Festival Date: 23 – 25 February 2013
The festival is held in Jaisalmer
February is the month of celebration for the Golden City, Jaisalmer. A celebration of Rajput heritage, Desert festival is organized by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation. It is one of the most popular of all festivals in Rajasthan. Camel race and other cultural programmes are main attraction of The Desert Festival. Many interesting competitions are held during this festival. It is full of singing and dancing and folk music. Many prominent folk artists of Rajasthan perform during this famous festival.
Desert Festival Jaisalmer
Activities
The perfect time to visit the golden city is during the Desert Festival, held in Jan/Feb. every year, when the city reverberates to the sound of melodious tunes and rhythms. Folk dances, exciting competitions an contests, especially the turban-tying contest. Mr. Desert contest and camel races enliven the festivities. Colorful craft bazaars are set up for the occasion and a sound and light spectacle is organized wit folk artists performing against the splendid backdrop of the famous Sam sand dunes on the full moon night. Surely a not-to-be missed event.
History
The city has an interesting legend associated with it, according to which, Lord Krishna-the head of the Yadav Clan, foretold Arjuna that a remote descendent of the Yadav Clan would built his kingdom atop the Trikuta Hill. His prophecy was fulfilled in 1156 A.D. when Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the Yadav Clan and a Bhatti Rajput, abandoned his fort at Lodurva and founded a new capital – Jaisalmer, perched on the Trikuta Hill.
Bahti Rajputs of Jaisalmer were feudal chiefs who lived off the forced levy on the caravans laden with precious silks and spices that crossed the territory enroot Delhi-or-Sind. These caravans earned the town great wealth.
Places to see
Jaisalmer is famous for Jaisalmer Fort, Patwon ki Haveli, Tazia Tower, Gadsisar Lake and many more.
