Love! It may be irresolute for some, jocular other. But description of India without the mention of love cannot be imagined even by an ignoramus fellow. Love for one`s spouse, one`s children, one`s relatives – these are an in dispensable portion of India, its life, its way of living. Teej Festival inundates Royal Rajasthan in the tranquil, yet titanic flow of love.
Commemorating the union of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva, Teej festival vindicates oneself from all sins, and is also celebrated for the well-being of spouse and children.
Apart from the aforesaid reasons, Teej is celebrated in order to welcome with verve the advent of the monsoon month of Shravan (August). The unfeigned fragrance of the soil, which embraces the first drops of the sumptuous rains, fills every heart with vivacity. As the word “Teej” indicates, the festival is carried on for three days which includes rigorous fasts, as well as delicious feasts.
The urbane theatrical that is a synopsis to Teej festival are the swings, which are hung from trees, and women, representing blithe and divine beauty, dress themselves in apropos turquoise colored garments. Ghevar sweet adds a cloying flavor to the occasion. The Teej idol is sheltered under a canopy, gilded in an ornate fashion.
All these simple, yet opulent ceremonies, are the soul of a vibrant Rajasthan. Their essence into your own self will seem an enigma, until you witness it yourself.
Oh,the swirly heat of Rajasthan! Most of us have the same notion regarding Rajasthan summers.The hot summers sometimes seem to be a punitive approach of good towards us. But summer isn’t so harsh when our regal Rajasthan regales us with its summer festival.
The lone hill station of Rajasthan. Mount Abu, placates us with its summer festival in the month of June. Accumulating widespread appreciation from the tourist over a span of 3 days, the summer festival represents the traditions and culture of the tribal folk.
The festival starts off with a racy performance by the singing of a ballad. The excitation reaches an epitome of excellence by various dance performances, boat races on the Nakki Lake and an arrant musical extravaganza, Sham-e-Quwalli.
The festival event comes to an end with an aggrandized display of fireworks, leaving an impression in the mind of the people that splices up to ad-infinitum.
The land of Mewar is known for the rich history it holds in congealment. A land that cherishes the love Mirabai had for Lord Krishna, a land that narrates the epic story of Rana Sanga – Mewar splices love and valor, piety and courage. It has set a paradigm of diversity in the metaphoric book called India. Change is inevitable. It is the law of nature. So, it is only befitting that we accept it with broadened heart and mind.
Regal Rajasthan welcomes the spring season in an obsequious festivity, organizing the Marwar festival in the Hindu month of Chaitra (March-April). The Mewar festival comes as a lagniappe with your trip to Rajasthan, the fervor and vibe being unparalleled in any respect. Procession are taken out in various areas of Udaipur and it comes to a halt at the Gangaur Ghat of Lake Pichola.
There can be hardly any festival in magnificent Rajasthan that is not osculated with the vibrant folk dance and music, in a flamboyant,yet humble way. Dances and songs entice an aura of joviality, proliferating happiness in a myriad of hearts.The quietus of the festival is the remarkable display of fireworks and a procession of the images of Isar and Gangaur,ornated in sparkling jewelry and colorful attire.
Bravery,courage! It runs in the veins of the denizens of Rajasthan. Gallantry, chivalry-urbane etiquettes adorn them.It’s not just our courtesy,it’s our patriotism. Rajasthan has gifted the nation with numerous brave sons who have never hesitated to oblige the nation with their lives. Marwar festival commemorates the sacrifices of our beloved brothers.
“Kesariya Balam Aavori,Padhaaro Maare Dess!”
A melodious music,a rejuvenating time that brings forth the fragrance of Rajasthan.Wonder what might be the ecstasy when you can mesmerize yourself in the tune throughout the fest.The Marwar festival drenches you in a semblance of this ecstasy. Regaling yourself in the traditional Rajasthani folk music,tread your way into the oblivion of jubilation organized in September-October in the city of Jodhpur,The full moon in Sharad Poornima seems even more appealing in the backdrop of Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mandor and Mehrangarh fort.
Witness the romantic and regal lifestyle of the kings of our yesteryears. The two days of grand festivity,cajoled with music and dance enthrall an exaltation within.Maand,the classical folk music is sure to caress the chords of your heart.The jovial insignia is sure to encapsulate anyone in the verve of life.Along with music,engage yourself in a bucolic game of camel polo and soak your eyes in the mesmerizing pool of the camel show.
You can ensure yourselves of the fact that Marwar would definitely uplift your spirits to a state of profuse vibrancy.The Marwar convivial would definitely be a cherished moment of your Rajasthan trip.
India-the land of festivals and fairs! This is how people know India all the world over, apart from many other definitions. But the land of unity in diversity is diverse even with respect to the spectacular festivals. Beginning in the month of January, India’s most unique festival, the Jaipur Literary Festivals, lights up the stage. The biggest literary fest in the whole of Asia, Jaipur Literary fest is organized each year, with the Diggi Palace Hotel as its main venue.
The celebration of Rajasthani, Indian and International writings is phenomenal here. The festival is held every year, with millions of visitors as well as well renowned celebrities from all over the world flocking in great numbers. The fest came quite in controversy because of a number of events related to the invited author Salman Rushdie and the Satanic Verses controversy.
So do plan to get drenched in the bookish colours of this grand literary fest!
Culture and traditions play such an important role in our lives, don’t they? India lives or thrives in these traditions, festivals and its spectacular culture. There is a festivity to mark the beginning or to bid adieu to any auspicious occasion in India. That is the extent of cultural affluence that India exhibits.
The land of Rajasthan, is obviously thus, no different. Festivals are a characteristic trait of this majestic land. Colours, vibrancy, vivacity- are its ornaments. The Kite festival is a wonderful example of Rajasthan’s spectacular vivacity. Not just Rajasthan, people from all over India are gung ho about the celebrations of Makar Sankranti. Rajasthan enjoys the occasion in a splash of colours that adorns the limitless sky. Innumerable number of kites flock the place; the beauty that the scene exhibits- priceless. Celebrated on the 14th of January every year, the festival attracts visitors from all over the world and gifts them with experiences and enjoyment of a lifetime.
Makar Sankranti is considered to be the start of Uttarayan, or the northward journey of the sun. Thus, people of Jaipur and whole of Rajasthan celebrate this great with great reverence towards the Sun god, who is the source of all energy on earth. Many kite flying competitions are organized, along with the International Kite Festival organized by the state government.
Desire!! It is considered to be the root cause of all evil, right? People tend to sway in the flow of their desires to commit those acts which they shouldn`t. But in case of Incredible India, the case is quite different. Desire gives rise to great festivals in this great land. Confused?? Let`s unravel the story ourselves.
In our land of fortitude and regality, our Royal Rajasthan, the Gangaur festival is a wonderful way to unravel our story and slither our way away from any sort of dilemma as to how can desire be ecstatic sometimes, and a festivity for an entire region. The Gangaur Festival is a canorous melody in the symphony of colours and magnificence.
The word `Gangaur` is used to designate Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. The reason why desire leads to a bravura of magnificence in Rajasthan, is the Gangaur Festival itself. The Gangaur festival cropped out of the DESIRE of young and beautiful damsels of the land to be blessed with a husband as opulent and glistening in grandeur as Lord Shiva. The form of worship is a sight to witness. The unmarried girls, in order to obtain the gift their `Mr. Right` carry `Ghudilas` on their heads with a lamp burning inside them, accompanied by the singing of the rich traditional Rajasthani folk songs.
All these festivities are carried out on the seventh day after Holi. Even the married womenfolk participate with great fervor and vigour in the festivities. From the day of commencement of the festivities on the first day of the month of Chaitra, the celebrations go on for 18 days. Rigorous fasting is carried out by the newly wedded for 18 days which is strictly compulsory. The married women pray for the well-being of their spouse and children, typical of the benevolent and magnanimous nature of Indian women. The festival is at its best during the last three days of the celebrations, when the statues of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati are adorned in beautiful clothes and jewellery. Gangaur Festival is truly symbolic of our royal Rajasthan`s diverse culture.
Another feather in the cap of the festivals of Rajasthan is the vibrant elephant Festival. Celebrated on the day of Holi, usually in the month of March, the festival is a luculent representation of the love of the people of Rajasthan towards animals. Bearing semblance to the camel festival, the elephants are adorned in beautiful accessories and heavy jewelry. Innumerous events mark the celebration like Elephant polo, Elephant race, tug of war between elephant and men & women. The elephant festival is clearly symbolic of our Royal Rajasthan`s regality,its grandeur and vivacious culture.
The Great Indian Desert is undoubtedly Rajasthan`s trademark. Desert has always been the chord which splices up Rajasthan and the people. The vastness of the desert is symbolic of Rajasthan`s greatness, its expanse depicting the arduous yet fascinating life of the people in its vicinity. Desert has always been of great importance for the people of Rajasthan. Organized in the month of January or February in Jaisalmer,the Desert Festival is their way of thanking the desert for its importance in their lives.
The festival is celebrated for three days with great pomp and joy and it ends on a full moon night.The colourful attire of the people and the songs of paean depicting heroism and romance of their heroes is a spectacular addition to the festival. Hilarious and quite fascinating events like the turban tying completion, most glorious moustache competition, Mr. Desert competition – all add up to the jubilation of the fest. The folk dances and music cajole the festivities into vivacity and liveliness.
The elegance of the dancers and the singers is sure to leave any soul spellbound. There is a spectacular display of the handicraft works of Rajasthan, luring tourists as well as residents of Jaisalmer.
Camels have always been a synopsis in the story of Rajasthan and it is only befitting that they are adorned with love and kindness of the people. The camel festival of Rajasthan is a vibrant display of Rajasthan`s extreme love and generosity towards this “ship of the Desert”. It is held in the city of Bikaner where the monument at Junagarh Fort subsumes the backdrop. The camels tap their feet to the tune of their trainers, decorated in exquisite accessories. Dance and music are a refulgent attraction of this festival.
The lambent highlight of this festival are the blazing fire dancers balancing burning lamps on their foreheads while dancing. Many competitions add re juvenescence to this macrocosm of joy, which include the tug of war content, camel dance, acrobatics etc. The camel festival is definitely a radiant feature of grand Rajasthan.