Rajasthan is a royal state which has truly exhilarating festivals. While the royal pleasures give you enough reasons, travel to Rajasthan has a number of excellent reasons per their interest. Festivals in Rajasthan are among the significant lures that draw people from across the world. Impressive traditions, colors, sights, and experiences are open to all tourists.
Representing the royal state’s history, culture, and charm, you must attend Festivals in Rajasthan. To showcase Rajasthan’s rich cultural heritage, major festivals take place across the state in different months on different themes.
You could participate in these festivals to witness Rajasthan’s vibrant history and culture. Our guide is about some significant and worldwide festivals popular among history and cultural events lovers!
Read about Famous Festivals in Rajasthan:
1. Pushkar Festival
The famed Pushkar fair is one of the largest camel fairs in the world. The fair takes place for five to fifteen days annually in the holy city of Pushkar on the banks of Pushkar Lake. The main activity of this fair is trading livestock such as camels, horses, and cattle.
Pushkar Fair has become one of the major tourist attractions of Rajasthan. Some of the enthralling competitions, such as matka phod, most prolonged mustache, turban tying, and balancing on camel contests, are part of the fair. During the Fair, the quaint village becomes an extraordinary place of color, music, and movement.
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Colorful Rajasthan TourStarting / Ending Dates
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2. Kumbhalgarh Festival
Kumbhalgarh Festival celebrates the passion of Rajasthani culture. It is a coming together of India’s finest classical musicians, artists, and dancers. The festival honors the memory of Maharana Kumbha, Kumbhalgarh’s creator and a great advocate of Indian martial and fine arts, architecture, and learning.
Kumbhalgarh festival has mainly two parts, one in the day and the other in the evening. During the day, there are wonderful folk performances by the artists of Rajasthan. However, the evening is impressive as the cultural programs are added with the sounds, lights, colors, and an element of an an enigma.
Highlights of the Festival
Folk culture of Rajasthan along the backdrop of the mighty Kumbhalgarh Fort.
Starting / Ending Date
Dates to be announced!
3. Winter Festival, Mount Abu
The Winter Festival in Mount Abu is held every year during the last week of December. The only hill station in Rajasthan is seen drenched in fun and festivities. This three-day colorful festival is organized by the Rajasthan Tourism and Municipal Board, Mt. Abu. The exotic location makes this festival a never to be forgotten experience.
Attend the ceremonial procession, band show, and fireworks. The friendly competitions include a Boat Race, Skating Race, Panihari Matka Race, Tug of War, Musical Chair Race, etc. Though quite a touristy affair, the culture of Rajasthan shines through the food, arts, crafts, and folk performances.
Highlights of the Festival
A ceremonial procession from Nakki Lake declaring the start of the festival, Sufi Kathak, folk dances such as Daph, Ghoomar, Gair, etc. Hot air ballooning is the latest addition.
Starting / Ending Date
Dates to be announced!
4. Camel Fair, Bikaner
The Camel Festival in Bikaner is a two-day celebration of rural Rajasthan. The highly popular Rajasthan Camel fair festival starts with a colorful parade of beautifully adorned camels against the backdrop of the majestic Junagarh Fort. Apart from a colorful parade by camels, the festival witnesses the best traditional Rajasthani folk dance performances and musics.
One of the best things that should not be missed in Camel fair Bikaner is the fascinating Fire Dance. It adds glamour to the festivities. The melodies of folk music are genuinely captivating. The puppet shows in Camel Fair, Bikaner, are a rare art, where the colorful attired puppet dolls narrate intriguing local folklore. Finally, the spectacular firework display illuminates the skies of Bikaner and concludes the event.
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Highlights of the Festival
Fire Dance, Mystical walk on Fire, Folk performances and of course the huge population of camels.
Starting / Ending Dates
Dates to be announced!
5. Kite Festival, Jaipur
Kite flying is a sport, and Jaipur celebrates this passion as a festival. Come January, the skies are dotted with a profusion of different colors, shapes, and sizes, fluttering and darting above the rooftops, triumphantly cutting another kite’s string and soaring way up above the earth.
The Jaipur Tourism Development Corporation organizes the International Kite Festival at a local stadium, where kite enthusiasts from around the globe show off their kite-flying skills. A kite market is also held, alongside food stalls, cultural performances, and special kite displays at night, when illuminated kites known as Tukals are flown.
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The high-power kite competition and the sky full of kites of all sizes, colors, shapes and designs.
Starting / Ending Dates
Dates to be announced!
6. Jaipur Literature Festival
An annual literary fest, Jaipur Literature Festival, is organized every year in January in Jaipur. This festival is not only India’s biggest literature festival! But it is one of the grandest literary fests in the world.
The Jaipur literature festival is organized at the Diggi Palace Hotel, where people from all across the world come together to celebrate literature. This free festival is open to all and aims to bring in some of the greatest writers and thinkers in the world.
The festival delights are the festival’s delights, discussions, readings, and debates by Man Booker prize winners, local writers, Nobel Laureates, and famous personalities. The rich heritage of knowledge truly makes it an event to attend.
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Highlights of the festival
The Jaipur Literary Festival turns 10, so a lot of events are on the calendar.
Starting / Ending Dates
Dates to be announced!
7. Nagaur Fair
Nagaur Fair is the 2nd largest cattle fair in India. The 8-day festivities is a great time to witness the rustic appeal of Rajasthan. This carnival provides the largest platform for trading cattle, cows, bullocks, oxen, camels, and horses.
Many tourists visit Nagaur Fair every year to capture Rajasthan’s essence. Folk and cultural competition keep on happening side by side. Various games, like tug-of-war, camel races, cock fights, etc., are organized for the entertainment of tourists.
People are seen wearing vibrant dresses and long mustaches. In addition, folk artists, jugglers, puppeteers, and storytellers, attend the festival to display their skills.
Highlights of the Festival
The sights of Methi & Mirch (chillies) along the huge populace of cattle.
Starting / Ending Dates
Dates to be announced!
8. Desert Festival, Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer Desert Festival celebrates the golden sands of the Thar Desert along with the rich cultural heritage under the moonlit sky. The Jaisalmer festival lasts for 3 days, where you can experience the fancy camel ride and participate in camel races, polo matches, turban-tying competitions, and various other things. Moreover, the folk dance performances at the festival take you into a world of its own.
The major attractions of the Thar desert festival include snake charmers, puppeteers, acrobats, folk performers, fire dancers, and other things that will capture your heart. One of the major cultural festivals of Rajasthan, Desert Festival introduces you to the beautiful desert history, culture and lifestyle.
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Highlights of the Festival
Camping in the desert dunes in traditional campsites.
Starting / Ending Dates
Dates to be announced!
9. Udaipur World Musical Festival
A very first of its kind, the Udaipur World Music festival in India celebrates world music. This music festival brings together global artists and bands from over 20 countries, including India, Italy, Iran, Spain, Egypt, Senegal, Macedonia, France, and Portugal, amongst other nations.
In accordance with how certain moods and music are associated with the hours of the day, different performances are organized during other times.
The mornings start with a romantic treat. Then, during the sunny afternoons, hear soothing melodies. Finally, evenings reverberate with high-energy youthful concerts. If you have an interest in music, this is your once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Highlights of the Festival
Breaking the barriers of language, the sensibilities of music conquers all.
Starting / Ending Date
Dates to be announced!
10. Mewar Festival, Udaipur
To experience the color and joy that fills the people of Rajasthan, visiting Udaipur during the Mewar festival is a highly recommended experience. The festival marks the arrival of spring. Hence, the whole of Udaipur gets drenched in vibrant colors. The festival is especially meant for women.
Women assemble to dress the images of Isar (Lord Shiva) and Gangaur (Goddess Parvati) and carry them in a procession through the city, finally immersing them in the waters of Pichola Lake. Dances, songs, cultural events, and a firework display are some aspects of the festival.
Highlights of the Festival
The royal procession of Gods, Isar (Lord Shiva) and Gangaur (Goddess Parvati).
Starting / Ending Dates
Dates to be announced!
11. Abhaneri Festival, Dausa
Abahaneri Festival is an effort to promote rural tourism. The rural setup and the heritage charm are pretty compelling to explore. The festival combines live cultural evenings, nukkad performances, and village safari on camel carts. The Chand Baori step well is the venue for day-long live cultural performances.
Shehnai Vaadan, puppet show, Behrupia, Raavanhatha, Mayur Dance, Langa singing, Kacchi Ghodi, and Bhawai Dance are some delights of the celebrations. Craftsmen and artisans come from all over the state to participate in the Art and Craft exhibition. Get a real taste of the cultural heritage of Rajasthan at this festival.
Highlights of the Festivals
Folk games in addition to folk, music, dance, arts and crafts.
Starting / Ending Dates
10th September – 13th September, 2018
12. Ranakpur Mahotsav, Pali
The two-day Ranakpur Mahotsav is a celebration of melodic music, Indian classical, and Rajasthani folk. The world-famous 15th-century Ranakpur Jain temple comes to life with various performances by folk artisans. The central podium of the 13th century Sun temple of Ranakpur comes to life with Kathak, Sufi, Rajasthani rap, and other performances like Kalbeliya dance.
Attend yoga sessions while music plays in the background. Indulge in adventurous activities. Watch the slew of performances by the Indian classical and folk performers of the state. Also, the event’s highlight is the floating lamps at the historic Nirvana Lake.
Highlights of the Festival
The highlight of the festival is the Horse show, where horses participated in various activities and the best performing horses.
Starting / Ending Dates
Dates to be announced!
Rajasthan has loads of fairs and festivals which reflect royalty and great enthusiasm. The most important thing about this festival is that you will learn more about the state’s culture and tradition. You can plan your Rajasthan tour to be a part of the festivals and let the colorful vibe add to your holiday memories.
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Debashree Chakraborty
A travel writer by profession and self-professed addict to literature and travelling. Go through her penned down travel experiences on indianholiday.com
Great information on Rajasthan Festivals and lovely pictures!
Hey Vishal,
Much obliged for your kind words. The festive season will soon begin in Rajasthan, so make your travel plans. For all information on India travels follow our blog.
I have seen Pushkar festival, it is really a big festival and fair.
Hey Monika.
Pushkar is the largest cattle festival and fair in India. You can visit again in 2017, this year it will be celebrated from 28 October to 4 November.
Last year I was watched Pushkar and Nagaur festival, there are too much gathering and according to fair, it is too beautiful and i want come again at Pushkar.