Rajasthan Tourism Festivals and Festive Calendar 2004 to 2010
The Pink City rejoices
and celebrates the fairs and festivals with pomp and gaiety since
time immemorial. These fairs and festivals reflect the rich culture
and heritage of the region. Jaipur has a flair for celebrating every
occasion.
¤ ELEPHANT FESTIVAL - (March-April) 6 March, 2004,
25 March, 2005, 14 March, 2006, the
 elephant enthrall the spectators
on the day of the Colourful festival of Holi at Chaugan stadium.
Beautifully decorated elephants assemble for royal procession,
Elephant polo match, races etc. & Rajasthan Folk music & dance
performances are part of the festival.
The sight of mighty jumbos striding majestically is a treat to
watch. The mahavats or owners proudly decorate their elephants with
bright colours, jhools (saddle cloth) and heavy jewellery. Female
elephants are made to wear payals or anklets which tinkle as they
walk. Prizes are given for the most beautifully decorated elephant.
Even more exciting is the Polo match, the Elephant race, the
tug-of-war between elephant and 19 men and women. The most colourful
being the playing of Holi on Elephant back.
¤ GANGAUR - (March-April) 4-5 April, 2003, 23-24 March, 2004, 11-12 April, 2005,
1-2 April,
 2006, this festival is celebrated by the maidens and
married women, and is dedicated to Gauri, the incarnation of Goddess
Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. A Colourful procession is taken
out from Zanana Deodhi of the City Palace, passing through Tripolia
Bazar, Gangauri Bazar, Chaugan and converging near Talkatora for two
consecutive days.
Images of Isar & Gauri
are made of clay for the festival. In some families, permanent
wooden images are painted afresh every year by reputed painters
called Matherans on the eve of the festival. A distinct difference
between the idols of Teej and Gangaur is that the idol will have a
canopy during the Teej festival while the Gangaur idol would not a
canopy.
The ladies decorate their hands and feet by drawing design with
Mehendi (myrtle Paste). The figures drawn range from the sun, Moon
and the stars to simple flowers or geometrical designs.
 ¤
TEEJ -
(July-August) 12 August 2003, 19-20 August, 2004, 8-9 August, 2005,
28-29 July, 2006, festival marking the advent of monsoon, swings are
hung from trees and decorated with flowers. Young girls sing songs
of love and about the rain. The festival is dedicated to parvati,
commemorating the day when she was united with Lord Shiva, A
magnificent procession is taken out from City Palace, similar to the
Gangaur procession, for two consecutive days.
¤
MAKAR
SANKRANTI - celebrated on the 14th of January, every year with
traditional fervour, the devotees take a holy dip in the holy tank
at Galtaji, it has now also become a kite flying festival, millions
of colourful kites come on the sky of Jaipur on this day.
¤
SHITLA ASHTAMI
- (March-April) this festival is locally called as Basoda, is
celebrated to ward off the dreaded disease of small pox. The most
famous fair is held at the Shitla Mata temple in Chaksu (on the
Jaipur Kota Road), people gather here to pray and celebrate.
¤
DONKEY FAIR -
(Khalkani Mata Mela) (October) the donkeys day at Looniyawas near
Sanganer, Thousands of donkeys from all over north India are brought
here for buying and selling. The donkey races and sports are
organised for the merriment of people. A rare sight indeed.
Festive Calendar 2004 to 2010 |
