Fairs & Festivals of Rajasthan
» 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.
» Urs Ajmer Shariff
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.
The Dargah Sharif in Ajmer is the place where the Saint's mortal remains lie
buried and is the site of the largest Muslim fair in India. More than five lakh
devotees belonging to different communities gather from all parts of the subcontinent
to pay homage to the Khwaja on his Urs (death anniversary) during the first
six days of Rajab (seventh month of the Islamic calendar.)
» 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.
» Nagaur Fair,
Nagaur
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. Nagaur is a sea of animals, trading over
70,000 bullocks, camels and horses every year. The bullocks are known for their
fleetness. Not only are the animals lavishly decorated, even their owners flaunt
wearing colourful turbans and long moustaches.
Sports like tug-of-war, camel races, bullock races and cock fights; jugglers;
puppeteers, story-tellers; and exciting campfire evenings are held to entertain
the tourists. Folk music of the Jodhpur variation echoes the tranquil desert
sand. Nagaur is well connected to the major cities by road and rail. Nearest
airport is Jodhpur, some 135kms away.
Shearing sheep, handsome marwari horses to spices all compiled in one fair.
Attractions include the mirchi bazaar (largest red-chilly market of India),
wooden items, iron-crafts and camel leather accessories.
» Baneshwar
Fair, Dungarpur
The name Baneshwar is derived from the revered Shiva Linga which is kept in
the Mahadev temple in Dungarpur. "Baneshwar" means the 'master of
the delta' in the local Vagdi language and this name was given to Shiva Linga.The
Baneshwar fair is held at a small delta formed by the river Som and Mahi, from
Magh Shukla Ekadashi to Magh Shukla Poornima during Shivratri. (Jan-Feb).
The
Baneshwar fair, in its present form is actually a merger of two fairs: one which
used to be held in honour of Baneshwar Mahadev (Lord Shiva) and another fair
which started after the construction of the Vishnu temple by Jankunwari, daughter-in-law
of Mavji, a highly revered saint considered to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.
The Baneshwar fair is predominantly a tribal fair with more than half of the
congregation consisting of Bhils. They revere Baneshwar Mahadev as well as Mavji.
The majority of the gathering is from the Districts of Dungarpur, Udaipur and
Banswara.
» Gangaur Festival,
Jaipur
The Gangaur Festival is the colourful and most important local festival of Rajasthan
and is observed throughout the State with great fervour and devotion by womenfolk
who worship Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva during July-Aug. It is the celebration
of monsoon, harvest and marital fidelity in Jaipur.
Gan is a synonym for Shiva and Gaur which stands for Gauri or Parvati who
symbolises saubhagya (marital bliss). Gauri is the embodiment of perfection
and conjugal love which is why the unmarried women worship her for being blessed
with good husbands, while married women do so for the welfare, health and
long life of their spouses and a happy married life.
The festival commences on the first day of Chaitra, the day following Holi and
continues for 18 days. For a newly-wedded girl, it is binding to observe the
full course of 18 days of the festival that succeeds her marriage. Even unmarried
girls fast for the full period of 18 days and eat only one meal a day.
» Pushkar Fair
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.
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