10 Colorful Festivals of Rajasthan

Often called the ‘Land of Palaces and Forts’, Rajasthan is one of the largest states situated in the northern part of India. It is a popular destination for tourists near Delhi and is among the essential locations included in India tour packages. The state is famous for its grand forts, royal palaces, and rich heritage. Rajasthan also comes to life with vibrant and colorful festivals that highlight the state’s cultural richness and traditions. Each festival is a spirited celebration brimming with colors, music, dance, and time-honored customs. To truly experience the essence of this desert state, consider participating in one of the numerous fairs, where you can enjoy exceptional fun and joy as part of the Rajasthan tour packages. Below is a compilation of the most celebrated festivals in Rajasthan, which you should experience at least once in your lifetime.

Rajasthan International Folk Festival

Rajasthan International Folk Festival is a popular art and music festival held every year in Jodhpur. Also called RIFF, this festival is celebrated to promote Rajasthani traditional folk dances, music, and artwork. This event is held in the month of October for 5-days in the majestic Mehrangarh Fort, among the top places to visit in Jodhpur. Patronized by Gaj Singh of Marwar, the festival is tagged as one of the best 25 international festivals and has been declared as the People’s Platform for Creativity and Sustainable Development by UNESCO. More than 250 specialists from various areas around the globe participate in this celebration that includes singers, dancers, instrumentalists, and storytellers from various Rajasthani folk communities, as well as nationally and internationally recognized artists. Besides, one can also witness the Marwar Festival which is celebrated in the same month as part of Jodhpur Tour Packages.

                      Must Visit: Tourist Places near Jaisalmer

Pushkar Camel Fair

Locally called Kartik Mela or Pushkar ka Mela, Pushkar Camel Fair is an annual multi-day livestock fair held in the town of Pushkar, among the prominent sacred places to visit near Jaipur. This fair exhibits the folk culture of Rajasthan in a unique manner. Held during the auspicious period of Kartik Poornima, the Pushkar Camel Festival is considered one of the largest camel festivals in the world that draws over 200,000 visitors from all over the globe. During this event, the traders come from different parts of the state for selling and buying camels and horses. The camel race, Matka phod, longest mustache, and bridal competition are some of the major highlights of this event. An International Balloon celebration is a new addition to this event celebrated in Pushkar,. Brahma Temple, Varaha Temple, Merta, Aptaeshwar Temple, Pushkar Cattle Fair, Rangji Temple, and Savitri Temple are the popular places to visit as part of the Pushkar tour packages.

                         Book Here: Pushkar Packages from Jaipur

Brij Holi

Brij Holi is one of the grandest and most colorful festivals of Rajasthan that is celebrated in the Brij region of Bharatpur, one of the top places to visit in Rajasthan. Dedicated to Lord Krishna, this festival is celebrated for 2-days just a few days before the actual Holi festival. The main highlights of the festival are the splashing of colors, folk music, and the Rasleela dance that portrays the eternal love story of Radha and Krishna. The entire region comes alive during this event with their colorful attires to experience the unique Rajasthani culture. Also, devotees take a dip in the holy waters of the Banganga River before offering prayer to the Radha-Krishna temple. There are also sports like rural sports, kabaddi matches, women’s wrestling, tug of war, and cricket. Bharatpur can be visited along with Agra tour packages.

                Also Read: Stunning Places to visit near Agra

Jaisalmer Desert Festival

Jaisalmer Desert Festival is one of the popular winter festivals in India that gives you a glimpse of the true culture and tradition of Rajasthan. Organized by Rajasthan Tourism, this is a 3-day event that is celebrated every year in February at Sam Sand Dunes. Attracts thousands of visitors from all over the globe, this festival begins with a ceremonial procession, locally known as Shobha Yatra where local Rajputs and other clans dress in their traditional attire. This festival includes a lot of events such as puppet shows, camel races, polo matches, turban tying competitions, competitions for the finest facial hair, acrobats, puppeteers, and jugglers. A trip to the Sam Sand Dunes marks the grand finale, where you will enjoy camel rides and brilliant performances by folk artists under the full moon against the backdrop of picturesque dunes. Besides, one can also visit Jaisalmer Fort, Havelies, Kuldhara, Lodurva, etc as part of the Jaisalmer tour packages.

                      Book Here: Jaisalmer Packages from Udaipur

Elephant Festival, Jaipur

One of the most renowned festivals of Jaipur, Elephant Festival is celebrated every year on the full moon day of ‘Phalgun Purnima’ in February or March. The festival is organized by Rajasthan Tourism to showcase the imposing royalty of Jaipur, one of the three places that form the Golden Triangle Tour of Indian tourism. Beautiful bedecked elephants are taken out in processions in all their glory, dressed in vibrant colors, anklets, decorated saddle cloth, and colored powder is sprinkled from atop the elephants. The main highlights of this grand festival are elephant polo, the tug of war competition, and the elephant race. Apart from this, one can also relish music and dance performances during the festival. The venue of this festival is Polo Ground which is opposite Sawai Man Singh Stadium in Jaipur. Amber Fort, Sheesh Mahal, Ganesh Pol, Hawa Mahal, Jal Mahal, Nahargarh Fort, etc. are the important places to visit in Jaipur.

                            Book Here: Jaipur Tour Packages

Festival of Urs, Ajmer

The Urs festival is an annual religious festival of Rajasthan held at Ajmer Sharif Dargah, Rajasthan. Celebrated to honor the Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti on his death anniversary, it is observed every year in the seventh month of the Islamic lunar calendar, known as Rajab, for over a period of six days. During this event, the shrine of Ajmer Sharif is decorated and illuminated with candles, and qawwalis are sung to mark the sanctity of this occasion. Thousands of Indian devotees and foreign nationals thronged to this place to offer prayers and seek the blessings of the mystic saint as part of Ajmer tour packages. Devotees here pay respect to the saint’s grave by offering ceremonial sheets (chadars) over it. Besides, Taragarh Fort, Akbar Palace & Museum, Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra, the Nasiyan Temple, Nareli Jain temple, and Kishangarh are other popular places to visit in Ajmer.

                     Also Read: Popular Pilgrimage Sites near Delhi

Mount Abu Summer Festival

Mount Abu Summer Festival is one of the colorful and famous festivals celebrated in Mount Abu, the only hill station of Rajasthan, and among the top places to visit near Ahmedabad in summer. Begins on Buddha Purnima every year, this festival is organized by Rajasthan Tourism Department and is one of the most talked-about cultural festivals in India. Celebrated for 2-days in May, the main purpose of this festival is to showcase all the vibrant cultural activities of the land. This event kicks off with traditional ballad singing followed by a ceremonial procession that starts from RTDC Hotel Shikhar and cultural performances at Nakki Lake, one of the best Mount Abu tourist places. Also, it features with skating race, boat race, horse race, tug of war along with CRPF band show and fireworks. One can enjoy the Shaam-E-Qawwali where you can listen to the Qawwalis from the great Qawwali singers coming from across India as part of Mount Abu Tour Packages.

                       Must Visit: Hill Stations near Udaipur

Mewar Festival, Udaipur

Among the innumerable festivals that mark the advent of spring, none is more colorful than the Mewar Festival of Udaipur. Coincides with Gangaur Festival, this is the second world living heritage festival in India and is celebrated by the womenfolk of Rajasthan for successful marital bliss. The rituals and ceremonies of this annual Mewar Festival include several cultural programs, traditions, and practices. The women carry the images of Gangaur and Isar on their heads and go in a procession all through the Gangaur Ghat up to Lake Pichola, among the top Udaipur Tourist Places. Then the images are deeply immersed into the deep waters of Lake Pichola. Held from 6th April to 8th April this year, this 3 day-long festival that celebrates with much gusto and fervor, draws locals as well as tourists from other countries who are eager to see the glorious traditions of Rajputana as part of Udaipur Tour Packages.

                    Must Read: Tourist Places near Udaipur

Kite Festival, Jodhpur

Kite Festival is one of the most colorful festivals in Rajasthan that is celebrated every year during Makara Sankranthi in Jodhpur, among the top weekend getaways from Delhi. The festival marks the end of winter and welcomes the summer season in the state. It is one of the elated festivals celebrated in January in India. Held for 3-days, this event takes place at the Polo Ground in Jodhpur where several kite flyers from all over the world show their kite flying skills. The sky gets filled up with kites of different sizes, shapes, and colors that attract a large number of tourists as well as locals as part of Jodhpur Leisure Packages. Besides, the festival also hosts a number of cultural programs of dancing and singing.

                        Book Here: Jodhpur Packages from Udaipur

Teej Festival

Teej is one of the important monsoon festivals in India, and the most celebrated festival of Jaipur held every year in the month of July-August. It is one of the most amazing festivals celebrated in Rajasthan as well as in Jaipur. Dedicated to Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati, Teej is celebrated on 3rd August this year marking the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Though not celebrated all over India, Teej is a significant festival for women in Bihar, Rajasthan, Haryana, and Punjab. And primarily, the people of Jaipur, among the most prominent heritage sites near Delhi, observed it on a massive scale in the form of a fair, known as Sawan Mela. As part of the festivities, women dress up in traditional outfits, wear bangles and mehandi and carry Goddess Teej in a procession across the city. Decorated elephants, bullock carts, and chariots add to the spectacle. One can also witness a lot of singing, dancing, and enjoy traditional Rajasthani cuisine during the festival as part of the Rajasthan tour from Delhi.

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