Rajasthan is the land of festivals and fairs. People in this sparsely populated state look for any excuse to assemble together in celebration and take a break from their otherwise rugged, tough lives. The melas or fairs in the stark barren landscape of Rajasthan give a splendid insight into life here and a glimpse of the aura of romance that is always associated with this land, her people and her culture.


The whole state comes alive in a riot of colours and joyous celebrations. The elaborate rituals and the gaiety with which they surrender themselves to the numerous fairs and festivals of the region shows their sheer zest for life.

A month rarely passes in Rajasthan which does not have a religious festival. Hindus and Muslims join in each others' festivals. Some traditional and religious festivals of Hindus and Muslims with a mythological origin are Holi or the festival of colours, Diwali or the festival of lights, Makar Sankranti, and Urs. A festival typical of Rajasthan is the Gangaur festival, when clay images of Mahadevi and Parvati, are worshiped by women of all castes for 15 days before the ceremonial immersion in water.

Other festivals commemorate a saint or a local hero. Ajmer is one of the most sacred Muslim shrines in India. Some 300,000 pilgrims visit the shrine of the Sufi mystic and saint Khwajah Moinuddin Chishti on his death anniversary or urs.

Rajasthan is known for its animal fairs where camels, horses, elephants and cattle are proudly displayed. These fairs are also a trading ground for sale of animals. An important festival held at Pushkar near Ajmer, which is of religious significance, is simultaneously accompanied by a colourful livestock fair. Farmers from all over the state bring their camels and cattle here. Other festivals mark the changing seasons.