Jaisalmer Desert Festival

Jaisalmer Desert Festival

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★What

With a complete picture of folk tunes, tinges as well as twines framed in the sandy dunes, the Desert Festival Jaisalmer shows the traditional culture of Rajasthan. In order to reach the eyes of worldwide spectators, the festival would spray its colors, play its tunes and also whir its heels from the hub of Thar Desert. As soon as you came out from the winter wools and being stepped into the cuddly blossoming flavor, the folk fusion from Kaisalmer will surely grasp the attention of several travelers. Now it is your turn to explore yourself into the exciting daylong extravaganza, which continues for about three days in the middle of historical forts, ancient haveli, Jain temples, majestic palaces and indigenous culture as well.

★When

Jaisalmer Desert Festival is usually being celebrated in February. The three days celebration is an extravaganza of sights, smells, tastes and unique delights of the desert city.

★Where

The Desert Festival is celebrated in the sand city of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan.

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★History

As legends go; Lord Krishna, ruler of Yadav community told Arjuna (one of the Pandavas) that a successor belonging from the Yadav community will set up his kingdom on the Trikuta Hill. In the year 1196, the prediction made by Lord Krishna came true, when Rawal Jaiswal, a descendant of the Yadav clan, established his kingdom in Jaisalmer.

Celebrations were organized throughout the kingdom, when the people came to know that the prophecy has come true. The celebrations soon developed into a festival that is now organized every year. The government started marketing the vibrant festival as an international drawing visitor to the Jaisalmer Desert City.

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★How

A few days before the spring full moon according to the Hindu calendar, musicians, dancers and performers from all over Rajasthan start moving in colorful camel caravans towards the golden town of Jaisalmer, which dons a festive look. The otherwise barren landscape is splashed with vibrant colors marking the opening of the Desert Festival. The 12th century fort of Jaisalmer, built in yellow sandstone, provides a fairytale background. Over the years, the desert dwellers in their solitude have woven a fascinating tapestry with threads of music and rhythm and the Desert Festival is a celebration of their heritage. It is a chance of a lifetime to see the folk art forms against the landscape that has nurtured them for hundreds of years.

With the arrival of the artists, a delightful series of programs begins in and around Jaisalmer. There is music everywhere and at every given hour. Through the winding lanes of the fortified town to the sand dunes and even the rivers of abandoned villages, the music casts a potent spell. Beginning at sunrise, it reaches its zenith under the umbrella of the star-studded sky. Though it is mainly a festival of the performing arts, there are several other events that give a glimpse of the desert culture.

Through the day, visitors can come face to face with the desert craftsmen. Exquisitely embroidered skirts, hand-woven shawls, rugs, carvings on wood and stone, camel decorations, embroidered leather bags, ethnic silver jewelry and terracotta are brought in from all over the desert. These skillfully achieved crafts are objects d'art for the handicraft buff.

Evenings are meant for the main shows of music and dance. Vibrating desert drums can be heard for miles around. Nearly all the variations of performing arts of these desert people are displayed. Continuing till late into the night, the number of spectator swells up each night and the grand finale, on the full moon night, takes place by silvery sand dunes.

Although the basic design of the festival remains the same, each year there are a few new events. Some of the most spectacular and memorable shows of past festivals have been the dream-like pageant, "Blood, Blade and Romance" on the sand dunes recreating the legendary past; the camel tattoo of the Border Security Force, which has a highly trained camel corps to guard the western border; and the pulsating folk ensemble of a hundred musicians.