Days of the Camel, Rajasthan
Rajasthan is a land known for its various colorful festivals. In fact, in Rajasthan every event, whether small or big, calls for a festival. Be it a harvest, change of season or a religious occasion, the inhabitants of Rajasthan come together and celebrate it. All the festivals are celebrated on particular days and by performing certain specific rituals.
Camel Festival-Bikaner
Celebrated-January
This festival comprises of a lot of merriment. Camels being the main attraction with camel races and camel dances wherein camels charm the spectators with their grace and exuberance.
Nagaur Fair-Nagaur
Celebrated-Between January and February
Nagaur lies in between Bikaner and Jodhpur. The people of Rajasthan dress up their animals, namely camels, cattle and horses and parade them. During this festival owners and buyers bargain endlessly. Fun and festivity present in the atmosphere in multitude with games, camels races, tug-of-war contests and ballads setting the mood.
Desert Festival-Jaisalmer
Celebrated-Full moon in February
This festival can be best enjoyed in Thar Desert and in the city of Jaisalmer. Many dances of Rajasthan namely Gangaur, Moria, Tehratal, Gair Dhap and Ghoomer are showcased on the sands of the desert. Camel acrobatics, camel polo, camel dances and camel races also take place during this time making the event colorful and a true spectacle to watch.
Elephant Festival-Jaipur
Celebrated-March
It is mainly celebrated the capital city of Jaipur. During the festival, the elephants’ tusks and trunks are decorated with great fervor and are then paraded for all to watch. The festival is commemorated with a procession of horses, camels and elephants and then followed by folk performances. The elephant God, Lord Ganesh is worshipped on this day.
Gangaur-All over Rajasthan
Celebrated: March-April
This festival is for maidens and married women and goes on for 18 days. Women pray for their husband’s well being and maidens pray for a husband of their choice.
Other festivals of Rajasthan
Festivals usually are celebrated with great pomp and show. Mewar festival, Urs Ajmer Sharif, Teej, Marwar festival, Pushkar fair, etc are just some of the many festivals. The festivals involve a great number of dance performances, light events and huge amount of sound. The people of Rajasthan are well skilled as puppeteers, snake charmers, musicians, ballad singers, etc and they come out with their best performances during the festivals.
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