2. Festive Dates
Name of festival 2012 2013
Pushkar Fair
Pushkar, near Ajmer in Rajasthan
02 -10 Nov 20-28 Nov
Desert festival
Jaisalmer in Rajasthan
16-18 Feb 05-07 Feb
Dushera and Ramlila
Kullu, Himachal Pradesh and Mysore,
Karnataka.
04-06 Oct 22-24 Oct
Deepawali
Festival of lights, all over India
26 Oct 13 Nov
Holi
Festival of Colors; Jaipur, Jodhpur and Mathura
8 Mar 27 Mar
Ganesh Chaturthi
Maharashtra
19 Sept 19 Sept
Nagaur festival
Nagaur in Rajasthan
10 -13 Feb 30 Jan – 02 Feb
Gangaur festival
Jaipur in Rajasthan
06 – 08 Apr 25 -27 March
RIFF, Jodhpur 26 – 30 Oct Dates to be advised
Kumbh Mela, Allahabad N.A. 27 Jan – 25 Feb
3. Pushkar
• The Pushkar Cattle Fair is one of the largest in India and the only one
of its kind in the entire world. During the fair, Lakhs of people from
rural India flock to Pushkar, along with camel and cattle for several
days of livestock trading, horse dealing, pilgrimage and religious
festival.
• Pushkar is located 145 Km from Jaipur and 185 Km from Jodhpur.
Nearest railway station is Ajmer, located at a distance of 15 Km.
Desert Festival
• Once a year in winter and in the middle of the continually rising
and falling stark yellow sands of the great Thar Desert, the empty
sands around Jaisalmer come alive with the brilliant color, music
and laughter of the Desert Festival. It is a two day fair involving
many cultural and musical performances.
• Desert festival is held every year at Jaisalmer and is located at a
distance of 268 km from Jodhpur.
4. Dussehra
• Its one of the big festivals celebrated in most parts of India.
Dussehra marks the victory of Ram over the demon king Ravana,
and the rescue of his wife Sita. In north India, gigantic effigies of
the ten-headed Ravana and his brothers are set aflame amidst
bursting of crackers.
• Best Places to enjoy Dusseha are Kullu in Himachal and Mysore
in Karnataka.
Deepawali
• This Hindu festival brings excitement and joy to the hearts of people. Its
the festival of Laxmi, the Goddess of prosperity and wealth. It is believed
that Goddess Laxmi brings peace and prosperity to all. Celebrated all
across India, every year in October-November Diwali is perhaps the most
popular of all Indian festivals. It is a celebration of light, both literally
and metaphorically. The origin of this festival can be traced back to the
ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, when Lord Rama returned to his kingdom
Ayodhya after 14 years of exile.
• Best Places to enjoy Deepawali are Delhi, Jaipur, Bhopal and Jodhpur.
5. Holi
Ganesh Chaturthi
• Holi is one of the major festival of India and is the most vibrant of all.
The festival is filled with lots of fun and frolic. It is also known as
Festival of Colors. The most celebrated Holi is in the Mathura,
Vrindavan, Jaipur and Udaipur. The Elephant Festival is organized at
Jaipur the capital city of Rajasthan, this day coincides with day of
Holika Dahan, just a day before Dulendhi, when this festival of color
and joy Holi is celebrated all over India.
• Jaipur is 265 Km from Delhi and is well connected by air, rail and road.
• Ganesh Chaturthi marks the birthday of Lord Ganesh. Lord Ganesha is
one of the most popular deities in the Hindu religion, and the son of
Shiva and Parvati. People buy idols of Ganesha and place them in their
houses for worship from one to ten days, after that idols are taken out
ritually and immersed into the river, sea or well. The festival was
promoted by Lokmanya Bal Ganga Dhar Tilak, the man behind who took
the festival as a tool to unite people for the cause of independence. He
was the first person to install large public image of Ganesha.
• The festival is celebrated mainly in Maharashtra and the best place to be
in is Mumbai.
6. Nagaur Festival
• This eight-day fair held every year during the month of Jan-Feb, is
popularly known as the cattle fair and is the second largest in
Rajasthan. Nagpur becomes 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 their colorful turbans and long moustaches.
• Nagaur is located 140 Km from Jodhpur, 250 Km from Jaipur and 113
Km from Bikaner.
Gangaur Festival
• Gangaur is one of the most important local festivals in 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 Mar-Apr, the first month of
the Hindu calendar. This month marks the end of winter and the
onset of spring. Best place to witness Gangaur Festival is Jaipur.
7. Rajasthan International Folk Festival
• The RIFF brings together more than 250 Musicians and artists
from across Rajasthan and around the world to honor their
musical heritage and create new sounds through innovative
collaborations, for 5 days in Oct each year. It is timed to
coincide with the brightest full moon of the year in North
India, Sharad Poornima, RIFF features a series of spectacular
concerts and events in and around Mehrangarh Fort, Jodhpur.
• Jodhpur is located 331 Km from Jaipur. It can also be reached
by direct flight from Delhi.
Kumbh Mela
• The Kumbh Mela is a festival held in Allahabad every twelve
years. Year 2013 will witness the congregation of Sadhus, Saints
and Nomadic Tribes from across India. Allahabad is located in
Uttar Pradesh at bank of river Ganges and Yamuna.
• Kumbh Mela will start from 27 Jan to 25 Feb 2013. Important
Bathing date is 10th
Feb 2013. Allahabad is located 202 Km from
Lucknow and 320 Km from Varanasi.
