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Location : Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Months of Celebration : January, February

Period of Celebration : 3 days

Category : Tourism

Upcoming Event : 16-18 February, 2011

How to reach there : Take buses from Bikaner, Jodhpur and Jaipur. By rail, take Delhi-Jaisalmer Express

Desert Festival is a festivity of music, dance and color that is celebrated with full gaiety and enthusiasm every year. This extravaganza takes place amidst sand dunes of desert and is an epitome of the folk Culture and traditions of Rajasthan. At the tome of festivities, the solitude of the Thar Desert gets replaced with the vibrancy of the cultural event.

Highlights of the Festival

The Desert Festival is marked with the melodious rhythms of music and dance. The fire dancers gyrate to the tunes of folk songs; happy folklore sings the ballads of love, romance and bravery. There are several competitions that are the highlights of the festival; these include turban tying and moustache competitions; and camel races. Foreigners are enthusiastically involved in these colorful events. The local people and the participants are dressed in gaudy costumes which they flaunt proudly. Snake charmers and puppeteers attract the tourists with their charming shows. Camels, which are vital to the life of desert-folk, also play an important role in the Desert Festival. They are decorated beautifully and are made to participate in acrobatics and polo competitions. The sand dunes of Rajasthan vibrate to the beats of folk dances like Ghoomer, Gair Dhap, and Tehratal.

Religious Significance: The city of Jaisalmer was prophesied by Lord Krishna to be built by a descendent of Yadav Clan which came out to be true when Rawal Jaisal laid down the foundation of the city in twelfth century. The Desert Festival was initiated to celebrate the richness of culture that is deeply rooted in the History of Rajasthan. Festival soon became popular among tourists.

This festival is organized by Rajasthan tourism which organizes bus tours to facilitate the transportation services.