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Camel Festival
A lively and colorful event, The Camel Festival, is
organized by Department
of Tourism, Art and Culture, Rajasthan in Bikaner during
January each year. Camels, the stalwart of the desert give an
unmatched performance in the festival, bringing the desert town to
life with its spell binding display of graceful parades, camel
races, camel dances and many other camel acrobatics.
Karnimata Fair
 The
fair is celebrated twice a year in the little desert citadel of
Deshnok, in honour of Goddess Karni Mata, the tutelary deity of the
Bikaner royal house. The devotees gather at Deshnok during the
Navratra, in March/April and September/October and the fair is held
on the ninth day of Navratra, amidst the chanting of hymns and
prayers, devotees offer their prayers and the celebrations have a
distinct religious flavor.
Kapil Muni Fair
The sacred lake of Kolayat 55 Km from Bikaner is the
venue of this fair. Its held duri ng
the full moon of kartik (Nov). The devotees come to take
a holy dip in the lake. At this time, all the fifty
ghats bordering the lake are crowded. In addition to the
worship of saint Kapil Muni, the propounder of Sankhya,
one of the six major philosophical schools, thousands of
people also visit the cattle fair held here at this
time.
Gangaur Fair
The festival of maidens and married women. Women attired
in th eir
best costumes and jewelers, pray to Gauri, an
incarnation of Goddess Parvati. This eighteen day long
festival begins the day after holi. Married women pray
for the well being and long life of their husband and
the young ladies seek the blessings for a life partner
of their choice. Processions of Gauri, are taken out
with pomp and gaiety from Junagarh and the old city.
Women sing melodious folk songs, accompanied by
musicians and bands.
Kite Festival
Kite Flying is a cultural tradition of this
region bearing special significance because of its
direct connection with the foundation of this city. It
serves to commemorate this historical fact and shows
gaiety and involvement of people. Despite sand-storms
and slightly hot climate people celebrate the festival
with traditional flavour. Sky remains full of KITES of
varying colours, shapes and sizes. People of all ages
participate with zeal and vigour in this fest. It
generally falls in April/May, date relying on Hindu
calendar.
HOLI Festival
Narsingh Chaturdarshi (Hirna Kasyap) |
