day long extravaganza of colour, music and festivity at the city of Jaisalmer. Gair and fire dancers swaying to traditional tunes, a turban tying competition and a Mr. Desert contest are part of the fun of the occasion. Camel rides and folk dances at the sand dunes at Sam are an added attraction.

Nagaur Fair (Nagaur, RAJASTHAN) :- Nagaur bustles with life during it's annual cattle fair which is one of the largest in the country. Exciting games and camel races are part of the festivities. 

Elephant Festival (Jaipur, RAJASTHAN) :- A festival where elephants are the centre of attraction. The festival begins with a procession of elephants, camels and horses, followed by lively folk dancers. Elephant races, elephant-polo matches and a most interesting tug of war between elephants and men, are all part of this spectacular event.

Mewar Festival (Udaipur, RAJASTHAN) :- An exhilarating welcome to spring, this festival is a visual feast with Rajasthani songs, dances, processions, devotional music and firework displays. It is celebrated in the city of Udaipur during the Gangaur festival. A procession of colourfully attired women carrying the images of the goddess Gauri make their way to the lake Pichola. An unusual processions of boats on the lake offers a fitting finale to this splendid celebration.

Dussehra (All Over India, ) :- Celebrated to mark the defeat of Ravana by Lord Rama, dussehra symbolises the triumph of good over evil. The Ramlila - an enactment of the life of Lord Rama, is held during the nine days preceding Dussehra. On the tenth day, larger than life effigies of Ravana, his son and brother - Meghnath and Kumbhakarna, are set alight. 
In Himachal Pradesh, a week long fair in the hill town of Kullu, is a part of the Dussehra celebrations. From the little temples in the hills, deities are brought in procession to the `maidan' in Kullu, to pay homage to the reigning deity, Raghunathji.
Mysore - the city of palaces, celebrates the ten day Dussehra in a royal style. The Mysore Palace is illuminated with a myriad of lights. majestic processions, a torch light parade and dance and musical events enliven the tranquil city.

Diwali / Deepawali (All Over India) :-Deepawali is also known as the festival of lights and is prettiest and the most eagerly awaited occasion in India. Deepawali celebrates the return of Lord Rama, the hero of the epic Ramayana, to Ayodhya after a 14 years in exile. The festival is observed throughout the India. The festive season starts soon after Dassera festival as Diwali falls approximately 20 days after the Dassera festival. The pleasant weather during this time of the year make the festive season even more enjoying. Its the time of the year when the winter just starts setting in. The festive season is the time for hectic activities - markets buzzing with customers, households on the shopping spree, corporates/business houses distributing gifts, a string of Diwali Melas and fairs across the town, makeshift shops selling sweets and crackers and much more.

Deepavali means a garland or festoon of lights, the most characteristic way in which the festival is observed by all. Deepavali is the day when old clothes are discarded and new ones worn; when the home and its precincts are swept clean, given a new look and made to appear fresh and fine. But even while doing all this, attention has to be paid to the discarding of worn out prejudices, the adoption of new habits of love and mutual respect, the freshening of one's attitude towards one's kith and kin, brothers and sisters of all creeds and castes, the hanging of festoons of friendship and fraternity over the door sill of the heart. This will make the festival really meaningful and fruitful. Deepavali is also a day dedicated to the goodness of riches called Dhanalakshmi. They celebrate the day as Dhanalakshmi Puja in many states in India.Deepawali is a festival which last for several days, begining with the `Dhanteras', and culminating on Bahiya Dhuj.

Pushkar Fair (Pushkar, Rajasthan) :- Tranquil Pushkar is transformed into a spectacular fair ground for 12 days in the month of Kartik. Trading of cattle, camel races and dazzling displays of bangles, brassware, clothes, camel saddles and halters are the major attractions of this colourful event. Devotees come in their thousands to take a ritual dip in the lake on the day of the Kartik Purnima and to worship at the Brahma Temple.