Fairs and Festivals
Festivals hold an unusual lure for the Rajasthanis, and they find any number of reasons to celebrate. While some of these are traditional festivals, there are also a large number that have been recently introduced by the tourism department. However, some of the larger and important celebrations are listed below

Baneshwar Fair
This is a tribal fair on the banks of the Mahi and Som rivers in the forested area around the border of Rajasthan that it shares with Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat. Bhil tribals from all three states gather here to worship Shiva.

Camel Festival
This celebration is a recent introduction in the desert city Bikaner with the only camel breeding farm in the country. Most of the events are staged around this beast, with camel races and camel dances

Desert Fair
Jaisalmer exercises immense charm, but with the staging of the annual Desert Festival (January - February), it has also become one of the important events on the annual calendar. This is a showcase of the performing arts of the region on the stretching sands around this desert citadel. A number of events include turban tying competitions and camel races.

Elephant Festival
This festival on the occasion of Holi in Jaipur, is the festival of pachyderms includes several interesting attractions including elephant polo. The caparisoned elephants, their bodies painted with floral decorations by the mahouts, are a sight to behold.

Gangaur Fair
Celebrated all over Rajasthan, it has women taking out processions through the streets of towns, carrying images of the divine couple. Idols of Issar and Gangaur, manifestations of Shiva and Parvati, are worshipped by women, and particularly those unmarried who pray for a consort of the like of Shiva.

Marwar Festival
This annual event attempts to showcase the art and culture of the Jodhpur region in month of October. It is devoted almost exclusively to song and dance, and the Maand Festival has become a part of this huge regional celebration.

Nagaur Fair
A trading fair for cattle and camels in January - February, it is a wonderful opportunity to catch up on rural life as owners from all over the state come to camp on the outskirts of Nagaur while they buy and sell animals. The hides of the animals, cut into beautiful patterns, are particularly interesting.