CAMEL FESTIVAL

Time : January
Place : Bikaner

Held annually in Bikaner, the festival is celebrated with great pomp and show. The star attraction of the festival is the majestic, hard working and peace-loving "ship of the desert".

So, on the day of the Camel Festival, the camels are adorned with a lot of love and care. Colorful saddles, anklets with chimes and jewels around the necks, the camels look really exotic. A procession begins and these tame and timid animals march against the backdrop of the magnificent Junagarh Fort. There are games and shows like the tug-of- war contest and camel dance.

ELEPHANT FESTIVAL

Time : March, on the eve of Holi
Place : Jaipur

A festival where elephants are the centre of attraction. The festival begins with a procession of elephants, camels and horses, followed by lively folk dancers. Elephant races, elephant-polo matches and a most interesting tug of war between elephants and men, are all part of this spectacular event.

GANGAUR FESTIVAL

Time : March/April
Place : Throughout Rajasthan

The most important local festival in Rajasthan, Gangaur celebrations last for eighteen days. It is dedicated to Gauri, a manifestation of goddess Parvati. The festival is celebrated by girls and married women throughout Rajasthan. The images of Gauri are ornamented and offerings are made. This is also an auspicious day for young people to select their life partners. Colourful processions with the town band playing, horses and elaborate palanquins make it a fascinating spectacle.

TEEJ FESTIVAL

Time : July/August
Place : Rajasthan

This swing festival welcomes the advent of the monsoon. Swings are hung from trees and decorated with flowers. Women, colourfully attired, swing on them and sing songs in celebration. This festival is dedicated to the Goddess Parvati, commemorating her union with Lord Shiva.

While the monsoons quench the thirst of the parched land and scent of wet earth rises intoxicatingly in the air, the young girls, and the married womenfolk all pray to Goddess Parvati to bless them with good husbands and thereafter bless them with conjugal bliss and happiness.