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Hello dear readers.
We're here again with some flavors of the culture of a state that is known as the 'Land of Maharajas'.
And that smile tells that you know the answer, quite impressive! So without a delay, let's sit on the 'Ship of Deserts' and know more about the Rajasthani Culture.
After talking to umpteen people, we came to know that there's a fixed image of Rajasthan. It included the answers like acres of sand (obvious, as we expected), colossal grandeurs, camels, sumptuous food to devour, folk music (everybody mentioned it), the haunted Bhangarh fort, men wearing a colorful turban and amazing mustache etc.
Stop stereotyping Rajasthan with a pre-set image. There's a lot to know about Rajasthan, especially its culture. The Rajasthanis are known for celebrating the different festivals that with a great pomp and we're sure that you would enjoy reading about it. Oh, it's true, it's damn true!
Rajasthan International Folk Festival aka RIFF aka Jodhpur Folk Festival is a prominent part of the culture of Rajasthan. This musical fest is held at the colossal Mehrangarh Fort on Sharad Purnima. It is beyond a musical fest because it gives an opportunity to the musicians that arrive from across this 'Blue Planet'! Damn! That's indeed a desi version of The Tomorrowland. Make sure you attend this intriguing musical fest someday.
Celebrated for three-days with a great zest, Jaisalmer Desert Festival is a festival that no one misses to attend. A desert festival is an event organized by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation in the month of February. The participants don the traditional colorful attires and are at the merriest during the celebration of the festival. The camel race, fastest turban tying, longest mustache etc. are some highlights of the Desert Festival.
Pushkar Fair is well-known all over Rajasthan. It is not less than a 'carnival in the deserts'. This fair is known as Pushkar Camel Fair. Pushkar attracts the tourists, artists, and livestock traders alike. It is attended by hundreds of people for the livestock trading, especially camels. Apart from the camel trade, the fair also features the animal race, gypsy dance, puppet shows, and vendors selling the food items made-up of the camel milk etc. Do guzzle down some snack over there.
The grand celebration of Teej Festival is one of the salient features of the Rajasthani culture. Observed in the July/August, Teej is celebrated by the womenfolk of Rajasthan. It is celebrated to commemorate the union of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva. On this auspicious day, women fast for the longer lives of their spouses and offer special prayers to the Ardhnarishvar form of Lord Shiva and Parvati.
Yep, Gangaur Festival is the time when you'll get to taste the appetizing ghevar. Dedicated to the home-coming of Goddess Parvati, Gangaur is a major festival that is celebrated with a great zest by the people of Rajasthan. The colorful processions, led by umpteen unmarried lasses and married women, are carried in the streets of the cities where carry the well-dressed idols of Goddess Parvati in the palanquins pulled by horses and camels. This festival ends up with prayers and fireworks.
When it is about the Rajasthani culture, do not chuck the 'Pink City' from the list. Jaipur Literature Festival is another vital part of the culture of Rajasthan. Though it doesn't have that pomp as compared to other events, JLF encourages and promotes the literary works of the awardees, as well as newcomers, in the field of literature. Don't be surprised to see too much of talent at the same place!
Just one step behind the Kumbha Fair, Nagaur Fair is known as the second-largest fair in the country. Held annually in Nagaur, it is a cattle fair that is popular for the trade of animals like the cattle for various purposes. A lot of events like the bullock race, camel race, cockfight, gypsy dance, and much more are organized. Experience the fun of Nagaur Festival, it will not disappoint you.
And here comes the celebration by the people that are the residents of Rajasthan's only hill station, Mount Abu. As per the name, the Summer and Winter Festivals are celebrated in May and December. The celebrations usually last for 3-4 days that are followed by colorful processions, dance & music competitions, and fireworks. These exotic festivals enchant the visitors and spread a message of peace & harmony among all creeds.
You know that it's going to be a fun-filled evening when the international artists gather together and produce the melodies. World Sufi Spirit Festival is an extravaganza held in Jodhpur each year. This fest serves as a platform for the international artists where the visitors can sit and enjoy the royalty of Jodhpur. The artists from various countries arrive here to tranquilize the visitors with their melodies.
Makar Sankranti is an inseparable part of the culture of Rajasthan. The people of the state celebrate this festival with a great zeal. Just like the celebrations in the state of Gujarat, the city of Jodhpur observes Makar Sankranti by flying kites. The cerulean sky is adorned with the different sizes and colorful kites. The sight of the sky filled with kites is truly amazing.
Celebrated as a cachet to the 'Ship of Desert', Camel Festival of Bikaner is an exotic event. The kickstart to this event has a great pomp and the camels are decked with the glinting hump rugs and other accessories. Its celebration lasts for 2-3 days in January. The enticing fort of Junagadh is chosen for the immaculate execution of the festival. The competitions like the camel dance, Rajasthani folk dance, and the daring fire show are some highlights of this festival.
So how would you celebrate the onset of the Spring? Well, many of us won't but, the people of Rajasthan welcome the Spring with a great enthusiasm. The renowned festival, known as Mewar Festival, is running down from the period of the Sisodia dynasty. The entire town of Udaipur is embellished with the shimmering lights. It also includes the practices of carrying out the processions and fireworks. That's indeed enthusiastic.
Commemorating the death anniversary of 'Gharib Nawaz' Khwaja Moin Uddin Chisti, Urs Festival is a remarkable festival for the Muslims of Ajmer, Rajasthan. This intriguing festival is observed for six days in a row because it is believed that Khwaja spent his time cooking & feeding the needy in his last days. Presently, the shrine of Ajmer Sharif on the occasion of Urs is festooned beautifully. Sufi singers sing the qawwali in their melodious voice that enhances the divinity and hundreds of devotees mark their presence here.
No geographical errors, dear readers. The zealous festival of Brij Holi is celebrated in the region of Bharatpur with a great enthusiasm. Similar to the Holi celebrations in Brij, this festival is celebrated by worshiping Lord Krishna using countless petals of flowers and gulaal. Such a celebration is worth witnessing. Hey, wait, it is worth experiencing. Make sure that your upcoming Holi is celebrated at Bharatpur.
In order to give a boost to your adrenaline, mark your attendance at Kota Adventure Festival. Commencing from the Navaratri in the month of October each year, Kota Adventure Festival is a haven for the adventure aficionados. During this season, the sports like kayaking, trekking, rafting, rock climbing etc. are organized. People, especially the valiant souls, participate in such sports extensively. Wouldn't you like to give a try in Kota?
How can the tuskers lag behind in the celebrations? To honor the tuskers, Elephant Festival is a famous event that is organized in the city of Jaipur. Celebrated near Holi, the Elephant festival has a huge significance. It began from the period of Sawai Jai Singh as he honored all the elephants that played a major role in his army in winning the battles. Since then, this festival became an inseparable part of the culture of Rajasthan.
Chandrabhaga Fair is a notable fair that is celebrated in the erstwhile princely state of Jhalawar. It is an enchanting fair that is held during October-November and is basically a cattle-trade fair. The traders from all over Rajasthan swarm to Jhalawar to be a part of this fair. On the religious side, people become a part of this fair in order to take a dip in the holy waters of the River Chandravati.
The expressions on your face right now tell that you're amazed by the plethora of the festivals and fairs that are held in Rajasthan. Throughout the year, an individual can witness the quintessential customs and colorful rituals practiced in Rajasthan.
What are your opinions about the above-listed fairs & festivals? C'mon, do not hesitate in sharing them with us. Till then, a desi sayonara.
