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Pushkar Fair, Pushkar
Excitement, gaiety and a keen sense of competition fill the air as the
long journey to Pushkar begins. The only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma
(the creator) is located at Pushkar. The Pushkar lake is surrounded by 52
flights of steps called ghats.
--- Mewar Festival, Udaipur
Coinciding with the festival of Gangaur the Mewar festival is celebrated
to welcome the advent of spring. Once the religions part of the festival
is over it is time for potrayal of Rajasthani culture through songs, dances
and other programmes. The festival culminates with an impressive fire works
display.
--- Elephant Festival, Jaipur
The Elephant Festival is an inimitable event held annually in Jaipur.
Groomed flawlessly, rows of elephants do a catwalk before an enthralled
audience liked best fashion models to make this festival an amazing one.
The elephants move with poise in pageant, run races, play the regal game
of polo, and finally participate in the spring festival of Holi. It is festival
time with elephants typically celebrated one day before the Holi, Indian
festival of colours.
---
Urs Ajmer Sharif
The urs, acommomerative celebration is held in the solemn memory of
Khwaja Muin-nddin Chisti, a prighly respected sufi saint fondly revered
as the benefactor of the poor, popularly known as Gareeb Nawaz. The Dargah
Sharif in Ajmer, is the place where the Saints mortal remains lie burried
and is the site of the largest Muslim Fair in India.
--- Summer Festival, Mount Abu
Hill Station of the Rajasthan in a festive mood with the Summer Festival,
held every year in the month of June. The steep rocks, tranquil lakes, picturesque
locations and the pleasant climate of Mount Abu make it an ideal location
for the festival. The three-day festival is a feast of folk and classical
music and a window to the tribal life and culture of Rajasthan.
--- Nagaur Fair, Nagaur
Essentially an animal fair, it provides an opportunity to participate
in some of the local sports. This eight days fair held every year during
the month of Jan-Feb, is popularly known as the Cattle fair and is the second
largest in Rajasthan. Nagaur Town is the most picturesque of Rajput townships.
---
Baneshwar Fair, Dungarpur
A religious festival with simple & traditional rituals. Quaint rhythms
conjure up the tribal cultural identity of the Bhils of Rajasthan, Gujarat
& M.P. Baneshwar means the master of the delta and this name was given
to the Shiva linga.
--- Gangaur Festival, Jaipur
A festival devoted to Goddess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. Ishar
& Gangaur are the divine male and female ho embody marital love. Dedicated
to goddess Gauri (Parvati), the festival commences on Holi/ Young girls
pray for rooms of their choice while married women seek a long life for
their husbands. rhe ladies decorate their hands and feet )y drawing designs
with Mehendi (Myrtle Jaste).
--- Banganga Fair
The Banganga Fair is held annually on the full moon day of Vaishakh
(April-May) near a rivulet 11 kms from the historical township of Bairath
in Jaipur district. The stream is believed to have been created by Arjun,
one of the Pandavas.
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Brij Festival
The Brij Festival takes place a few days before Holi, (the festival
of colours) in the month of March. Held in honour of Lord Krishna, this
festival is marked by verve and zest. Villagers, in gay, multihued attire,
can be seen singing and performing the Raslila dance (dance depicting the
immortal love-story of Radha and Krishna).
--- Camel Festival
A lively and colourful event, the Camel Festival is organised by the
Department of Tourism, Art & Culture, Rajasthan in Bikaner every year.
January is just the right month for a desert spree, and Bikaner just the
right place to see the Ships of the Desert. In the camel country Bikaner,
these desert leviathans pull heavy cart loads, transport grain and even
work at the wells.
--- Desert Festival
Once a year in winters and on the middle of the continually rising and
falling stark yellow sands of the great Thar Desert, the empty sands around
Jaisalmer come alive with the brilliant colour, music and laughter of the
Desert Festival. The festival is organised by the tourist authorities as
tourist entertainment around January-February.
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Ganesh Chaturthi
Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birth of Lord Ganesha and is celebrated all
over the country. This is also symbolic of the advent of all festivals dedicated
to other Indian Gods.
--- Kaila Devi Fair
The annual fair of Kaila Devi, (Mahalakshmi or the goddess of wealth),
is held at the village Kaila (24 kms to the south west) in Karauli district
in the month of Chaitra (Mar-Apr), lasting for a fortnight. The temple of
Kaila Devi is located on the banks of the Kalisil river in the hills of
Trikut, 2 Kms. to the north-west of Kaila village. Another attraction is
the small temple dedicated to Bhairon, situated in the courtyard and facing
the shrine of Kaila Devi is a temple of Hanuman locally called 'Languriya'.
--- Shekhawati Fair
The Shekhawati Festival held on 10th and 11th February every year is
organised jointly by the State Department of Tourism, District administrations
of Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu.
--- Teej Festival
Teej is the festival of swings. It marks the advent of the monsoon month
of Shravan (August). The monsoon rains fall on the parched land and the
pleasing scent of the wet soil rises into the air. Swings are hung from
trees and decorated with flowers. Young girls and women dressed in green
clothes sing songs in celebration of the advent of the monsoon.