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Fairs & Festivals in India

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The elaborate rituals and the gay abandon with which he surrenders himself to the numerous fairs and festivals of the region prove the Rajasthanis love for color and joyous celebrations. In addition to the festivals celebrated by the Hindus, Muslims and others, there are also the traditional fairs.

Discover the cultural panorama of Rajasthan that is invariably on display at these fairs and festivals that are celebrated according to the lunar calendar. Watch puppeteers in action, becharmed with the open-air Ghair, Ghumar and other folk dance performances, watch snake-charmers display their skill, ride a giant wheel and get an artistic henna pattern on your palms while locals try to sell their wares and handcrafts to you.

There are animal fairs, there are religious fairs and there are fairs to mark the changing seasons. In fact, celebrations occur almost round the year and are a splendid opportunity for the visitor to gain an insight into the life of the Rajasthani. Other than the traditional fairs, recently established festivals, which involve elephants, camel races, dance and music, have been specially organized for the tourists. Among the better known fairs of Rajasthan are.

Desert Festival
One of the most popular of all festivals, it is a journey into the heart of the desert, the golden city of Jaisalmer that has a charm of its own. A true show on the sands, which attracts even the much traveled visitor.

Festivals in India

1. Pushkar Festival Pushkar is among the five principal places of Hindu pilgrimage. People consider the water of the Pushkar lake to be very sacred and the ritual of taking dips in the holy water IS believed to bestow salvation. It I s customary to float lighted eastern lamps ed on pattals (plates made of leaves) on the waters of lake. 2. Desert Festival The Desert Festival is a three days long extravaganza of colour, music and festivity, held at the golden city of Jaisalmer. Gair and fire dancers swaying to traditional tunes, a turban-tying competition and a Mr. Desert contest are part of the fun and frolic. 3. Elephant Festival The Elephant Festival is an inimitable event held annually in Jaipur. Groomed flawlessly, rows of elephants do a catwalk before an enthralled audience liked best fashion models to make this festival an amazing one. The elephants move with poise in pageant, run races, play the regal game of polo, and finally participate in the spring festival of Holi. It is festival time with elephants typically celebrated one day before the Holi, Indian festival of colours. 4. Goa Carnival Among the various colourful feasts and festivals feasts and festivals that Goa celebrates -with great eclat, Carnaval and Shigmo are the most rumbustious, awaited by the population with intense enthusiasm. Unlike 'Shigmo' which is also celebrated in some oilier parts of India, although under different appellations, 'Carnaval Goa's own, unique, and the Union Territorys contribution to India's other expressions at untrammelled revelry. 5. Holi Is the most boisterous of all Hindu festivals, observed all over the North. It heralds the end of winter and the beginning of the Spring. The night before the full moon, crowds of people gather together and light huge bonfires to burn the residual dried leaves and twigs of the winter. 6. Onam Onam is Kerala's most popular festival, celebrated with great enthusiasm. It is primarily a harvest festival celebrated to welcome the spirit of the pious King Mahabali from eternal exile and to assure him that his people are happy and wish him well. 7. Durga Puja Is performed during the nine days of Navratri. Community pujas in Bengal are organised in every locality. Families visit each other to share feasts. On Bijoya day, the idols are taken in elaborate processions for immersion in the river on the sea. 8. Deepawali The festival of lights is one of the most beautiful of Indian festivals. It comes 21 days after Dussehra and celebrates the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after his 14 year exile. Homes are decorted, sweets are distributed by everyone and thousands of lamps lit in houses all over the country making it a night of enchantment. 9. Boat Race This festival is held across the Mumbai harbour, on the Elephant Island, near the world renowned Elephanta Caves.

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