POPULAR FESTIVALS IN RAJASTHAN YOU CANNOT MISS!

We have included Rajasthan’s most popular festivals in this article. Rajasthan attracts tourists because of its exciting festivities. These unique activities draw visitors to Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Pushkar from all over the world. You may learn about the rich culture of Rajasthan by taking part in or just going to its many festivals. These festivities are significant because they honor life, customs, traditions, and the environment in all of their manifestations. Additionally, you get to sample a variety of foods, the majority of which are prepared using the region’s well-known clarified butter. At these neighborhood events and festivals, take part in the singing, dancing, and celebrations to learn about the rich cultural legacy and traditional way of life.

Holi – The Festival of Colors

Holi is celebrated in nearly every part of India and is considered a significant and joyful event annually. It is famously called the “festival of love” since individuals gather on this day to release any animosity and pessimistic feelings they may hold towards each other. The significant Indian celebration commences on the evening of Purnima, the full Moon Day in the month of Falgun, and spans a complete day and night. The festival begins with Holika Dahan or Choti Holi on the first evening, followed by Holi the next day. It has multiple names based on your location within the country.

Radha and Krishna’s eternal and sacred love is revered. Just like every other national celebration, Holi is associated with popular myths. These interesting stories describe the beginnings of various holiday traditions. Holi, known as the festival of colors, is a day dedicated to honoring the vibrancy of color that brings positivity to our lives. The famous Hindu festival of Holi is celebrated with immense happiness and excitement across the entire country of India. The tradition starts with a bonfire being lit the day before Holi which symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. All age groups participate in the enjoyment, soaking each other with water and vibrant hues. The air is filled with the sounds of laughter and music, as well as the delightful aromas of traditional snacks and desserts.

Pushkar Camel Fair, Pushkar – A Camel Trade Fair

Don’t miss the Pushkar Camel Fair in Rajasthan. The camel culture of Rajasthan is celebrated annually at Pushkar during this festival. This popular fair in Rajasthan is highly rated for its great experience. Individuals come from various parts of the globe to visit Pushkar specifically to see the camels adorned in their best attire. A reward is given to the camels that are most well-dressed. In the beginning, livestock traders utilized this fair as a place to purchase and sell their livestock. Thousands of dealers of camels and livestock gather from various parts of India for this festival.

This is one of the most traditional festivals in Rajasthan. The Pushkar fair, attended by thousands of visitors, is a vibrant cultural event that includes puppet shows, gypsy dances, art, music, and various competitions. A variety of vendors offer tasty treats such as camel milk cheeses and cakes, along with jewelry, shawls, and other small items. The Pushkar Show, a magnificent five-day event showcasing camels and animals in Pushkar town on the shores of Pushkar Lake in Rajasthan, is recognized as the pioneer of all desert festivals. It also aligns with Kartik Ekadashi, a Hindu festival honoring the day when Lord Brahma is thought to have formed the Pushkar Lake.

Location: Pushkar

Key attractions: Matka Phod, longest mustache, bridal competition, camel race, and aerobics are some of the main attractions of this fair.

Duration– 5 days

Diwali – The Festival of Lights

Diwali holds the most importance among all the annual festivals in India, especially for the Hindu community. Globally, more than one billion followers of Buddhism, Sikhism, Jains, and Hinduism celebrate Diwali, also known as the festival of lights. Over a billion individuals in the world’s most heavily populated nation and its spread-out communities commemorate the event, irrespective of their faith traditions. People enjoy festivities for five days, including feasting, praying, setting off fireworks, and gathering joyfully. Deepavali, also known as Diwali, is among the biggest celebrations in India. Deepavali, derived from the Sanskrit term meaning “line of lights,” is the source of the word Diwali.

Diwali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is one of Rajasthan’s most widely celebrated holidays. During this season, Rajasthan takes on a mystical vibe with the whole country adorned in earthen lamps, candles, and decorative lights. Customers are flocking to the markets, buying presents for their families, sweets, and fresh clothes. The captivating beauty of illuminated havelis and palaces in cities such as Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jodhpur enhances the festive charm. It represents the triumph of goodness over wickedness and brightness over obscurity. The stories and narratives related to Diwali embody ideas of fairness and freedom, despite differences in how it is observed across different regions and faiths. Diwali is a festival in southern India that commemorates the victory over the demon Naraka, who is said to have mistreated and confined women. Diwali is an event in the northern region of India that honors the triumphant return of Lord Rama, along with his brother Lakshmana and wife Sita, after a 14-year exile in the forest.

WHEN IS DIWALI CELEBRATED?

According to the Hindu lunar calendar, the celebration typically takes place towards the end of October or the beginning of November.

Teej festival, Jaipur – Worship Of Goddess Teej

Teej is one of the most well-known festivals in Rajasthan; it is observed with utmost splendor, traditional music and dance, fairs, and devotion to the goddess Teej. Women ask Goddess Parvati’s blessings during the Teej Festival to have a happy married life. Teej marks the start of the monsoon season and a woman’s loyalty to her husband. It is one of the biggest celebrations in West India. The women of the village fast, apply mehndi to their hands, go for leisurely swing rides, sing and dance with other women, tell stories, and wear colorful attire to honor the union of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati.

Even though Teej is enjoyed by many people all over the nation, Rajasthan is where the holiday is most significant. It is well known that married women enjoy this occasion, dressing to the nines and asking Lord Shiva and his wife Parvati for the blessings of a happy married life. The swings among the trees are adorned with traditional tunes that women, particularly those clad in green attire, enjoy singing and dancing to. Married women relish presents from their parents as well as delectable treats like ghevar. This ceremony, which takes place in July or August, welcomes the monsoon to this arid state. Celebrations and parades are held in honor of Goddess Teej, who is Parvati’s avatar.

Thousands of tourists and devotees swarm Jaipur to see the procession of a decorated idol of Goddess Parvati, as well as the old palanquins, chariots, bands, folk music, and dance, and to take in the celebration of culture. Without a doubt, Rajasthan’s Teej festival is a significant evening. Travelers must go to Jaipur during Haryali Teej to experience the beauty of this event. But Bundi is the place to go for Kajari teej. In Jaipur, visitors can also see the magnificent procession of Goddess Parvati.

Location: Jaipur

Key attractions: Special songs, worship of Lord Parvati, Ghewar (Teej-special sweet), Malpua, and womenfolk dressed in green traditional dresses, bangles, and mehendi

Month- July-August

Duration– One to two days

Activities– Travellers can see a beautiful procession of Goddess Teej. This procession starts from Tripoli Gate and ends at Chougan Stadium in Jaipur.

Gangaur Festival, Jaipur – Symbolises Togetherness Of Lord Shiva And Goddess Parvati

The Gangaur Festival, a highly popular event in Rajasthan, is widely celebrated in both the state and the city of Jaipur. The word “Gangaur” combines “Gan,” representing “Lord Shiva,” and “Gaur,” representing “Divine Parvati.” During this festival, married women fast all day and eat only once to show respect to Goddess Parvati for a successful married life and the prosperity of their husbands.

The Gangaur festival is celebrated in honor of Goddess Parvati. In Rajasthan, women, whether they are married or single, celebrate it with great enthusiasm. Individuals participate in the celebrations guided by the adorned goddess Gauri. Elephant marches and traditional dances are common, and the celebration ends with a fireworks display. One of Rajasthan’s most eagerly awaited holidays is this lively event that lasts for eighteen days. It takes place at the time of the Mewar Festival in Udaipur. This festival in Rajasthan is one of the most famous. Women can also be seen wearing lovely sarees and traditional clothing while also participating in fasting rituals. Furthermore, women are given clay pots by the older generation, which they break on the concluding day of Gangaur.

Location: Jaipur

Key attractions: Colourful processions, folk dances, women singing songs, Ghewar (Rajasthani sweet), women dressed in traditional dresses.

Months– March-April

Duration- 18 days

Activities– Activities of the Gangaur Festival include worship of Goddess Parvati, breaking of earthen pots, and procession of Goddess Parvati.

Desert Festival, Jaisalmer – The Expansive Thar Desert

Rajasthan’s principal celebration is the Desert celebration. It’s a cultural carnival held in the middle of the vast Thar Desert’s dunes. Through dance, music, gymnastics, camel polo, camel racing, and other exciting sports, the folk culture of Rajasthan is displayed. The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation hosts a three-day event in February to celebrate the marvels of the desert. You can take part in this celebration in the Thar Desert. There are camel races and a contest where the camel with the finest decoration wins. Not only that, but guys with mustaches can compete as well; the winner is the person with the best mustache. The performers illustrate the tragedies and victories of the desert while singing and dancing in elaborate costumes full of brilliant colors.

Many visitors from around the globe come for this three-day festival, which offers them a chance to see the state’s cultural life in the middle of the desert. In addition, the Border Security Force participates in “camel tattoos,” where gymnasts perform on the backs of camels. An additional popular feature of this fair is camel polo. This celebration features camel racing, turban-tying contests, and contests for the greatest mustache. Visitors can choose the best mustache contest winner and take selfies with him. The Desert Festival also features performances of traditional music and dance.

Location- Desert of Jaisalmer

Key Attractions– Camel races, best moustache competition

Month– February

Duration– 3 days

Activities– Activities of the Desert Festival include camel polo, camel races, turban tying competitions, and best mustache competitions.