Colours and brightness, majesty and hospitality, festivities and feasts, music and dance, culture and custom, history and legacy all come to mind when we think about Rajasthan. Rajasthan is a state that encapsulates the spirit of Incredible India. And no visit to Rajasthan is complete without sampling some of the state’s many fairs and festivities. In true Rajasthani fashion, they’re a celebration of life, culture, legacy, and environment. Here are a few Rajasthani festivals you should attend at least once in your life. Here’s a list of 10 Rajasthani festivals you must attend:
1: Rajasthan International Folk Festival
RIFF is an annual music and art festival dedicated to the development of traditional folk music and arts and is sponsored by the Maharaja of Jodhpur and Sir Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones. It is held at Jodhpur’s Mehrangarh Fort around Sharad Purnima, the brightest full moon night of the year, and is a one-of-a-kind festival of Indian and worldwide music. This festival attracts over 200 musicians from all over the world, making it an essential must-see for music and art fans. It falls on the same weekend as the Marwar festival.
2: Desert festival Jaisalmer
It is a three-day festival hosted by the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation in February that is an incredible extravaganza that celebrates the desert’s charms. The artists are clothed in vivid colours and traditional finery, reflecting the tragedies and successes of the desert, and the atmosphere is alive with music and dancing. A display of desert customs and life, camel racing, acrobatic stunts, many competitions such as the longest moustache, turban tying, Mr Desert, and others, wonderful cuisine, and intriguing kiosks selling handicrafts and other souvenirs will make it a memorable three days of your life.
3: Pushkar Fair, Pushkar
Pushkar Fair, also known as the “Big Daddy” of all desert festivals, is a stunning five-day camel and animal fair held in Pushkar, Rajasthan, on the banks of the Pushkar lake. It also falls on Kartik Ekadashi, the Hindu festival commemorating Lord Brahma’s alleged creation of the Pushkar Lake. The Pushkar fair, which began as a livestock fair for the purchase and sale of camels, has evolved into a true cultural bonanza of art, music, dance, puppet shows, gipsy dance, races, and competitions, with a plethora of vendors selling delectable snacks such as camel milk cheeses and cakes, as well as jewellery, shawls, and other trinkets. In only five days, the desert is entirely illuminated by the joyous and spiritual mood.
4: Teej Festival, Jaipur
Teej is one of the most important festivals in west India, commemorating both a woman’s love for her husband and the beginning of the monsoon season. The event is highlighted by colourful celebrations in which women fast and apply mehndi patterns to their hands, ride lengthy swing rides with other women, sing and dance with other women, tell stories, and dress up in festive apparel to commemorate Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati’s nuptials. On car rental in Jaipur, you can visit the decorated Market where the Market is full of attractive costumes, jewellery and sweets. Ghevar and Malpua are iconic sweets. Thousands of devotees and visitors go to Jaipur to view the procession and the ancient palanquins, chariots, bands, folk music, and dance performed by a decked statue of Goddess Parvati.
5: Gangaur Festival, Jaipur
Women in Rajasthan celebrate another event that honours the goddess Parvati and her return home. Everyone takes part in the processions of a decked-out Goddess Gauri, which are typically accompanied by elephants, ancient palanquins, chariots, folk music and dance, and often conclude with fireworks. The Mewar Festival in Udaipur is also taking place at the same time. Rajasthan’s most well-known event.
6: Jaipur Literature Festival, Jaipur
JLF is the world’s largest free literary festival, though it isn’t as glamorous as some of the other festivals on this list. Nobel laureates, Booker award winners, and debut writers – the literary elite gather at the Diggi Palace in Jaipur for five days of readings, talks, and debates. A fantastic platform that offers young minds the bravery to dream and envision by giving them access to some of the world’s best authors and philosophers, it is an opportunity that no one should pass up. Book Tempo Traveller and visit Jaipur Literature Festival for fun and the iconic palace.
7: Nagaur Fair, Nagaur
It is mainly a cattle market that gathers about two lakh animal owners who bring their horses, cows, bullocks, oxen, camels, and other livestock to participate in a big trade event. Tourists and animal owners alike are drawn to the city by animal races and cockfights throughout the day, followed by dancing and music in the evenings. The Department of Animal Husbandry organises the event, which highlights Rajasthan’s real Rajput culture.
8: Summer and Winter Festivals, Mt. Abu
Both of these festivals are celebrated over three days in May and December, respectively, to display the friendliness and culture of the people who live in Rajasthan’s sole hill station. They are commemorated with processions across town, followed by a variety of competitions, folk dance and music, and spectacular fireworks to honour the town’s spirit. During the festival days, a unique blend of exquisite hospitality and an unusual environment draws a huge number of travellers.
9: Camel Festival, Bikaner
The Camel Celebration is a beautiful festival held in Bikaner in honour of the desert ship. This festival, like all of Rajasthan’s other holidays, begins with much pomp and circumstance. The Camel Festival, held every year in the beautiful month of January, is a two-day event that culminates in a colourful procession of decorated camels against the backdrop of the famous Junagadh Fort. Camels are raced, camel games are played, and other cultural acts are held. Although this celebration honours Rajasthan’s camels, it also incorporates traditional Rajasthani cultural acts. The event culminates in a spectacular firework show that illuminates Bikaner’s gorgeous skies.
10: Mewar Festival
The Mewar Festival, which heralds the arrival of spring in the area, brings the city of Udaipur to life with vibrant colours. The entire town is decked out with colourful lights, and there is a festive atmosphere in the air. This celebration incorporates a variety of customs, such as adorning the idols of Isar and Gangaur and transporting them around the city in a traditional parade. People also participate in ethnic dance and singing, showing Rajasthan’s vibrant culture.
11: Kota Adventure Festival
The Kota Action Festival combines adventure with spirituality in a unique way. It’s one of Rajasthan’s most unique celebrations, occurring in October during Dussehra. Adventure sports are organised during this event, attracting participants from all across the country. Rafting, windsurfing, parasailing, kayaking, rock climbing, trekking, angling, and country excursions are among the main events, making it a week-long paradise for adventure seekers. Kite flying is the primary attraction of the festival. At the Kota Adventure Festival, you may discover almost any adventure sport you can think of.
