Alwar Festival: Experience the Colours of Rajasthan

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Distance from Jaipur:  145 kilometres

Think of Rajasthan and the first images that crowd the mind are endless sand dunes, brightly dressed men in their bandhej turbans and women in their flamboyant mirror-work skirts, laggard camels with their jingling bells and vibrant splashes of colour all over.

Rajasthan is a land of culture, traditions and courage; a land of celebration, where each city brings its own set of folk dances, songs, cuisines, cattle and of course, fairs. Many of its historic cities also host several very popular events, principle among them being Alwar, the Gateway of Rajasthan. Also known as the Land of Tigers, it hosts the annual Alwar Festival from February 13-15, which adds another exciting dimension to a state, which is one of India’s biggest tourist attractions.

The Alwar Festival is organised by the district administration of the city and envisioned as a time of festivity, creativity and some unbridled fun. Primarily created to attract tourists to the city, it has now become an occasion of great outdoor fun and activities for both visitors and locals alike. The festival usually opens with a colourful and cheerful procession of men and women in traditional attire whirling to the sounds of the dhol. It presents onlookers with an excellent occasion to experience not just the rich cultural heritage of this state, but also its many folk traditions. The festival is packed with activities through the days with enough to keep visitors hooked! There are folk dances and songs to enjoy, the rich and exotic handicrafts, weaves and garments of Rajasthan to admire and purchase, and breathtaking flower shows to go gaga over. All this is organised under a single roof known as the Shilp Gram or Handicraft Village, which is set up especially for this event.

Sports enthusiasts will find elephant polo matches both amusing and entertaining. There are variety of activities and competitions for kids as well including sketching, drawing and fancy dress competitions. Visitors can also take a look at the exotic antiques of Rajasthan on display at the festival and be treated to several films and documentaries about the state’s cultural and architectural diversity.

Alwar festival also presents an excellent opportunity to explore the many architectural and natural wonders of Rajasthan. Visitors can go to the Sariska Wildlife Sanctuary known for its population of wildlife, admire the gorgeous Pandupol Waterfall and marvel at the architectural might of the Ranas at the Kandwadi Fort, all in close proximity to Alwar. Once here, tourists should not miss the opportunity to travel to several other popular destinations in Rajasthan including Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, and the capital Jaipur. These beautiful cities with their many forts and palaces, ample shopping opportunities, and ostentatious display of Rajasthani folk culture, music and art and cuisine are a must for any discerning traveler.

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