Fair and Festival of Rajasthan

Baneshwar Fair, Dungarpur
Baneshwar fair is held at the delta formed by the river "Som", Mahi and "Jakham" at Dungarpur, Rajasthan.  It is the combination of two different fairs, one is celebrated in the honor of Lord Shiva and the other is 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.  This festival is celebrated among the tribal people and involves a lot of religious events and rituals during the month from Magh Shukla Ekadashi to Magh Shukla Purnima (January to February). The term “Bhaneshwar” means “Master of Delta” which is derived from the revered Shivlinga, kept in the Mahadev Temple in Dungarpur. The Temple is kept open from 5 a.m. to 11 p.m. for the devotees. The other attractions of the Baneshwar Fair include magic shows, folk dances, acrobatic feats, animal shows, handicraft shops etc.

Braj Festival, Bharatpur
“Braj Festival” also known as “Brij Festival” is celebrated every year in the month of March before few days of holi. This is the most popular festival of the city and celebrated with great zeal and enthusiasm. The main attraction of this festival is "Raslila Dance" which illustrates the divine love story of Radha and Krishna. During the celebration devotees wear new clothes gather at on place splash colors on everybody and distribute sweets. A lot of tourists every year become a part of this festival and enjoying the witness festivity.

Nagaur Fair, Nagaur
Nagaur Fair is popularly known as the cattle fair of Nagaur. It is held during the month of January – February and continues to four days. There are approx 70,000 cattle, camel and horse are trade every year in this fair. Tourists come every year across the globe to see the trade of animals by the owners dress up in colorful turbans and long mustache. This fair is also popular for Mirchi Bazaar (Red Chilli Market) which is the largest market of India. There are also many shops of wooden items, iron-crafts and camel leather accessories. For entertainment purpose there is also other activity like camel race, cock fight, bullock race, jugglers, puppeteers, folk dances etc.  

Gangaur Festival, Jaipur
Gangaur festival is dedicated to Goddess Gauri, a manifestation of Goddess Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva. The word Gangaur derived from Gana is a synonym for Lord Shiva and Gaur which stands for Gauri or Parvati who symbolizes Saubhagya (marital bliss). Gangaur festival is the most important local festival for people jaipur and celebrated all over the Rajasthan. This festival holds immense importance for the maidens and married women of Rajasthan. Women worship goddess Parvati and her consort Lord Shiva on this festival for the well-being, prosperity, health and long life of their husbands. The eighteen day long festival commences a day after Holi and is usually held in the months of March and April.

Pushkar Fair, Pushkar
The Pushkar Fair is India's greatest tribal gathering, featuring performances by musicians and dancers from Thar Desert. Pushkar in Rajasthan is usually crowded with visitors during its Pushkar Fair and every November, it gets even more crowded, with thousands of people- cattle traders, shopkeepers, merchants, dancers, musicians and artisans among them- congregating at Pushkar for a five-day long event which holds the distinction of being India's largest cattle fair. The fair visited by foreigners and Indian alike is perhaps the largest gathering for a fair from tourists all around the world in Rajasthan. The entire village is arranged in blocks of tents named after the famous dances of Rajasthan and each having its own identity.

Kite Festival, Jaipur
Kite Festival is a popular festival of Jaipur, Rajasthan. Kite flying is enjoyed by people of all age-groups. However, 14 January, the day of Makar Sankranti, makes the official day for flying kites in Jaipur. People make most out of the festival by flying kites for the whole day. The sky becomes next to invisible as innumerable kites cover it. People form groups and fly kites, to enjoy the event to its full. With each cut loose of a kite, people fill the environment shouting, "Woh Kata". In every five years, the Desert Kite Festival is organized by the Government of Rajasthan, where expert Kite makers show off their kites. The Kite Festival has become popular recently among the tourists, who can too participate in the different kite flying competitions.

Marwar Festival, Jodhpur
Jodhpur in Rajasthan, India is infused with a new spirit during the months of September-October with the Marwar festival, which is celebrated to honor the local heroes of Rajasthan, India. The festival is held in the month of Ashwin for two days during the full moon of Sharad Poornima.  Ashwin is a Hindu month between September-October. The main highlight of the festival is the classical folk dance and music of the Marwar region and the other attractions include camel tattoo show, horse riding and polo. The venue of Marwar festival includes the famous Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mandore and Mehrangarh Fort.

Mewar Festival, Udaipur
Mewar festival is celebrated every year in the month of March or April in India’s most romantic city Udaipur, Rajasthan. This festival is organized to mark the spring season. This fabulous festival happens together with the festival of Gangaur in Udaipur. During this festival, the idols of Gangaur and Isar are circulated in a procession through different parts of the city. Idols of the procession are prepared and adorned by womenfolk. The procession concludes at the Gangaur Ghat of Lake Pichhola. The idols of Isar and Gauri are transferred into special boats at the ghat. After this whole procedure is over, cultural events and performances take over the celebration of this festival. This festival ends with an amazing demonstration of fireworks. Every year a large gathering of tourists from all over the world visit Udaipur to explore its attractions and witness the Mewar Festival which is the showcase of rich Mewar culture and tradition.

Desert Festival, Jaisalmer
Desert festival is the most popular cultural event celebrated every year in the month of February in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Desert festival represents the rich and colorful culture of desert region of Rajasthan. The event is organized on the famous golden sand dunes at Sam near Jaisalmer. Besides the food, the music and the cultural performances, there are camel rides, processions, camel polo, and even a camel tug-of-war. This festival held on the backdrop of the awesome Jaisalmer fort. Fireworks display at night light up the area, and the fort is illuminated too. There are snake charmers, puppeteers, acrobats, folk artists available to entertain the visitors. This festival surely steals the hearts of people gathered at this festival.

Elephant Festival, Jaipur
The Elephant Festival is one of the most popular festivals of Jaipur, Rajasthan. Elephant festival has its own charm and is celebrated every year in March. The famous Chaugan ground of Jaipur makes the perfect venue for the occasion. Elephant Festival commences with a parade of decorated Elephants marching towards the ground. Different competitions are organized to enjoy the festival to its full. Elephants engaged in races, polo-matches and tug-of-war with men make the spectators spellbound. The Elephant keepers (mahouts) decorate their Elephants from head to toe with an exceptional care. The 'Best Decorated Elephant' contest is another feature of this cultural fest. This festival of Elephants revives the royalty of Jaipur, when people enjoy the glorious Elephant ride in the ground. Elephant Festival of Jaipur is unusual, something different and definitely a special treat for the tourists.