Information about Customs and Fairs of Rajasthan

The colourful and picturesque costumes of Rajasthan reflect the people's joy of life and the desire to eliven their environment.

The male's dress among the common people consists of the dhoti (an retailored piece of cloth about 4.5 m. by 1.5 m) tied round the waist, bandia angarkha or a full sleeved, close fitting, but button less west and potia or covering for the head. Among the well to do, the dhoti is a fine handloom product with a coloured border. On ceremonial occasions, the official class and the Rajput gentry use the tight fitting Churidar pyjama, the kurta and either an achkan or a lamba angarkha. The potia is replaced on such occasions by a turban, graceful and dignified headwear generally called pag or pagri (a fine piece of cloth about 16.5 in. long and barely 0.2 in. wide), embroidered at both ends and tied round the head elegantly in various styles). Also Visit - Jodhpur Jaisalmer Tour Package

The Rajasthani female's dress consists of a Ghagra or skirt, a Kanchli or half sleeved bodice, a short blouse leaving the midriff uncovered, and an odhni which is about 2.2 m in length. The ghagra, a full skirt may take as much as 36 m of cloth to make. 

Traditional jwellery is worn by Rajasthani women from bead to foot. Rajasthan is especially rich in silver ornaments for the hair, ears, nose, neck, ankles and wrists. Each area has a style of its own, each ornament speaks a special poetry. The ankles and heavy bracelets tinkle pleasantly with the movement of the body. Intricately designed bangles adorn the arm, Ivory bangles, white or tinted red are worn by all married women. Lac bangles are worn as a sign of goodomen. Heavy jhnmkas with inverted chhatri suspended like a bell at the bottom decoratejher ears, while the Kantha or Hansli of silver or gold beautiful the neck. The borla or sheesh phool a round boss, adorn the hair over the forehead. 

Celebration:—Rajasthan a land of festivals and fairs. Festivals to watch, to experience, to be part of local people $pring into activity, and colourful fair blossom over night, pulse and processions fill the towns and country side. It celebrates all Festivals like, Holi, Dussehra and Diwali in the same way as in the rest of the country, but today festivals like Maand at Jodhpur, Elephant at Jaipur and Mewar (Gangaur) at Udaipur draw large crowds from all over the world.

Gangaur:—Rajasthan's most important local festival falls in March and 18 days celebration in prayer for conjugal bliss and vows of faithfulness. The occasion is marked by a charming ritual. Colourful wooden images of Gan-Gauri (Shiva-Parvati) specially made by wood carvers, are dressed up in the fine raiment’s and jewellery of a bride. These are worshipped everyday and taken in singing processions on the last day for a ceremonial bath in the nearby lake.

During the days of Rajput rulers the Gangaur was celebrated in great style especially in Udaipur. The royal procession ended at Lake Pichhola 'there beautifully decorated boats lit by many lamps, glided on the waters while girls sang songs in praise of goddess. A sight more exhilarating than the entire population of a city thus assembled for the purpose of rejoicing is hard to imagine. 

Teej :—Sacred to the goddess Parvati is another important local festival falls in July. It also welcomes the monsoons after the heat of summer. Women, gaily dressed in red, green and yellow hands and feet painted in delicate designs, sing in praise of the monsoon and amuse themselves on swings hung from trees. 

Naag Pancliami:- It celebrates in propitiation of the Naag or the serpent king. Snake deities, according to various legends, are the custodians of the treasures of land and sea and have association with, Hindu divinities. The serpent genii of Rajasthan have a semihumen physiology. There is a colourful fair is held at Jodhpur. where the effigies of serpent gods are displayed'

Pushkar fair:- This most important fair is held annually in the month of Kartik (November) at Pushkar-lake near Ajmer transforms the shores into a seething sea of colour at-A gaiety tempered by the presence of the devout. It is also called the cattle fair Camel-cart races are the highlights of the day and over a hundred thousand pilgrims take a bathe in the lake. At night Pushkar Lake is alight with hundreds of small oil lamps set afloat on its surface after the artikiya worship. Also Visit - Udaipur Mount Abu Tour Package

Urs fair: - The famous Urs fair of Sheikh Moinuddin Chishti is held at the Dargah of the famous sufi saint at Ajmer. The widely honoured sufi saint had secluded himself for six days before his death and the annual Urs fair commemorates these days and his sacred presence. The fair is attended by Muslims from all part of the world. The notable attractions of the fair are: Qawwalis, which are religious choruses are sung in the praise of the saint, Mushairas are held at which well known poets, and both Muslim and Hindu recite verses specially composed in his honour. Rich devotees donate money for making Rice pudding for pilgrims and this is cooked in enormous cauldrons, dating from Akbar's time, which stand in the other court.

Kapil Muni fair is held at Kolrlyat lake, eight kms south west of Bikaner in the month of Kartik (November). The cattle fair held on this occasion is a great event for the region. 

Ramdeoji fair is held near Pokaran in Jaisalmer district in the month of Bhadon (Aug./Sep.). Large and small toy horses are offered at the shrine of Ramdeoji by devotees.

Veerpuri fair is held at Mandor near Jodhpur in the month of August to honour local heroes. The hall of heroes in Mandor has rock cut statues of warriors who died defending the kingdom. Being secular fair, people of all castes and communities participate in the event. In the previous years the rulers of the state took out a huge and colourful procession of elephants, chariots and horses.

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