Fairs and Festivals in Rajasthan : A Riot of Colors

Fair and festivals in Rajasthan are grandiose affairs, celebrated with great gusto and zeal. Also referred to as the land of Maharajas, Rajasthan is renowned for its world famous festivals which are celebration of the rich heritage, culture and art of Rajasthan.

Fairs and festivals in Rajasthan offer a great way to have cultural interactions and glimpse the very soul of this vibrant and colorful state. Mentioned below are the top festivals in Rajasthan to have a peek into the rich cultural traditions of this land of maharajas.

Mentioned below the list of Fairs and Festivals in Rajasthan :

1. Teej Festival, Jaipur 

Considered as the most important festival of Jaipur, Teej is celebrated with reverence all over the state. Also known as the ‘Festival of Swings’, Teej marks the arrival of monsoon season. It falls on the 3rd day of the bright lunar half of the August month. Married women and young girls both frolic during the festivities. It is celebrated in the honor of goddess Parvati.

When : Teej Festival will start on 17th August 2015 in Japiur

2. Kajili Teej, Bundi

Kajili Teej Festival in Bundi

Celebrated on the 3rd day of the 5th Hindu month ‘Saawan/Shravan’, Kajili Teej is a festival dedicated to Lord Krishna. The deity is honored by the women by singing prayers & devotional songs and performing sacred ‘Neem Pooja’. Although Kajili Teej takes place for 2 days, its celebrations are generally extended till Janmashtami. 

When : Kajili Teej festival will be held on 31st August 2015. 

3. Rajasthan International Folk Festival 

International Folk Festival in Rajasthan

Touted as India’s first annual folk festival, The Rajasthan International Folk Festival (RIFF) celebrates the traditional folk music and arts. The idea for organizing ‘Rajasthan International Folk Festival’ is to provide an open platform to all the musicians and folk artists from India and around the world.

[ Read More about Folk Sounds of Rajasthani Music ]

It offers a series of programs, concerts and events based in and around Mehrangarh Fort. It is home to more than 250 art performers and musicians from India, Rajasthan and Overseas together. The fort has been voted as ‘Asia’s Best Fortress’ by Times Magazine.

When : Rajasthan International Folk Festival will be held on 23rd October 2015. 

4. Marwar Festival, Jodhpur 

Touted as the ‘Blue City of Rajasthan’, Jodhpur celebrates the memory of the heroes of Rajasthan every year in the month of Ashwin. It is the most popular festival celebrated in the city of Jodhpur. Originally known as Maand Festival, Marwar Festival is a traditional way of folk music that focuses on the romance and politeness of Rajputana rulers.

When : Marwar festival will be celebrated on 26th - 27th October 2015 in Jodhpur.

5. Pushkar Festival, Pushkar 

The Pushkar Festival is the largest cattle fair in the world and took place in November every year. It attracts traders from far-off places throughout the year. Several cultural activities such as urban tying competition, dance & music performances and camel races are organized during the festival. The food stalls offer a variety of traditional dishes of Rajasthan.

When :  In 2015, Pushkar Fair will be held on 18th Nov till Nov 25th in Pushkar.

6. Chandrabhaga Fair, Jhalawar 

Celebrated in the month of November, the Chandrabhaga Fair in Rajasthan welcomes thousands of visitors and participants from all over the nation. It is held at Jhalrapatan, located at a distance of 6 kilometers from Jhalawar. The festival has derived its name from the famous River Chandrabhaga itself and is considered very sacred by the people of Rajasthan.

When :  Chandrabhaga fair will be held on 24th November 2015 in Jhalawar.

7. Winter Festival, Mount Abu 

Celebrated during the last week of December, the Winter Festival takes place every year in Mount Abu, one of the top hill stations in India. It celebrates the happiness and cheerfulness among the people of this picturesque hill station. It is a three day long festival that emphasizes on the beauty of this hill station. It is a joint initiative taken by the Rajasthan Development Tourism Corporation and the Municipal board of Tamil Nadu.

When : This year winter festival in Mount Abu will begin from 29th December.

 8. Jaipur Literature Festival

Jaipur Literature Festival is the largest literary festival of the world. It is one of the most important national and international literature event organized in India. Free and open to all, this colorful festival includes a number of events and activities including of performances, readings, talks, debates, children’s workshops and other interactive activities, headed renowned authors, literary and other eminent personalities. The festival is organized in the month of January every year in Jaipur, between 21st January and 25th January. This is one festival that every literature buff looks forward to. 

When : Jaipur Literature Festival will be held on 21st January in 2016.

Interested in planning your holidays in Rajasthan? Browse through Rajasthan Tour Packages at IndianHoliday.Com

Related Posts:
Beginners Guide to Rajasthan Tours
Shekhawati Festival
Travel Tips for Udaipur Tours 

Contributed by Ashish Gupta

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Rajasthan Tours Must Do - Understanding the Folk Sounds of Rajasthani Music

Ever wondered why folk dance and music performances are such an integral part of most Rajasthan tours? Owing to the vast diversity of cultures it has played a host to, Rajasthan and its music are vivid, rustic and pleasing. The state is home to many Indian musical centers or gharanas and shares influences and inspirations from those on the other side of the India-Pakistan border.

Rajasthani music is the broth made up of flavors from Udaipur, Jodhpur, Jaipur and Sindh in  Pakistan. You may find it equally interesting that Rajasthan’s thriving musician population is classified on the basis of their musical styles – the langas, bhopas, jogis, Manganiars and saperas. Of these, Manganiars and Langas are the two most prominent musical castes – the former are known for their liberal musical approach while the latter typically ascribe to a Muslim audience and styles.

Rajasthan Tours - Understanding the Folk Sounds of Rajasthani Music

Rajasthani folk music draws inspiration from everyday chores and events and are often written in a humorous vein. There are love ballads, songs hailing war heroes, songs in the praise of monsoons, lullabies, devotional hymns – all created soulfully.

Most songs start with the customary Alap, followed by a musical couplet that is, more or less, the introduction of a song. Celebrating the advent of monsoons or the spring is a matter of great happiness and the same is reflected in Rajasthani folk songs. Songs also revolve around the daily activities of the local people - For instance, a song about not sowing Jeera (Cummin) since it is difficult to tend.

Or for instance, another song about Pudina (Mint) and how it is liked by members of the family (a backhanded reference is to some kind of local liquor extracted from mint). The next time you hear a song during a Rajasthan Tour, get somebody to  explain the lyrics and you would end up being tickled.

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Beginners Guide to Rajasthan Tours

Think of Rajasthan and the rainbow colors of turbans and sari is inevitably conjured up in the canvas of imagination. Although a harsh land when it comes to weather and geography, its association with numerous maharajas of erstwhile Rajputana has ensured that the allure of Rajasthan is indelibly itched in the popular consciousness and folklore. Countless stories of valor, romance, intrigues and sacrifices have lent a unique stature to the state and various journals and annals of the British Raj era have only added to that appeal.

Snake Charmer of Rajasthan (By Paris75000 [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons)

Owing to its royal legacy, Rajasthan is dotted with multitudes of fortresses, palaces, temples which form the major attractions of Rajasthan. Then there are vast stretches of deserts and diversity of wildlife which have become intrinsic part of Rajasthan tourism. Further, globally renowned Pushkar fair along with Ajmer Sharif attracts millions of devotees and pilgrims alike from around the globe.

With the ‘things to do’ list in Rajasthan as varied and vast as it is, even a month’s time is too short for a fussy traveler to explore and uncover the treasure troves of this desert state. Although conditions are harsh, traveling is quite easy as the destinations are well connected by road, rail and air with railroad being the best option.

Owing to huge tourist influx, hospitality industry in the state has developed in leaps and bounds. Hotels, guest houses, lodges and homestays have come up across destinations to suit every taste and budget of the travelers. Best time to visit this vibrant state is from October till February when sun is not harsh. Mentioned below are some of the most famous destinations which should be included to make for a memorable Rajasthan trip.

Jaipur

Jaipur also known as the Pink City is the capital and the largest city in Rajasthan. A young Bengali architect Vidhyadhar Bhattacharya designed the city in accordance with the Shilp Shastra - an ancient Hindu treatise on architecture. Today's Jaipur is pink, visually described as the city shaded with the autumn colors of the sunset. Major attractions here include Amber Fort, City Palace, ethnic bazaars and Chokhi Dhani, an ethnic resort in the outskirts of the city.

By Artist: W. Purser; Engraver: Percy Heath [Public domain or Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons

Pushkar

One of the few places with temples dedicated to Hindu creator god Bramha, Pushkar is no more a sleepy little hamlet thronged by domestic and international tourists and pilgrims alike. It is said that when Bramha hit a demon with his weapon – which ironically was lotus flower – it fell to three places and one of them happens to be Pushkar where a lake sprang up. According to the legends a dip in the holy waters of the lake here ensures salvation especially when performed on Karthik Purnima (fteenth lunar day of Kartik month November–December).

By Nomad Tales from Australia (Hippies at the Ghat  Uploaded by Ekabhishek) [CC-BY-SA-2.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Udaipur

Udaipur is another major tourist destination in the colorful state of Rajasthan. Udaipur is popular around the world for its Lake Palace which is considered one of the best honeymoons hotel in the world and which also featured in the James Bond movie Octopussy. There are many attractions in and around Lake Pichola including Jagdish temple, Puppet Museum, City Palace, Monsoon Palace among others. Apart from this, Udaipur is also famous for its festivals, which include Teej, Mewar festival and Shilpgram festival.

Taj Lake Palace by Indian Luxury Trains, on Flickr

Jodhpur

Jodhpur, also known as “the Sun City” and “the Blue City”, is famous for its historical monuments, palaces, forts and temples. This desert city is one of the favorite destinations of tourists coming from various parts of the country and the world. Some of the well known sites to visit in the city are Mehrangarh Fort, Balsamand Lake, Osiyan temple, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Ganesha temple, etc. The festivals of the city also have a huge impact on tourists, which include Teej, Nag Panchami fair, Gangaur and Mahaveer Jayanti.

By Kroisenbrunner (Own work) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Ranthambore National Park

Ranthambore, located in Sawai Madhopur, is one of the most visited national parks in India. Tourists and wildlife lovers from all across the globe are attracted by the fascination of this tiger reserve in Rajasthan. The major attractions of the park are wild animals and numerous species of birds. It includes tigers, panthers, chinkara, sambhar, nilgai, leopards, peafowl, Bonelli’s eagle, jacanas, black storks, etc. Ranthambore National Park is considered to be the best bet in India when it comes to tiger spotting due to its sparse vegetation.

By Rhaessner (taken by myself) [CC-BY-SA-3.0 (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0)], via Wikimedia Commons

Mount Abu

Highest peak in the Aravali range, Mount Abu is the oasis in the harsh land of Rajasthan. It is the only hill station in North-West India. Besides the salubrious weather throughout the year, major attractions of Mount Abu include Dilwara Jain temples, Nakki Lake, Sunset point, Achalgarh Fort, Mount Abu Wildlife Sanctuary, Museum and Art Gallery.

The above destinations are the most famous tourist destinations in Rajasthan and if you are planning to visit this erstwhile domain of maharajas, then including some of these destinations in your itinerary is definitely recommended. Other destination which could also work wonders include Bikaner and Jaisalmer.

Author Bio: A post graduate in marketing from University of Mumbai, India, Nikhil Chandra seek out travel inspiration with friends and often through solo wandering, exploring heritage and culture, meeting new people, tasting local cuisine and choosing homestays over hotels . His travel stories and articles have appeared in several travel magazines, online travel guides and travel blogs among others.

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