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Rajasthan
( Jaipur )
FAIRS AND
FESTIVALS
MAKAR SANKRANTI
The festival is
celebrated on the 14th January every year. This
has now become the festival of like-flying
which does not spare the soaring spirits of
anyone in Jaipur. The devoted ones, however,
take a holy dip in the kund at Galtaji. The
traditional sweet associated with it is Phirni,
made in abundance by the hawals of Jaipur.
GANGAUR
Young girls and
newly married women prayng for their loved one
or husband respectively, offers prayers to
Goddess Parvati in spring (march-april). A
colourful procession follows the silver and
gold palanquins of Goddess Parvati brought out
from the City Palace. Chevar, the traditional
sweet associated with this festival is prepared
all over the city.
ELEPHANT FESTIVAL
This festival is
held on the day of Holy, the festival of
colours, at the Chaughan stadium. Beautifully
decorated and aparisoned elephants assemble to
participate in the royal procession. Elephant
polo, elephant race, elephant gug-of-war with a
few tourist and holi on elephant back are some
of the exciting events.
TEEJ
To
celebrate the advent of the monsoon, girls and young women dressed in
colourful leharia sarees or costumes, sing song and offer puja to
Goddess Parvati and pray for conjugal bliss and happiness. An elaborate
procession comes out of the City Palace for two consecutive days.
Villages come to watch it in large numbers and buy knick-knacks from
the stalls on the footpaths of the main bazars.
DUSSEHRA
Dussehra is
celebrated by staging Ramlila in different parts of the city and
culminating in the ceremonial burning of the gaint effigies of Ravan,
Kumbhakaran and Meghnath, celebrating Lord Rama's victory over the
Demon King, and victory of Good over Evil. A mela is organised at Amer
and thousands of devotees visit the temple of Shila Mataji situated
there. Special puja is offered by the former Maharaja in the City
Palace amidst traditional fanfare. Durga Puja is celebrated in several
community pandals for four days by the large Bangali population in the
city.
DIWALI
Celebrated
every year in October-November, Diwali is perhaps the most popular of
all Indian festivals. The origin of this festival can be traced back to
the ancient Hindu epic Ramayan, when Lord Rama returned to his kingdom
Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. The whole kingdom was lit up with
diyas (earthern lamps) to celebrate his return. To date, on Diwali day,
houses all over India glow with the twinkle of innumerable diyas,
candles and electric lights. The night is illuminated with the flaming
lights of fireworks, creating kaleidoscopic designs against the black
canvas of the sky. During Diwali celebration decoration and lighting is
done throughout the walled Pink City, with every market competing with
the others to pik-up the best decorated market award. There are special
prizes for the best decorated individual buildings as well. Most people
prefer walking through the street to enjoy this dazzling extravaganza.
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