Rajasthani life is full of celebrations. Countless fairs and excitement, and rituals are observed twelve montt s: festivities are usually marked by folk-dances accompai made instruments. Participants costumed in their tree* partaking in these events are a visual delight, Coicu- -festival in a unique manner providing a veritable feast.

The festivities assuredly extend an opportunity to mingle with local folks and acquaint with various aspects of their cultural life. It will be indeed an irresistible and captivating experience that will tempt everyone to make repeated visits to this resplendent state.

Come to Rajasthan. A festive welcome keenly awaits you.

Nagaur Fair - January/February, Nagaur

The sleepy town of Nagaur stirs to life at its annual cattle fair- one the largest in the country. Thousands of camels, bullocks and horses are offered for sale.

Desert Festival January/February Jaisalmer

A unique three day show on the sands, when the desert blooms with the riotous colour of Rajasthan's desert heritage.

The biggest draw however is the camel race, couple with acrobaties and camel dance.

Baneshwar Fair - January/February, Baneshwar (Dungarpur)

Quaint rhythms conjure up the tribal cultural identity of the Bhils of Rajasthan, Gujarat and M.P.. They assemble here to offer prayers to Lord Shiva, locally named as Beneshwar.

Elephant Festival March, Jaipur

A magnificent spectacle, it unveils the majesty and grandeur of elephants, celebrated around Holi. A royal procession of sixty decorated elephants, a match of elephant polo, an elephant race and playing Holi on elephants are main events.

Gangaur Fair - March/April, Jaipur

Ishar and Gangaur are the divine male and female who embody marital love. Dedicated to Goddess Gauri (Parvati), the festival commences on Holi. Young girls pray for grooms of their choice while married women seek a long life for their husbands. Primarily a festival for women, the celebrations include flower gathering and drawing water from selected wells. The women do these while chanting hymns to the Goddess. Festivities continue for 18 days culminating with the arrival of Lord Shiva to escort his bride home. A grand procession, with the idol of Gauri in beautifully decorated gold and silver a palanquin, caparisoned elephants, camels, horses, dancers, drummers and joyous children, goes through the city streets.

Mewar Festival - March/April, Udaipur

Welcoming the spring season, the festivities diverge into song, dance, rituals and fireworks. The best that Rajasthani culture can offer can be savoured here. This is also dedicated to Goddess Gauri (Parvati).

Urs, Ajmer

The Urs, a commemorative celebration, is held in the solemn memory of Khwaja Muin-nd-din Chishti, a prighly respected Sufi Saint fondly revered as the benefactor of the poor. Several hundred thousands pilgrims pay obeisance at this shrine in Ajmer every year.

Summer Festival June 1-3, MtAbu

Mango groves, bauhinia trees and thickets of wild berries cover this hilly mount. Jagged rocks and rippling waters are visible through the green cloak, while down below lies dry scrub land. Three day festivity highlight the dances of tribals (the Garasias) and other folk dancers of Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Teej Fair - July/August, Jaipur

Teej marks the advent of monsoon. It is celebrated on the third day of the bright lunar half of the month of Shravan according to the Hindu calendar. Goddess Parvati is invoked to bless her worshipers with conjugal harmony and bliss.

Marwar Festival - October, Jodhpur

Jodhpur is an ideal venue for celebration, The Meherangarh fort and Umaid Bhawan Palace are symbols of the ingenuity, might and valour of the Rajputs of the Marwar region. The Palace recaptures proud moments, Spirited folk dancer's ensemble performed with gusto introduce audience to Rajasthani folklore.

Dussehra Mela - October, Kota

Tall effigies of the demons Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad are burnt on Dussehra day to symbolise the victory of good over evil. Dussehra in Kota is the beginning of a festive period when people gather here from their villages to offer prayers to Lord Ram and celebrate his victory over Ravana, the ten-headed demon king. Men, women and children in colourful dresses participate in the festival to the strains of traditional music. Rural markets and shopping arcades emerge from nowhere, resulting in brisk trading. The whole festival takes on the form of a big carnival.

Pushkar Fair - November, Pushkar (Ajmer)

Excitement, gaiety and a keen sense of competition fill the air as the long journey to Pushkar begins. Spirited columns of people with camels,horses, bullock – carts, cars and jeeps lead for Pushkar soon after Diwali. Full moon time of Kartik is the most sacred dip in the holy Sarovar by more than hundred thousand pilgrims.

The fair offers a wonderful opportunity to trade in cattle and leather goods. Womenfolk shop for bangles, clothes, utensils and sundry household items.

Chandrabhaga Fair - November Jhalrapatan (Jhalawar)

Chandrabhaga is considered the holiest river in the part of Rajasthan. On Kartik Purnima (full moon) night,thousands of Hindus undertake a pilgrimage here for a dip in the holy water of the river.

A big cattle fair, next only to the Pushkar Fair, is held here on this occasion, blending religion with commerce. Livestock brought here includes cows, bullocks, buffaloes and camels. The fair provides an opportunity to acquaint with the people of Hadoti and their culture ritual and traditions. Besides the people of this region a considerable number of people converge here from nearby areas of Madhya Pradesh.

Camel Festival - January, Bikaner

A unique celebration highlighting camel and cultural heritage of Northern Rajasthan. Dancing camels, glorious Gorbandh dance and camel safari expedition in the nearby desert invite many tourists to explore Bikaner and the surrounding places.