Festivals of Rajasthan

The Rajasthanis� love for color and joyous celebrations is witnessed by the elaborate rituals and the gay abandon with which they surrender themselves to the numerous fairs and festivals of the region. 

Teej is one of the first and most important festivals of the region. There are three Teej celebrations in a year and the fairs are held in towns and villages during these celebrations. Teej which falls on the third day of the bright half of the month of Shravan is a festival for girls. It is celebrated to mark the advent of the monsoons. 

Gangaur is a religious festival that symbolizes the cultural heritage of Rajasthan. It takes place between March and April and is devoted to Goddess Parvati. This festival marks marriage bliss and is celebrated by married women and girls. Married women pray for the good health and long life of their spouse while girls pray for a good natured husband.  The Gadalia festival which occurs seven days after Holi is also associated with Ganguar. Hariyali Amavasya and Basant Panchami are among the other seasonal festivals of Rajasthan. 

The desert festival of Jaisalmer is one of the most popular festivals of the state. It involves a journey into the heart of the desert and takes place in the month of January and February. Other fairs and festivals include Nagaur Fair, which takes place in January to February, Baneshwar Fair also during the same time as the Nagaur fair. The Mewar Festival and the Elephant Festival take place between the months of March and April.