Desert Festival Jaisalmer Rajasthan 2024

 

The Desert Festival is an annual event that take place in February month in the beautiful city Jaisalmer. It is held in the Hindu month of Magh (February), three days prior to the full moon. The festival is celebrated at the beautiful sam dunes of the Thar Desert 42 kilometers from Jaisalmer. Romantic, remote and unspoiled location comes to life during the three day of the desert festival.
 
Jaisalmer Desert Festival is one of the most popular and colorful cultural events of Rajasthan. It is the best platform to portray the culture and traditions of Rajasthan through folk music, dance, magic shows, acrobats, puppet shows, Desert Safari and other art forms.
 
The traditional performance of Rajasthani artists is something which leaves the audiences in a charmed. Also, this majestic festival proves to be an ideal platform for all the local creative artist in Jaisalmer to showcase their incredible skills. Following are the best things you can do during Jaisalmer Desert Festival.
 
 

Camel Race Competition

 

 

Camel Racing is a fun-filled race around the world and has become an integral part of the desert and is considered an attractive sports activity. Camels are decorated in all their glorious majesty and then makes way for a fierce race during the three-day celebration of the desert festival, which creates a sensation among the zestful crowds. This incredible experience is one of the most amazing sights at the desert festival.
 
 

Ghoomar Dance

 

 

Ghoomar is a traditional folk dance of Bhil tribe performed to worship goddess Sarasvati which was later embraced by other Rajasthani communities. Ghoomar became popular in the Indian state of Rajasthan during the reigns of Rajput kings, and is typically performed by women during gatherings. The dance is performed by women who wear flowing dresses called ghaghara and with ghoonghat covering their face. According to the traditional rituals, newly married bride is expected to dance ghoomar on being welcomed to her new marital home. Ghoomar is often performed on special occasions, such as at weddings, festivals and religious occasions.
 
 

Panihari Matka Race Competition

 

 

This activity celebrates the culture of Rajasthan in the most beautiful way possible. Carrying water in mud-pots is one of the distinct features, which is very prevailing in this part of the country for years. The Panihari Matka Race is a popular event during the Jaisalmer Desert Festival. The Panihari Matka Race is a popular event during the Jaisalmer Desert Festival. The participants pick up the earthen pots on their head that are filled with water and have to race to the finish line without breaking the pot. Many local and foreign women take part in this enthralling activity, which is a huge attraction at the desert festival.
 
 

Puppetry

 

 

It is the integral part of the Rajasthani culture, which is always included in any fair. Puppetry has always played a major role in the traditional drama segment, which exclusively is showcased in the rural areas of Rajasthan. Local people fascinate this practice and create a lot of merriment during the activity. So do not miss this opportunity during your Rajasthan tour. Foreign tourists also get insights into the vibrant culture of Rajasthan through the exuberating activity of Puppetry.
 
 

Fire Dance

 

 

Fire dance is a unique dance famous in the desert region of Rajasthan. This dance is the outstanding example of the lifestyle of the Banjara community and is performed on a large ground, spread with live wood and charcoal. It is a traditional folk dance that depicts the style of living of the Jasnathis belonging to Churu and Bikaner districts of Rajasthan. It is one of the oldest and most difficult dance forms and therefore performed by skilled dancers only.
 
 

Acrobatics

 

 

The astonishing skills of the talented acrobats activity takes years of practices and hard work to execute enough to give glory to the visitors. Acrobatics are performed on the camels as well, which is performed by trained professionals. Even, rural women of Rajasthan showcase their incredible skills by carrying “Matkas” on their head and simultaneously balancing their bodies while dancing as well.
 
 

Kalbeliya Dance

 

 

Kalbelia dance is a folk dance of Rajasthan state of India. This dance is particularly performed by a Rajasthani tribe called "Kalbelia". The popularity of this dance is so much worldwide. This majestic cultural "Kalbelia" dance and songs are now recognises UNESCO Cultural Heritage of Humanity from the year 2010. In Kalbelia dance, males play various traditional instruments and females perform a dance. Kalbelia dance is one of the most sensuous dance among all Rajasthani dances.
 
 

Turban Tying Competition

 

 

Turban is regarded as one of the iconic identity for Rajasthani men. It signifies dignity, pride and prestige of their stature in the society. Thus, the Turban tying competition becomes one of the highly anticipated events at the desert festival.
 
 

Camel Polo Match

 

 

The Camel Polo is one of the unique sports in the world that is played only in Dubai in UAE and Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India. It is played between two teams of four in each. The Camel Polo event in the Jaisalmer Desert Festival is one of the eyecatching events that grab thousand eyeballs.
 
 

Maru-Shri (Mr. Desert Competition)

 

 

This is one of the bizarre competition, which is incredibly popular amongst rural men in Rajasthan. Moustache in Rajasthan is a sign of manhood and pride. All the local men dress up in the traditional avatar like wearing a dhoti, turban and raised moustaches, for a manly look. The most alluring personality wins the event. This is a competition which is also named as “MaruShri” or as the Man of the Desert. The caliber of man is measured by the length of the moustaches of the participants. The man who have longest moustaches will be the winner. It is funny but interesting too.
 
 

Desert Safari

 

 

If you have plans to enjoy three days at Jaisalmer Desert festival, take out some time to enjoy a thrilling safari at Thar Desert. Enjoy a camel ride far away into the desert and on the way admire the stunning landscape. You can even stay overnight in the luxury desert camps and make the safari worth in every aspect. Desert safari on camels and jeep in the Thar Desert will also be organised during the Festival.
 
 

Jaisalmer City Tour

 

 

With so many attractions to see and explore; one can enjoy a fun-filled Jaisalmer city tour during one of the days of the Jaisalmer Desert Festival. Along with the Golden Fort which is the main attraction, Jaisalmer is blessed with a fairly large number of forts, palaces, temples, Havelis, and a lake that never disappoints any traveler.
 
 

Desert Festival Jaisalmer 2024 Dates:

Jaisalmer Desert Festival is a 3-day event starting from 22-24 February 2024.
 
 

How To Reach Jaisalmer Desert Festival

By Air: Jaisalmer doesn’t have its own airport. The nearest airport is at Jodhpur; 300 km away and regular flights ply from all the major Indian cities to Jodhpur.
 
By Rail: Jaisalmer is well connected through Jaipur, Jodhpur, Ajmer and Delhi.
 
By Road: Rajasthan Roadways and private buses ply regularly from Jaisalmer to Jodhpur, Jaipur, Ajmer, Bikaner, Udaipur, Mount Abu, Barmer, Ahmedabad and Delhi.


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