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RAJASTHAN
STATE FESTIVALS
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Rajasthan is a state where festivals and fairs are an important
facet of life and add colour and gaeity to it. People from near
and far come here to participate and enjoy the festive mood. Apart
from festivals like diwali,holi,navratri and the likes of such,
which are celebrated throughout the country, the festivals and fairs
special and famous from this state are as follows :
Camel
Festival, Bikaner (January):
Some
unusual folk performances, camel race, camel dance, etc. performed
during this festival enchant this desert city of Bikaner which comes
alive with music and dance. It is fast gaining popularity as the
visitor finds an opportunity to see such dances.
Nagaur
Fair,Nagaur (Jan-Feb.):
Essentially
an animal fair, it provides an opportunity to participate in some
of the local sports.
Desert
Festival,Jaisalmer (Jan-Feb.):
One of the most
popular of all festivals it is a journey into the heart of the desert,the
golden city of Jaisalmer that has a charm of its own. A true show
on the sands which attracts even the much traveled visitor.
Baneshwar
Fair,Baneshwar (Jan-Feb.):
A religious festival
with simple and traditional rituals. This fair is the centre of
attraction of a large number of tribals from the neighboring states
of Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat who join their brethren from Rajasthan
in offer prayers to Lord Shiva.
Gangaur,
Jaipur (March-April):
A festival devoted
to Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. It is thae festival
where young girls dress up in their finery and pray for grooms of
their choice while the married women pray for the well-being of
their husbands. This 18-day festival is laced with various activities
and culminates in a grand procession marking the arrival of Shiva
to escort his bride home.
Mewar
Festival, Udaipur (March-April):
A festival celebrated
in order to welcome the spring season, it includes a song, dance,
processions, devotional music and fireworks where almost everybody
participates.
Elephant
Festival, Jaipur (March-April):
A festival to celebrate
Holi, this is a great occasion for the visitor to watch several
elephant sports and also play this festival of colours. A show is
organised with the elephants turning out in their best finery.
Urs
Ajmer Sharif, Ajmer (According to Lunar Calendar):
Held in the
memory of the revered Sufi Saint Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti, it is
an occasion for thousands of believers to congregate at the shrine
and offer their prayers. The whole of Ajmer is in a festive spirit
during the festival and avariety of programmes are held to mark
the ocassion.
Summer
Festival, Mt.Abu (June):
Held in Mount
Abu, the only hill station of Rajasthan, Folk dances and a general
atmosphere of gaiety prevails in the hill resort. The place remains
chilled in the month of June and tourists can have a good time and
relax to watch the fest.
Teej, Jaipur (July-August):
This festival
marks the advent of monsoon. Processions, women dressed in bright
colours and a lot of merriment prevails during Teej. It is essentially
a womens festival. And it is interesting to watch them enjoying
in groups and at various bazaars where they turn up to shop in all
their finery. The festival is celebrated throughout the country
where Marwadi famalies reside.
Marwar
Festival, Jodhpur (October):
A festival devoted
mainly to the music and dance of the Marwar region. This is a festival
that allows the visitor to understand and enjoy the folk traditions
of this part of the state.
Pushkar
Fair, Ajmer (November):
One of the most well-known,
this fair held in the month of November each year gathers a huge
crowd and the largest number of people participate in the fair when
compared with any other fair held in Rajasthan. Pushkar is an important
pilgrimage as well as the venue of a mammoth cattle fair. Bazaars,
auctions, music and sports are a highlight of the event.
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