Fairs and festivals of Rajasthan

Fairs of Rajasthan are vibrant socio-cultural events held throughout the year across the Indian state of Rajasthan, reflecting its rich traditions, religious diversity, and artistic heritage. These fairs, often linked to religious festivals, seasonal cycles, or historical commemorations, serve as important centers for social gathering, trade, and cultural expression.

Animal Fairs

In the Indian state of Rajasthan, more than 250 cattle fairs are organized every year at both the district and village levels. These fairs hold great significance in terms of art, culture, animal husbandry, and tourism. Lakhs of tourists from India and abroad visit these events to witness folk art and experience rural culture.

At the state-level cattle fairs, municipalities and gram panchayats provide essential facilities such as water, electricity, veterinary care, and vaccination services for cattle rearers. In addition, the government organizes exhibitions and other informative programmes from time to time to enhance awareness and engagement.

Most of the state-level cattle fairs are associated with the names of folk deities and revered historical figures. These fairs are organized under the aegis of the Animal Husbandry Department of Rajasthan.

Ramdev Animal Fair, Nagaur

View of an animal fair held in the state

According to an early local tradition, the idol of Saint Ramdev in the low-lying lands of Mansar village manifested itself miraculously. Devotees built a small temple at the site, and livestock breeders attending the fair offer prayers here for the health of their animals before buying and selling them. After India's independence, seeing its growing popularity, the State Department of Animal Husbandry included it among the state-level animal fairs and has been organizing it since February 1958. The fair is held annually from the first to the fifteenth day of the bright half of Magha, about 5 km from Nagaur city in Mansar village. It is regarded as having been conceived by the late Maharaja Umaid Singh of Marwar. A large number of Nagauri-breed bulls are auctioned here every year.

Mallinath Animal Fair, Tilwara (Balotra)

This fair is held in honour of the warrior-saint Rawal Mallinath. It is said that on the auspicious occasion of his accession to the throne in Vikram Samvat 1431, a grand ceremony was organized, attended by thousands from far and wide. When the celebration ended, the returning participants traded their mounts—camels, horses, and draft bulls—giving rise to this fair. The Animal Husbandry Department took over its organization in 1958. It is held annually from the eleventh day of the Krishna Paksha of Chaitra to the eleventh day of the Shukla Paksha of Chaitra at Tilwara village on the Luni River in Balotra district's Pachpadra tehsil. Besides Nagauri bulls, large numbers of Malani horses and camels are bought and sold here.

Baldev Animal Fair, Merta City (Nagaur)

Held annually from the first to the fifteenth day of the bright half of Chaitra in Merta City, this fair is named after the farmer-leader Baldev Ram Mirdha. It was taken over by the State Animal Husbandry Department in April 1947. Predominantly Nagauri bulls are traded here.

Veer Tejaji Animal Fair, Parbatsar–Didwana–Kuchaman

Dedicated to the folk deity Tejaji, this fair takes place on the tenth day of the bright half of Bhadrapada (Teja Dashami). The Department of Animal Husbandry has organized it since 1947. It is the largest revenue-generating animal fair in the state. It was instituted by Maharaja Ajit Singh of Jodhpur in Vikram Samvat 1791, who built a shrine and installed an idol of Tejaji here. It is renowned for the trade in Nagauri bulls and Bikaneri camels.

Mahashivaratri Animal Fair, Karauli

One of the state's major animal fairs, this is held every year in the dark half of Phalguna, coinciding with Mahashivaratri. Originating in princely times, it features a large sale of Haryanvi-breed livestock. Besides Rajasthan traders, participants also come from Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh. About a week after its conclusion, a general goods fair is held at the same site, where local merchants and villagers set up stalls selling essential commodities. During princely rule, jewellery shops also formed part of the fair.

Gomati Sagar Animal Fair, Jhalawar

Held annually from the thirteenth day of the bright half of Vaishakha to the fifth day of the dark half of Jyeshtha in Jhalrapatan town, this fair marks the sanctity of Gomati Sagar. It is the largest and most famous fair in the Hadoti region. The Department of Animal Husbandry has organized it since May 1959.

Gogamedi Animal Fair, Hanumangarh

Gogamedi, one of the five sacred shrines of the folk-deity Goga Ji, lies in Nohar tehsil of Hanumangarh district. The animal fair is held every year from the full moon of Shravan to the full moon of Bhadrapada. The Department of Animal Husbandry has been conducting it since August 1959.

Jaswant Exhibition and Animal Fair, Bharatpur

Organized in memory of Maharaja Jaswant Singh of Bharatpur State, this exhibition and animal fair is held annually from the fifth to the fourteenth day of the bright half of Ashwin. The Department of Animal Husbandry has been in charge since October 1958. It features a significant trade in Haryana-breed bulls. It is the largest animal fair in terms of revenue.

Chandrabhaga Animal Fair, Jhalawar

Every year from the eleventh day of the bright half of Kartika to the fifth day of the dark half of Margashirsha in Jhalrapatan, this fair features large-scale trading of Malvi-breed bulls. It has been organized by the Animal Husbandry Department since November 1958.

Pushkar Animal Fair, Ajmer

Main article: Pushkar Fair

Pushkar Fair, 2006

Pushkar, a famous Hindu pilgrimage about 11 km from Ajmer, hosts its fair on Kartika Purnima, attracting thousands of domestic and international visitors who bathe in Pushkar Lake to purify themselves. Pilgrims and tourists visit the Rang Ji and other temples for spiritual merit. The state administration accords special importance to this fair: local authorities handle logistics, while the Arts, Culture & Tourism Department organizes cultural events. An animal fair runs alongside, with competitions for best livestock breeds and awards for outstanding animals. The camel fair during Kartika has given Pushkar worldwide renown, drawing a rich confluence of cultures—from foreign tourists to tribal and rural breeders from across Rajasthan and neighbouring regions. The vast sandy grounds are filled with row upon row of stalls, food vendors, circuses, rides, and of course innumerable camels, reflecting its evolution into a grand animal market.

Kapil Muni Camel Fair Kolayat, Bikaner

The Kolayat Fair is held annually in the town of Kolayat, located about 50 km from Bikaner. It is organized in the Hindu month of Kartik, particularly on the full moon day (Kartik Purnima), and coincides with a large cattle fair, especially for camels. Pilgrims come to bathe in the holy Kolayat Lake, which is believed to have been blessed by the sage Kapil Muni. The Kolayat Fair is both religious and commercial in nature. While many devotees participate in rituals and offer deep-daan (lamp offerings) at the ghats of the lake, livestock breeders from Rajasthan and nearby states gather to buy and sell camels, horses, and other cattle. The Rajasthan Animal Husbandry Department supports the event with veterinary care and vaccination services, and organizes livestock competitions. The fairgrounds also feature folk music, cultural performances, rural handicrafts, and exhibitions, making it an attraction for domestic and international tourists alike.

Religious Fairs

Rajasthan hosts numerous religious fairs celebrated with devotion and festivity by diverse communities. These fairs center around local deities, saints, and seasonal observances, combining religious rituals with folk traditions and cultural displays.

Baba Ramdev Fair, Ramdevra

Held at Ramdevra village in Jaisalmer district, this fair commemorates the 14th-century saint Baba Ramdev, revered by both Hindus and Muslims. It takes place during Bhadrapada (August–September), drawing lakhs of pilgrims who visit the samadhi (tomb) of Baba Ramdev, sing devotional bhajans, and undertake foot pilgrimages (padyatra) from Gujarat, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh.

Beneshwar Fair

Held at the confluence of the Mahi, Jakham, and Som rivers in Dungarpur district, the Beneshwar Fair is a major tribal festival in honor of Lord Shiva as Baneshwar Mahadev. It is organized on Magha Shukla Ekadashi (January–February) and attended primarily by the Bhil tribe, who perform holy dips, devotional rituals, and enjoy tribal dances and music.

Gautam Rishi Fair

The Gautam Rishi Fair (Gautam Ji Mela) is held each year on April 13 at Chautila Hill near Sheoganj in Sirohi district, dedicated to the Meena tribal deity Gautam Rishi. Devotees begin by digging a pit in the dry bed of the Sukhdi River; on the fair's opening day, water is believed to miraculously emerge—symbolically the Ganga—and remain until the mela concludes. Over three days, the fair features tribal music and devotional singing, communal feasting, and a modest livestock market, drawing tens of thousands of participants from Rajasthan and Gujarat.

Khatu Shyamji Lakhi Fair

The Khatu Shyamji Fair is held every Phalgun (February–March) at Khatu in Sikar district, where the temple of Shyam Baba (Barbarika, grandson of Bhima) stands. Lakhs of devotees attend the five-day mela for darshan, night-long bhajan sessions, and processions.

Phooldol Mela, Shahpura

The Phooldol Mela is the principal annual festival of the Ramsnehi Sampradaya, held at the Ramdwara in Shahpura (Bhilwara district) for five days immediately following Holi (Phalgun Shukla Ekadashi). Devotees from across Rajasthan and Gujarat create elaborate flower swings (phool dol), install a murti of Nirgun Ram in a floral palki, and ceremonially swing it while singing devotional hymns in the vernacular. The festival commemorates Swami Ramcharan Ji Maharaj's establishment of the sect's Shahpura center in the late 18th century. Throughout the mela, Ramsnehi saints in their characteristic pink robes lead daily satsangs (spiritual discourses) and *aartis*, while congregants offer dates, roasted chickpeas, and colored water as prasad. A communal feast (langar) is served each afternoon, emphasizing the sect's ideals of equality and service. Local authorities provide water, electricity, and basic medical camps, while the Ramdwara Trust arranges temporary lodging for pilgrims. In recent years, the mela has attracted photographers and travel writers, spotlighting Ramsnehi devotional art and community harmony.

Kaila Devi Fair

The Kaila Devi Fair takes place in Chaitra (March–April) at Kaila village in Karauli district. Devotees perform dandvat (prostration) pilgrimages to the temple of Kaila Devi, a form of Durga, followed by ritual bathing in the Kalisil River, folk singing, and camping.

Karni Mata Fair

Organized twice a year during Navratri at Deshnok near Bikaner, this fair honors Karni Mata, whose temple is famous for thousands of sacred rats (kabas). Pilgrims offer prasad and seek blessings, creating a festive market around the temple.

Sheetla Mata Fair

Held in Chaitra (March–April) at Seel-Ki-Doongri near Chaksu in Jaipur district, the Sheetla Mata Fair celebrates the goddess of healing. Devotees offer *basi roti* (stale food) and prayers for protection from diseases, accompanied by folk music and trade stalls.

Other Festivals of Rajasthan

• Desert Festival, Jaisalmer – The Desert Festival is a three-day annual event held in Jaisalmer, showcasing the cultural heritage of the Thar Desert. The festival features folk music and dance, camel races, turban-tying competitions, and traditional attire.
• Camel Festival, Bikaner – Celebrated in Bikaner, this festival honors the camel, a vital animal in desert life. Events include camel races, camel dances, folk performances, and handicraft exhibitions.
• Thar Mahotsav, Barmer – Organized in Barmer, the Thar Festival highlights the folk traditions of western Rajasthan. It includes performances by local artists, camel and cattle shows, craft exhibitions, and displays of regional cuisine and attire.
• Bundi Festival – Held in the town of Bundi, this festival combines cultural events with traditional rituals. It includes folk music and dance performances, art and craft exhibitions, and a procession through the streets of the town.
• Mewar Festival, Udaipur – Celebrated in Udaipur during the spring season, the Mewar Festival coincides with the traditional Gangaur celebration. It features decorated idols, processions, folk performances, and fireworks by Lake Pichola.
• Marwar Festival, Jodhpur – The Marwar Festival is dedicated to the folk culture and martial traditions of the Marwar region. It includes performances of folk music and dance, competitions, and exhibitions of local handicrafts.
• Teej Festival – Teej is a monsoon festival celebrated primarily by women in Jaipur and other cities. It honors the reunion of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati and is marked by processions, songs, dancing, and ritual observances.
• Gangaur Festival – Gangaur is one of the most significant festivals in Rajasthan, particularly for women. It celebrates marital fidelity and the goddess Gauri, and is marked by fasting, rituals, and colorful processions.
• Shekhawati Festival – Organized across towns like Nawalgarh, Mandawa, and Jhunjhunu, the Shekhawati Festival celebrates the art and architecture of the Shekhawati region. It features heritage walks, folk performances, and exhibitions.
• Kite Festival, Jaipur – Observed on Makar Sankranti (14 January), the Kite Festival in Jaipur is a popular celebration where the sky is filled with kites of various colors and shapes. It includes local competitions and cultural performances.
• Urs Festival, Ajmer – The Urs of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti is an annual Sufi festival held at the Ajmer Sharif Dargah. It commemorates the saint's death anniversary and attracts thousands of devotees for prayers, qawwali music, and rituals.