Rajasthan in northwest India is a land of brilliant colors and vibrant festivals. You can join in the celebration of some of these festivals on your Palace on Wheels royal luxury train tour to Rajasthan. The festivals celebrate the changing of the seasons, the gathering of the harvest, the fertility of the soil, the joy of a happy marriage and religious events through the year. Some of the important festivals in Rajasthan, which you can glimpse on your Palace on Wheels royal luxury train tour, are:

Camel Festival - Bikaner
Time - January

The Camel Festival in Bikaner is a celebration of the camel - the Ship of the Desert. This useful animal's provides milk, carries loads and people, and after its death, its hide is used to make utility items. The camel is indispensable to Rajasthan's traditional way of life. Various contests including camel dancing, camel racing, and camel beauty contests are held along with cultural performances by folk singers and dancers in the desert town of Bikaner.

Nagaur Fair - Nagaur
Time - Between January and February

The Nagaur Fair is held in the town of Nagaur located between Jodhpur and Bikaner. Traditionally a cattle fair, the Nagaur Fair has been promoted as a tourist attraction and attracts many visitors from around the world, who come to see, camels, cattle and horses, being bought and sold by their traditionally dressed owners. The cultural and sporting events, such as tug of wars and camel races are an enjoyable sight and the ambience as a Rajasthani folk singer sings a ballad, as the sun sinks below the horizon and the sand dunes are bathed in twilight, is truly a sight to be seen.

Desert Festival - Jaisalmer
Time - Full Moon of February

The Jaisalmer Desert Festival is one of the most popular festivals in Rajasthan with tourists to this state. This three-day long festival held in the town of Jaisalmer, known for its Golden Fortress, and in the sand dunes at Sam outside Jaisalmer town, is a splash of color across the desert sands. Cultural performances by Rajasthani folk dancers, of traditional dances of Rajasthan including the Tehratal, Ghoomer, Dhap, Gangaur, Moria, Gair and Chari dances enchant the audience. The Fire dances and Gair dances are a popular attraction. Puppeteers, ballad singers and snake charmers add to the exotic ambience. The camel events include camel races, camel dances and the best decorated camel contest. Events for people include a best moustache contest, a turban-tying contest and a tug of war. The festival ends with a sound and light extravaganza on the desert sands, which you can see on festival tours of Rajasthan.

Elephant Festival - Jaipur
Time - March

The Elephant Festival is a delightful tourist attraction that combines the festival of colors - Holi, with the antics of the gentle giants - the elephants of Jaipur. The elephants are colorfully decorated and walk through the town in a spectacular parade along with horses, camels and colorfully dressed folk dancers. Guests are invited to play Holi, by throwing colors and flowers on each other, while seated on elephant back. Ganesha, the elephant headed God is worshipped on this day. You can enjoy the festivities on Rajasthan Fairs and Festivals Tours.

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