Elephant Festival

Fast Facts
Venue:Jaipur, Rajasthan
Significance: Tourist Festival
Duration of Festival:1 days
Month of Celebration: March
Next Date of Event: 28 March 2010
Reaching There: Jaipur is well connected through air, rail and road to all major Indian cities.

One of the most dazzling festivals of RajasthanIndia is Elephant Festival of Jaipur. The occasion of holi is commemorated with the celebrations of elephant festival. Elephants have been a favorite ride for the royal monarchs of Rajasthan and elsewhere in India. Thus, the festival brings the most beautiful elephants, of course, draped exquisitely and lavishly.

The elephants also flamboyant their embellishments and walk elegantly in the procession. It is true delight for the tourists to see th elephants flaunting their jeweled accessories. The tourists, the elephants, the Mahuts, the locals all welcome the spring season and Holi with the one of its kind elephant festival. The festive side of Jaipur is reflected through the celebrations of this festival.

The Buddhist Jataka stories refer to the custom of Hastimangala (the elephnat festival). A symbol of strength and wealth, the elephants always a special importance for the rulers. Be it wars or hunting expeditions, elephants have always accompanied the kings. The kings of yester years used to arrange elephant rides for their guests and that tradition is even followed today. You can climb up the Amber fort at Jaipur on an elephant's back.

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This tradition was revived by the Department of Rajasthan Tourism in the cultural calendar of the state. The present day form of festival has incepted only a decade ago. The crux of the festival is to attract more tourists to the state. Annually on the day followed by holi Chaugan, an old stadium at Jaipur refreshes with elaborate celebrations.

Attractions of Elephant Festival
Elephant are lavishly adorned by their masters with vibrant colors, saddler cloth (locally called jhool), and elegant jewelery pieces. The beholders are delighted to see a procession of well decorated elephants. The real pleasure of the festival are:-

Procession of Elephants
A match of elephant polo
An elephant race
Playing Holi on elephant's back
Best Decorated Elephant Competition