Fair & Festivals

Desert Festival Jaisalmer

With a complete picture of folk tunes, tinges as well as twines framed in the sandy dunes, the Desert Festival Jaisalmer shows the traditional culture of Rajasthan. In order to reach the eyes of worldwide spectators, the festival would spray its colors, play its tunes and also whir its heels from the hub of Thar Desert.

Bikaner 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.

Lohri

Lohri is a festival connected with the solar year. Generally, it is an accepted fact that this festival is celebrated to worship fire. This is particularly a happy occasion for the couples, who would be celebrating Lohri for the first time after marriage and, also for the family who are blessed with a son as he would be celebrating his first ever Lohri.

Makar Sankranti

Makara Sankranti festival coincides with the beginning of the sun's northward journey, and falls on January 14 according to the solar calendar. According to legend, Bhishma, a great hero of the Mahabharata, though wounded mortally, waited for this auspicious time to give up his life. For, it is believed that, a person dying on this day reaches the Abode of Light and Eternal Bliss.

Jaipur Literature Festival

The Festival Start from 21-25 Jan 2015 As the largest FREE literary festival on earth, the ZEE Jaipur Literature Festival brings together some of the greatest thinkers and writers from across South Asia and the world. From Nobel laureates to local language writers, Man Booker prize winners to debut novelists, every January the most remarkable, witty, sensitive and brilliant collection.

Nagaur Cattle Fair

Nagaur district is the land of fairs as they are not only cattle markets but in real terms a way of life. The rural people participate in these fairs very eagerly as if they are big social events & in addition to the cattle routine things from needles to nails are also available in these events. Fairs infact are the true face of rustic rural Rajasthan & are a strong witness of its social harmony.

Basant Panchami

Literally 'the fifth day of spring', Vasanta Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of the bright fortnight in the month of Magha. The festival itself dates to antiquity. It is reminiscent of the festival of Vasantotsava of the ancient times, which was one of the most important celebrations as it marked the beginning of the agricultural season.

Surajkund Crafts Mela

Surajkund Craft fair is organized by the Department of Tourism, Ministry of Tourism and Culture-Government of India in collaboration with Haryana Tourism, in the month of February, every year. First celebrated in 1981, the fair continues to be a strong platform for skilled artists and craftsmen from abroad to display their skilled crafts and art work derived from their rich culture and tradition

Shekhawati Festival

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. Shekhawati, already famous for its frescoes, is fast becoming a rural tourism destination too. Travelling on horse back, the tourists get a closer view of the countryside and the people.

Goa Carnival

This carnival cum festival was first started in Goa in the year 1961. It was initially celebrated by King Momo, one of the legendary Chaos kings of the state and is one of the Portuguese festivals. Since the state has experienced the reign of different Portuguese rulers for more than 500 years, this festival reflects some of the Portuguese lifestyle.

Maha Shivaratri

On the 14th day of the dark half of Margshirsh month the great night of Shiva is celebrated. On this day the devotees of Shiva observe fast. According to a legend once King Bhagiratha left his kingdom to meditate for the salvation of the souls of his ancestors. He prayed for the holy River Ganga from heaven to wash over his ancestor's ashes to release them from a curse and allow them to go to heaven.

Khajuraho Dance Festival

Khajuraho Festival of Dances is celebrated at a time when the hardness of winter begins to fade and the king of all seasons, spring, takes over. The most colorful and brilliant classical dance forms of india with their roots in the ling and rich cultural traditions across the country, offer a feast for the eyes during a weeklong extravaganza here.

Konark Dance Festival

Konark Dance & Music Festival started in the year 1986 at Konark Natya Mandap by its Founder-Director Padmashree Guru Gangadhar Pradhan. In a sense it can be called the harbinger of the contemporary festivals of Orissa. The sole aim behind this festival is to bring in many artistes into its cultural family and creating of international cultural amity and brotherhood.

World Sufi Spirit Festival

World Sufi Spirit Festival welcomes Sufi artists from India and across the globe to showcase their most sacred traditions at Nagaur and Jodhpur, in Rajasthan. The festival is highly acknowledged as it features some of the rare talents at their best. Also, Rajasthan hosting this cultural extravaganza will present the plethora of its rich cultural heritage, making it an unforgettable experience!

Taj Mahotsav

This cultural bonanza was started in year 1992 and since then its grandeur has reached to greater heights. In the year 2014, we are celebrating the 23th year of this Mahotsav. This festival also figures in the calendar of events of the Department of Tourism, Government of India. A large number of Indian and foreign tourists coming to Agra joins this festivity in the month of February.

Kutch Rann Utsav

Experience Kutch at its colorful and exotic best during the rann utsav this December from 1st to 3rd. This annually organized festival offers an opportunity For visitors to attend folk dance and music concepts, to watch artisans at work, to Shop directly from NGO's craftspeople and village co-operatives, to see the great Historical monuments in the state, and to visit places off the usual tourist trail.

Gangaur Festival

Gangaur is one of the most important local festival in Rajasthan. In some form or the other it is celebrated all over Rajasthan. "gan" is a synonym for Lord Shiva and "gauri" or "gaur" stands for goddess parvati, the heavenly consort of lord Shiva. Gangaur celebrates the union of the two and is a symbol of conjugal and marital happiness.

Holi Festival

Holi - the festival of colors - is the most fun-filled Hindu festival. It's an occasion that brings in joy and mirth, fun and play, music and dance, and, of course, lots of bright colors! Every year it is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March and glorifies good harvest and fertility of the land. It is also time for spring harvest and riotous fun. Holi is also celebrated as 'Vasant Mahotsava' and 'Kama Mahotsava'.

Marwar Festival

The Mewar Festival is held every year in memory of the heroes of Rajasthan. The festival is held in the month of Ashwin (Sept-Oct) in Jodhpur, for two days during the full moon of Sharad Poornima. Originally known as the Maand Festival, this festival features folk music centred on the romantic lifestyle of Rajasthan's rulers. This festival is devoted to the music and dance of the Mewar region and offers.

Rajasthan International Folk Festival (RIFF), Jodhpur

Jodhpur RIFF is a not-for-profit partnership project involving two of India's leading heritage trusts: Mehrangarh Museum Trust and Jaipur Virasat Foundation. The festival has been endorsed by UNESCO as a "Peoples" Platform for Creativity and Sustainable Development." HH Gaj Singh of Marwar-Jodhpur is the Chief Patron of Jodhpur RIFF, Sir Mick Jagger, front man of the rock band The Rolling Stones is International Patron of Jodhpur RIFF.

Kota Dussehra Mela

Kota Situated on the banks of the Chambal River, it praises ious celebrations. In any case, the mela of Dussehra bears an unmistakable interest out and out. The entire region brags an alluring amid this celebration. This celebration is praised everywhere throughout the nation yet the Kota Dussehra is very special for it is something other than the start of a bubbly period.

Adventure Festival Kota

The Adventure festival is one of the most fascinating festivals of Rajasthan. Every year it is held at Kota in the month of October. The main aim of this festival is to boost the tourism of the state. People from across the country also come to be a part of this festival.

Merwar Festival

Time of Celebration : Coincides with Gangaur Festival in Chaitra (according to the Hindu calendar), which usually falls in March or April. An exhilarating welcome to spring, this festival is a visual feast with Rajasthani songs, dances, processions, devotional music and firework displays. It is celebrated in the romantic city of Udaipur during the Gangaur Festival. A procession of colourfully attired women carrying the images of the goddess Gauri make their way to the Lake Pichola.

Baisakhi in Punjab

14th April

This is a major Sikh festival - a religious festival, harvest festival and New Year's Day all rolled into one. In April, this day marks the beginning of the Hindu solar New Year. In fact this day is celebrated all over the country as New Year day under different names. It is also the time when the harvest is ready to cut and store or sell. For the Sikh community Baisakhi has a very special meaning.

Urs Festival

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.

Buddha Purnima

26 May

Buddha Purnima festival is celebrated to mark the birth of Lord Buddha. Buddha Purnima or Buddha Jayanti is celebrated with traditional religious fervor. Buddha Purnima falls on the full moon day in the Hindu month of Vaisakh (April/May). Lord Buddha was born on the Full Moon day in the month of Vaisakh in 563 BC. Here, it is interesting to note that Buddha achieved enlightenment and nirvana.

Rath Yatra Puri

11 July

'RATHA JATRA' or me 'Car Festival', the most important festival of Lord Jagannath commences on the 18th July, Saturday and Return Car Festival ur' Bahuda Jatra' on 26th July this year. This colourful festival which draws millions of devotees from various parts of the country as well as from abroad to Puri, is held in June-July every year.

Hemis Festival

People from all over the world come to Ladakh to know more about Ladakh's famous culture and adventure, and the Buddhist culture here. The region is quite popular for the fairs and festivals that showcase its history and culture. One of the well-known cultural festivals is Ladakh's Hemis Festival. People specifically travel for this festival, which is a two-day festival, to Ladakh.

Mahakumbh Mela

Kumbh Mela is the largest gathering of people for a religious purpose in the world. Millions of people gather on different places for this auspicious occasion. Kumbha is a Sanskrit word for Pitcher, sometimes referred to as the Kalasha. Kumbh Mela is celebrated four times every 12 years, the site of the observance rotating between four pilgrimage places on four sacred rivers: at Haridwar on the Ganges river.

Eid al-Fitr

Eid-ul-Fitr: Celebrations to mark the end of Ramzan Eid, popularly known as Eid-ul-Fitr, is a festival observed by the Muslim community to celebrate the conclusion of the month of fasting. Eid-ul-Fitr literally means 'festival of breaking the fast'. Like other festivals observed by the Muslim community, this festival symbolizes faith. The festival is celebrated based on an Islamic belief by following the form of social practice.

Shri Amarnath Yatra

"The Himalayan pilgrimages are the oldest organised travel system, evolved over time by Hindu sages and embodying the spirit of wander, adventure and spirituality". Shri Amarnath Shivlingam One of the Holy trinity, Lord Shiva is a living God. The most ancient and sacred book of India, the 'Rig Veda' evokes his presence in its hymns. Vedic myths, ritual and even astronomy testify to his existence from the dawn of time.

Raksha Bandhan

This is a festival that falls on the brightest night of Shravan month.Raksha Bandhan stirs up one of the deepest and noblest emotions - the abiding and chaste bond of love between the brother and the sister. On this day sisters tie a rakhi — which may be a colorful thread, a simple bracelet, or a decorative string — around the wrist of their brother(s). The word "raksha" signifies protection.

Independence Day

This is celebrated on 15th August as India gained independence from British rule on this day in 1947.

Onam Festival

Onam is the biggest and the most important festival of the state of Kerala. It is a harvest festival and is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm all over the state by people of all communities. According to a popular legend, the festival is celebrated to welcome King Mahabali, whose spirit is said to visit Kerala at the time of Onam.

Krishna Janmashtami

The birth of Lord Krishna an incarnation of Lord Vishnu is celebrated on the eight day (Ashtami) of a lunar fortnight in August-September hence the name (Krishna + ashtami). Krishnastami is celebrated over two days. This first day is Krishnastami or Gokulastami. The second day is called Kalastami or more popularly Janmastami. Men and women fast and pray on the occasion of Janmashtami.

Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi, the birthday of Lord Ganesh, is celebrated in August-September. Ganesh is the elephant headed son of Goddess Parvati, consort of Lord Shiva. In Maharashtra, it is most important festival and is celebrated for 10 days. It is celebrated from 4th to 14th day of bright fortnight of Bhadrapad month. In Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh, images of Ganesh made of unbaked clay are worshipped on this day in every house.

Gandhi Jayanti

Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated as a National Holiday in India to mark the birthday of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the 'Father of the Nation'. Gandhi was born on 2nd October 1869; therefore each year Gandhi Jayanti is celebrated on this day. It is observed in all states and union territories of India as one of the three official declared National Holidays of India.

Durga Puja or Navratri

This nine-day festival of the Hindus is celebrated in almost all parts of India in the month of Ashvina, and is marked by fasting and praying to different aspects of Devi. Literally 'nine nights', this nine-day period from the new moon day to the ninth day of Ashvina is considered the most auspicious time of the Hindu calendar. It is celebrated as Durga Puja in the state of West Bengal.

Karva Chauth

Karwa Chauth is a fast undertaken by married Hindu women who offer prayers seeking the welfare, prosperity, well-being, and longevity of their husbands. A married woman who observes this vrat is called 'Saubhagyavati' (joyous and happy state of wifehood). The festival of Karva Chauth was emerged as a day to celebrate the season of autumn and enjoy the company of friends and relatives.

Diwali Festival

DEEPAVALI as called by some. This Hindu festival brings excitement and joy to the hearts of people even before it arrives. Diwali is the festival of Laxmi, the Goddess of prosperity and wealth. It is believed that Goddess Laxmi brings peace and prosperity to all. Diwali is celebrated all over India. The preparations for the festival begins well in advance. People start decorating their homes.

Sonepur Mela

A traditional Fair that has remained pristine in its charm through the ages it is also the largest cattle fair in Asia. Legend has it that two brothers, devotees of Lord Vishnu, one wily and the other honest, cast a spell upon each other making one an elephant and the other a crocodile. On a Kartik Purnima day, the honest elephant went to the confluence of the holy river Ganga and Gandak to bathe and was attacked by the wily crocodile.

Guru Nanak Jayanti

Guru Nanak Dev, the first Sikh guru and the founder of the Sikh religion, was born on the full moon day in the month of Kartik as per the Hindu calendar. Hence, his birthday is celebrated as Guru Nanak Jayanti. The date falls in October or November in the Gregorian calendar. Guru Nanak was born in 1469 A.D. at Rai-Bhoi-di Talwandi, some 30 miles from Lahore, in the present Pakistan.

Pushkar Fair Festival

The sleepy lakeside settlement of Pushkar lies in the Northwest Ajmer in the state of Rajasthan. This sacred town of the Hindus, also known as the Lourdes of the East, finds references in the Hindu epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana, and takes pride for being a site to the only temple of the God of Creation, Brahma. With over 400 temples and 52 bathing ghats, very few places can match the religious fervor associated with this town.

Merry Christmas

December 25th, the day of Christmas is the day of celebration and of fun and frolic. As the long awaited winter holidays arrive, Christmas spirit builds up. The lovely snowflakes, our dear Santa, decorated homes complete with whole range of Christmas star, mistletoe, the good-luck plant, ivy, laurels and Christmas tree are some of the inseparable parts of the picture.

Summer Festival Mount Abu

Mount.Abu in Rajasthan is touched by a festive mood on the eve of the Summer Festival that is held every year in the month of June. Mount Abu is bestowed with steep rocks, tranquil lakes, picturesque backdrop and the favorable climate which make it a perfect spot for the festival. Summer festival in Mount Abu, a three-day festival is basically a feast of folk and classical music and it gives a vivid knowledge about the tribal life and culture of Rajasthan.