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.

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 30th July 2014 in Japiur

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 12th August 2014. 

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.

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 8th October 2014. 

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 7-8th October 2014 in Jodhpur.

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 2014, Pushkar Fair will be held on 30th Oct till Nov 6 in Pushkar.

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 5th November 2014 in Jhalawar.

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.