Rajasthan the land of the Maharajas has colourful culture and traditions that are wonderfully depicted in the festivals and fairs of this imperial land. Tourist coming to witness Rajasthan can witness many Rajsthan festivals during Rajasthan tour. With the beginning of monsoon the festive air starts blowing in this state that brings with it a riot of colours, sounds and sights. This festive mood of the state stays till the end of the spring season and till then the celebrations keep the mood of the city rolling. These wonderful colors of the fairs and the gaudy dresses of the people with the backdrop of the plain golden sand dunes make a wonderful sight. People of Rajasthan eagerly wait for these festivals to start, as they not only mark the celebrations in the state but they also have important meaning for the well being of their physical and financial health.

The Urs in Ajmer Sharif is a grand celebration in the memory of the saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti, a helper of the poor. This six-day fair is one of the biggest of its kind in India, where Muslims from all over the country gather to attend the celebrations.

Teej is the festival that is celebrated all over Rajasthan, and it marks the beginning of the monsoon in the state. It is dedicated to the Goddess Parvati, to celebrate the day when she met Lord Shiva after their long separation.

 Pushkar fair is a widely known festival held in Pushkar, Rajasthan. It is marked by various folk performances, camel races and cattle market. Pushkar is an important Hindu Pilgrimage centre, hence it attracts a number of pilgrims from all over the country to its bathing ghats and temples.

The Camel festival is held in Bikaner, Rajashan in the month of January. Its main attractions are its camel rides and races. The wonderfully decorated camels stand apart in the subtleness of the desert.

Nagaur fair held in Nagaur is held between January and February. It is a famous animal fair, where a number of people gather to buy and sell cattle. The colourful turbans crowning the head of most of the people look splendid.

Elephant festival in Jaipur, Rajasthan is celebrated around the day of colourful festival of Holi. This festival is dedicated to Lord Ganesha, the elephant headed son of Lord Shiva. The processions of festival begin with a parade of beautifully decorated elephants, horses and camels. The colors of this festival are no less than the vividness of Holi, and it is a perfect place for tourists to enjoy the festive spirit of the sate of Rajasthan.

Gangaur a festival celebrated in the month of March-April is one of the most important festivals celebrated all over Rajasthan. It initiates on the following day of Holi and continues for 18 days. It is mainly a festival for maidens and married women, and is dedicated to Goddess Gauri, a manifestation of Lords Shiva’s wife Parvati. The festival symbolizes marital happiness and is celebrated for long life of the husbands of married women and to get wise husbands for the unmarried girls.

Mewar festival in the town of Udaipur ‘the city of Lakes’ coincides with the festival of Gangaur. It is marked by vibrant processions and traditional music. It is another festival of Rajasthan that attracts many tourists, and it shows the culture of this state.

 The only festival in Rajasthan that is celebrated in summers is the summer festival of Monut Abu. Due to the scorching heat in rest of the Rajasthan in the month of June, the hills of Mount Abu are the only summer retreat, and the festival there are an add-on to the attractions of this hill station.

Together with these Rajasthani festivals there are other Hindu festivals like Holi, Diwali, Raksha Bandhan, Dussehra, etc that are celebrated in the state. All these celebrations are important factors that add to the happiness of the natives of the state that strived hard to earn their living when Rajasthan did not develop tourism as a major source of its income. These festivities are equally lively as the people of this state, who have learned to live with their limited means and who still believe in living their life too the fullest. So attending at least one of these celebrations is a must to see the spirit and zest of its people, culture and long living history.