Fairs and Festivals

Fairs of Rajasthan

Baneshwar Fair

The Baneshwar Fair is held during Shivratri (January-February) at Baneshwar. The Baneshwar fair is a tribal fair where the Bhil tribals from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat assemble to worship Lord Shiva. The tribals set up camps in groups on the banks of Mahi and Som Rivers in the forested area around the border of Rajasthan that it shares with Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

Desert Fair

The annual Desert Fair of Jaisalmer is an important event in the calendar of Rajasthan. The desert festival is held in January-February. It showcases the performing arts of the region on the stretching sands around the desert citadel. Amongst the many events you may enjoy at the festival are the turban typing competition and the camel race.

Gangaur Fair

The Gangaur Festival is celebrated with much color and gusto in Jaipur, Udaipur, Mandawa and Shekhawati regions of Rajasthan. For the fair, women worship idols of Issar and Gangaur, manifestations of Shiva and Parvati. Especially the unmarried women carry the images of the divine couple and pray for a consort of the like of Shiva.

Nagaur Fair

The Nagaur Fair is celebrated on the outskirts of Nagaur in the month of January-February. The Nagaur Fair is a trading fair for the cattle and camels. Amongst the must checkouts at the fair are the hides of the animals, cut into beautiful patterns.

Pushkar Fair

The Pushkar Fair is held in November in Pushkar, the temple town close to Ajmer. Pilgrims bathe at the ghats and pray at the 8th century temple of Lord Brahma. In the surrounding desert area the world's largest camel fair is held.

Chakshu Fair

The Chakshu Fair is one of the most colorful events in the fair calendar of Rajasthan. People from the rural pockets of Jaipur gather for the fair. The people arrive in various forms of transport, laden in tractor trolleys, jeeps et al.

Kolayat Fair/ Kapil Muni Fair

Kolayat Fair is held at the sacred site where Kapil Muni is supposed to have meditated. Kolayat is easily accessible from Bikaner. When the fair takes place at the banks of the lakes, the excitement can be felt in the air. It is also known as the Kapil Muni Fair

Osian Cattle Fair

A cattle fair is held in the temple town of Osian. During the period of Navratri (September-October), it is one of the least known cattle fairs of Rajasthan.

Sitla Mata Fair

The Sitla Mata fair is held in and around the temple dedicated to the goddess in Amber, Jaipur. The fair is held to propitiate the goddess of war whose wrath can be the terrible scourge of smallpox unless appeased by her followers. Consecrated food on this day consists of stale food left out the previous night.

Tilwara Fair

The annual Tilwara Fair is celebrated in Tilwara during march-April. The horse-trading fair is known for trading in Marwari, Kathi and Sindhi horses.

Chandrabhaga Fair

The Chandrabaga Fair is celebrated on the banks of Chandrabhaga River. The cattle fair attracts cattle traders from Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. During the annual fair (October-November) the traders turn into pilgrims and bathe in the scared waters of the Charbhaga.

Festivals of Rajasthan

Kite Festival

The annual Kite Festival is celebrated in the month of January throughout Rajasthan. The main kite-flying day falls on Makar Sankranti (January 14th). In Jaipur and Jodhpur especially, the skies are filled with colorful kites. By evening, kites with lights add to the twinkling skies above.

Dussehra

The festival of Dussehra marks the commencement of the festive season with Diwali just twenty days away. The effigy of ten-headed Ravana is stuffed with crackers and exploded. The festival has mythical associations with the Hindu epic of Ramayana.

Brij Festival

The Brij festival is celebrated a few days before Holi that usually falls in the month of March. Welcoming the spring season, the festival, is enjoyed with music and dance.

Camel Festival

The annual Camel Festival takes place every January, in Bikaner. Bikaner boasts of the only camel-breeding farm in the country. Besides the camel races and camel dances you may also enjoy the rare fire dance staged late at night.

Elephant Festival

The Elephant Festival is celebrated on the occasion of Holi in Jaipur. The caparisoned elephants with their bodies painted with floral decorations are major attractions besides the Elephant Polo.

Marwar Festival

The annual festival of Marwar takes place in the month of October in Jodhpur. At the Marwar Festival, you may enjoy the art and culture of Jodhpur region.

Mewar Festival

The Mewar Festival is celebrated at the same time as the Gangaur Festival in Udaipur. The Mewar Festival denotes the culmination of the 18-day festival with a procession of floats on Lake Pichola.

Navratri

The festival of Navratri is celebrated for nine days preceding Dussehra (September-October). Fasting with one ritual meal a day marks Navratri.

Summer Festival

The Summer Festival is celebrated in Mount Abu, in the month of June every year. You may enjoy the folk performances in the hill town particularly of the Bhil tribes of the region.

Teej

The festival of Teej is dedicated to the worship of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The married women pray for a long, happy marital life. It is celebrated in the month of July-August. Women dressed in finery can be spotted on the swings.

Urs Ajmer Sharif

Urs Ajmer Sharif is celebrated by people of all faiths, in the holy town of Ajmer. Special prayers are offered in honor of the Sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. You may enjoy the Qawalis being sung at night.