Aspirant Academy

History

Key Points at a Glance

Fairs and Festivals

Paper I · Unit 1 Section 1 of 14 0 PYQs 43 min
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Key Points at a Glance

  1. Fair Types in Rajasthan

    • Rajasthan hosts over 1,000 annual fairs
    • Classified into four types: religious, tribal, cattle/livestock, and seasonal

  2. Pushkar Fair

    • World's largest camel fair, held annually for 5 days in Kartik (Oct–Nov), Ajmer district
    • Cattle traded exceeded 20,000 in 2019; camels are the primary draw
    • UNESCO-recognised Intangible Cultural Heritage contender

  3. Gangaur

    • Rajasthan's premier women's festival, celebrated for 18 days from Holi to Chaitra Shukla Tritiya
    • Marks Parvati's reunion with Shiva; prayed for by married and unmarried women alike
    • This form of the festival is absent from all other Indian states

  4. Beneshwar Fair

    • Largest tribal fair in Rajasthan, held at the Mahi-Som-Jakham confluence in Dungarpur, in Magh (Jan–Feb)
    • Called the "Kumbh of Tribals"
    • Attended by 4–5 lakh Bhil tribals from Rajasthan, MP, and Gujarat

  5. Ramdevra Fair

    • Held at Ramdevji's samadhi sthan in Jaisalmer, during Bhadra Shukla 2–11
    • A composite Hindu-Muslim fair: Ramapir (Hindu) and Ramsa Pir (Muslim) are names for the same deity
    • One of Rajasthan's best examples of communal harmony in folk worship

  6. Nagaur Fair

    • Asia's second-largest cattle fair, held in Magh (Jan–Feb) for 4 days
    • Famous for bullocks, horses, and camels; also renowned for brass utensil and textile trades
    • Government officially designates it a state-level fair

  7. Urs at Ajmer

    • Annual commemoration of Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti (died 1236 CE), held in Rajab for 6 days
    • The 810th Urs (2026) draws 3–4 lakh visitors including international Sufi devotees
    • Prime Minister sends a national chaadar as a symbol of state respect

  8. Teej

    • Marks the monsoon onset; celebrated on Shravan Shukla Tritiya
    • The Teej procession in Jaipur was started by Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh in 1778 CE
    • A state-sponsored heritage event managed by the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation

  9. Gogamedi Fair

    • Held at Goga Jahar Vir's cenotaph in Hanumangarh district, on Bhadra Shukla Navami
    • Largest fair in northern Rajasthan with 5–6 lakh pilgrims annually
    • Goga Jahar Vir is Rajasthan's most revered folk deity after Ramdevji

  10. Kaila Devi Fair

    • Held at the Trikuta hills along the Kalisil River, Karauli district, in Chaitra
    • Draws 15–20 lakh pilgrims from Rajasthan, MP, and UP
    • Rajasthan's largest fair by total attendance

  11. Makar Sankranti

    • Celebrated on 14 January as Rajasthan's kite festival
    • Jaipur hosts the International Kite Festival, inaugurated in 1989
    • Rajasthan accounts for roughly 25–30% of India's kite production

  12. Tilwara Fair

    • Held on the Luni River bank at Tilwara, Barmer district, in Magh
    • Rajasthan's third-largest cattle fair; famous for the Mallinath breed of cattle
    • Shares its name with a Mesolithic archaeological site at the same location (See Topic #1)

  13. Rajasthan Fairs and Festivals Policy 2015

    • Classifies fairs as National, State, District, and Local levels
    • Tourism Department organises 5 "signature events" for international promotion
    • Signature events include Pushkar Fair and Jaipur Literature Festival