Festivals of Rajasthan

Rajasthan is known for the legacy that rulers and dictators have left behind which it has still preserved. We can comprehend it in their food, clothing style, Havelis, forts and the major part of it is noticeable in their festivals. Rajasthan is all that is ancestral and royal. Rajasthani festivals are an amalgamation of joy, excitement, emotions, meeting new people, seeking blessings, reuniting with long-gone friends and so much more. Once you step into any of the festivals or carnivals there you would not want to step out.

Here is the list of some amazing Rajasthani Festivals that one can not miss or you would miss so much.

Rajasthan International Folk Festival or RIFF

When and Where: Rajasthan International Folk Festival Or RIFF is celebrated at Jaipur near Sharad Purnima. Particularly, in October. The Festival happens in the Mehrangarh Fort. Mehrangarh Fort, during this time, is highly decorated like a bride and decked up with glittery lights. All this augmenting to its antecedent beauty. Many exhibitions and tiny events happen along with it, enhancing the beauty of this one. They are more like a part of this tremendous one. The city looks surreal during this time.

This fare provides a platform for the artist to thrive and reach out to a wider audience. Numerically, more than 250 artists from across the country come here to showcase their potential and skills. On the other hand, This Folk Festival displays different music styles, folks, dances, poetry, magic shows to the viewers. Thus, providing them joy and making them knowledgeable about the Rajasthani lineage. Moreover, this carnival is a great chance for people to build rapport, appreciating art, learning deviant cultures, enjoying arts and music, and knowing different perspectives. Different days are foreordained for numerous events.

To gain access to this commendable festival you need to get an online pass from the official website of Jodhpur RIFF.

Pushkar Camel Fair

When and Where: Pushkar camel fair is as significant for Rajasthani people as Diwali is for Hindus. Also known as Kartik Mela or Pushkar Mela is held during October-November near Pushkar Lake. These five days of humongous celebration leave the vestige of it in the heart of people for a big time.

Let me give you a tiny glimpse of Pushkar fair. Imagine! Beautifully adorned camels participating in races, parades, or having nice fancy dress competitions of their own. Musicians, dancers, acrobats, magicians displaying their talent and exhibitions revealing the grandeur that Rajasthan possesses. Women adorning in Rajasthani outfits and gracing themselves up with ornaments and roaming around with families and friends partially owning the fair.

All the activities which happen during these five days are approved and decided by Rajasthan tourism Although the task is arduous they do it flawlessly. During this spell, the fun is at its pinnacle and so is the exuberance of people.

Desert Festival, Jaisalmer

Where and When: Desert Festival happens during February in the Sam Sand Dunes of Thar Desert. The place is 42 km away from the city and those taxing vehicle horn noises. The good thing is during this time the weather is benign and the temperature is not too much. Thus, making the festival more enjoyable and pleasing. The Festival is organized by the Rajasthan tourism development authority.

Desert festival is a three days long festival filled with enormous thrill, immense joy, and an abundance of excitement. Touting, Rajasthan, Music, dance, magic shows happen in a way visitors have not seen anywhere before. Numerous Acrobats and magicians arrive here from far away to fascinate viewers.

This carnival demonstrates Rajasthani culture. To exemplify, Stalls of food selling daal baati churma, malpua, gear, etc are set for visitors so they try Rajasthani taste. Stalls selling handicrafts, dresses, and all the Rajasthani stuff are set up aiming to boost sales and also to make people perceive Rajasthani sophistication.

Udaipur Mewar Festival

When and Where: The second world living heritage festival of India is held from March – April for three days in Udaipur. It is celebrated to welcome the spring season. People in huge numbers convene here to enjoy the fair and relax.

Mewar festival is one of the oldest festivals of Rajasthan. The city and shops are embellished with colorful sparkling lights and gleam wonderfully. Musical concerts, traditional dances, cultural events, and games are arranged for visitors. Rangolis are made and Ghevar is produced as an offering to the almighty.

Even though it coincides with the Gangaur festival it is equally valuable for females. Women dress up in glowing costumes and jewelry and initially with idols of Shiva and Parvati on their heads roam around the city and then, at last, immerse them in the lake and ask for their blessings. The event closes up with fireworks.

Brajholi, Bharatpur

When and Where: The Brij Holi is famous in all parts of India. It is celebrated in March before Holi and as the name says it happens in Brij.

Many people especially visit during this time to encounter Brij holi. The holi is celebrated using flowers, colored waters, and a colored powder called gulal. People splash these colors on their kith and kin and wish them happy holi. On top of it Rasleela dance, some stage shows, and cultural activities are conducted mounting the furor even more. Singers are invited and dance performances are organized and readied. Sweets like ghevar are made and distributed among people. This celebration is all about eating, drinking and dancing and most of all enjoying forgetting every trouble and difficulty for a while.

Before this, people take bath in the Banganga river as they believe it purifies them and also visits Shri Radha Krishna Temple early in the morning to receive the blessings of God.

Summer and Winter festival

When and Where: This two-day festival is held in December at Mount Abu. The only hill station of Rajasthan.

This Festival is an absolute manifestation of the legacy of Rajasthani art, dance, culture, handicrafts, music, and literature in an exaggerated way through music, dance performances, competitions, and shows. Races like boat races, horse races happen to entertain the visitors and provoke curiosity among them. Matka dance and the ghoomar dance greatly influence people and make their feet jump on the beats. Summer and Winter Festival leaves the mood lightened and beguile for a long time even after it is done.

Teej

When and Where: Teej is celebrated during the Hindu month of Shravan as in during the month of July-August. The union of lord shiva with goddess Parvati is celebrated by devotees as Teej.

On This sacred festival ladies dress up in alluring attires and palanquins of goddess Teej are taken across the city and women wish for peaceful, happy marital life and eternal bond with their spouse. Teej Katha is said by the priest and is believed that by merely listening to this Katha all the desires of the listeners will be fulfilled. This festival has an enormous significance among Hindus and it is celebrated in all parts of India. The overall experience of the festival is bliss to the spirit and soul.

Usually, people of Rajasthan are accustomed to these unique and fun celebrations of festivals but we as outsiders are not. I suggest you now when you plan your next trip to Rajasthan make sure the tour dates collide with any of the festivals. You will experience the most extraordinary events of your lifetime.