Rajasthan takes pride in its rich heritage, scenic splendours and culture. Its sparkling lakes, widespread deserts, vibrant markets, stunning places and forts are a true reflection of the culture of the state. Rajasthan undeniably is quite popular for its colourful festivals which reflect on the state’s tradition and ethnicity. Every festival is celebrated fully in the Rajasthani style which helps the tourists to understand the different colours of it.
Different kinds of festivals in Rajasthan
1. Pushkar Camel Festival
Rajasthan is quite famous for camels. Pushkar festival is a five-day-long festival, held in the town of Pushkar. The state considers camel to be the state animal. The entire state comes together to celebrate the animal that helps in their livelihood. Every camel is beautifully decorated and paraded. The celebration includes music, dance and magic shows, acrobats, and carousel rides.
Main Attractions: Handicrafts Bazaar, Beauty contests of well-decorated camels, moustache competition, and handicraft bazaar.
2. Teej
Teej is one of the most popular festivals celebrated across the state between the months of July – August. On this day, the married women seek the blessings of Lord Krishna and Parvati for a long healthy marriage and welcome the monsoon season. The entire festival is celebrated in a grand manner with women applying Mehendi and receiving gifts from each other and the families. This is one of the top festivals in Rajasthan.
Main Attractions: Specially made Malpua (homemade) and womenfolk dressed in green traditional dresses, wearing bangles.
Also read: Rajasthan tour itinerary for 5 nights – Explore the cultural side!
3. Kolayat Fair
The Kolayat Fair is a week-long fair held in the month of November. The fair is conducted in the city of Bikaner, commemorating an ancient sage named Kapila, an avatar of Lord Krishna. The festival is also known as the Kapil Muni Fair. Held in the banks of Kolayat river, the 52 ghats of the river are beautifully decorated.
Main Attractions: Floating lamps and cattle trading
4. Rajasthan International Folk Festival
Rajasthan International Folk Festival is an annual music and dance festival held in the city of Jodhpur. The festival is held to promote the dance and arts of the state. Celebrated during Sharad Purnima, the brightest full moon night of the year, the entire city is filled with musicians flocking all over the state and unwrapping fun with drinks and music all night long.
Main Attractions: Folk music & dance, jazz night.
5. Kumbhalgarh Festival
Held in the Aravalli Hills with the Kumbhalgarh Fort as the backdrop is a three-day festival called Kumbhalgarh Festival. The entire fort is decorated with chandeliers and royal artworks. Traditional handcraft artists from all over India visit and display their piece of work for the public. Not just handcrafts, the festival also includes games like tog of war and painting competition to keep the spark going day and night.
Main Attractions: Turban tying contest & mehendi
6. Braj Holi
Everyone from India will know what Holi is about. To others, Holi is the festival of colours. Celebrated just a few days before the actual Holi, is the Braj Holi festival. It is one of the most vivid festivals of Rajasthan where people celebrate it with music, dance and colour powders.
Main Attractions: Enactment of Raslila
7. Mewar Festival
Mewar festival is celebrated to welcome the season of spring. Celebrated in Udaipur, as the Mewars governed the entire state from here, the city has a completely different look during this time. This festival celebrates Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Bright lights, decorative arts and women dressed in finest attire are the highlights of this festival.
Main Attractions: Musical shows, classical dance, food stalls and fireworks
8. Desert Festival
Celebrated in Thar desert is a three-day festival organised by the Rajasthan Tourist Development Corporation. A purely cultural event showcasing the fine arts, music and dance of Rajasthan. The festival also showcases the everyday lives of people living in the deserts of Rajasthan. Yummy food stalls and interesting handicrafts stores are some of the highlights of this festival.
Main Attractions: Gigs, Gair & Fire Dance, Tug of War, Turban tying.
9. Baneshwar Festival
Baneshwar Festival is a popular festival organised by the tribes of Rajasthan, held in Baneshwar. The festival is celebrated five days long with a magic show, dance and music every single day. It is said that Lord Shiva is called as Baneshwar and the main deity happens to be him.
Main Attractions: Puppet dance and Animal shows
10. Kota Adventure Festival
Held alongside the banks of River Chambal, the festival is a combination of spirituality and adventure. People all over India and the world visit Kota to take part in this adventure-filled festival. The main aim of hosting such a festival is to promote tourism in Rajasthan. Held nearby the river, it includes sports like rafting, windsurfing, parasailing, kayaking, rock climbing, trekking, angling and rural excursions. Kite flying is also the main highlight of this festival.
Main Attractions: Parasailing, rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, and fishing
11. Nagaur Cattle Fair
The Nagaur Fair is the second-largest fair ever to be held in India. The fair welcomes more than 2,00,000 lakh animals and its owners come together and major trade happens. The entire fair happens for a week-long with cockfights, animal races during the day and music and dance in the night.
Main Attractions: Mirchi Bazaar, iron crafts, and leather accessories.
12. Kite Festival
The kite festival is held during the Makar Sankranti (month of January) every year. One can see kites of different shapes, sizes and colours. People all over Rajasthan come to take part in this festival.
Main Attractions: Kite war, fireworks, illuminated kites, and sweets.
Rajasthan is not just a place with desert everywhere. It is much more colourful than anyone who sees it. The land is filled with amazing histories. Want to experience it for real? Travel to Rajasthan by checking out some packages with Pickyourtrail and take a colourful shower. Leave a Whatsapp inquiry for more options.