Fast Facts
Venue: Bikaner, Rajasthan
Significance: Tourist Festival
Duration of Festival: 2 days
Month of Celebration: January
Next Date of Event: 18/19 Januaryt
Reaching There: Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable deluxe buses from Delhi (Bikaner House, Near India Gate) to Bikaner. Trains link it to important cities like Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai and Jodhpur.
Desert Festival, RajasthanOrganized by the Department of Tourism of Bikaner, Art and Culture and Government of Rajasthan, the Camel Festival is an impetus for tourism in Bikaner. Every year in January, people flock the place to witness the rapture of exclusive camel fair. The festival is dedicated to Camel, the ship of the desert. At the backdrop of massive forts and lavish palaces, the fair is held to pep up the mundane desert life. The spectators are delighted to see the camels dancing to the tunes of their master s and trainers.
As the city of Bikaner is domineeringly a desert city, the significance of camel is much. The desert folk understands this and as a result they decorate their camels on the day of fair and display their camels with much proud. A visual treat for the beholders is the lovely procession of elegantly draped camels. This bewitching camel procession heralds the festival and other attractions of the fair do follow naturally.
The lands of Bikaner have always been invincible and unaccessible. Before the modern means of transport were introduced to the city, camel was the prominent source of mobility. The grace, sturdiness, and tolerance prowess of the camels made them more popular among desert folks. It is known that the city had an elite camel troop that actively participated in both of World Wars. During Indo-Pak wars a camel unit 'Ganga Risala' took part. The city is proud to house the only Camel breeding farm in India.
Attractions of Camel Festival
A tourist's delight is the sight of attempts and diligence the trainers put in. But more importantly, the camel's dancing on the tunes of their trainers. The astounding footwork they display is a sight to cherish. Adorned with bridles, necks bejeweled and tinkling anklets, the camels attract the tourists. The evening of the fair becomes alive with excellent performances of artist and folk dancers.
The dancers leave you spellbound with the dancing skills. The fire dancers compel you bite your nails when they balance burning lamps on their foreheads while dancing. Besides, tug-of-war contests, camel dance competitions, puppet shows, acrobats, competition of best breed of camel entice the tourists.