Camel Festival
The Camel Festival is organized by the Department of Tourism of the Rajasthan Government in January every year in Bikaner. The Festival begins with a colorful procession of bedecked camels against the red sandstone backdrop of the Junagarh Fort. Held is a tug-of-war contest, best breed competition, camel dance and acrobatics among other things. The camels display amazing footwork, dancing gracefully to the directions of their trainers. Bridal bridles, be jeweled necks, jingling anklets and camel shadows, cast a spell on the audience. In the evenings, is held a traditional rendezvous of renowned artistes and folk performers.
Desert Festival
This Festival is also held in January- February in Jaisalmer. For three days, the otherwise barren land of Jaisalmer comes to life and is clustered with hordes of colorfully dressed people. Some chosen moments of the past and affluent culture are on display backed by high pitched music and folk dances. The turban tying competition and Mr. Desert contest as also the camel races, add to the excitement of the celebrations.
Dusshera
Dusshera is celebrated all over the country in different ways as also in Rajasthan. it celebrates the triumph of good over evil the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana. The tale of Rama and Sita and the battle fought between Lord Rama and Ravana are enacted on stae and it is called Ramlila. On the tenth day of the Festival, huge effigies of the tenheaded Ravana and his brother Kumbakaran, stuffed with thousands of fire crackers, are set afire and the people then begin to rejoice.
Pushkar Fair
Easily the most identifiable of all the fairs of the state, the Pushkar fair is held in November in Pushkar in Ajmer, where an eighth century temple of Brahma, draws the faithful. The place has about 400 shrines and temples around the lake. Legend has it that Lord Brahma, in search of a place to hold his yagna (religious ritual), dropped the lotus from his hand and the three spots touched by the flower were turned into lakes. These are today known as the Jyeshtha Pushkar, Madhyam Pushkar and Kanishtha Pushkar. Pilgrims bathe at the hats and pray at the temple. Traders strike deals at the word’s largest camel fair, although horses are also sold. People gather together to camp in desert and entertain each other with songs and dances and cook meals over camp fires. The camel, horse and donkey races are also popular and draw huge attendance.