Top Festival in Held in Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer has a vibrant and colorful culture. Its festivals represent the conventional and imperial heritage of the city. These colorful festivals are popular throughout the country. All these festivals are enthusiastically celebrated with great pomp and show. Not just locals, but people from far off places also come to witness the beauty of these festivals. Each of the festivals celebrated here has its own significance. It brings you in touch with the true Rajasthani culture that is popular all across the globe. If you happen to be on a Jaisalmer tour, then make sure you be a part of most of these popular festivals.
Desert Festival:
Desert Festival is the most popular festival celebrated in Jaisalmer. This festival is organized in February. It is a three-day festival that reveals the heritage, colorful culture, and local elements, of Rajasthan. Desert festival allures foreign tourists, and also introduces them to the grand tradition, and culture of Rajasthan. This wonderful festival is funded by the ”Rajasthan State Tourism Corporation”.
This festival happens three days before the occurrence of the full moon. It is celebrated in the Sam dunes, that is located 42 kilometers from Jaisalmer city. Romantic, unspoiled, and remote, this location and the three-days event delights people.
This celebration makes the desert lively with enthusiasm, happiness, and color. The event starts with a parade from the majestic Jaisalmer Fort and ends at the Shahid Poonam Singh Stadium. The locals dress in vibrant, and traditional attire. They dance and sing portraying the accomplishments and misfortunes of the desert. Renowned musicians and dancers from all parts of Rajasthan create a mesmerizing environment with their characteristic performances. Some of the popular highlights of the festival are the Gair dance, fire dance and gymnastic acts by the Kalabaz, and enchanting folk music recitals by Manganiars and Bhopa’s Langhas.
People from far off places come to be a spectator of camel polo, camel races, camel decoration and gymnastics on a camel that are considered to be the crowning trinkets of this festival. Some of the other attractions of this festival are Tug-of-war, Maru-Shri or Mr. Desert event, the longest mustache competition, turban tying, finale of the Rajasthani folk concert, Air Force display, parachuting, and a cricket match. Jaisalmer's palace in the background creates a magical ambiance. Lip-smacking food and stalls selling handicrafts, artifacts, and other mementos catch the attention of tourists. Desert camping and desert safari are enjoyed by a lot of people.
Teej:
Teej is another festival that is celebrated in Jaisalmer especially by married ladies. This is an extremely colorful festival, where all married ladies wear new, and vibrant dresses and adorn themselves with ornaments. They also put Mehendi on their hands. This is a very auspicious event. On this day, women worship Goddess Parvati and pray for the long life, and welfare of their husbands.
Deepawali:
Deepawali is another major festival in Jaisalmer. The day is celebrated by worshipping Goddess Lakshmi for providing wealth, and prosperity to people. Lord Ganesha is worshiped to remove all the obstacles in the life of people. People also worship Goddess Saraswati and seek her blessings for illuminating their life with knowledge, music, art, learning, and wisdom. People throughout the city and the country decorate their houses with Rangoli, Diyas, and lights. They prepare and distribute sweets to their loved ones.
Holi:
Holi is a festival of belongingness. People forget all their enmity with others and celebrate the festival with happiness, and fervor. They apply dry or wet color on each other’s faces. In the evening, people dress in beautiful clothes, distribute sweets, visit local fairs and meet their loved ones.
