Dates of Festivals & Fairs in Rajasthan

Hello everyone,

I am considering going to India during Diwali, and I was wondering if anyone had any tips to give for for my trip. This would be my 4th trip to India, and last year I was present during Holi. Do you think Diwali may be too much for a foreigner? Is it non-stop partying and mayhem? I will be traveling the whole of Rajasthan, and it would place me in Jaisalmer and Jodhpur during the Diwali time. Thanks in advance for your kind input. (and sorry for any misspellings)

-Bill

Hi Bill-Whatcher, there is an amazing amount of info here. I don't know about Diwali in particular, but I'm sure the big names on forum here will give you great advice soon.

I think Diwali would be fascinating to experience, and India is always bedlam!

The Maha Rajasthan Itinerary Info Thread

I think you would love it! One place you would undoubtedly enjoy is Pushkar in Rajasthan. It's a small place, sacred but very relaxing and rich in culture, colourful locals and good food. Accommoation is cheap particularly is you walk around in the areas a little away from the main drag.
Individual familes run many of the accommodation places so you build a relationship with the family who can help you out if it's all getting too much. Rememebr you can always stay at home with the family and enjoy the rooftop garden or courtyard reading, eating and hanging out with family while learning about the family dynamic while making friends for life.
have a read of this short article and check out photos on Pushkar for more info:
http://maddot.hubpages.com/hub/Pushkar-India
good luck and have a wonderful trip!

And for those planning ahead, the Jaisalmer Desert Festival for 2012 is February 5, 6, and 7.

Though the question is five months old. I do not know if Bill still needs the information, but I will answer it for the information of other readers of the thread. Diwali is too much of noise of crackers and smoke in residential localities. Otherwise, it is a nice festival. It is not a rowdy festival (Holi is something like that), because families are involved in worship (after all, they are welcoming the Goddess of Riches, Laxmi, in their houses for the new year). In case, one is bothered by the noise, I suggest going to a park where there would be less noise.

One year I'm going to be there in Jaisalmer for the Desert Festival and to see you.

Hi There!!!
Was wondering if anyone could suggest best place to be for Diwali. I am travelling with family to Jaipur, Shekhawati, Kota, Udaipur and Jodhpur in November and have around 12-15 days in hand. Would also like to watch folk dance in this trip. Any advise please!!!

Diwali will be celebrated at all the places that you have listed.

You can watch folk dance Bagore ki Haveli in Udaipur think.

Thanks Aarosh!!!
Its just that we have never been out on Diwali. I want to make sure that we do pooja (in a temple) on Diwali and could show my parents the best Diwali ever in Rajasthan during our 12-15 days trip.

What about the Kite festival in Jaipur? Dec 15?ish?

Jan 14th, - same date every year, It's called Makar Sankranti. you may witness kites in the sky from late december onwards but it peaks on that day.

Jaipur would be the busiest, noisiest (in a good way) and best lit deepawali anywhere in Rajasthan and perhaps in the country. It's a major trading center and that leads all the merchants in the old city to contribute to the decorations - several square kilometers are decorated and lit as are the major govenrment buildings. We were at Jaisalmer last year a day before Deepawali and were surprised at how quiet it was.

I agree re Jaipur for Diwali as Vaibhav suggests - Chokki Dhani will have folk dance and Rajasthani music .

Its really interesting to attend festivals. Its really too traditional to have festivals throughout the year.

Coming soon is the Jaisalmer Desert Festival - February 23,24 and 25. The general pattern of this Festival is a procession to the Stadium near the main Post Office, and events following for the afternoon on the 23rd. The 24th will be camel events at Dedansar Stadium - races, decorations, polo etc. A cricket match out at Indira Gandhi stadium usually on the 25th, desert camel racing in the afternoon, and the evening is a spectacular concert in the Sam sand dunes.