Tourist Attraction - Jaisalmer Desert Festival

Location: Sam Sand Dunes at about 42 km from Jaisalmer

Attractions: Cultural celebrations, camel race and traditional handicrafts shopping

Season: Last days of January of First days of February depending upon the full moon.

How to Reach: Camel or Jeep Safari

Duration: 3 Days

The Jaisalmer Annual Desert Festival has become one of the most well known, highly sought after and much awaited Festivals in the annual events calendar. Incidentally, the highest number of visitors assembles at Jaisalmer during the months of January to February when the Fair has gotten underway in full swing. This 3 day festival is sponsored by Rajasthan State Tourism Corporation.

The festival witnesses several amusing and often rib-tickling competition hosting varying from Turban competition, Mr. Desert, Camel race to longest moustache competition. Melodious tunes and rhythmic sounds reverberate through the city, enticing everyone to explore the fair and its colorful, joyous spirit. The celebrations include Fire dancers enthralling audience with their skills mastered after years of hard-work.

Each year, the Thar Desert comes alive through a combination of musical performance, exciting events and enthusiastic crowd. The Desert Festival was initiated with the aim of facilitating the tourists to observe, experience and appreciate the essence of Rajasthani culture. The event culminates with a trip to Sam sand dunes for the much celebrated traditional music performance. The sight of folk dancers and traditional musicians performing with the enchanting Sam Sand dunes in the background is one of fairs most popular attraction.

Folk performers, snake charmers, acrobats and puppeteers liven up the atmosphere. As the fool moon approaches, hordes of artists, musicians and performers start moving towards Jaisalmer in Camel Caravans- their colorful attire painting the picturesque landscape. Another hit amongst the visitors is the indulging shopping experience- as one may shop to heart’s content buying embroidered ethnic wear, carvings, camel decorative, silver jewelry and terracotta.

In a nutshell, the Jaisalmer Desert Festival is a must visit for all those wishing to capture the essence of Rajasthan, its culture and festive spirit.