The Jaisalmer Desert Festival, often colloquially called Maru Mahotsav, is a highly colorful annual fiesta that exhibits the golden hue of Rajasthan dunes. The festival is about three days where folk music and dance, races of camels, and age-old competitions go on.
Date : Feb 10 - 12, 2025
Place : Sam Sand Dunes, Jaisalmer
Prepare to experience the culture adventure and a lifetime of spectacles of panoramas.
The festival will take place at Sam Sand Dunes, located nearly 42 kilometres from the Jaisalmer city. It then becomes a great cultural spot wherein people get the opportunity to stay in Rajasthan culture under an open desert sky.
Apart from these festival grounds, one can tour the historical forts, havelis, and bustling bazaars of Jaisalmer that make this the complete travel package.
The festival is a heaven for music and dance lovers. The traditional performances of Rajasthani fill the air with an irresistible rhythm and energy.
1. Kalbelia Dance: The international famous, world-recognized folk dance of UNESCO of Kalbelia community; quick, moving, snake like dance.
2. Ghoomar Dance: A dance traditionally performed by Rajasthani women in beautiful costumes.
3. Live Folk Music: Soulful folk music through the sarangi and algoza tells the glory story of this once glorious period of Rajasthan's past.
The festival has music and dance but also wonderful traditional contests.
1. Turban Tying Competition: A contest to test a person's dexterity and agility to tie an impeccable Rajasthani turban.
2. Longest Mustache Contest: It is a strange event where men parade their magnificent mustaches, which are the symbols of Rajasthani pride.
3. Puppet shows: They are colorful, interesting presentations based on folktales and historical tales.
The festival is a fun-filled adventure destination for those looking for excitement with the rolling sand dunes surrounding them.
1. Camel Safari: Take a desert ride and view a surreal sunset over the dunes.
2. Camel Races: Witness expert riders and their camels in competition racing at great speeds.
3. Desert Camping : Luxurious tents camping with people to spend some fabulous night on performing folk beneath stars.
This is a good festival to view Rajasthan's rich crafts. Some of the stalls at the fair will sell:
1. Handloom fabrics and embroidery that have exquisite mirror work and other traditional patterns.
2. Authentic Rajasthani jewelry, like silver ornaments and lac bangles.
3. Handmade leather products, like juttis (traditional footwear) and camel-leather bags.
4. Colorful pottery and paintings, ideal gifts to be taken home.
Regional dishes are an absolute must in a festival. Some of the delicacies available during the Jaisalmer Desert Festival are very interesting.
1. Dal Baati Churma: It's a typical dish of Rajasthan; baked wheat is served with the dal and mixed with crushed sweet wheat.
2. Gatte ki sabzi: A gram flour dumpling curry, cooked in a tangy yogurt-based gravy.
3. Laal Maas: Mutton curry in red chilies, slow-cooked with a lot of spices.
4. Makhania Lassi and Masala Chai: refreshing drinks to pair with the taste of Rajasthan
It is accessible through multiple traveling mediums to Jaisalmer.
Flight: Jaisalmer airport exists but operates at very less intensity. Other nearer airports would be Jodhpur which has an approach about 300 kms from there.
By Train: Jaisalmer Railway Station is connected with the main Indian cities, like Delhi, Jaipur, and Jodhpur.
By Road: Buses ply from Jaipur, Jodhpur, and other places of Rajasthan regularly, while private taxis are available from these cities and other places of Rajasthan. There are options to drive yourself or take private cars for greater flexibility.