THE DESERT FESTIVAL

- Rajasthan's rich culture on display

As the golden sun sets on the silent Thar desert, the medieval fortress-city of Jaisalmer once again comes to life with the staging of the annual 'Desert Festival'. The festival, that could not be staged last year because of the earthquake in Gujarat, will be held at Jaisalmer from February 25 to 27. This is a government-sponsored tourist event. The tourism detartment has made all out efforts to get as many tourists as possible.

Surrounded by the sea and desert on all sides, this is one of India’s most vibrant regions. The landscape is compelling and sea of sand dunes has made it one of the most important tourist destinations in the country. And against this backdrop, a unique spectacle of colour, rhythm and festivity unfolds.

The desert festival - an extravaganza of colour, music and festivity, is held every year during the Hindu month of Magh (February) and coincides with the full moon in February when the cherished moments of the glorious past and rich culture are displayed. The nights are filled with the music of instruments like the Kamayacha, Sarangi, Algoza, Stara, Minla, Matka, Jal tarang, Nad, Khartal, etc while the Langas and Manganiyars from the neighbouring villages, sing their haunting desert ballads. Plenty of colourful dances like Ghoomar, Gangaur, Gair , Dhap , Moria, Chari and Terahtal liven up the event and the famed fire dancers are the special highlight. Music concerts, Sindhi bhajan performances, folk arts and craft demonstrations and other ethnic shows are some of the other highlights of this festival. Legions of puppeteers, acrobats, and folk dancers add splashes of color. In addition, nomads from all over the area, come across the desert to sell woven goods, silver jewelry, embroidered work, wood carvings, other regional handicrafts and black-market items at the bazaar. The festival provides them with a good market for their items.

The excitement heightens as the Maru-Shri (Mr. Desert) competition and the turban-tying competition gets underway. In the turban-tying competition, best dressed Rajput and tug of war, Indians compete with foreigners which adds to the fun. An interesting event is the moustache competition, where the prize is given to the man with the longest moustache. In addition there are camel safaris, camel polo and camel races which lend excitement to the event.

The grand finale is a trip to the sand dunes by moonlight, where one can also experience the pleasure of a camel ride. There is an extraordinary sound and light show in the sand dunes outside the city walls. The folk artistes performing on the sand dunes takes the enchantment to its crescendo.

The whole experience is an unforgettable one that lingers long after the desert lights have faded.