Three-day Jaisalmer Desert Festival begins

25 February, 2013

A three-day Desert Festival that took off on Saturday will continue till 25th Feb in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. For Indians and foreigners, the festival has become a major tourist attraction over the years due to well organised showcasing of vibrant and colourful Rajasthani folk culture.

Organised by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) against the backdrop of the magnificent Jaisalmer fort at Sam Sand dunes, the festival was inaugurated by the Governor of Rajasthan, Margret Alva on February 23. Folk artists performed traditional dances in a grand procession at the inaugural function.

The folk performances, music, cultural events, camel rides, bonfires and snake charmers' show, puppet shows, handicraft fairs are the main highlights of the festival. Open competitions like Turban Tying, Best Moustache, Matka Race and Mr. Desert Competition, Tug of War are also organised during the festival.

According to RTDC, this year, the high points of the festival are puppeteers, acrobats, camel tattoo show, camel races, camel polo, traditional procession, camel mounted band, folk dances, etc. Furthermore, proud mustached villagers, dressed in their ethnic best come astride their picturesquely caparisoned camels to join in the camel dances and competitions of camel acrobatics.

Also, tug of war and Panihari Matka race are the events wherein a lot of foreign visitors participate and enjoy the thrill. In the handicraft fairs, the camel leather items, embroidered fabrics and handmade silver jewellery are the main attraction for foreigners.

It is said that the festival was started by Mughal emperor Jehangir, who on his way to his summer resort to Kashmir, would camp in Jaisalmer to enjoy the folk traditions of Rajputs. Even during the British rule, the Rajput royals continued the tradition and now the state tourism department organises this annual event.