24 Famous Fairs and Festivals Celebrated in Rajasthan



We have all heard that Rajasthan is the home of kings, but did you know that it is also one of the most festive states in India in the last few years? The warmth and display of culture and entertainment and celebrations, vibrant in their colors, showcase the Rajasthani traditions and history in an extraordinary way. The attractive parades of the festivals attract people from the community and provide great viewing opportunities for visitors.

Fairs and festivals in Rajasthan burst with color and energy throughout the year, attracting people and visitors alike. We have carefully selected the list of top fairs and festivals in Rajasthan for you to enjoy.


Most Famous Fairs and Festivals in Rajasthan:

If you are wondering how to access a list of some of the most popular festivals and fairs in Rajasthan before taking a trip to this vibrant state, look no further. Know all the specifics.






1. Teej Festival in Rajasthan:

Teej is celebrated with all pomp and devotion towards Goddess Teej. Traditional songs, dances, festivities and other events are one of the most awaited festivals in Rajasthan. Goddess Teej is paraded through the city in a grand procession. An elegant golden palanquin decorated with horses, camels and elephants.

Main attraction:

Horses, elephants and camels take part in the procession of Goddess Teej and are dressed impressively. Ghewar Malpua, Ghewar women wear traditional dress like mehendi and bangles.

When: July-August.

Where: In and around Jaipur.

Festival Duration: One to 2 days.



2. Holi in Rajasthan:

Holi is one of the most celebrated festivals not only in Rajasthan but all over the world. Rajasthani people have many ways to celebrate this festival.

Mali Holi is a popular practice in which men throw colors on women and girls and beat them with sticks to symbolize brotherhood.

Gair Holi is celebrated in the surrounding areas of Ajmer and the festival is celebrated in grand style with the beating of drums along with bhang, tandai and other sweets.

The name Dolchi Holi is derived from the fact that men pour water on each other in a vessel made of camel skin called Dolchi.

Main attraction:

Dancing, music, lively setting and a wide variety of drinks and sweets.

When: March.

Where: All over Rajasthan.

Festival Duration: It will be held for two days.


3. Jaisalmer Desert Festival:

Desert festival is also one of the major celebrations in Rajasthan. It occurs in the vast Thar Desert surrounded by dunes. Carnival is the scene of thrilling games like camel race, polo and gymnastics. It also showcases Rajasthani traditional culture with dance and music.

Main attraction:

A camel game and tug-of-war tie-up turbans, and a performance by gymnasts on camelback.

When: February.

Where: Jaisalmer.

Festival Duration: It lasts for 3 days.


4. Pushkar Camel Fair (Kartika Mela):

  Among all the festivals in Rajasthan, Pushkar Fair is one of the most highly rated tourist attractions in India. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for first-time visitors. Cattle traders from all over Rajasthan gather during the fair. This fair is a mix of culture, color and camels. Camel, as well as donkey, and horse races, are conducted in addition to other activities. Also, you can enjoy dance and musical performances in theaters open to the public.

Main attraction:

Decorated and well decorated camels are paraded. Beauty pageants, hot-air balloon rides, handicraft bazaars, and mustache contests.

When: October/November.

Where: Pushkar.

Festival Duration: 5 days.



5. Bikaner Camel Festival:

The camel festival held in the traditional city of Bikaner is one of the biggest revenue generators in Rajasthan. Bikaner is the largest camel breeder in India, earning it the title of the camel capital of the country and attracting the attention of visitors from the local community as well as international and national tourists. Camel procession and camel races as well as tug-of-war and camel dances are some of the things you will find in this festival.

Main attraction:

Camel race tite of war, camel race dance and firework abilities.

When: January.

Where: Bikaner.

Festival Duration: 2 days.



6. Gangaur Festival of Rajasthan:

Gangaur festival is celebrated in honor of Goddess Parvati. It is one of the most famous festivals of Rajasthan. Marriages or women are celebrating the festival with great enthusiasm. Women participate in the procession dressed as Goddess Gauri. Folk dances, procession of elephants, and fireworks are common events associated with this parade. It is one of the most popular celebrations in Rajasthan and the colorful celebration lasts for 18 days.

Main attraction:

Traditional dances with women singing songs and colorful procession.

When: March/April.

Where: In and around Jaipur.

Duration of Festivals: 18 days.


7. Mewar Festival of Rajasthan:

Rajasthan's Mewar festival is celebrated in Udaipur with grandeur and pomp to mark the beginning of spring. It is one of the most loved festivals and fairs in Rajasthan and is considered the second most prestigious living heritage festival in the world. Along with festivities, this festival is also celebrated with traditional music, dance and food.

Main attraction:

Musical performances, performances of classical dance seminars on preservation of monuments, firework displays and food stands.

When: March/April.

Where: Udaipur.

Festival Duration: One to 2 days.


8. International Kite Festival in Rajasthan:

Kite Festival in Jaipur is one of the rare fairs and festivals in Rajasthan celebrated in January where you can see thousands of colorful kites in the sky. Kites with lights that light up the night sky. Along with Jodhpur, Jaipur, kites are flying in abundance. Kites that look like celestial beings descend from the sky and attract kite lovers from all over the world. Many members of kite clubs participate in the celebrations and various flying competitions are organized.

Main attraction:

Challenges of kite flying.

When: January.

Where: Jaipur.

Festival Duration: It lasts for one day.


9. Jaipur Elephant Festival:

The Jaipur Elephant Festival is one of the most famous festivals in Rajasthan and is celebrated every year during the Holi festival at the Jaipur Polo Grounds. Elephants are paraded for shows, races and competitions in a variety of ways, including a vibrant harness, large ornaments and anklets for female elephants. For entertainment, in general, you can enjoy the performance of live folk dances as well as musical performances.

Main attraction:

Elephant tug-of-war, polo match.

When: March.

Where: Jaipur.

Duration of Festival: One day.


10. Gogaji:

Gogaji festival is a cult event for Hindus and Muslims, held to honor the hero Goga Veer. In Samadhi Goga Medi is an idol of him seated on a blue horse, with an oiled snake nearby. It is believed that after you pray to Gojaji, those suffering from snakebite will be cured and this idol depicting this saint was dedicated to Gojaji by Kayam Khani Muslims. Not just Rajasthan, Gojaji is also a place of worship in many parts of North India.

Main attraction:

Gogaji's followers lay on the temple floor with live snakes around their necks.

When: In the month of Bhadrapada.

Where: Gongamedi.

Festival Duration: 3 days.


11. Festival of Urs:

The festival of Urs is a celebration of symbolic union with the Sufi saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti Allah (God), as well as at his tomb. It is considered a sacred festival in Rajasthan and attracts followers from all over the world and is celebrated every year from the 1st day to the sixth day of Rajab (7th Islamic month). After purifying the tomb with rose water and covering it in an embroidered silk cloth, devotees offer offerings and prayers.

Main attraction:

Qawwali and Mehfil sessions followed by hoisting of Sajjasa Nashin flag at dawn.

When: Seventh month of the Islamic lunar calendar.

Where: Ajmer.

Festival duration: Six days.


12. Baneshwar Fair:

The festival of Baneshwar is of great importance to the Bhils tribe. It takes place at the Baneshwar temple in Durgapur. It is believed to be one of the most famous tribal and cultural festivals of Rajasthan. The people of this tribe drink in the Mahi and Som rivers which meet from Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. One of the main activities of this festival is morning and evening aarti.

Main attraction:

Puppet dance and animal shows.

When: January to February.

Where: Dungarpur.

Duration of Festival: One day.


13. Nagaur cattle market:

The fair is celebrated every year mostly for cattle trade hence it gets its name. Owners wore colorful turbans and mustaches and lavishly decorated and traded 70,000 camels, oxen and horses. You can also watch performances by storytellers, performers and entertainers and jugglers. Along with spices, animal trading is also possible.

Main attraction:

Mirchi Bazaar, selling iron-based handicrafts as well as accessories in camel leather. Wood products.
When: February.

Where: Nagaur.

Festival Duration: 8 days.


14. Mount Abu: Winter Festival:

The winter festival at Mount Abu, Rajasthan is one of the most vibrant and lively festivals in Rajasthan, which gives people a chance to escape the vicissitudes of their lives. The festival brings together artists and artisans from all over the state along with various art forms and crafts, food and culture. The festival also includes beautiful fireworks and poetry performances which further enhance the beauty of the place. Additionally, the warmth and sports events that are part of the festival leave a lasting impression on the visitors.

Main attraction:

Kite flying and rowing competitions, Deep Dan.

When: March/April.

Where: Mount Abu.

Festival Duration: It lasts for 3 days.


15. Braj Holi:

Braj Holi is one of the brightest festivals in Rajasthan and the festival of colors is specially celebrated. During the festival, people dress in colorful costumes and dance to Rajasthani folk-style music. In these musical moments, Raslila dance is an important thing not to be missed. Before jumping into the holy waters of Banganga river ghats and offering prayers to God.

Main attraction:

Folk dances as well as a warrior woman wrestling

When: March.

Where: Bharatpur.

The festival will run for a total of two days.

16. International Folk Festival of Rajasthan:

One of the most well-liked events that highlights the rich musical legacy of Rajasthan and gives folk performers from around the globe a stage on which to perform is the Rajasthan International Folk Festival. With over 20 performers, the festival also exhibits a blend of Indian and international musical traditions and portrays the rich traditional lifestyle of India. This event is seen by UNESCO as a platform for people to innovate and achieve sustainable progress.

Principal draw:

Musical and cultural events are presented.

Date: October.

Where: Jodhpur's Mehrangarh Fort.

The duration of the festival is five days.


17. The Literature Festival in Jaipur:

One of Rajasthan's most magnificent festivals and fairs, the Jaipur Literature Festival is regarded as one of the world's premier literary occasions. Businesspeople and historians, athletes and entertainers, charity workers and individuals from all walks of life come together for the literary festival. By giving individuals the opportunity to talk about their ideas, the festival makes their thoughts public.


Principal draw:

readings and conversations.

Jan. is the date.

Location: Jaipur.

The festival lasts for one week.

18. Yatra Kabir:


Rajasthan hosts the yearly Kabir Yatra music event, which honours the state's indigenous music. It is distinct. This festival is a fantastic option for tourists as it provides a chance to enjoy traditional folk music from Rajasthan. Throughout the festival's six days, Bikaner serves as the stage for local artists to display their abilities.

Principal draw:

music traditional to Rajasthan.

Date: October.

Location: Bikaner.

The duration of the festival is one week.


19. Festival de Boondi:

The fame of Bundi lies on its beauty. It is situated in Rajasthan's Kota district. The Boondi Festival is also the pinnacle of culture, art, and crafts. This is a fantastic time to engage in a variety of activities, including dancing and music. It's an exciting experience because you may see and hear a lot of things happening at once if you keep your eyes and ears open. The main attraction of this Boondi festival is when women put pitches on their heads and take part in a procession known as Shobha Yatra. This means you can take part in culture and events that are unique to the region and have wonderful images.

Main attraction:

Lively Shobha Yatra, rural sports events and folk music performances. Bridal dress challenge and tiara competition, fireworks display.

When: November.

Where: Fort.

Festival Duration: Two to 3 days.


20. Marwar Festival:

Among the many Jodhpur festivals, one of them is the Marwar festival, dedicated to the memory of the heroes of the state, which is the most famous. The festival was initially called the Mand festival and is a highlight due to traditional folk dance and singing and is held over two days. The Marwar festival delights the audience with spectacular performances from the finest folk musicians and dancers and commemorates those who have sacrificed, fought battles and died defending their country, making it one of Rajasthan's most famous celebrations. The Marwar Utsav is held in two main venues, namely Mehrangarh Fort and Umaid Bhawan Palace. The people of Rajasthan are proud of their roots and you can sense it through the performances.

Main attraction:

Tattoo show as well as camel polo.

When: September to October.

Where: Jodhpur.

Festival Duration: Two days.

21. Kolayat Fair:

Kolayat Fair is the most famous of Rajasthan which is organized in Kolayat and takes place in November. This fair is celebrated in memory of Maharishi Kapila. This fair has its rituals and legends as it is believed that Kapila Maharishi is an incarnation of Lord Vishnu among the various festivals held in Rajasthan. Kolayat was formerly known as Kapilastan as Kapila Muni lived here. During the festival devotees dip their feet in the lake to wash away their sins. People light oil lamps while floating in the lake in the evening.

Main attraction:

Best breeders are rewarded with awards and certificates and cattle are sold. Devotees can bathe in the holy water.

When: November.

Where: Bikaner.

Festival Duration: It lasts for 10 days.


22. Diwali:

Like other parts of India, Diwali is celebrated with joy and happiness in Rajasthan. It begins with Dhanteras, Choti Diwali, Badi Diwali, Padwa and Baidu and continues for five days. That's why the preparations for this festival started early. Diwali falls on Amavasya, a time to brighten the night by lighting earthen oil lamps, also known as Deepas. Many believe that by doing this, they invite Lord Ganesha and Goddess Lakshmi into their homes. They make your home rich and clear obstacles. Friends and relatives exchange gifts and sweets and set off firecrackers.

Main attraction:

firecrackers

When: September-October.

Where: All over Rajasthan.

Festival Duration: It lasts for five days.



23. Mahashivratri:

Maha Shivaratri is an Indian festival celebrated to honor Lord Shiva and is celebrated as a major holiday in many states across India. The great night of Lord Shiva represents the true meaning of Maha Shivaratri. According to Puranas, this is the day when Lord Shiva dances in a sacred dance called Tandavam. The festival is the source of the mythological stories associated with it. Lord Shiva wears flowers with bell leaves and honey. On this auspicious day men and women equally fast and then sing songs throughout the evening.

Main attraction:

The Shiva temple is decorated with bright colors.

When: March.

Where: All over Rajasthan.

Duration of Festival: It lasts for one day.



24. Dussehra:

Dussehra celebrations are celebrated with great pomp all over the country. However, if you are looking to experience the uniqueness of Rajasthan, checking out the festivities at Kota on the banks of the Chambal River is a must. Dussehra is celebrated to celebrate God's victory over Lord Rama in his battle with the demon king Ravana, this festival allows you to explore a different side of the fort and gives visitors a memorable experience. Actors performed a skit about Ramayana through Hindu mythology. The performance ends with the cremation of Ravana's head, which is smashed into pieces by lightning, firecrackers and other objects.

Main attraction:

The 70 feet tall effigies of Ravana, Kumbhakarna and Meghnad were burnt by a boy dressed as Rama.
When: September to October.

Where: Fort.

Duration of Festival: One day.


Festivals and fairs in Rajasthan are a great way to experience the beauty and countryside of the state. They also bring fresh hilarity with traditional music and folklore typical of Rajasthan. If you are looking for ways to enjoy the festive spirit, you should carefully read the list of events in the article. Plan your journey as per the guidelines. Don't forget to share these details with your family and colleagues.


F A Q:

1. What are the essential items you should buy while visiting Rajasthan?

Answer: Although you can buy anything on the internet, you should buy some items that reflect the
 history and culture of the area:

Rajasthani painting.
Gems and Jewellery.
Metal art.
Carpets.
Wooden items.
puppets
Clothes.
Pots.

2. Should single women travelers travel to Rajasthan on their own?

Answer: Rajasthan is safe if single women travelers follow the guidelines. Be aware of your surroundings and do your research thoroughly.

3. What is the best time to visit Rajasthan?

Ans: Between November and February the temperature is 10 degrees Celsius. This allows you to take advantage of your travel activities. July to September is the perfect time to visit this beautiful state.