Rajasthan's tradition can be captured at its festive best at the fairs and festivals, which are dazzling theatrical and lively. In fact, there is a local saying that "Rajasthanis celebrate nine festivals a week".

The festive spirit is such that cattle marts turn into delightful fairs. While some traditional melas and festivals have a mythological origin, others commemorate a local hero or saint. They provide the visitor with a splendid opportunity to gain an insight into the lives of the Rajasthanis. There is dancing singing drama, devotional music and other community activities to enthrall any visitor.

Pushkar Fair
The most easily identifiable of Rajasthan's many fairs, Pushkar has come to symbolize the delirious heartbeat of the people of the state. An 8th century temple of Bramha on banks of a lake draws the faithful by the thousands.

Pilgrims bathe at the ghats and pray at the temple while the world's largest camel fair is held in the vast stretching desert around it. It is also a time for friends and families to get together, camp in the desert, entertain each other with folk dances and music, cook meals over camp fires and wander through the exuberant melee of people looking through handicrafts, or simply to stand in a queue for a giant wheel.

FESTIVAL CALENDAR