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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. |
