Rajasthan: Festivals and Fairs

Rajasthan: Festivals & Fairs: Rajasthan is a land of fairs & festivals, but before we can get understanding of these it is essential to learn the names of Indian Seasons & months, as the India festivals & fairs are organized based on Hindi calendar, which is LUNAR.

Basics of Hindu Lunar Calendar

• In Hindu calendar, year begins with 1- Chaitra:
• First day after new moon (Amavsya)
• New Year of Vikram Samvat (2076 in 2019)
• 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)

Now, we shall describe the festival according to the months:

Festivals and Fairs of Rajasthan in Chaitra:

Festival:

• Gangor
  • Worship of Eser ji & Gauri ji made of clay.
  • 16 days festival
  • Main Celebration: Jodhpur, Jaipur, Udaipur, Kota
  • Colonel Tod described Gangor of Udaipur

Fairs:

• Karni Mata Mela (I)
  • At Bada – in Nokha, Bikaner
  • From Shukla – 1^st -10^th
• Lakhi Mela
  • At Mahavir Ji, Sawai Madhopur
  • From Chaitra Shuka 1^st – Vaisakha Krishna 3^rd
• Kaila Devi Mela
  • At Sawai Madhopur
  • From Krishna 12^th –Shukla 12^th
  • Main: Shukla – 8^th

Festivals & Fairs of Rajasthan in Vaisakha:

• Brith Hari Mela
  • In Alwar

Festivals & Fairs of Rajasthan in Shravana:

• Kalyan Ji ka Mela
  • At Diggipuri-Malpura- Tonk
  • On Amaysya
• Teej ka Mela
  • At Jaipur(Famous), rest rajasthan also
  • On Shukla -3^rd

Festivals & Fairs of Rajasthan in Bhadra:

• Baba Ramdev Ji ka Mela
  • At Runicha – Pokaran- Jaisalmer
  • From Shukla Paksh – 2^nd -11^th
• Brithari Mela(II)
  • In Alwar
• Karjali Teej Mela
  • In Bundi on 3rd

Ashwin:

• Karni Mata Mela
  • In Nokh, Bikaner
  • From Sukla 1^st -10^th

Kartik:

• Kapil Muni Mela
  • In Kolayat Bikaner
  • On Kartik Purnima
• Puskar Mela
  • In Pushkar, Ajmer
  • On Kartik Purnima

Magha:

• Beneshwar Mela
  • In Beneshawar, Dungarpur
  • On Purnima (Shivratri)

Phalguna:

• Khatu Shyam ji Mela
  • In Sikar
  • From Shukla 10^th -12^th 

FAIRS & FESTIVALS in Rajasthan based on Gregorian Calendar

January

• Kite Festival
  • Celebrated across the state of Rajasthan but the festivities are at peak in Jaipur.
  • 14th January of any year.
• Camel Festival, Bikaner
  • The camel festival is organised by the Department of Tourism in Bikaner.
  • Organised on 2nd Saturday-Sunday in January every year.

June

• Summer Festival, Mount Abu
  • The three-day festival is held at Mount Abu in June every year and is a feast of folk and classical music.

October

• Marwar Festival
  • Held in October in Jodhpur, this annual two-day event attempts to showcase the art and culture of the Jodhpur region.

November

• Bundi Festival
  • Celebrated in district of Bundi.
• Matsya Festival
  • Celebrated in Alwar
• Pushkar Fair
  • Pushkar fair is held in November in Pushkar, Ajmer

December

• Ranakpur Festival
  • Ranakpur located in district Pali.
  • Usually held on the 21st and 22nd of December every year
• Winter Festival
  • The annual Winter Festival held at Mount Abu in December.
  • The dates for 2019 are 29th December and 30th December