Rajasthan Fairs & Festivals

Pushkar Fair
Place: Pushkar
Time: November
Rites & Rituals: Pushkar Fair is reputed as the biggest cattle fair in the world. Cattle breeders from across the world bring a large number of cattle of various breeds to be sold here. The cattle, decorated by their owners, participate in the races and are paraded on sand dunes. During the fair, the entire town transforms into a spectacular fair ground and reverberates with festivity.

Rows of makeshift stalls displaying a breathtaking variety of items is a sight to behold, but the major attraction of the fair remains the trading of camels. The fair also attracts a large number of villagers from different parts of the state who come here to buy, offer prayers or just enjoy the festivity.

During the festival, cultural shows and exhibitions are also organized to that add a touch of zeal to the festival. Various jugglers displaying their breathtaking stunts make the fair an event to remember for the rest of life.

Urs in Rajasthan
Place: Ajmer
Time: 25th day of the sixth lunar month
Rites & Rituals: The urs is one of the most important religious occasions for the Muslims especially for those belonging to South Asia. It is initiated by the hoisting of a white flag on the dargah by the Sajjada Nashin (successor representative) of the Chishtis. The ceremony takes place on Jamadi-ul-Akhir with the accompaniment of music.

At night religious assemblies called mehfils are held in the mehfilkhana, a large hall meant for this purpose. Qawwalis are sung and a large number of devotees gather to witness the occasion. Separate places are reserved for women who attend the mehfil that terminates late in the night with fatiha.

The looting of kheer (milk pudding) is an occasion not to be missed. The kheer is distributed among the devotees as tabarruk (blessed food).

Teej
Place: Jaipur
Time: August
Rites & Rituals: Teej is the festival of swings. Dedicated to the Goddess Parvati, it marks the advent of the monsoon, which is the season of drizzling raindrops. Swings are hung from trees and decorated with flowers. Young girls and women dressed in green clothes sing songs in celebration of the advent of the monsoon.

Goddess Parvati is worshipped by seekers of conjugal bliss and happiness. An elaborate procession is taken out on the streets of Jaipur for two consecutive days on the festive occasion.

Mewar Festival Udaipur
Place: Udaipur
Time: April
Rites & Rituals: The festival is held to welcome the arrival of spring. Though it coincides with the Gangaur Festival in Udaipur, yet it has a charm of its own. The festival holds a very prominent place among the women of Rajasthan. They dress up in traditional clothes and perform various religious activities.

They gather to dress the images of Isar and Gangaur and then carry them in a ceremonial procession through different parts of the city. The procession winds its way to the Gangaur Ghat where images are transferred to special boats amidst singing and festivity. Once the religious part is over, it is time for cultural events where Rajasthani culture is portrayed through dance, culture and other programs.