festivals of rajasthan

Rajasthan is more commonly known for its festivals & fairs. Rajasthan has an unending cycle of fair and festival throughout the year. Every year thousand of rajasthani men &women gather in this festival and fairs , and people from all across the world come here to enjoy these exciting moments.Some of the important festival are as follows.
1.Teej
Held during the monsoon.teej is dedicated to lord shiva and parvati and this time women pray for happy and long married life. It is the festival of swings which are decorated with flowers and hung from trees. Young girls and women dressed in green clothes sing songs in celebration of the advent of monsoon. The most colourful Teej fair is held at Jaipur. In big towns impressive processions, led by gorgeously caparisoned elephants, camels and horses are taken out which make a grand spectacle.

2. Gangaur
Gangaur is a religious festival which symbolises cultural heritage of Rajasthan. . This festival begins in the first week of Chaitr and continues up to the fourth day of the bright half of the month. The rituals in honour of the goddess are colourful, with the singing of the most beautiful songs in praise of her and her consort.Mehendi is applied by the devotees on the palms of their hands. Singing and dancing are an essential part of the festival.

3. Diwali
Diwali is the most popular of all Indian festivals celebrated throughout the country. It is a celebration of light, roughly marks the advent of winter. The origin of this festivalcan be traced back to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, when Lord Rama returned to his kingdom Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. Houses allover India glow with the twinkle of innumerable diya, candles & electric lights. Thlluminated with the flaming lights of fire works.

4.Holi
Holi is celebrated throughout the northern belt of India to welcome the spring season when crowds of merry makers spray coloured powder (Gulal) on one another. Allover the place blithe faces smeared in rainbow hues and drenched in coloured water can be seen. On this day barriers of social status are let down as prince & pauper alike enjoy a bout of revelry.

5.Urs
The urs, acommomerative celebration is held in the solemn memory of Khwaja Muin-nddin Chisti, a prighly respected sufi saint fondly revered as the benefactor of the poor, popularly known as Gareeb Nawaz. The Dargah Sharif in Ajmer, is the place where the Saints mortal remains lie burried and is the site of the largest Muslim Fair in India. Chadar; Ghilaph & Neema which are votive offerings for the tomb are offered by several hundred thousand devotees. Mehfils & Qawwalis are held and mass prayer calls for the eternal peace of the mankind. An interesting ritual is the looting of Kheer (Milk Pudding) which is cooked in two large cauldrons called Degs and distributed to the devotees as tabarruk (blessed food).