Highlights

The impressive festival commences with a spectacular procession inspired by Mughal splendour. Bedecked elephants and camels, drum beaters, folk artists and master craftsmen together recreate the glorious past of the Mughals.
It is a festive introduction to India and Uttar Pradesh in particular. India's extensive arts, crafts and culture are on display. Folk music, shayari (poetry) and classical dance performances as well as elephant and camel rides, games and a food festival, all form a part of the festivities. The Taj Mahotsav is truly India at her best with a glimpse of her rich heritage and extraordinary legacies.

Highlights

Khajuraho is famous for it's enchanting temples and it's legendary Khajuraho dance festival held against the spectacular backdrop of the magnificently lit temples. This cultural festival highlights

the richness of the various Indian classical dance styles such as Kathak, Bharathanatyam, Odissi, Kuchipudi, Manipuri and Kathakali with performances of some of the best exponents in the field. Modern Indian dance has also been added recently. It is held during the month of March from 6th to 12th.

The dances are performed in an open-air auditorium, usually in front of the Chitragupta Temple dedicated to Surya (the Sun God) and the Vishwanatha Temple dedicated to Lord Shiva, belonging to the western group.
Along with the renowned performers, a number of craftsmen display their crafts to the visitors. There is an open market where local articles are for sale. Khajuraho Dance Festival is conducted as a celebration of the cultural heritage of Khajuraho temples and preserving it for posterity.Over the years the festival has gained popularity among the tourists coming from within the country and abroad.

Highlights

The Desert Festival is a 3-day extravaganza of colour, music and festivity, held at the golden city of Jaisalmer. Fire dancers swaying to traditional tunes, a turban tying competition and a Mr. Desert Contest are a part of the fun and frolic. The grand finale is a trip to the Sam Dunes where one can enjoy the pleasure of a camel ride and even watch the folk dancers and musicians perform.

The high points of the festival are snake charmers, puppeteers, acrobats and folk artists. Camels, the lifeline of the desert, play a foremost role. Proud moustached villagers, dressed in their ethnic best come astride their picturesquely caparisoned camels to join in the camel dances and competitions of camel acrobatics, camel races, camel polo, tug of war and the like.

The very rich and colourful Rajasthani folk culture is on show here when Rajasthani men and tall beautiful women dressed in their brightly coloured costumes and jewellery, dance and sing lingering ballads of valour, romance and tragedy. Traditional musicians attempt to outdo each other in their musical superiority.

Highlights

Baneshwar Fair is usually held in January/February during Shivratri in Baneshwar, near Udaipur in Rajasthan. It is primarily a tribal fair where Bhils from Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat join with their brethren in Rajasthan to worship Lord Shiva. Saffron is applied to the Shiv Linga in the morning after bathing and is followed with an aarti with incense sticks.

Traditional folk songs are performed by the Bhils attending the Fair. Other villagers are also invited in the programmes that take place. Songs, folk dances, magic shows, and acrobatic feats are all part of the fair. Swings and merry-go-rounds add to the excitement of the villagers.

Highlights

Nagaur bustles with life during the annual cattle fair, which is one of the largest in the country. Exciting games, tug of war, camel races and strains of ballads create a joyful atmosphere. The Fair is renowned for the trading of cows, bullocks, oxen, camels and horses, which takes place during the festival.

Their owners are seen wearing colourful turbans and flaunting long moustaches. Wooden items, iron craft and leather accessories are available in abundance during the fair. Various games are organized during this four-day festival. The quaint town of Nagaur, one of the most picturesque of Rajput townships stirs to life during the Nagaur Fair. This cattle fair is the second largest in Rajasthan and is held every year during the month of Jan & Feb.