Fairs and Festivals of Rajasthan

Fairs and Festivals of Rajasthan reflect the vibrant cultural heritage and traditions of the state, making them an integral part of Rajasthan history. These colorful celebrations, filled with music, dance, and rituals, showcase the unity and diversity of the people across different regions of Rajasthan.

Fairs and Festivals of Rajasthan

Rajasthan, known for its vibrant culture, celebrates numerous fairs and festivals, embodying its rich traditions and lively spirit. The phrase “Saat vaar, nau tyohar” (Seven days, nine festivals) reflects the state’s festive essence, rooted in agricultural cycles, changing seasons, and local customs. These events, marked by grand processions, folk arts, and ritualistic worship, provide joy, relaxation, and a glimpse into the region’s heritage. Attracting visitors worldwide, they not only entertain but also highlight Rajasthan’s cultural vibrancy and tourism appeal. But, before we can get an understanding of these it is essential to learn the names of Indian Seasons & months, as the India festivals & fairs are organized based on Hindu calendar, which is LUNAR.

  • In Hindu calendar, year begins with 1- Chaitra:
  • First day after new moon (Amavsya)
  • New Year of Vikram Samvat (2081 in 2024)
  • New Year of Saka Samvat (Official Government calendar)
  • 1 Chaitra = 22 march (Normal year) & 21 March (Leap year)
  • Chaitra = 30 days (normal year) & 31 days (Leap year)
Fairs and Festivals of Rajasthan

The festival according to the months:

Festivals in Chaitra 

Gangaur Festival : 
  1. Meaning and Purpose:
    • Gana = Lord Shiva, Gaur = Goddess Parvati.
    • Unmarried girls pray for an ideal groom.
    • Married women seek the long life of their husbands.
  2. Duration:
    • Celebrated from Chaitra Krishna Pratipada (2nd day of Holi) to Chaitra Shukla Tritiya.
    • 16 days festival
  3. Key Rituals:
    • Worship cakes made from Holi ashes and barley sprouts.
    • Unmarried girls decorate vases (kalash) with flowers while singing Gangaur songs.
  4. Idol Worship:
    • Wooden and clay idols of Isarji (Shiva) and Gangaur (Parvati) are worshipped.
    • Clay idols are immersed in water with singing and dancing, while wooden idols are ceremoniously reinstated.
  5. Cultural and Historical Relevance:
    • Tradition originates from the welcome songs sung by Parvati’s friends during her visit to her parental home.
  6. Gangaur Procession:
    • Celebrated grandly in Jodhpur, Jaipur, Udaipur, and Kota.
    • Idols are paraded through the city with pomp and show (savaari).
    • In Udaipur, the procession starts with a cannon blast and drum sounds, culminating at Gangaur Ghat of Pichola Lake with boating and fireworks.
Sheetlastami : 
  • Chaitra Shukla Ashtami
  • ‘Basyoda’ food is eaten on this day

Fairs ni Chaitra :- 

  1. Karni Mata Mela (I) – Bada – in Nokha, Bikaner – from Shukla – 1st – 10
  2. Mahavir Mela at Mahavir Ji, Karauli from Chaitra Shukla 13th to Vaisakha Krishna 3rd
  3. Kaila Devi Mela at Kaila Devi, Karauli  from Chaitra Krishna Ashtami (8th) to Chaitra
  4. Sukhla Ashtami. Also called as Lakkhi Mela.
  5. Kesariyanath ji ka Mela at Rishabhdev, Udaipur on Ashtami (8th).
  6. Sheetla Mata mela is held at Sheel ki Dungari, Jaipur on Krishna Ashtami.

Festivals in Vaisakha 

Akshaya Tritiya
  1. Date and Importance:
    • Celebrated on Vaishakh Shukla Tritiya, considered auspicious without a specific muhurat.
  2. Traditions:
    • Farmers plough fields and worship seven grains, including millet and wheat.
    • Special dishes like wheat-millet khichda, jaggery galwani, and mangodi saag are prepared.
  3. Regional Significance:
    • Foundation Day of Bikaner is celebrated with enthusiasm.

Fairs in Vaisakha :-

  1. Brith Hari (भर्तृहरि) Mela in Alwar
  2. Mata Kundalini mela is held at Rashmi, Chittorgarh on Vaishakh Poornima.

Festivals in Shravana:

Teej Festival
  1. Significance:
    • Celebrated primarily on Shravan Shukla Tritiya by young girls and newly-weds.
    • There is a saying in our Rajasthan about Teej and Gangaur festivals that ‘Teej tyohar bawdi le doobi Gangaur‘ means that the festival cycle starts from Teej and concludes with Gangaur.
  2. Customs:
    • Newly-married women celebrate their first Teej at their maternal home, following the belief of avoiding in-law coexistence in the first Shravan.
    • Women decorate swings, sing monsoon songs, wear jewellery, and apply mehndi.
  3. Celebrations:
    • Fairs are organized on pond banks, and fields are sown with chickling, millet, and beans.
  4. Jaipur Teej Procession:
    • Famous for decorated elephants, horses, and camels, accompanied by Teej idols.
    • Folk songs and dances attract visitors, including foreign tourists.
  5. Kajli Teej (Bundi):
    • Celebrated on Bhadrapad Krishna Tritiya.
    • Procession starts at Naval Sagar and ends at Kumbha Stadium.

Fairs  in Shravana:

  1.  Kalyan Ji ka Mela at Diggipuri-Malpura- Tonk on Amavasya
  2. Teej ka Mela at Jaipur, rest rajasthan also – on Shukla –Tritiya (3rd)

Festivals in Bhadrapad:

Teej Festival
  • Bhadrapad Krishna Tritiya – Badi Teej
Ganesh Chaturthi
  • Bhadrapad Shukla Chaturthi

Fairs in Bhadrapad:

  1. Baba Ramdev Ji ka Mela at Runicha – Pokaran- Jaiselmer from Shukla Paksh – Dooj (2nd ) -11th
  2. Gogaji Mela at Nohar, Hanumangarh from Krishna Ashtami to Ekadashi
  3. Goga Ji Mela at Dadrewa, Churu from Krishna Navami to Shukla Navami.
  4. Bharthari Mela(II) in Alwar
  5. Karjali Teej mela in Bundi on 3rd
  6. Ganesh Mela at Ranthambore, Sawai Madhopur on Ganesh Chaturthi (4th)
  7. Charbhuja mela at Charbhuja, Udaipur on Shukla Ekadashi.

Festivals in Ashwin :-

  1. Karni Mata Mela – in Nokh, Bikaner – from Sukla 1st -10th.
  2. Jambeshwar Mela at Nokha, Bikaner

Festivals in Kartik :-

Deepawali:
  • Kartik Amavasya

Fairs in Kartik :-

  • Kapil Muni Mela in Kolayat Bikaner on Kartik Purnima
  • Puskar Mela in Pushkar, Ajmer from Kartik Shukla Ekadashi to Purnima.
  • Neelapani mela at Hathod village, Dungarpur on kartika Poornima.

Festivals/Fairs in Magha :-

Beneshwar Mela in Beneshawar, Dungarpur –
  • From Shukla Ekadashi to Purnima (Shivratri).
  • This fair is called kumbha of tribals.

Festivals in Phalguna (Falgun) :-

Holi : 
  1. Significance and Celebrations:
    • Celebrated on Phalgun Purnima with dance, music, and colors.
    • Symbolizes seasonal change and the harvest of Rabi crops.
  2. Regional Variations:
    • Kodamar Holi (Bhinay): Teams strike each other with ropes dipped in colored water.
    • Bhagoria Holi: Celebrated by tribals in Udaipur, Banswara, and Dungarpur with traditional Ger dance.
    • Lathmar Holi (Shri Mahavirji): Women playfully strike men with sticks.
    • Stone (patthar mar) Holi (Barmer): Features Eloji’s marriage procession that turns into playful sobbing and crying.
  3. Unique Celebrations:
    • Jaipur: The “Janam, Maran, and Paran” event depicts symbolic ceremonies.
    • Awan and Sangod (Kota): Famous for the 200-year-old Nhan event with games and performances.

Fairs  in Phalguna:

  • Khatu Shyam ji Mela – in Sikar – from Shukla 10th -12th
  • Jambeshwar Mela at Nokha, Bikaner

Cattle fairs in Rajasthan :- 

FairLocationMonthSignificance
Pushkar FairPushkar, AjmerKartik Shukla EkadashiLargest fair for camels, horses, and cattle.
Parbatsar FairNagaurMagh (Jan-Feb)Trade of camels, bulls, and horses.
Ramdevra FairRamdevra, JaisalmerBhadrapad (Aug-Sept)Worship of Baba Ramdev Ji; camel trade.
Jaswantsar FairPachpadra, BarmerKartik (Oct-Nov)Trade of camels and bulls.
Mallinath FairTilwara, BarmerChaitra (March-April)Trade of camels, horses, and bulls.
Balotra FairBarmerBaisakh (April)Trade of camels and bulls.
Chandrabhaga FairJhalawarKartik PurnimaMajor trade of cows and camels.
Kolayat FairKolayat, BikanerKartik PurnimaTrade of camels and bulls; religious bathing.

Hindu Festivals :

Festival NameDate (Hindu Calendar)Reason for Celebration
HoliPhalgun PurnimaVictory of good over evil; Rabi harvest and season change.
DhulandiThe day after Phalgun PurnimaFestival of colors; social harmony.
SinjaraDay before Savan teej / Hariyali TeejCelebration by women with sweets and gifts.
Chaitra NavratriChaitra Shukla Pratipada to NavamiWorship of Goddess Durga.
Ram NavamiChaitra Shukla NavamiCelebration of Lord Rama’s birth.
Akshaya TritiyaVaishakh Shukla TritiyaAuspicious day; no specific muhurat required.
Ganga DussehraJyeshtha Shukla DashamiCelebration of Ganga River’s descent on Earth.
Devshayni EkadashiAshadha Shukla EkadashiLord Vishnu enters four months of Yoga Nidra (cosmic sleep).
Hariyali TeejShravana Shukla TritiyaWorship of Goddess Parvati for happiness and prosperity.
Nag PanchamiShravana Shukla PanchamiWorship of serpent gods.
Raksha BandhanShravana PurnimaCelebration of the sacred bond between brothers and sisters.
JanmashtamiBhadrapada Krishna AshtamiCelebration of Lord Krishna’s birth.
Teja DashamiBhadrapada Shukla DashamiWorship of folk deity Tejaji.
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