A little bit about the festival
The otherwise sultry and mysterious Thar Desert comes alive every year in February for the annual desert festival. This 3-day cultural extravaganza is the most accurate display of the Rajasthani culture.
Set against the backdrop of the magnificent Jaisalmer Fort, the Desert Festival at Jaisalmer is incredibly planned and well-executed by the state tourism department to bring to you some of the most amazing musical performances, fascinating competitions, unique beauty pageants and delicious local food for you to dig in along with an exquisite display of handicrafts that are hard to find anywhere else in the country.
If you haven’t seen the sand dunes of Rajasthan, you probably have not done Rajasthan right. And what better way to witness all of it than with an additional touch of vibrant and lively Rajasthani culture for the authentic flavor.
Why you should attend the desert festival
This visually appealing festival starts with a procession from the Jaisalmer Fort, announcing the start of the most awaited festival. On the first day, be prepared for an overdose of Rajasthani art, folk dance and music. And as the day progresses, visitors are entertained with competitions such as turban tying, longest mustache, fire dance and more such entertaining events.
The second day also engages the audience with a whole new variety of games, competitions infused with Rajasthani culture.
On the last day of the Desert Festival, you get the true feel of being in a desert. Camels are brought out and decked up in some of the finest and most cheerful Rajasthani costumes.
You can choose to either take a ride on the golden desert sitting on the back of a camel or watch those highly trained camels take part in races. Either way, these are the most awaited events of the festival. The sound of the audience cheering and enjoying the camel race can easily make anyone’s day.
Things you should not miss at the festival
- There is nothing like the joy of dancing to the tunes of Rajasthani folk music under the starry night.
- The festival also offers an assortment of local delicacies that give you the true taste of Rajasthan.
- This can be your ultimate camping destination since you are attending the festival literally in the middle of the desert.
- Gair, Fire Dancers and Mr. Desert contests are too cool to be missed. So make sure you know the schedule of the festival well in advance.
Date and Venue
The Desert Festival at Jaisalmer will be held from 7 February to 9 February 2020.
Places to visit in and around Jaisalmer
After an epic 3-day festival hangover, you can take some time out to explore places in and around Jaisalmer. Of the many places that you should not miss out on, start with Jaisalmer Fort. Further, the city is dotted with traces of sandstone heritage from the yesteryears revealing a history worth catching up on. Therefore, a visit to the Jain Temples is a must. And if you are in the mood for some adventure, then visit the cursed village, Kuldhara. The locals are more than happy to share spooky stories with anyone looking to explore the ruined remains of the village.
When in Jaisalmer, you can also hire a taxi and explore the places nearby. The options around are surely going to give you a hard time deciding on a destination. Undeniably, the best way to explore Rajasthan is on wheels and Savaari has just the right vehicle for you. Book a taxi with us and hit the road to explore places like Bikaner, Jodhpur, Ajmer, and Udaipur to take home a wholesome experience.
How to reach Jaisalmer
Jodhpur is the nearest airport, about 300km. From there, one can either book an airport taxi or take another train. Jaisalmer is connected well via railways to all major cities. One can also reach Jaisalmer by the famous ‘Palace on Wheels’. The city is well connected to the rest of the cities in the state by well-maintained roads too.
So are you ready for a healthy dose of cultural extravaganza?
Last Updated on March 1, 2023 by blogadmin
