Desert Festival

Desert Festival: A stop at the annual Desert Festival in Jaisalmer during a tour of India provides a glimpse of authentic desert culture at its best. The annual Desert Festival showcases the performing arts of the region and has become one of the more important festivals of India. Every year, it is thronged by thousands of visitors from all over India and abroad. Held either in the month of January or February the festival is a delight to be a part of. Colorful activities grip the land of golden sand dunes and for three days the city of Jaisalmer echoes with music, dance and laughter.

The Desert Festival is an astounding sight with its colorful stalls of Rajasthani handicrafts, authentic North Indian cuisine, camel rides and entertaining contests. The Desert Festival features a host of activities to keep travelers enthralled including; camel races, camel polo matches, camel dances and camel decorating competitions. The most unique events are the Mr. Desert competition, the tug of war, the turban tying competition and the contest for the longest mustache. The acrobats and folk dancers make for a terrific sight at the festival with their colorful costumes and artistic and daring maneuvers.

The festival brings out the best of Rajasthan’s culture; the local men and women of eagerly await the festival and dress in their finest traditional Rajasthani apparel. The local men display their puppeteer skills by telling tales with puppets and the true Rajasthani take part in the Mr. Desert competition. Set amidst the picturesque backdrop of golden desert sands and the Jaisalmer Fort, the Desert festival is a favorite among the visitors to Rajasthan.