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Rajasthan Festivals |
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- Nagaur
Fair
The quaint town of Nagaur, one of the most
picturesque of Rajput townships stirs to life during the Nagaur
Fair. This cattle fair is the second largest in Rajasthan and is
held every year during the Hindu month of Magh (Jan-Feb). The Fair
is renowned for the trading of cows, bullocks, oxen, camels and
horses which takes place here. Their owners are seen wearing
colorful turbans and flaunting long mustaches.
- Pushkar
Fair
In the month of November, the vibrant land of
Pushkar, Rajasthan comes alive with the glistening colors of joys,
vivacious events and huge crowds to relish the famous Pushkar fair.
A reflection of the ancient land of Rajasthan with its opulent
traditional culture and the enthusiasm flowing through each event in
the Pushkar Fair is truly awe-inspiring. The occasion is marked with
a dip in the holy waters of Pushkar Lake and pay homage to the Hindu
Deities. At the well-known Pushkar fair, you can get a glimpse of
the age old traditional richness that is still alive on the
bountiful land of Rajasthan.
- Urs
Fair
Held in the holy town of Ajmer in honour of the
Sufi saint, Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, special prayers are offered at
the mosque, and huge amounts of consecrated food offered from the
large, steaming cauldrons that were a gift from Akbar. While
quwwallis are sung at night, the celebrations unite people of all
faiths, and the complete town is decorated with buntings, and wears
the spirit of festivity.
- Mewar
and Gangaur Festival
The Gangaur Festival is the
colourful and most important local festival of Rajasthan and is
observed throughout the State with great fervour and devotion by
womenfolk who worship Gauri, the consort of Lord Shiva during
July-Aug. It is the celebration of monsoon, harvest and marital
fidelity in Jaipur.
The Mewar Festival is celebrated to
welcome the advent of spring. It coincides with the festival of
Gangaur in Udaipur, and has a unique charm about it. The festival of
Gangaur is very significant for women of Rajasthan. It is a time for
them to dress up in their best clothes and participate in the
festival.
- Holi
Elephant Teej Festivals
The Holi Festival takes place
a few days before Holi, the festival of colours. 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-the immortal love-story of Radha and Krishna. All of
Bharatpur comes alive to the sound of folk melodies on this festival
held on the eve of Holi.
- Camel
Festival
The Camel Festival begins with a colourful
procession of bedecked camels against the red sandstone backdrop of
the Junagarh Fort, the festivity advances to the open sand-spreads
of the grounds, followed by the best breed competition, the
tug-of-war contest, camel dance and acrobatics, etc. The camels
display amazing footwork, dancing gracefully to the slightest
direction of their trainers. Bridal, bridles, bejewelled necks,
jingling anklets and long, lanky camel shadow on dusky sands cast a
magical spell. Thousands of tourists, local people and dignitaries
revel in this man-and-animal affair organised especially for the
tourists.
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