Rajasthan’s International Kite Festival: is held in Jodhpur, bringing in some of India’s best kite flyers and also participants from other parts of the world. Although this is a relatively new event, it’s gained popularity quickly and generates a lot of excitement. The date of the festival coincides with Makar Sankranti on 14 January, and continues for three days. The venue is Jodhpur’s polo grounds, and for the duration of the festival, the skies above are filled with unique and colourful kites launched by local schoolchildren, released by the Air Force, and set aloft by participants in the contests. Contestants work hard to keep their kites aloft and also to disable their opponents’ kites.

Nagaur Fair: India’s second-largest fair is the Nagaur Fair, held in Jodhpur during the period from late January to early February. Popularly known as the ‘Cattle Fair’, more than 70,000 animals – including bulls, camels and horses – are traded during the event. Owners decorate their animals colourfully and wear vibrant dress themselves to enhance their chances in trading. Other attractions featured during the fair include the Mirchi chilli bazaar, and markets specialising in iron, wood and camel leather items. Sporting activities are popular, and include tugs-of-war, bull and camel races and cock-fighting. You’ll also be entertained by jugglers, puppeteers, folk musicians and storytellers.

Holi: typically falls during the month of March, but is actually linked to the lunar calendar. It’s the most popular of all festivals, and extends over two days. On the first evening, known as Holika, a witch effigy is burned to signify the end of the winter and beginning of a new year; and on the second day people jubilantly splash friends and passers-by with water and brilliantly-coloured powders.

Gangaur: is a festival that’s dedicated to the goddess Parvati, and is mainly celebrated by Indian women. It’s held during the 15 days following Holi, and is a time when married women seek her blessing in the hope of achieving material happiness. Unmarried girls also pray and make offerings to her, hoping to be blessed with the best possible husbands. A highlight of the period is the procession through the streets of Jodhpur during which a wooden image of the goddess is carried aloft. In the evening, married women apply henna, or ‘mehandi’, to the palms of their hands and soles of their feet as an indication of their happy married life, known as ‘sohaag’.

Nav Sati: is an important fair held in later March to early April at Ban Ganga in Jodhpur. Thousands of people participate in this event that is organised in the memory of nine widows who sacrificed their lives on the funeral pyres of their husbands. This type of sacrifice is an ancient Indian custom. Fairgoers bathe in the Banganga river before attending the fair; and later gather in groups to sing and dance to the beat of drums.

Veerpuri Fair: on the last Monday of Shravan, occurring in late July or early August, the Veerpuri Fair is held at the lovely garden in Mandore. The occasion is in memory of heroes from various parts of Rajasthan, whose images are placed in a gallery here called the Hall of Heroes. People from all over the region come to the fair, clad in colourful native attire, offering money and sweets to the images of gods such as Ganesh, Bhairav and Chamunda.

Nag Panchami Fair: the Serpent King appears in the form of a cobra or naga (mythical serpent) and is celebrated at the Nag Panchami Fair. Held on Bhadtapada Budi Panchami, occurring in August to September, people from communities throughout the area come to participate. Snake charmers come with their cobras – objects of worship, particularly by women. Large representations of the mythical serpent are prominently displayed everywhere during this captivating and colourful event.

Marwar Festival: Jodhpur’s most popular festival of all is the Marwar Festival, held to celebrate the folk music stemming from the romantic past of Rajasthan’s rulers. Originally called the Maand Festival, it is held for two days in late September or early October, in the Hindu month of Ashwin during the Sharad Poornima full moon. The festival’s highlight is music and dance: dancers and singers give festival-goers a look back to the days of Rajasthan’s past and the larger-than-life figures of that time. A camel tattoo and polo competition are also features. The venue includes historically significant monuments such as Mandore, the Mehrangarh Fort and the Umaid Bhawan Palace.

Diwali: depending on the lunar calendar, Diwali falls sometime in the latter part of October or in the earlier part of November and is a celebration of Lord Shiva’s return home after being in exile for 14 years. At night, the city is alight with thousands of oil lamps, and fireworks add to the light show and the festivities. Also during the evening, ceremonies are held to worship the goddess of wealth – Lakshmi.