Festivals of Rajasthan

The true spirit of joy and a marked passion for life is celebrated by the vibrant and lively people of Rajasthan in the form of their festivals. These colorful and passionate celebrations go on all round the year.

With a slash of colors bashing the entire landscape, these festivals are celebrated on a larger than life scale. Men wearing coiled red turbans and women dressed in vibrantly colored lehangas and odhnis celebrate each festival with a great pomp and show. Cultural programs of folk dance and music add to the charm of these fairs and festivals.

The festivals of the region are not limited to just one caste or creed. Following are the festivals celebrated in the region by all the natives' irrespective of their religion.

Camel Festival
Held in the month of January in Bikaner, this festival showcases camel races and dances. The entire city bubbles with activity during the festival that is marked by a cheerful music, lilting rhythms and gay celebrations.

Desert Festival
Celebrated in the heartland of Thar Desert, this festival falls on the full moon day in February. Rajasthani folk dances such as Ghoomer, Gangaur, Gair Dhap, Moria, Chari and Tehratal are performed during this three day long festival. Musicians, Ballad Singers, Snake Charmers and Puppeteers also show their traditional skills during the festival.

Elephant Festival
A unique opportunity to witness a number of elephant sports comes in the form of Elephant Festival celebrated in the months of March and April. The festival marks the Holi celebrations in Jaipur and sees the elephants playing with colors. In the evenings the elephants turned out in their best finery participate in a ramp show.

Mewar Festival
The Mewar Festival of Udaipur marks the advent of spring season. The festival observes brightly attired females carrying images of goddess Parvati in a procession to the gangaur ghat of Lake Pichola. This festival is supposed to be a true reflection of the true Rajasthani culture through songs, dances, processions, devotional music and firework displays.