International Kite Festival: Even though Sawai Madhopur’s International Kite Festival has only been held for a few years, it has become very popular. The best kite-flyers descend on the city from all around India and from other countries as well. The date for the 3-day festival is set according to the celebration of Makar Sankranti, in mid-January. The skies are filled with colourful kites in all sorts of shapes, and the winner is the flyer whose kite is the last left in the air: abrasives applied to kite strings allow flyers to cut the strings of opponents’ kites.

Nagaur Cattle Fair: The second-largest fair in all of India takes place in Sawai Madhopur. It runs for 8 days, beginning in either late January or early February; and its purpose has predominantly been the trading of animals. In fact, more than 70,000 bulls, camels, and horses are traded here annually. Animals are elaborately decorated and their owners wear traditional costumes, creating a festive atmosphere. You can find spice and herb vendors, as well as others offering up items made from camel leather, and wood and iron handicrafts. Sporting events ranging from tugs-of-war to camel races and cock fights are also held. As you wander around the grounds, you come across jugglers and puppeteers and a variety of other types of entertainers including local folk musicians and singers.

Holi: Falling in late March, Holi is the most popular seasonal festival celebrated in India, and events are held over a 2-day period. On the first evening, known as Holika, an effigy of a witch is burned in a large bonfire, marking the end of winter and the start of a new year. On the second day, participants splash water and brightly-coloured powders on friends, relatives and anyone else they encounter.

Gangaur: Following Holi and running for 15 days. Ganguar is a festival dedicated to Parvati, a goddess held in high esteem by Indian women. Individual homes will display coloured wooden images of Parvati; unmarried girls pray to the goddess seeking ideal husbands; and married women pray to her in the hope of achieving marital happiness. A procession in which a wooden image is held aloft and carried through the streets is an important aspect of Gangaur. At night-time women apply henna to the palms of their hands and soles of their feet indicating a happy married life.

Nav Sati: Held annually in late March or early April, depending on the lunar calendar, at Ban Ganga in Bifara Tehsil of Sawai Madhopur, Nav Sati attracts thousands of people. Nav Sati was originally organised in the memory of nine widows who committed sati – a form of suicide in which the widow sacrifices her life on the funeral pyre of her recently deceased husband.Ritual bathing in the Banganga river is an essential element of participation. Later in the day, villagers and participants from other areas together join in the enjoyment of traditional music and dance.

Veerpuri Fair: Although not a local event, the Veerpuri Fair is held in celebration of the memory of all of Rajasthan’s heroes. It occurs in late July or early August, on the last Monday of Shravan at the Mandore Gardens in Jodhpur. People come from all over the state, gathering here in traditional attire, and offers cash or sweets to the images of several deities, such as Bhairav, Chamunda and Ganesh.

Nag Panchami: This festival on Bhadtapada Budi Panchami honours the serpent king, Nag – which falls in the late July to early August period. Large crowds come to see well-known snake charmers and their cobras. The serpents are worshipped, and most particularly so by women. Large effigies of the mythical serpent king are on display everywhere.

Marwar Festival: Another celebration held in Jodhpur that attracts participants from all corners of Rajasthan is the Marwar Festival which features folk music based on the romantic lifestyles of Rajasthan’s early rulers. In particular, the music and dance of the Marwar region that is the focus. Troupes of folk dancers and singers offer lively entertainment. Along with the music, festival-goers are entertained by polo matches and horse-riding competitions.

Diwali: This festival is a celebration commemorating the return of Lord Rama to his home after being in exile for 14 years. The date is linked to the lunar calendar, and falls in late October or early November. Cities throughout India are illuminated by the light of thousands of oil lamps. Ceremonies of worship to the deity Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, are held in the evening.