Pushkar Fair: A lot more than Camels

The greatly awaited Pushkar Fair is right upon us, scheduled to begin on 4th November and will culminate till 12th November on the day of Hindu festival Kartik Purnima. There’s nothing like Pushkar Camel Fair. It’s a celebration of the uniqueness of Rajasthan and experiencing the festival is the dream of every traveler. This is the time when Pushkar comes truly alive with multiple hues.

The small sleepy town comes out of its hibernation mode and becomes the playground of people from the world over. The history of Pushkar Fair is a hundred years old but the festival keeps not only that historic spirit alive but also has new age elements to it now.

Primarily, thousands of pilgrims and cattle merchants flock the town for holy rituals or the trade of cattle and livestock. But, that’s not all; Pushkar fair has a lot to offer to the travellers who are neither pilgrims nor traders. Buzzing markets, fascinating ghats and activity grounds are enough to catch the fancy of travellers and photographers.

Sunrise and Sunset: The vibes and the views of Pushkar switch within every hour right from the dawn to dusk, added to that the starry sky above ignited Pushkar Lake gives a heavenly chill in nerves. During early mornings and evenings, when the dust mixes with golden light falling from the sun it’s an absolute delight to watch the camels and the camel traders in the Mela ground. You not only get to see the heard of camels but also get a glimpse into the life of a rural Rajasthan, where the traders heat up the chullahs (a kind of stove used for cooking the food ) and prepare their food with minimum ingredients. Thousands of people from the world across come to capture only this spectacle.

Markets: The narrow streets and lanes of the town have hidden within themselves a whole world of intrigue; from the local artifacts and handicrafts to funky apparels and chunky jewellery, Pushkar’s cozy markets are the treasure trove for a shopping enthusiast.

Ghats: The Ghats in the holy land of Brahma are said to be nothing less than those of Varanasi. Roaming around the ghats with a soothing sound of hymns and bells renders tranquility to the visitors. While the night scene becomes even more fascinating when evening aarti is performed on these Ghats. Illuminated with multitude of lights the Ghats and lake take the spectators into a world of solace and peace.

 

Food: Pushkar is also one heaven for foodies. From street stalls to roadside cafes, wide range of cuisines waits for food lovers to visit and enjoy sumptuous cuisine of Pushkar. Special Masala chai in Kulhad, Authentic Italian pizza, unique Poha Dal Pakwaan and Ugma ji ki kachori are a few to dishes to tantalize your taste buds. However, as you walk down the streets of Pushkar amidst the aroma of freshly made baatis, puris and kachoris being fried right on the street, the whiff of gulkand and the sight of tempting malpuas dipped in sugar syrup will call out only one thing- pure bliss.

Adventure and Activities: Apart from the buying and selling of livestock, the fair has become an important tourist attraction. Competitions such as the ‘matka phod’, ‘longest moustache’ and ‘bridal competition’ are the main draws for this fair, which attracts thousands of tourists. In recent years, the fair has also included an exhibition cricket match between the local Pushkar Club and a team of foreign tourists. Pushkar Camel Fair has so many events and activities like camel cart ride, horse riding, bullock cart ride and giant wheel that your day will be full but we advise you to take out a little time to stroll in the narrow lanes of the town.

For your convenience, here’s a tentative impression of the flow of events at Pushkar Camel fair 2019.

4th to 9th November – Cattle Trading
Cattle trading is at its peak during these days along with a variety of cattle contests.

10th to 11th November – Cultural Galore
These two days will see some cultural activities like dance shows, music performances sponsored by the Rajasthan State Government.

12th November – Holy Dips
This is the Holy Day when people take dips in the Pushkar Lake, and other religious ceremonies take place.

How to reach Pushkar:

By Air

The nearest airport to Pushkar is in Kishangarh, which is 36 kilometres away. Apart from this, Jaipur Airport is the major airport, which is 140 Kms and well-connected to major metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata. Once you reach at the airport, you can hire a cab to reach Pushkar. The journey from airport to the city will take approximately 3 hours. You can either pre-book a cab or hire from any of the taxi vendors outside the airport.

By Bus

Regular buses between Jaipur and Ajmer ply every hour. However, buses from Delhi to Ajmer and further to Pushkar are easily available. The Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation runs deluxe and semi-deluxe buses (both air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned) connecting Ajmer to nearby cities and then transport you to Pushkar for a very nominal fare.

By Train

You will need to take a train to Ajmer and then take a 30-minute drive to Pushkar. The Ajmer railway station is well-connected with major Indian cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Allahabad, Lucknow, Kolkata, Bhopal, and Bangalore. Some of the most popular trains that run daily on this route are Ajmer Shatabdi and Ajmer Rajdhani. Apart from these, other trains are Chetak Express, Aii Sdah Express, Aravalli Express and Bsb Express. Once you reach at the station, you can hire a taxi to reach Pushkar.

So what are you waiting for? Go and enjoy India’s Biggest and world’s famous festival Pushkar Fair.

Pushkar Fair to begin from 4th November 2019

There’s nothing like Pushkar Camel Fair. It’s a celebration of the uniqueness of Rajasthan and experiencing the festival is the dream of every traveler. This is the time when Pushkar comes truly alive with multiple hues. The small sleepy town comes out of its hibernation mode and becomes the playground of people from the world over.

The history of Pushkar Fair is a hundred years old but the festival keeps not only that historic spirit alive but also has new age elements to it now. This year the much-awaited fair will begin on 4th November and will culminate on 12th November on the day of Hindu festival Kartik Purnima.

Apart from the buying and selling of livestock, the fair has become an important tourist attraction. Competitions such as the ‘matka phod’, ‘longest moustache’ and ‘bridal competition’ are the main draws for this fair, which attracts thousands of tourists. In recent years, the fair has also included an exhibition cricket match between the local Pushkar Club and a team of foreign tourists. Pushkar Camel Fair has so many events and activities that your day will be full but we advise you to take out a little time to stroll in the narrow lanes of the town. Also, don’t forget to try local foods and do indulge in retail therapy. Spend some time at the famous Brahma Temple and watch the evening Aarti at Pushkar Lake too.

For your convenience, here’s a tentative impression of the flow of events at Pushkar Camel fair 2019.

4th to 9th November – Cattle Trading
Cattle trading is at its peak during these days along with a variety of cattle contests.

10th to 11th November –  Cultural Galore
These two days will see some cultural activities like dance shows, music performances sponsored by the Rajasthan State Government.

12th November – Holy Dips
This is the Holy Day when people take dips in the Pushkar Lake, and other religious ceremonies take place.

Pushkar Beyond Camels & Culture: A film by Pathfynder

The sacred town of Pushkar in Rajasthan, popularly known as ‘Teerth Raj’, is a kaleidoscope of life, colours and culture where people of different regions and nation’s flock to immerse in its cultural galore!   For locals and foreigners alike, Pushkar, the city of absolute being has always been the destination of intrigue. What defines Rajasthan – where heritage meets architecture, culture meets legacy, nobility meets populace and colourful meets trippy – is what exemplifies Pushkar.

The vibrant city of Pushkar in Rajasthan comes alive during Pushkar Fair that raises the spirit of all. The annual Pushkar Fair is a spectacle that celebrates the rich culture of Rajasthan and the vibrant colours of the desert.  But the Fair is not just about camels and livestock trading. This is the time when entire Pushkar town bustles with liveliness which is to be experienced and lived.

The film by PATHFYNDER– ‘Pushkar-Beyond Camels and Culture’ is an attempt to capture the same spirit of Pushkar Fair.

 

Head To The Hill Station of Rajasthan To Enjoy The Summer Festival

You must be wondering that the dry and arid land of Rajasthan has nothing but deserts and sand dunes. But if you think so sitting afar and simply agreeing with this statement, you are most welcome to the state of Rajasthan which not only revolves around monotonous brown sandy deserts. Rajasthan rich with its heritage, culture and traditions has a lot to offer to its guests. With fairs and festivities being celebrated throughout the year, Rajasthan is very vibrant and colourful.

Also to answer your question of it being a desert, Rajasthan have sufficient water to quench your thirst as many rivers flow through our land. Not only this, Rajasthan also has a hill station where you can head to, to beat the summer heat. Though the summer temperatures are as high as 50 degree Celsius, our hill station – Mt. Abu which is one of top 10 getaways from the state’s capital. Mt. Abu hosts a Summer Festival, to make you realize it is not that hot.

The three day Summer Festival is here again with its unique celebrations and festivities from 11^th May to 13^th May 2018. With the soulful ballad singing to mesmerizing folk dance forms like Gair, Ghoomar and Daph, the celebrations will kick off in style. The highlight of the Summer Festival this time is the Sham-e-Qawwali, which features some of the best folk singers from India. Some other events to keep you engaged in the beauty of the state are horse racing, tug of war, skating races, CRPF band show and boat races on the Nakki Lake.

Come down to Rajasthan to experience the summers with its unique chilly and windy evenings and make it a one of its kind.

Soak Into The Colourful Festival Of Gangaur With Shahpura, Near Jaipur

Rajasthan boosts not only in its history and heritage but its beauty reflects in its sparkling deserts, monuments and colorful festivals. On this note, we will take you to one of the most beautiful festivals of Rajasthan – GANGAUR, which truly embodies the spirit of diversity.

Gangaur is one of the most colorful & auspicious festivals of Rajasthan – celebrating spring, harvest & marital fidelity. While ‘Gana‘ is another name for Lord Shiva, ‘Gaur‘ symbolises Gauri aka Parvati, his wife, also an epitome of marital bliss. The 18-day festival is observed by both married & unmarried women where they fast, women dress up in red bandhani sarees and turban clad men worship the clay idols of Isar & Parvati.

When the bright skies have ushered in the festive season of spring, the remote town of Shahpura, located 65 km from the capital Jaipur, came culturally alive when the pious deities of Isar Maharaj & Gangaur Mata were regally taken around the streets and worshipped with vigour & devotion by both men and women.  The Shahpura Gangaur Festival, hosted at Shahpura Haveli was organized by Rani Ratna Kumari Foundation in association with the Rajasthan Tourism Department.

On the day of Gangaur, the celebration began with the married & unmarried woman; all dressed in colorful Rajasthani attires worshipped idols of Isar Maharaj & Gangaur Mata at the Shahpura Haveli. It was a spectacle to see the idols being gloriously taken to Rawla Moti Mahal, where the great Gangaur Mahotsav was organised. The major attractions of Shahpura Gangaur Festival were the cultural performances of local artists & folk musicians of Rajasthan, several kinds of regional nritya (dances) like Mayur, Nritya, Masak Nritya, Behpang Nritya, magician performance, horse show, and other traditional games & competitions. Artists from various parts of the country namely Udaipur, Deeg, Jodhpur, Haryana, Punjab performed magnificently oozing talent with their euphonic tunes and twinkle toes. The royal family of Shahpura also participated in the festival. The Rani Ratna Kumari Foundation Trust, which works for the upliftment of the downtrodden sections of this small village of Shahpura also felicitated the local artisans in a ceremony.

Pic courtesy- Anudeep Mathur

The grand procession of Isar Maharaj & Gangaur Mata began with all its regal pomp and pageantry at 5 p.m. from Rawla Moti Mahal. Both men & women could be seen beaming in colors of Rajasthan.  The procession passing through the vivid markets of the town, encompassed horses, camels, traditional folk dancers, brass bands from Punjab, lancers etc. along with the pious deities of Gangaur Mata ji and Bhagwan Isar ji Maharaj, finally converging at the newly restored Gopinath Temple. The town was seen teeming with both foreign nationals and domestic tourists rejoicing the festivities.

Pic courtesy: Anudeep Mathur

Celebrated with great pomp and show, Shahpura Gangaur Festival gave visitors and tourists a spectacular opportunity to observe Rajasthan’s magnificent culture from close quarters. We are already waiting for next year to witness such a splendid event in a all its royal glamour. Are you?

 

 

Behold the colourful extravaganza of Gangaur Festival Shahpura

Gangaur – an important ethnic festival specially celebrated by the ladies of the house is not only celebrated in Jaipur and Mewar but also celebrated with joy and delight in the tiny town of Shahpura. Shahpura is situated in the close corner of rural Rajasthan, 65 kms from the captivating city of Jaipur.

The festival is being hosted by Rani Ratna Kumari Foundation and Shahpura Hotels in association with the Rajasthan Tourism Department. The RRKF focuses on the upliftment of people living in that area with a motto of reviving the local culture. The colourful Gangaur procession starts from the Shahpura Haveli and passes through the streets of Shahpura village with royal pomp and pageantry. The ladies sing traditional songs and offer prayers to the deities.  The grand procession included horses, folk dancers, brass band and lancers along with pious deities of Gangaur mata and Bhagwan Isar ji Maharaj, who are symbolic of Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva respectively.

Come down to Shahpura and celebrate with the royal family of Shahpura- Maharaj Surendra Singh Shahpura and Rani Ratna Kumari of Shahpura. So if you are a pinning up options for this festival, this is the event that should not be missed!
Date– 20th March 2018
Venue– Shahpura Haveli, Shahpura

For more information, click https://www.facebook.com/events/172964756668727/ 
or contact at www.shahpura.com or call at +91 9828714043.

 

Immerse In the Jollification of Gangaur

Gangaur the word is derived from Gan which denotes Isarji (Lord Shiva) and Gauri (Godess Parvati) who symbolizes Saubhagya that is marital bliss. Gangaur is celebrated all over Rajasthan and is state’s one of the most important festivals, predominantly celebrated by women of all ages.  The married women of the house pray for their husbands’ long life and the unmarried young girls look up to getting a good handsome husband like Lord Shiva.

Though the actual celebrations begin from the very next day after Holi and goes on for 18 days. The eve of Gangaur is celebrated as Sinjara.  So, if you are in Rajasthan, here are a few places where you can visit and be a part of the carousal.

1. Jaipur

The magnificence of the procession starts from the Zanani Deodi in the City Palace, which passes through Tripolia Bazaar, Choti Chaupar, Gangauri Bazaar, Chaugan Stadium, finally closing at Talkatora. The procession consists of bejeweled idols of Lord Shiva and Parvati, decorated elephants, camels, palanquins, chariots, and folk performances. It becomes a sight to behold.

2. Shahpura Haveli

The grand Gangaur procession starts from Shahpura Haveli passing through the streets of Shahpura village with royal pomp and pageantry. The procession includes horses, brass band, lancers along with the deities. Witness the charm of various activities and ceremonies of the festival and celebrate with the royal family of Shahpura. If you are interested in the event, go to the link .

3. Udaipur

The Gangaur celebration in Udaipur coincides with the Mewar Festival (20-22^nd March 2018), which is celebrated to welcome spring. The whole of Udaipur gets soaked in the colors of these festivities. Women carry along with them their Isar- Gangaur in the procession. The procession reaches the Gangaur Ghat and the idols are taken into the royal decorated boats and further immersed in the waters of Pichola Lake.

Image via Google

4. Alsisar Mahal, Jhunjhunu

Alsisar witnesses the pomp of Gangaur celebration at an extravagant scale. The whole village comes down to Alsisar Mahal to worship the communion of Shiva and Parvati (Gauri) and enjoy every moment. The procession is followed by folk music and dance which simply multiplies the joy of the festival.

This year Gangaur is being celebrated on 20^th of March 2018. So if you are pinning up options for globetrotting then this is the festival that should not be missed!

A Weekend To The Cinematic World

With the Oscar winners wooing the world on one end, Rajasthan’s education hub Kota is all set to host a cinematic affair the upcoming weekend. The city will host the two –day Chambal International Film Festival on 10^th and 11^th March’18 which is being organized by Anugoonj Media Pvt. Ltd.

Picture Credit: http://www.ciff.co.in/

The festival has entries of 316 films from 28 countries over the world including Switzerland, US, Canada, Greece, Germany, China and many others, out of which 160 will be screened during the event. The awards have been given 15 categories including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor/Actress and several others which will be judged and presented during the event by acclaimed artists.

The event will also screen ‘Harishchandrachi Factory’ which was selected as India’s official entry to the Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category. It is a Marathi film directed by Paresh Mokashi which depicted the struggle of Dadasaheb Phalke  – father of the Indian cinema in making Raja Harishchandra – India’s first full length feature film.

Kota being a hub for students fighting various competitive exams, hope this event adds a small cherry on their cake in their respective genres. Also to add, Kota being honored to have the miniatures Seven Wonders of The World, the event will also boost tourism in the city.

 

 

10 not to be missed Holi Events in Rajasthan

Dance, music and colours are awaiting your arrival at the most happening colourful festival of the season, Holi. The land of colours through Rajasthan Tourism Beat brings to you a tremendous number of Holi parties where you can make your Holi-days worthwhile. So guys and girls, get ready to let your hair down and groove your moves on the musical beats of the most happening Holi celebrations in Rajasthan.

1. Holi On The House

In the mood for some rain dance and live dhol where some extravagant Bollywood songs will be playing in the backdrop? This Holi party promises just that and much more. Snack on from the live food counters whilst you play with organic colours and water guns only at Heiwa Heaven. Book your tickets now : https://www.heiwaheaven.com/holi/

Date:  2^nd March

Venue: Heiwa Heaven

Time: 10a.m- 4p.m.

2. Rang Barse Jaipur- Holi Event

Come one, come all, and attend the most hip and happening Holi festival of the season. Let the colours shower on you while you dance on the extravagant music by one and only DJ BNU and DJ Maddy. Join in the colourful celebration now !

Date: 2^nd March

Venue: The Heritage Village Resort & Spa

Time: 10a.m. onwards

3. Holi Music Festival

Celebrate the Holi day by wearing whites, vivacious vibes and trance tides with the biggest Holi Music Festival in town. Soak yourself into the vibrant music festival with DJ INDOMAFIA, PRASH, SYNC and Yash Tyagi in the lush green gardens of Narayan Singh Hotel with your friends!

Date: 2^nd March

Venue: Hotel Narain Niwas Palace

Time: 9a.m. onwards

4. Rangarang

Fond of Rajasthani Folk dance and music? Enter the beautiful world of Rangarang, where you will witness Holi celebrations in full traditional form. Mark your calendars now !

Date: 28^th February

Venue: Jawahar Kala Kendra

Time: 6:30p.m.

5. Holi With Elephants

This time celebrate the festival of Holi in style with elephants. There will be dance; there will be music and lot of competitions to keep you engaged throughout the festival. Enjoy the buffet lunch along with relishing thandai and enter the magical world of colours where elephants will be seen performing various sorts of acts right in front of you.

Date: 2^ndMarch

Venue: Near Elephant Village, Jaipur

Time: 9a.m. onwards

6. Dhulandi Festival

Organised by the Department of Tourism of Rajasthan especially for tourists, Dhulandi Festival is a grand celebration of colours and water. Play with dry colours and water whilst you enjoy the stunning cultural performances by folk artists in Jaipur.

Date: 2nd March

Venue: Khasa Kothi Hotel

 

7. Udaipur Holi Fest 2018

Udaipur Holi Fest is one of the biggest and the most colorful holi parties in the Lake City!
With rain dance, mud , live music, live food & unlimited  fun, this is going to be your best holi party in Udaipur till date!

Date : 1st & 2nd March, 2018

Time:
1st march 6:00 PM – 10:30 PM
2nd march: 11.00 AM – 4.00 PM

Event Details contact :-8386999700,9529511234, 9460207571, 9252534656

8. Holi with Maharana of Udaipur

At The Royal City Palace, Udaipur, the Maharana of Mewar- Shree Arvind Singh Mewar presides over the Hindu festival of Holi. Attended by dignitaries, guests and foreign tourists. The Maharana arrives in a elaborate procession. A bonfire is lit, signifying the triumph of good over evil. Drums, folk dances and celebrations are followed by cocktails and an elaborate dinner and fireworks.

Dates: 1st and 2nd March, 2018

Venue: City Palace Udaipur

Image via Google

9. Holi in Braj,  Bharatpur

The festival is celebrated for three days in the Braj region, which is situated in the Bharatpur district of Rajasthan. The area in and around the Braj is believed to be the region where Lord Krishna spent his childhood, playing pranks and showing many aspects of his transcendental activities. Local people don multi-colored, vibrant attires and celebrate by singing and dancing and emulating Raslila, depicting the divine love between Radha and Krishna.

The energy identified with festival can be seen manifesting the entire Bharatpur region in the form of songs and dance and locals splashing colors on each other. People can be seen everywhere in high spirits and festive mood and all set to welcome Holi. Besides this, you should also not miss the Dolchi holi of Bikaner.

Date: 2nd March

Venue: Entire Braj region of Bharatpur and Bikaner

 

10.  Pushkar’s “Kapda Faad” Holi 

This is your chance to experience Holi in the most raw and  traditional style in the land of Lord Brahma. The festival in Pushkar promises colors, music, food, and fun! The celebration of Holi in Pushkar brings together Indian and Western cultures. You can witness the internationally famous  Kapda Faad  Holi with participation from over 5000 foreigners, who will be dancing on the streets of Pushkar.

Dates: 2nd March, 2018

Venue: Varaah Ghat and Streets of Pushkar

Happy Holi ! 🙂

Rajasthan Tourism Beat at Ranthambore Festival in Nahargarh Palace

After a spectacular run with more than 3000 attendees in January 2017, Ranthambore Festival returned to the magnificent Nahargarh Palace for a second edition this month and our team was invited as guests to attend the Festival. The music and wildlife conservation festival enthralled the attendees from January 19th to 21st but Rajasthan Tourism Beat decided to attend the first day of the festival as the following days had different reservations for us. We reached the Nahargarh Palace around 14.00 hrs when the beautiful open garden Bageechi was showcasing the film : Looking for Sultan by Gautam Pandey. Thus began our journey of the Ranthambore Festival at Nahargarh palace.

If you think that its first edition showcased the richness of Rajasthani folk music and wildlife landscape, mind you the second edition marvelously returned with even newer sounds, fresh ideas and terrific activities. Picture an open theatre in the midst of an imposing palace, complete with manicured plants and shady trees. ‘Bageechi’ also played host to an informative Wine Tasting session by Grover Zampa.

Now imagine, as the sun begins to set you are sitting surrounding a marble white step well swimming pool – “Book a Smile Hathikund” and listening to Bangladeshi musician Labik Kamal, international world music ensemble Trio Benares from Germany, and the live performance by actor and musician Farhan Akhtar and his band.The well-curated line-up of musical performances on all three days also included a soulful rendition by Ustad Ma Zila Khan.

Numerous patrons of music, whatever is the genre of their preference appeared at Nahargarh Palace to sample the collective, ecstatic experience of a musical art form.

The festival successfully showcased some of the best in Rajasthani folk music by providing a platform to little-known yet immensely talented folk artists and prominent wildlife conservationists, alike. A 12-person nagara ensemble led by Nathulal Ji Solanki (Ajmer), Kanha Ram (Gujarat) on ektara and khartaal, Mohan (Bhuj) on gadha gambhira, Ram Swaroop (Alwar) on bakri ki masak enlivened the First Stone Amphitheatre of Nahargarh Palace.

The artists’ performances and the music made us stir from within while the amazing Drum Circle by Omkar Salunkhe was an experience unforgettable. However, what can easily be called the highpoint of the festival was a dazzling performance by 35-handpicked (by Abhimanyu Alsisar, himself) Rajasthani folk musicians.

In addition to showcasing the rich musical traditions, Ranthambore Festival also hosted intriguing all day workshops like pottery making workshop by Dastkar, Block printing & Toy making workshop by Dhonk, lac bangle making by Shadab khan, Khartaal master classes by Imammuddin Khan and Bhapang master class by Yusuf and Mehmood Khan.

  

Given the immensely encouraging response received last year, the Souk experience at the Ranthambore Festival was even more elaborate and magical this time. It presented an eclectic blend of the most sought after brands in the country.

This time around, Ranthambore Festival also extended a series of thrilling experiential activities like a heritage bicycle tour, naked-eye stargazing with local tribal interpretations, secret royal suppers and hot air balloon rides for the guests.

 

The Den lastly came to life at night when the music lovers broke into a party mood, they drank, talked, laughed and danced till they dropped.

The next day, out team had bid adieu to Ranthambore Festival and chose to hit the jungle for Ranthambhore Tiger Safari. We booked a private gypsy safari to avoid crowds and have a more intimate experience with the national park. Unfortunately, we did not see tigers on safari in Ranthambhore, but the entire feel of jungle and the experience was still amazing.