Fairs and festivals are much neccessary things to our life, part of our culture and give us an opportunity to forget all our tensions and make merry. Fairs and festivals in Jaipur epitomises this vary idea of living life to the hilt. Fair and festivals in Jaipur, Rajasthan are a colorful affair and offer a wonderful opportunity to tourists to enjoy cultural festivity, fairs and festivals in the dessert state of Rajasthan.

Gogaji Fair

The Gogaji Fair is held in the memory of a popular hero of the area who is known as Goga Veer among the Hindus and Jahar Peer among the Muslims. The Kayam Khani Muslims claim descent from him and regard him as a peer (saint). Staunch believers have faith that invoking Gogaji will help to cure a snake bite or other diseases and many visit the Gogaji Fair and Festival to make a wish or for expressing their gratitude when their wishes come true. This Gogaji Festival lasts for 3 days, annually in the month of Bhadrapada. The samadhi is a marble structure with two minarets and fortified by a boundary wall.

The idol of Lord Gogaji is seated on a blue horse with a snake coiled around the neck. An inscription in persian can be seen at the main entrance which describes Mahmud Ghaznavi's regard for Gogaji, he had arranged for the renovation of the memorial as a token of gratitude when his wish was fulfilled.

The main mode of worship is rubbing incense at the samadhi. The priests are engaged for conducting special prayers in which praises of lord Gogaji are sung. The atmosphere inside the hall is serene and sanctified. Fragrance and incense heighten the feeling of purity and devotion. Outside the main hall, Nath priests can be seen carrying whips (replicas of Gogaji's chabuk) which are considered lucky and offerings are made to them.

Banganga Fair

The well known Banganga Fair is held annually on the full moon day of Vaishakh (April-May) near a rivulet 11 Kms from the historical township of Bairath in Jaipur district. The stream is believed to have been created by Arjun, one of the Pandavas. Visiting the Banganga Fair Jaipur, taking a bath and paying homage to the holy sites in the vicinity at this time is therefore considered very auspicious by the pilgrims who come from Alwar, Behror, Jaipur, Bharatpur and many other places.

The articles sold range from simple rural ornaments to toys and household items. The buying and selling ads to the atmosphere and to the hustle and bustle of the fair. Giant wheels and merry-go-rounds thrill the children as well as the grown-ups.

Baneshwar Fair:

The religious festival with simple and traditional rituals. Quaint rhythms conjure up the tribal cultural identity of the Bhils of Rajasthan, Gujarat & M.P. The Baneshwar means the master of the delta and this name was given to the Shiva linga by the people. The Baneshwar fair is held at a small delta formed by the river Som & Mahi & prayers are offered to Lord Shiva locally named as Baneshwar.

The Baneshwar Fair resounds with the gaiety of traditional folk dances, animal show, magic shows acrobatic feats. Adding to the excitement are me joy ride.” on merygo rounds & swings.

Gangaur Festival

The Gangaur Festival is one of the important festivals in Rajasthan, which is celebrated a fortnight after Holi. It is perhaps the only festival in Rajasthan that is celebrated for 18 days. Celebrated in honor of Goddess Paravati, Gangaur festival is celebrated by the womenfolk of Rajasthan. On the occasion of the festival, offerings are made to the Goddess Parvati. The festival is considered an auspicious occasion for young people to choose their life partners. Though celebrated across Rajasthan, the gangaur festival is a treat to watch in Jaipur and Udaipur.

The gangaur festival is celebrated with pomp and show in Bikaner, Jodhpur and Jaisalmer. During the gangaur festival, images of Gauri, the other name of Goddess Paravati and Shiva called Gan are taken out in colorful processions. Married women fast during the festival and prepare sweet dishes and make offering to Goddess Parvati. Ghewar is the most popular sweet that is served during the festival. The city wears a festive look with streets and shops are beautifully decorated. The procession carrying the images of Shival and Parvati passes through the streets of Jaipur and people come out of their homes to watch the beautiful procession.

The Teej Festival Held during the monsoons, July-August Teej Festival is also dedicated to Lord Shiva and Parvati and this time it is married women who pray for a happy and long married life. Though celebrations are held all over the state, it is particularly colorful in Jaipur where a procession winds its way for two days through the Old City. It is the festival of swings which are decorated with flowers and hung from trees. Young girls and women dressed in green clothes sing songs in celebration of the advent of the monsoon.

Teej Festival is celebrated mainly by the women folk of Rajasthan. Married women who idolize Parvati for her devotion to her husband Shiva celebrate Teej. The festivity revolves around singing and dancing in praise of Parvati.

All over Rajasthan, even in remote villages, Jhoolas (swings) are hung from trees and decorated with leaves and flowers. Ladies and girls can be seen enjoying on these swings, playing games, singing folk songs and applying Mehandi (henna) on their palms. In Jaipur an idol of Goddess Parvati (Teej Mata) is taken out in a royal procession from the city palace so that the general public can have a chance to pay homage to the Goddess.

Antique gilt palanquins, bullock carts pulling cannons, chariots, gaily decorated elephants with silver haodas, horses, camels, brass bands, and group of dances all form a part of this grand spectacle. The Palanquin of Goddess Paravati is carried by 8 men dressed in red color. This kilometer long procession winds its way through the lanes of the old city. Local people come in huge numbers, dress in their best traditional clothes. Space is at a premium as people perch on top of building, windows even trees to catch a glimpse of Goddess.

A lot of merriment prevails during the Teej procession. Groups of men and women can be seen singing dancing and playing musical instruments. Men and women dressed as gods and Goddess also join in the procession. According to Hindu mythology, on the 3rd day (Teej) after the new moon in the month of Shravan Goddess Parvati went to the house of lord Shiva, her husband and was united with him.

This day is celebrated as Teej all over India and especially so in Rajasthan. Apart from its mythological origins this festival also heralds the arrival of the rainy season. In the month of Shravan the long awaited monsoon finally arrives in Rajasthan bringing relief to the parched land. Like a magic wand it transforms the hot, dusty and barren summer landscape of Rajasthan into the fertile green beehive of activity.

Kite Festival of Jaipur

From royal splendor to riotous consensus, 14 January is celebrated in India as Makar Sankranti - heralding the transition of the sun into the Northern hemisphere. There is a tradition of Kite flying in different parts of India on the day of Makar sankranti. In Jaipur Kites virtually blot out the sky. Everyone joins in this riotous celebration and shouts of "Woh Kata!" reverberate from rooftops to the accompaniment of drums as adversary's kites are cut down. It is interesting to note that everyone is an adversary!

This Desert Kite Festival is held every year. Kite makers flaunt kites sized as big as 1.5km of various shapes and Designs. Some Kites carrying messages, some depicting social issues, some as caricatures of politicians. The kite festival has been the most popular event recently; even tourists can take part in various kite flying competitions. The colors that flaunt in the blue sky mesmerize the viewers and tourists.

Elephant Festival

Elephant Fair Come home to Rajasthan and witness the exotic flavor of the region whose culture is as unique as it is distinct. The Elephant Festival is one such event, which draws hordes of crowds that is healthy mixture of locals and tourists to Jaipur, where this joyous festival is held, just days before Holi. On the day of the Elephant Festival every road in Jaipur seems to lead to the famous Polo Ground. The festival is flagged off by a huge procession of elaborately decorated elephants, camels and horses followed by a band of folk performers.

Music, dancing and color becomes the order of the day with multitudes of people descending upon the venue of the most awaited festival in Jaipur Going by Rajasthan's long-standing association with elephants, the gentle beast leads the proceedings of the festival with aplomb. It is by far the most important guest of the festival. Visitors at the Elephant Festival are treated to a rare elephant beauty pageant, which is one of the favorite attractions of the fair.

Add to it colorful dance performances, races and tug of wars. But the polo match played by colorfully dressed men on elephants is by far the most important attraction of the Elephant Festival. Also, you may just get a chance to enjoy an elephant ride in Rajasthan

The Elephant Festival of Jaipur has enthralled many so far. If you also want to be a part of this exciting event next year, make sure that you are in Rajasthan on the 3rd of March (2007) and be a part of an event that is sure to change your conventional way of looking at fun and relaxation.

Jaipur looks like a new bride during the festival as the markets in Jaipur are beautifully decked up for the occasion. It is wonderful to explore the Jaipur markets during the festive occasion. Come and enjoy the festivities in the Pink City with Jaipur.

If you want to travel to Jaipur during a major festival, Jaipur Live offers a number of tour packages for tourists. To book a tour or more information on Jaipur all you need to do is just fill up the form below and we will get back to you.