Travel Shop

Discover India

Hot Spots

Hill Stations

Holy Places

Around the World

Contact Us

Introduction

Palace on Wheel

Fairs & Festivals

Wildlife

Adventure & Sports

Shopping

Mewar Festival - Udaipur

The Mewar Festival is celebrated to welcome the advent of spring. It coincides with the festival of Gangaur in Udaipur, and has a unique charm about it. The women folk 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 at Lake Pichhola. Here, the images are transferred to special boats amidst much singing and festivity.

Once the religious part of the festival is over, it is time for cultural events where Rajasthani culture is portrayed through songs, dances and other programmes. The festival culminates with an impressive fireworks display.

Once the religious part of the festival is over, it is time for cultural events where Rajasthani culture is portrayed through songs, dances and other programmes. The festival culminates with an impressive fireworks display.

Summer Festival

The Summer festival is held every year during the month of May on Budh Poornima. The festival celebrates the warmth and cheerfulness of the people of hill station, who welcome the tourist from the depth of their hearts. The hospitality of the people, their colorful culture and exotic location made this festival a never to be forgotten experience.


The festival begins with a ceremonial procession, which starts from the RTDC Hotel Shikhar and gather at the Nakki Lake Chowk followed by folk performances of Rajasthan & Gujrat states. The grand finale of the Festival a display of dazzling fire works all three days. This three day colourful festival is organized by the Rajasthan Tourism, Municipal Board, Mt.Abu & District Administration.

The second and third day of the festival is more interesting because of various competitions that take place the whole day. Skating Race, skater’s Show, CRPF Band Show, Boat Race, Horse Race, Tug of War, Panihari Matka Race and Deepdan add to the excitements of the celebration.

Brij Mohatsav

The Brij Festival takes place a few days before Holi, (the festival of colours) in the month of March. Held in honour of Lord Krishna, this festival is marked by verve and zest. Villagers, in gay, multihued attire, can be seen singing and performing the Raslila dance (dance depicting the immortal love-story of Radha and Krishna).

All of Bharatpur echoes the sound of folk melodies on this festival held on the eve of Holi. Men and women, young and old, rich and poor-all are touched by the spirit of this festival. Boisterous revellers spare no one during this festival and delight in splashing colour on everyone around.

Bharatpur is situated on the Delhi - Mumbai main railway line and also on National Highway no. 11 (Bikaner - Agra). Agra being the nearest Airport (56 kms.)

Khetlaji Fair

The famous shrine of Shri Sonana Khetlaji in the village Sonana of district Pali is the site of the two day Khetlaji fair, held every year during May-Jun. The fair attracts a large number of devotees who congregate here during the fair held in honour of the deity, Khetlaji. It is believed by many devotees that the deity has powers to grant wishes. Many devotees arrive to pray for fulfilment of their wishes or for thanksgiving, after their wishes have been granted.

The fair is a grand occasion for the local people from the adjoining area, who pour in, dressed in their best, right from day-break. It is also a gala occasion for shopping.. Body tattooing shops are also the hot-spots of activity and troupes of Gair dancers add colour to the festive spirits. However, it is the hundreds of horses at the fair that steal the show. Thoroughbred and well trained 'Marwari' horses perform many a trick and even dance to the rhythms of local drums, much to the amazement of the onlookers.

Sonana is 65 kms. from Pali. Pali is well connected by road and rail to major cities of the state.

Nagaur Fair

This eight days fair held every year during the month of Jan-Feb, is popularly known as the Cattle fair and is the second largest in Rajasthan. Nagaur Town is the most picturesque of Rajput townships. Nagaur is a sea of animals, trading over 70,000 bullocks, camels and horses every year. The bullocks are known for their fleetness. Not only are the animals lavishly decorated, even their owners flaunt wearing colourful turbans and long moustaches. Shearing sheep, handsome marwari horses to spices all compiled in one fair. Attractions include the mirchi bazaar (largest red-chilly market of India), wooden items, iron-crafts and camel leather accessories.

Sports like tug-of-war, camel races, bullock races and cock fights; jugglers; puppeteers, story-tellers; and exciting campfire evenings are held to entertain the tourists. Folk music of the Jodhpur variation echoes the tranquil desert sand. Nagaur is well connected to the major cities by road and rail. Nearest airport is Jodhpur, some 135kms away.

Camel festival

A lively and colourful event, the Camel Festival is organised by the Department of Tourism, Art & Culture, Rajasthan in Bikaner every year. January is just the right month for a desert spree, and Bikaner just the right place to see the Ships of the Desert. In the camel country Bikaner, these desert leviathans pull heavy cart loads, transport grain and even work at the wells.

The Camel Festival begins with a colourful procession of bedecked camels against the red sandstone backdrop of the Junagarh Fort, the festivity advances to the open sand-spreads of the grounds, followed by the best breed competition, the tug-of-war contest, camel dance and acrobatics, etc.

The camels display amazing footwork, dancing gracefully to the slightest direction of their trainers. Bridal, bridles, bejewelled necks, jingling anklets and long, lanky camel shadows on dusky sands cast a magical spell. Hundreds of tourists and thousands of locals and dignitaries revel in this man-and-animal affair organised especially for the tourists.

The evenings close with a different tenor and tempo altogether: a traditional rendezvous of renowned artistes of Rajasthan and the local folk performers.
The jubilant skirt-swirling dancers, the awe inspiring fire dance, and the dazzling fireworks light up the fortified desert city of Bikaner.

Bikaner is connected by rail and road with all the major cities. The nearest airport is at Jodhpur (243 kms.)

Sheetla Mata Fair

The Sheetla Mata Fair is held in March-April, the month of Chaitra on Krishna Paksh , in village Seel-Ki-Doongri (Jaipur). Doongri is a hillock on top of which the shrine of Sheetla Mata stands. The fair is held in her honour for a day every year. The fair attracts hordes of visitors from far and wide. People believe that epidemics spread because of the wrath of Sheetla Mata and hence they worship her and make offerings so that she may be pacified. The deity is represented by a red stone.

A temporary market comes up at the fair and the rural folk can be seen trading in wares such as shoes, clothes, foodstuff, utensils and agricultural implements A cattle fair is also organised during the fair.

The village Seel-Ki-Doongri is situated beside a tank known as Band Sheodungri. It lies on the (NH-8) Jaipur-Kota road 35 kms south-east of Jaipur and 5 kms. from the tehsil headquarter, Chaksu. The nearest rail head is Chaksu on the Jaipur-Sawai Madhopur section of Western Railway. Regular buses are available on the Jaipur-Kota, Jaipur-Tonk, Jaipur-Deoli routes which pass by this village.

Elephant Festival

The Elephant Festival is an inimitable event held annually in Jaipur. Groomed flawlessly, rows of elephants do a catwalk before an enthralled audience liked best fashion models to make this festival an amazing one. The elephants move with poise in pageant, run races, play the regal game of polo, and finally participate in the spring festival of Holi. It is festival time with elephants typically celebrated one day before the Holi, Indian festival of colours.

Staged at Jaipur Chaugan Stadium elephants put up a variety programme and the arena is brought alive with musician and dancer. The crowd, which includes sizable presences of foreign and Indian tourist, electrify the atmosphere. The festival starts with an impressive procession of the majestic animals lovingly painted and tastefully attired with glittering ornaments and embroidered velvets. There are deadly and fierce elephant fights.

A ceremonial procession is recreated with caparisoned elephants, lancers on horses, chariots, camels, cannons, and palanquins. Elephant is the centre of attraction in the many races and beauty pageants.

Most of the participants are female elephants. The mahouts (elephant keepers) take great care to decorate the elephants painting their trunks, foreheads, and feet with floral motifs and adorning them from tusk to tail with interesting trinkets. Female elephants wear anklets with and make music as they walk.The game of polo forms the highlight of the festival. Dressed in saffron and red turbans, the teams try to score goals with long sticks and a plastic football.

Finally, the tourists are invited to mount the elephants and play Holi. Participants dance with great vigour and the excitement rising to a crescendo.

The Rajput kings had extraordinary implication for elephants not only during war but also during the royal festivities-a must at royal pageant. Nishan-ka-hathi, the flag bearer, led the procession. The king always mounted a caparisoned elephant. Special hunting programs and elephant fights were organized to entertain the royal guests. Jaipur was a favourite spot with the important personalities of the British Raj and the Maharajas always arranged for their guests of honour elephant rides up to the Amber palace. Even today, the mahouts take tourists up to the Amber Palace on elephant back like shuttle taxis.

Rajasthan Tourism revitalized the ritual by including the Elephant Festival in the cultural calendar. The present-day pageant, originated only a decade ago, was worked out especially with the tourist in mind. The inclusion of the game of polo is more recent, being inspired by a cartoon in Punch magazine that showed the Indian polo team atop an elephant after it won all the international tournaments. Every year on Holi, the old stadium at Jaipur, the Chaugan (originally planned for

Kapil Muni Fair

The Kapil Muni Fair is the largest fair of Bikaner district held on Kartik Poornima at Kolayat-originally Kapilayatan-named after the sage Kapil who is believed to have done tapasya (meditation) here for the redemption of mankind. Kolayat is situated in an arid area. There is a lake with 52 Ghats shaded by banyan trees around the lake. A temple dedicated to Kapil Muni is situated on the Kapil Muni ghat and it has a marble statue of the saint.

A cattle fair is held in conjunction with the Kapil Muni Fair. Buffaloes, camels, horses and cattle are sold. Certificates and prizes are given away to the best breeders at the fair.Kolayat is situated 50 kms. to the south-west of the city of Bikaner. There is a direct railway route from Bikaner to Kolayat. Regular buses ply from Bikaner to Kolayat.

Chambal Adventure Festival - Kota

Has begun an annual Chambal Adventure-sports Festival in month of February each year at Kota. The Festival attracts crowds which gaze in awe at the feats of professional sportmen and army personnel. The events of power parasailing, rafting, wind surfing, water skiing, kayaking keep the audience spellbound.

The boating facility in Chambal river between Kota and Jawahar Sagar is available from Chambal Garden at Kota.

• National Dussehra Fair (Oct.-Nov.)
  A Large fair is held during Oct. – Nov. each year at Kota, beginning on the day of Dussehra, when demon King Ravana was slayed by Lord Rama. The cultural and folk Programs are organized each evening, when thousands of people throng to the fair ground.
• Handicraft Fair (Dec.)
  A large handicraft fair is organized at Kota during December each year. The handmade articles, terracotta figurines, Khadi, tribal artifacts, fabric and paintings may be purchased at most reasonable prices.
• Industrial Fair (Feb.)
  Normally held in February every year, the fair provides an opportunity to local industries, small scale and cottage industries to display their ware, It is very popular with the masses as well.
• ACCOMMODATION
  Enjoy your stay at RTDC Hotel or t luxury, heritage or budget hotels.
  RTDC Hotel Chambal, Nayapura

Continued Page 3....