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Desert Festival is the best way to view the rich and
colorful culture of the desert region of Rajasthan.
The major attractions of the festivals are Gair and
Fire dancers who wear vibrant and brightly colored costumes
as they dance and sing and perform on the regional tunes
that are mainly based on the poems of tragedy, gallantry
and romance of the heroes. Along with these folk performers
are snake charmers, puppeteers, and athletes who also
perform in the festivals.
Desert camels earn their special place in the festival
and camel rides are quite popular here. Camel polo and
camel dance are two unique feature events of the fair
just as the turban tying competition and display of
the most magnificent moustaches. The turbans and mustaches
are considered symbols of honor in the region.
The pictorial backdrop of Jaisalmer Fort and barren,
compliment the music and rhythm, the graceful movements
and brilliant tinges of the performers and the traditional
handicrafts that can bee seen in the fair.
Sponsored by the Rajasthan State Tourism Corporation,
the Desert Festival is a vivid celebration of the rich
heritage of Rajasthan. This festival takes place in
Jaisalmer in the month of February and lasts for three
days.
During the desert festival, the sands around Jaisalmer
are clothed with vibrant music and dance. Musicians
lure everyone with haunting ballads with a mixture of
romantic verses weaved together with tunes of tragic
pain. This desert festival of India closes with an enthralling
sound and light show in the middle of the sand dunes
on a moonlit night.
The preparations for this festival begins well in advance,
where a few days before full moon, musicians, dancers
and performers from all over Rajasthan start moving
in colorful camel caravans towards the golden town of
Jaisalmer. The 12th century fort of Jaisalmer, built
in yellow sandstone, provides a narrative background
for this festival.
Though the festival is mainly an expansive display
of performing arts, there are several other events that
give a peep of the desert culture. Delicately embroidered
skirts, hand-woven shawls, rugs, carvings on wood and
stone, camel decorations, embroidered leather bags,
ethnic silver jewelry and terracotta can be bought at
this desert fair.
Evenings are meant for the main shows of music and
dance. Continuing till late into the night, the number
of viewers increases by each night and on the final
day, under the full moonlit night, the whole place is
swarming with people who make it a point to be there
to witness this show.
The Rajputana Getaway offers online booking for Tours
to Desert Festival of Jaisalmer. Please fill the form
given below: -
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