A Guide to Rajasthan’s Festivals and Fairs
- boookmytravel
- Oct 16
- 4 min read
Every season in Rajasthan feels like a celebration. Music echoes through desert towns, colors spill across marketplaces, and the air smells of incense, marigolds, and camel dust.To travel here during a festival is to see Rajasthan at its most alive — a land where devotion, art, and rhythm meet under open skies.
This guide to Rajasthan’s festivals gathers the most captivating fairs and cultural events that reveal the soul of this desert state.
Pushkar Camel Fair: Chaos, Camels, and Colors
Each November, the quiet town of Pushkar transforms into one of India’s most vibrant scenes. Thousands of camels, traders, and travelers gather near the sacred lake, creating a spectacle of sights and sounds.
Morning aartis echo from temples as sunlight glints off the water. By afternoon, the desert turns into a carnival — camel races, folk music, ferris wheels, and vibrant bazaars filled with silver jewelry and embroidered textiles.
Best time: Early November (aligns with the Kartik Purnima full moon)
Experience: Stay by the dunes, join a local family for chai, and watch the sunset over the fairgrounds.
Jaipur Literature Festival: Words Meet Royalty
Held in the regal setting of Clarks Amer, the Jaipur Literature Festival blends culture and intellect. Writers, poets, and readers from across the world gather to exchange ideas over cups of steaming masala chai.
The palace lawns buzz with energy — panel discussions under neem trees, live music in the evenings, and impromptu poetry circles that stretch late into the night.
Best time: Late January
Experience: Book stays early, explore local cafés around C-Scheme, and combine your visit with Jaipur’s art galleries or a day trip to Amber Fort.
Desert Festival, Jaisalmer: Where the Sands Sing
Few scenes feel as cinematic as the Jaisalmer Desert Festival. Set against the golden dunes of Sam, this three-day event showcases Rajasthan’s desert spirit — folk dances, camel parades, turban-tying contests, and ballads sung under moonlight.
The nights are breathtaking: the sound of morchang and sarangi float through the air while bonfires glow against the dunes.
Best time: February (a few days before the full moon)
Experience: Spend one night at a desert camp, and don’t miss the finale performance under the stars.
Teej Festival, Jaipur: Monsoon Joy in Green and Gold
When the monsoon arrives, Jaipur comes alive in celebration. Women dressed in green gather for processions, singing songs of devotion to Goddess Parvati. The streets are filled with flowers, swings, and laughter.
The Teej Festival is both joyous and intimate — a moment when the city softens under rain, and traditions bloom like the season itself.
Best time: July–August
Experience: Visit the City Palace during the royal procession and try local monsoon treats like ghewar and malpua.
Gangaur Festival: The Celebration of Love and Harvest
Across Rajasthan — from Jaipur to Udaipur — the Gangaur Festival marks devotion and prosperity. Married women pray for the well-being of their families, and unmarried women for good partners.
The processions are a sight to behold: clay idols, traditional songs, and women in bright odhnis walking through narrow lanes filled with rose petals and incense smoke.
Best time: March–April
Experience: Udaipur’s Gangaur boat procession on Lake Pichola is unforgettable, with floating lamps lighting the night.
Mount Abu Summer Festival: Music in the Hills
A softer side of Rajasthan reveals itself in Mount Abu, the state’s only hill station. The Summer Festival celebrates local arts, crafts, and traditional dances beside the cool waters of Nakki Lake.
Fireworks mark the end of the festival, their colors reflecting in the lake below.
Best time: May
Experience: Pair the festival with a visit to the Dilwara Temples for a peaceful contrast.
Rajasthan’s festivals are not performances, they’re living traditions. To be part of them is to share in a rhythm that has continued for centuries.
At Book My Travel, we design journeys that let you experience these celebrations thoughtfully, guided by locals, paced with intention, and rooted in cultural respect.
Plan your Rajasthan festival journey with us, and step into a story that still sings in the desert wind.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What are the most famous festivals in Rajasthan?
The Pushkar Camel Fair, Desert Festival (Jaisalmer), Gangaur, Teej, and Jaipur Literature Festival are among the most celebrated.
2. When is the best time to experience Rajasthan’s festivals?
Between October and March, when the weather is pleasant and most major fairs take place.
3. Which festival is best for photography?
The Pushkar Camel Fair and Jaisalmer Desert Festival offer dramatic visuals — color, light, and character everywhere.
4. Are Rajasthan’s festivals suitable for families?
Yes, most are family-friendly. Pushkar, Jaipur, and Udaipur festivals, in particular, are safe and engaging for all ages.
5. How can I attend these festivals responsibly?
Support local artisans, dress modestly, and ask permission before taking portraits. Always travel with cultural sensitivity.
6. Do I need to book accommodations in advance?
Absolutely. During festival season, boutique stays and desert camps fill up months ahead.
Internal Link
Ultimate Guide to Pushkar, Rajasthan (2025): Spiritual Vibes, Camel Chaos & Sacred Sunsets
Rajasthan's Best-Kept Secrets: Why Jawai, Kumbhalgarh & Sam Sand Dunes Should Be Your Next Stop
A First-Timer's Guide to Jaipur: Where to Go, Eat, Stay & Experience
Rajasthan in a Day: 5 Micro-Tours for Short Stops That Still Feel Big
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