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Festivals of Rajasthan
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FEBRUARY : |
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Desert Festival : A three-day-long extravaganza of colour, music and festivity at the golden city of Jaisalmer. Gair and fire dancers swaying to traditional tunes, a turban-tying competition and a Mr. Desert contest are part of the fun of the occasion. Camel rides and folk dances on sand and dunes are added attraction.
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Nagaur Fair : Nagaur bustles with life during its annual cattle fair which is one of the largest in the country. Exciting games and races are part of the festivities.
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MARCH
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Elephant Festival :
A festival where elephants are the centre of attraction. The festival begins with a procession of elephants, camels and horses, followed by lively folk dancers. Elephant races, elephant polo matches and a most interesting tug of war between elephants and men, are all parts of this spectacular event.
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APRIL : |
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Gangaur :
The most important
local festival in Rajasthan,
Gangaur celebrations last for 18 days.
It is dedicated to Gauri, a
manifestation of goddess Parvati. The
festival is celebrated by girls and
married women throughout Rajasthan. The
images of Gauri are ornamented and
offerings are made. This is also an
auspicious day for young people to
select their life partners. Colourful
procession with the town band playing,
horses and elaborate palanquins make it
a fascinating spectacle.
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Mewar Festival :
An exhilarating welcome to spring, this
festival is a visual feast with
Rajasthani songs, dances, processions,
devotional music and firework displays.
It is celebrated in the romantic city of
Udaipur durig the Gangaur festival.
A procession of colourfully attired
women carrying images of the goddess
Gauri make their way to the Pichola
Lake.
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MAY : |
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Urs-Ajmer : The Urs are held every year at the dargah of Sufi Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, commemorating his symbolic union with god. Pilgrims from all over the world gather to pay homage. Qawalis and poems are presented in the saint’s honour.
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AUGUST : |
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Teej :
This
swing festival welcomes the advent of
the monsoon. Swings are hung from trees
and decorated with flowers. Women,
colourful and attired, swing on them and
sing songs in celebration.
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OCTOBER : |
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Marwar Festival :
The festival celebrates the ‘Maand style
of folk music – an evolved classical
style that describes the romantic life
of Rajasthan’s rulers. Held during
Sharad Purnima, the folk artists bring
alive the legends and folklore of
earlier times.
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NOVEMBER
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Pushkar Mela : The tranquil Pushkar is transformed into a spectacular fair ground for 12 days in the month of Kartik. Trading of cattle, camel races and dazzling displays of bangles, brassware, clothes, camel saddles and halters are the major attractions of this colourful event. Devotees come in their thousands to take a ritual dip in the lake on the day of Kartik Purnima and to worship at on the Brahma temple in the world.
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DECEMBER
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Shilpigram Craft
Mela : Some of the magnificent crafts of Rajasthan displayed at a colourful festival held in Udaipur.
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