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The magnificent land of Rajasthan has always been fascinating and the people across the globe with its heart capturing beauty and natural serenity. To add to the colors, this land of valor in Incredible India has always mesmerized the people with its culture of celebrations and festivity.

Beyond all reasons and seasons, Rajasthan Tourism has initiated an array of festivals to elaborate and showcase the rich cultural heritage of the State. The year of festivity gets off to a grand start with Jaipur Virasat in the month of January. This breathtaking two- week event captivates not only domestic but foreign visitors with exquisite display of folklore. This celebration brings together the art and culture, music, dance, craft and cuisine creating a platform for the local artisans to manifest their talent. The fortnight long festival has everything from horse shows, polo tournaments, heritage walks, plays, poetry sessions, fashion shows to exhibitions of photographs and paintings.

Before the memories of the Jaipur Virasat fade out the Desert Festival comes in rejoicing the warmth and cheerfulness of the people on the Indian desert. This exotic festival is organized in February on the land of the Golden Sands- Jaisalmer. This festival is a feast to the eyes of the visitors with its folk dances, fire - dance, camel dance and races, camel polo, along with breathtaking performances by the local artists. Exciting contests like Mr. Desert, turban tying and the moustache competitions are the unique features which attract large number of enthusiastic participants.

The grand finale on the full moon night is marked with firework displays, moonlight camel rides and cultural performances by the local artisans which leave their footprints on the sands of time. After the camels in the desert, the Elephants take on the festivity in the Pink City- Jaipur. As a precursor to the traditional Festival of Colors- Holi, the Elephant Festival in the month of March paints the entire city with colors of celebration. The royal Rajasthani splendor is recreated through a procession of decorated elephants, camels, horses and folk dancers. Elephants with bright colors and heavy jewellery contest as beauty pageants. Exclusive events like Elephant Polo, Elephant races and a tug-of-war between the tourists and an elephant charm the visitors. It is an unforgettable moment for the visitors to watch people play Holi on elephant-back and undoubtedly a majestic one.

The month of April sees the advent of the Gangaur Festival which is devoted to the Indian Goddess Parvati. On the one hand young girls clad in ceremonial dresses pray for the grooms of their liking and on the other hand the married women pray for the long and healthy life of their spouses. This 18 day long festival in Jaipur reaches its climax with a grand procession organized by the Department of Tourism.

Further to the Elephant Festival, another forthcoming Festival to be celebrate at Jaipur is “Gangaur Festival” which will be celebrated on 06 & 07 April, 2011.  A brief description of the festival is given here under.

Please note, the Procession of Goddess Gauri and Isar will start from the City Palace appox 1730 hrs in the evening, and RTDC makes special seating arrangements for the tourist at ‘Old Hind Hotel Terrace’ opposite the famous Tripolia Gate. Clients have to take their seats on first come first serve basis.  There is no entry fee for this, but since vehicles will not be allowed in the evening, pax may have to hire a tuktuk or rickshaw, or they can walk from the parking place which is hardly 500 yrs.

Since this procession start from the City Palace, the entry to city palace will close at 1400 hrs on 06 & 07 April, 2011. Kindly be informed and advise your clients in advance.
Gangaur is one of the most important local festivals in Rajasthan. In some form or the other it is celebrated all over Rajasthan. “gan” is a synonym for Lord Shiva and “gauri” or “gaur” stands for Goddess Parvati, the heavenly consort of Lord Shiva. Gangaur celebrates the union of the two and is a symbol of conjugal and marital happiness.
Gangaur is celebrated in the month of chaitra (March-April), the first month of the Hindu calendar. This month marks the end of winter and the onset of spring.
This festival is celebrated especially by women, who worship clay idols of “Gan” & “Gauri” in their houses. These idols are worshipped by unmarried girls who seek the blessings of Gan and Gauri for a good husband, while the married women pray for the good health and long life of their husbands.
This worship which starts form the first day of the chaitra month culminates on the 18th day into Gangaur festival with a great religious fervour. On the eve of Gangaur festival, women decorate their palms and fingers with henna. The idols of Gan and Gauri are immersed in a pond or in a near by lake on the last day of the festival.
A traditional procession of Gangaur commences form the Zanani- Deodi of the City Palace, passing through Tripolia Bazaar, Chhoti Chaupar, Gangauri Bazaar, Chaugan stadium and finally converges near the Talkatora. The procession is headed by a colorful pageantry of elephants, old palanquins, chariots, bullock carts and performance folk artistes.