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Puskhar Fair
Pushkar, Lord Brahma's
dewlling place and only pilgrimage of Hindus in "Satayuga' has
come alive with the cultural and traditional folk activities during
the holy month of Kartika, which marks the beginning of the
world's most popular cattle fair.
According to Hindu mythology, Lord Brahma started creation of
world during this period from here. Hence a journey of 'Char Dham
(four pilgrimages') is not considered complete until one takes a
bath in the holy Pushkar Lake. In mythology, this lake was made when
a lotus flower was dropped from the hands of Lord Brahma.
The fair is mainly a cattle fair with thousands of cattle coming
and business worth crores of rupees taking place. The
Puskhar fair is held in November in Puskhar in
Ajmer, where an eighth century temple of Brabma, draws the faithful. The place has about 400 shrines and temples around the lake. Legend has it that Lord Brahma, in search of a place to hold his
yagna (religious ritual), dropped the lotus from his hand and the three spots touched by the flower were turned into lakes. These are today known as the Jyeshtha
Pushkar, Madhyam
Pushkar and Kanishtha Pushkar. Pilgrims bathe at the ghats and pray at the temple. Traders strike deals at the world’s largest camel fair, although horses are also sold. People gather together to camp in the desert and entertain each other with songs and dances and cook meals over camp fires. The camel, horse and donkey
races are also popular and draw huge attendance. Rajasthan Tourism puts up a tourist village.
Elephant festival - jaipur
Jaipur has a long colorful association with elephants. Huge mountain-like male elephant chosen for their size and beauty of trunk, tusks tail and ears, were procured for the exclusive use of the Maharaja. In royal processions the Maharaja sat on a gold and silver
howda placed on the back of the most favorite elephant. Scores of others tastefully decorated with dazzling ornaments and gold embroidered velvet Jhalars followed the royal elephant. There were deadly and fierce elephant-fights in the Chaugan of polo-field, the venue of the Elephant Festival. Rajasthan Tourism revived the tradition by including the Elephant Festival in the cultural calendar. During Holi, the festival of Colors, to herald the advent of Spring, the Jaipur Chaugan is brought alive with elephants, dancers, musicians and onlookers from all the globe. The Festival starts with an impressive procession of the majestic animals lovingly painted and tastefully attired with glittering ornaments and embroidered velvets.
Gangaur
Festival
Gangaur Festival is the most colorful and important festival of
Rajasthan. It is usually celebrated in March or April, a fortnight after
Holi allover Rajasthan. In this festival the womenfolk worship Goddess Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva for marital bliss, long lives of their husbands and conjugal happiness. During this eighteen-day long
festival, the girls and married women dress up in their traditional ghaghras and cholis.
According to the rituals, clay and wooden images of Gan and Gauri are made and freshly painted every year for the festival. The idols and images of the Goddess are ornamented in beautiful dresses and exotic jewellery and women make offerings to her for her
blessings with great devotion. The period is considered auspicious for marriages.
For a newly wedded bride, it is considered of utmost importance to observe fasts and rituals specified for eighteen days for the first Gangaur after her marriage. Though, unmarried girls also keep these fasts to find a good husband.
'Gan' is Lord Shiva and 'Gaur' is his wife. Thus, 'Gangaur' signifies Lord Shiva and Parvati as a blessed couple together. It is said that during this period Goddess Parvati returns to her parental home to bless her worshippers and loved ones with marital bliss and on the last day of the festival, a grand farewell is given to her with pomp and show as Lord Shiva escorts her to his abode.
Camel Festival
The camel festival is organized by the Department of Tourism of the Rajasthan Government in January every year in Bikaner. The festival begins with a colourful procession of bedecked camels against the red sandstone backdrop of the
Junagarh fort. The camels display amazing footwork, dancing gracefully to the directions of their trainers. bridal bridles, bejeweled necks, jingling anklets and camel shadows, cast a spell on the audience. In the evenings, is held a traditional rendezvous of renowned artistes and folk performers of
Rajasthan.
Nagaur Fair
The fair is held every year in January-February in
Nagaur, is a trading fair for cattle and camels and gives one an opportunity to catch up with rural life as owners from all over the state camp on the outskirts of
the town while they buy and sell animals. the hides of the animals, cut into wonderful patterns, are particularly attractive.
Mewar Festival
This 18-day festival is celebrated to welcome the advent of spring and coincides with the festival of Gangaur in
Udaipur. It is significant for the women of the state as it is time for them to dress in their best. The women gather to dress the images of Issar and Gangaur and then carry them in a ceremonial procession through different parts of the city. The procession ends up at Pichhola Lake where the images are transferred to special boats amidst singing and festivity. Cu1tura events are held at the end of the festivities and they include songs, dances and a display of fireworks.
Kaila Devi Fair
The fair is held in March or April in Kaila village in Karauli district and it holds an important place among the celebrated fairs of the state. The fortnight-long fair is held on the banks of the river Kalisil in the hills of Trikut about 2 kilometres from Kaila village. It houses the images of Mahalakshrni and Chamunda. Kaila Devi has been regarded as the guardian deity throughout the ages by the Khinchis, the Yadavas and the princes of
Karauli. A small temple dedicated to Bhairon is situated in the courtyard and facing the shrine of the devi is the temple of
Hanuman. Throughout the year, there is a steady flow of devotees.
Mahavir Ji Fair
This fair is held at Mahavir Ji between March and April to commemorate Shri
Mahavir Swami, the 24th tirthankara (saint) of the Jams. The temple is located in an enclosure known as ‘katala’ where devotees come to pay homage.
Summer Festival
The three-day festival is held at Mount Abu in June every year and is a feast of folk and classical music and window to the tribal life and culture of
Rajasthan. The festival begins with the singing of a ballad which is followed by Gaiç Ghoomar and Dhap folk dances. Boat races and qawwalis are also
organized.
Teej Festival
Held during the monsoons, July Teej is also dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati and this time it is married women who pray for a happy and long married life.
Though celebrations are held all over the state, it is particularly colourful in jaipur where a procession winds Its way for two days through the Old City. It is the festival of swings which are decorated with flowers and hung from trees. Young girls and women dressed in green clothes sing songs in celebration of the advent of the monsoon. The Teej idol is covered with a canopy whereas the Gangaur idol is
open.
Gogaji Fair
The fair is held at Gogamedi in Ganganagar district in August in memory of a
popular hero of the area known as Gogaji among the Hindus and Jahar Peer among the Muslims. The Kayam Khani Muslims claim to be descendants of his. Gogaji is popular as a snake god and almost every village in Rajasthan has a sacred place dedicated to him. Staunch followers of Gogaji believe that by invoking his name, a snake bite and other diseases can be cured. It is said that Gogaji went into
Samadhi at Goga-Medi and thousands of devotees gather there to pay homage at his
memorial every day during the Fair which lasts three days. The samadhi is a marble structure with two minarets fortified by a boundary wall. The idol of Gogaji is
seated on a blue horse with a snake coiled around the neck.
Kaliteej
Though Kaliteej is celebrated all over the state, the one in Bundi is different in the sense that it is held on different dates from the rest of the state. The festival starts with the procession of goddess Teej in a decorated palanquin from the imposing Naval Sagar and passes through the main bazaars. The procession comprises decorated elephants, camels, bands, performing artists and
colorfully dressed people. Though the main function is held for only two days, the
celebrations continue into Janamashtami, which marks the birth of Lord Krishna.
Ramdevra Fair
The Ramdevra Fair is held in Ramdevra village in Jaisalmer in August or Septembet The village has got its name after Baba Ramdev, a Tanwar Rajput, who took
samadhi in 1458 He had miraculous powers and legend goes that five peers from Mecca came to test his powers. After being convinced, they paid homage to him. The Hindus regard him as an incarnation of Lord Krishna. A large fair is held here which is atteflded by lakhs of
devotees who come in large groups from various places. Bhajans and kirtans right through the night are organised.
Marwar Festival
Held in October in Jodhpur, this annual two-day event attempts to showcase the art and culture of the Jodhpur region. It is devoted mainly to singing and dancing.
Originally known as the Maand festival, the folk dancers provide a glimpse of the days of yore, of battles and valiant heroes who still live on in their songs. Other
attractions are camel tatoo show and polo. The venues are the impressive Umaid Bhavan Palace, Mandore and the Mehrangarh fort.
Dusshera
Dusshera is celebrated all over the country in different ways as also in Rajasthan. It celebrates the triumph of good over evil the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. The tale of Rama and Sita and the battle fought between Lord Rama and Ravana are enacted on stage and it is called Ramlila. On the tenth day of the festival, huge effigies of the ten-headed Ravana and his brother Kumbakaran, stuffed with
thousands of fire crackers, are set afire and the people then begin to rejoice.
Chandrabhaga Fair
This three-day fair is held at Jhalrapatan near Jhalawar either in November or
December next to the banks of the Chandrabhaga river which is considered holy by the people living in this part of the state. On the full
moon night of Kartik Purnima, thousands of pilgrims take a dip in the rivet There is also a big cattle fair in which cows, horses, buffaloes, camels and bullocks are brought for sale.
Kolyat Fair
Bikaner is the venue for this fair which lasts 10 days and the place is the sacred site where Kapil Muni is supposed to have meditated. The place has a lake with 52
ghats shaded by banyan trees. Devotees take a dip in the lake and pray in the
temples. Aarti is performed twice a day and bhog is offered. People float lighted lamps in the sacred lake as part of the rituals. A cattle fair is also held where
buffaloes, camels, horses and cattle are sold. Certificates and prizes are given away to the best breeders at the fair.
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