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Desert
Festival
Jaisalmer exercise immense
charm, but with the staging of the annual Desert Festival (January - February),
it has also become one of the more important events on the annual calendar.
Essentially, it is a showcase of the performing arts of the region on the
stretching sands around this desert citadel. A number of amusing turban
tying competitions and camel races.
Activities
The perfect time to visit
the golden city is during the Desert Festival, held in Jan/Feb. every year,
when the city reverberates to the sound of melodious tunes and rhythms.
Folk dances, exciting competitions an contests, especially the turban-tying
contest. Mr. Desert contest and camel races enliven the festivities. Colorful
craft bazaars are set up for the occasion and a sound and light spectacle
is organized wit folk artists performing against the splendid backdrop
of the famous Sam sand dunes on the full moon night. Surely a not-to-be
missed event.
History
The city has an interesting
legend associated with it, according to which, Lord Krishna-the head of
the Yadav Clan, foretold Arjuna that a remote descendent of the Yadav Clan
would built his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. His prophecy was fulfilled
in 1156 A.D. when Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the Yadav Clan and a Bhatti
Rajput, abandoned his fort at Lodurva and founded a new capital - Jaisalmer,
perched on the Trikuta Hill.
Bahti Rajputs of Jaisalmer
were feudal chiefs who lived off the forced levy on the caravans laden
with precious silks and spices that crossed the territory enroot Delhi-or-Sind.
These caravans earned the town great wealth.
Fairs & Festival
The Rajasthani's love for
color and joyous celebrations, music, dance and festivals makes it one
of the most colorful desert in the world. We have numerous fairs and festivals
of the region. In addition to the festivals celebrated by the Hindus, Muslims
and others, there are also the traditional fairs.
We have all sorts of fair
and festivals like animal fairs, religious fairs and there are fairs to
mark the changing seasons. In fact, celebrations occur almost round the
year and are a splendid opportunity for you to gain an insight into the
life of the Rajasthani. Other than the traditional fairs, recently established
festivals which involve elephants, camel races, dance and music have been
specially organized for the tourists. I recommend you to plan your tour
in a way that you are a part of any of the following fairs and festival
to truly know the rich heritage and culture of Rajasthan:
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