Fairs and Festivals of Rajasthan | RPSC Preparation: All subjects - RPSC RAS (Rajasthan) PDF Download

Major Fairs & Festivals of Rajasthan

Rajasthan is renowned for its vibrant and diverse array of fairs and festivals. The state hosts numerous fairs and festivals throughout the year, each celebrated with great joy, enthusiasm, and fervor. Alongside the lively festivals, Rajasthan also features traditional fairs, such as camel fairs, religious fairs, and seasonal fairs that mark changes in the year. These events offer an excellent chance to experience local customs and traditions while shopping for handcrafted goods and other unique items from Rajasthan.

Camel Festival

• The Camel Festival, held annually in Bikaner in January, features a vibrant procession of adorned camels set against the backdrop of Junagarh fort. 
• It showcases the rich cultural tableau of Rajasthan with camels displaying graceful footwork and traditional attire. The festival also includes folk performances and artistic showcases.

Nagaur Fair

• Occurring in January-February in Nagaur, this fair serves as a trading hub for cattle and camels, offering a glimpse into rural life in Rajasthan. 
• The event highlights intricately patterned animal hides and is a significant cultural gathering for animal owners across the state.

Mewar Festival

• Celebrated over 18 days to welcome spring and coincide with the Gangaur festival in Udaipur, the Mewar Festival is a joyous affair where women dress in their finest attire to participate in ceremonial processions. 
• The festivities include cultural events such as folk songs, dances, and fireworks.

Kaila Devi Fair

• Held in March or April, the Kaila Devi Fair in Kaila village, Karauli district, is one of the prominent fairs in Rajasthan. This fortnight-long event takes place on the banks of the Kalisil River in the hills of Trikut, approximately 2 kilometers from Kaila village. The area features a large temple that enshrines idols of Mahalakshmi and Chamunda. 
• Throughout history, Kaila Devi has been honored as the guardian deity by the Khinchi Rajputs, the Yadavas, and the rulers of Karauli. The complex also includes a small temple dedicated to Bhairon and a temple of Hanuman facing the Devi's shrine. Devotees visit the site throughout the year.

Mahavir Ji Fair

• Commemorating Shri Mahavir Swami in March-April in Karauli, this fair at Shri Mahavir Ji town attracts devotees to pay homage at the temple dedicated to the 24th Jain tirthankara. 
• The temple, located in a sacred enclosure, is a place of reverence and spiritual significance for Jain followers.

Summer Festival

• The three-day festival held every June at Mount Abu is a vibrant celebration of folk and classical music, offering a glimpse into the tribal life and culture of Rajasthan. 
• The festival starts with the performance of a ballad, followed by Ghoomar and Dhap folk dances. The event also features boat races and Kawwalees, adding to the festive atmosphere.

Teej Festival

• Held during the monsoon season in July, the Teej festival is dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati. It is a time for married women to pray for their well-being and the longevity of their marriages. While Teej is celebrated across the state, it is especially vibrant in Jaipur, where a two-day procession winds through the old city. 
• The festival is marked by swings adorned with flowers, which are hung from trees. Young girls and women, dressed in green, sing songs to celebrate the arrival of the monsoon. In the procession, the Teej idol is covered with a canopy, while the Gangaur idol remains uncovered.

Gogaji Fair

• The Gogaji Fair takes place in August at Gogamedi village in the Shri Ganganagar district, commemorating the revered hero known as 'Goga ji' among Hindus and 'Jahar Peer' among Muslims. The Kayam Khani Muslims, who consider themselves descendants of Gogaji, honor him as a 'Snake-God,' and nearly every village in Rajasthan has a shrine dedicated to him. Devotees believe that invoking Gogaji's name can cure snake bites and other ailments. 
• The fair, which lasts for three days, attracts thousands of devotees who come to pay their respects at Gogaji's memorial. The samadhi, or tomb, is a marble structure with two minarets enclosed by a boundary wall. The idol of Gogaji is depicted seated on a blue horse with a snake wrapped around his neck.

Kajli Teej

• The Kajli-Teej festival, while celebrated throughout Rajasthan, has a distinct celebration in Bundi, where it occurs on different dates than elsewhere in the state. The festival kicks off with a grand procession of Goddess Teej in a beautifully decorated palanquin, starting from the impressive Naval Sagar and winding through the main bazaars. 
• This vibrant procession features adorned elephants, camels, bands, performing artists, and people in colorful attire. Although the main festivities last for two days, the celebrations extend into Janamashtami, which celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna.

Ramdevra Fair

• The Ramdevra Fair takes place in Ramdevra village, Jaisalmer district, during August or September. The village is named after Baba Ramdev, a Tanwar Rajput who achieved samadhi in 1458 and was believed to have miraculous powers. According to legend, five peers from Mecca visited to test his abilities and, once convinced, paid their respects to him. 
• Hindus view him as an incarnation of Lord Krishna. The fair is a major event, drawing large numbers of devotees from various regions. The festivities include continuous bhajans and kirtans throughout the night.

Marwar Festival

• Held annually in October in Jodhpur, this two-day event celebrates the art and culture of the region. Known initially as the Maand Festival, it primarily features traditional singing and dancing. 
• The folk performances offer a window into the past, recounting stories of battles and heroes through their songs. Highlights include a camel tattoo show and polo matches. The festival takes place at notable venues such as Umaid Bhavan Palace, Mandore, and Mehrangarh Fort.

Dussehra

• Dussehra is celebrated across India in various ways, including in Rajasthan. The festival symbolizes the triumph of good over evil, marking Lord Rama's victory over Ravana. The story of Rama and Sita, along with the battle between Rama and Ravana, is dramatized in performances known as Ramlila. 
• On the final day of the festival, large effigies of Ravana and his brother Kumbhkaran, filled with firecrackers, are burned, and the celebration concludes with widespread rejoicing.

Pushkar Fair

• The Pushkar Fair, held in November in Pushkar, Ajmer, is the most iconic fair in Rajasthan. It revolves around the revered eighth-century Brahma temple and is surrounded by around 400 shrines and temples near the lake. According to legend, Lord Brahma dropped a lotus flower, and the three spots where it touched became lakes now known as Jyeshtha Pushkar, Madhyam Pushkar, and Kanishtha Pushkar. 
• Pilgrims visit the ghats to bathe and pray at the temple. The fair is renowned for being the world's largest camel market, with horses and other animals also for sale. The event includes desert camping, singing, dancing, and campfire cooking. Camel, horse, and donkey races attract large crowds, and Rajasthan Tourism sets up a tourist village for visitors.

Chandrabhaga Fair

• The three-day fair at Jhalrapatan near Jhalawar, held in November or December, takes place by the holy Chandrabhaga River. On Kartik Purnima, the full moon night, thousands of pilgrims come to take a ritual dip in the river. 
• The fair features a significant cattle market where cows, horses, buffaloes, camels, and bullocks are brought for sale.

Kolyat Fair

• Held in Bikaner, this 10-day fair takes place at a sacred site associated with Kapil Muni's meditation. The location features a lake with 52 ghats shaded by banyan trees. 
• Devotees bathe in the lake, pray in the temples, and participate in rituals such as floating lighted lamps. Aarti is performed twice daily, and bhog is offered. The fair also includes a cattle market where buffaloes, camels, horses, and cattle are sold, with certificates and prizes awarded to the best breeders.