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Fairs & Festivals
Elephant Festival
This festival is held on the day of Holi, the festival of colours, at the Chaughan
stadium. Beautifully decorated and caparisoned elephants assemble to participate
in the royal procession. Elephant polo, elephant race,elephant tug-of-war with
a few tourist and holi on elephant back are some of the exciting events.
Gangaur
tYoung girls and newly married women praying for their loved one or husband
respectively, offer 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. Ghever, the traditional sweet associated with this
festival is prepared all over the city.
Teej
To celebrate the advent of the monsoon, girls and young women dressed in colourful
leharia sarees or costumes, sing songs 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. Villagers come to watch it in large
numbers and buy knick-knacks from the stalls on the footpaths of the main bazars.
Makar Sankranti
The festival is celebrated on the 14th of January every year. This has now become
the festival of kite-flying which does not spare the soaring spirits of anyone
in Jodhpur. 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
halwais of Jodhpur
Dussehra
Dussehra is celebrated by staging Ramlila in different parts of the city and
cuminating in the ceremonial burning of the giant 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 templeof 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 Bengali 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 Ramayana, when Lord Rama returend to this kingdom Ayodhya
after 14 years of exile.
The whole kingdom was lit up with diyas (earthen lamps ) to celebrate his return.
To date, on Diwali day, houses all over India glow with the twinkle of innumerable
divas, candles and electric lights. The night is illuminated with the flaming
lights of fireworks, creating kaleidoscopic design against the black canvas
of the sky.
During the Diwali celebration decoration and lighting is done throughout the
walled Pink City, with every market competing with the others to pick-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 extravanganza.
Jodhpur City Guide, Rajasthan Cities Guide
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