Rajasthan is all set to welcome New Year with two exiting and vibrant festivals, namely, Bikaner Camel Festival and Kite Festival 2024. Here comes the dates and details for the event:
Bikaner camel festival: This is an annual event, celebrated on second Saturday & Sunday of January month. The festival is dedicated to the ship of the desert camel.
Dates: The dates for the event are January 13 to 15
Details: The camels of Bikaner region are renowned for their strength, endurance and beauty. The camel has always been an integral part of Bikaner, and this can gauged by the fact that the Bikaner army had a Camel Corp called “Ganga Risala” which took part in both the World Wars and as well as in conflicts in Somaliland, Egypt and China. “Ganga Risala” was the predecessor of Indian Army’s camel unit “Ganga JaisalmerRisala” which saw action in Indo-Pakistan War of 1965, and was later disbanded in the year 1975.
The camel is still utilized by the Border Security Force’s Bikaner Camel Corp for patrolling the long international border which Rajasthan shares with Pakistan, and remains a star attraction at Republic Day Parade.
Festival details: The Festival is a two-day affair which brings to the fore not only the special relation people of this region have with this sturdy animal, but also promotes camel breeding and the age old tradition of camel taming and training.
Day 1
The festival starts with a procession of camels adorned beautifully in traditional necklaces and anklets, and vibrantly colored bridles. This colorful parade starts from the magnificent Junagarh Fort and ends at the Dr. Karni Singh Stadium.
Day 2
There are also number of competitions for both the tourists and the locals. These competitions include tug of war for both males and females, and the water pot race for women. There is also the Turban tying competition for tourists from other countries,not forget the villagers wrestling competition and a kabbadi display match. Like the previous day, this is followed by an evening of cultural programs where the audiences are bewitched by the colorful swirling skirts and the music. A dazzling display of fireworks brings the Bikaner Camel Festival to a close.
THE JAIPUR KITE FESTIVAL
Dates: January 14
Rajasthan has long since been considered as one of the most colorful and culturally rich states in the country. It is well known across the world as the land of festivals, and with good reason.
One of the first major celebrations of every New Year is Makar Sankranti, a festival that follows the solar cycle rather than the lunar cycle, like most festivals in India.
Over the years, Makar Sankranti has come to be celebrated as one of the most colorful and vibrant festivals of the country, and where there is pomp to be displayed, Rajasthan is always at the forefront, displaying their fun and frolic with full gusto.
As several feasts and rituals showcasing the beauty of Rajasthani culture dot the entire state, any mention of Makar Sankranti would be incomplete without a mention of the Jaipur Kite Festival. The kite flyers and visitors, throng to Jaipur in multitudes to experience and partake in the merrymaking.