In India, many regions, especially Rajasthan, are of special interest for Ethnic tourism. Rajasthan, with its variety of colorful dresses, folk music and dances, forts and unique tribal cultures, is of special importance.
The rituals, music, dresses and dances are the fullest expressions in the festivals and fairs in different parts of Rajasthan. Some of the are described below:
Pushkar Fair
It is one of the biggest fairs not only in Rajasthan but the whole of India. Pushkar is
situated in Ajmer District, about seven miles north of Ajmer. It is the site of a huge cattle fair with massive participation by locals.
Pushkar is an old town. In Devipurana Pushkar is considered to be one among the nine sacred forests. The mythological origins of Pushkar is given in Padmapurana. According to this, Brahma, “the creator of the world”. was in search of a place for performing yajna.
The lotus. situated on his head fell down and struck the earth at three places, water gushed from these spots and they were termed Jyesth (elder), the Madbya (central) and the Kanishtha (younger) Pushkar.
During the Buddhist times, Pushkar was a flourishing town and an important centre of. Buddhist faith. The discovery of the earliest Indian punchmarked coins at Pushkar and the 2nd Century B.C. stone inscriptions at Sanchi mentioning the charitable donations made by some Pushkar residents proves that Pushkar was a holy place and populous town .
‘The discovery of Bactrian, Greek. and Gupta coins shows the continuing importance of ‘Pushkar even during the Post-Buddhist phase.
At present. Pushkar is a very important Hindu pilgrimage centre. There are five main temples dedicated to Brahma, Savitri Badri Narayan, Varaha and Shiva Atmtishwar.
Every year the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation establishes a temporary “tourist village” which is situated in a huge area and is basically meant for the foreign tourists. From a room to a private cottage is available there on differing rents. During the fair this village is full of tourists.
Near the village sales of various ethnic items ranging from silk goods to leather goods are organized. The fair starts with the tune of Shehnai which is followed by a variety of Rajasthani music and dances. Variety of sweets and other eatables are available in the fair.
A seven day “horse-safari is also organized by the Rajasthan Tourism development
Corporation. It is an expensive affair and is meant mainly for the foreigners. It includes a seven-day horse-riding journey with stoppages at nights in the hotels. Camel-rides are also organized.
Bikaner Festival
Ethnic music. dances and performance by folk artists are the main features of this festival.
Gangaur Festival
This festival commences on Holi and is dedicated to Goddess Parvati. It is a celebration of marital love and continues for 18 days. Finally Parvati leaves for her husband’s place escorted by her husband Lord Shiva.
A grand procession with the idol of Parvati in a palanquin, camels. elephants, horses and people goes through the streets. of the city of Jaipur.
Braj Festivals
Held at Bharatpur on the eve of HoIi, this festival is marked by the celebration of Raslila involving Krishna and Gopis.
Nagaur Fair
Held in the months of January and February at Nagaur (135 Km. from Jodhpur), it is one of the largest cattle fairs in the country. Thousands of camels, horses and bullocks are on sale. The sporting events are the camel races and tug-of-war. The evenings are enlivened by the excited melodies of the ballad-singers,
Rajasthan is full of such festivals and fairs, only some of which could find mention
here.