jaisalmer mela
Need Help?
+91 - 9999986292
(9am-9pm)

Jaisalmer Desert Festival | February 23 to 25, 2013

The Jaisalmer Desert Festival is in all probability, a festival that showcases the best (and might we say "also the funnier") aspects of Rajasthani culture. Held in Jaisalmer, in February every year, this festival commences with a procession from Sonar fort to the Shahid Poonam Singh stadium. This three day carnival will see a host of events, some soulful, some entertaining and some downright bizarre. There are folk dancers, singers, snake charmers, fire eaters, puppeteers, "desert models", unsung yet fantastic cooks all spread around in this treasure chest of all things Rajasthani. And how can we forget the camels. There are so many camels, furry camels, not so furry camels, race camels, lazy camels. Basically, lots of camels. Be there people, it is an absolute visual treat. Photographers, after the Kumbh Mela, this is where you should be heading for next.

Inclusions

  • Accommodation for 3 nights in Bharat Villas, Jaisalmer
  • Jaisalmer sightseeing tour
  • Air conditioned cab that will pick you up from the hotel and drop you off at festival venues and back, for the 3 days
  • Daily breakfast

*Price is based on 2 persons travelling together

Rs.3,749*

Top Attractions at the Festival

  • Longest Mustache Contest. You can see people with mustaches that they have been growing for years. A number of people get their pictures clicked with these contestants, and if you don't take care, some of these mustaches might just cover your face too!
  • Camel Events. There are camel races, camel decorating contests, camel fur cutting contests, camel polo etc.
  • Mr Desert Contest. Rajasthan's manly models, all competing for this privileged title. In parallel, the Miss Moomal Contest is organized for women. The second competition is held to pay tribute to the pretty princess Moomal of Lodurwa (16 kms Northwest of Jaisalmer)
  • Tattoo Show. In a breathtaking turn of events, BSF personnel march in on their camels accompanied by an army band, and as the camels walk in formation, the BSF riders do stunning gymnastics on the camel's backs.
  • Turban Tying Contest. These turbans are over ten yards long and it is great fun to see so many people struggling to tie it.
  • Fantastic folk music and dance performances

Itinerary

Day One

Once you reach Jaisalmer, freshen up at the hotel, and then an air conditioned cab will take you to the venue for the day Shahid Poonam Singh stadium. The day starts with a ghoomar dance performance by school girls and later events include Mr Desert and Miss Moomal Contest, Longest Mustache Contest, Turban Tying competition, fireworks display and an Aerial Display by the Air Force.

Day Two

After breakfast, your cab takes you to the Dedasar stadium, where the events for the first half of the day will take place. There is a Tug of War between Indians and foreigners and it is a lot of fun. Camels come into the fore this day, and there is Camel Decoration, Camel Fur Cutting, Camel Polo taking place. In the evening, head back to the Shahid Poonam Singh Stadium for the Camel Tattoo Show by BSF personnel and a folk music show later in the night.

Day Three

After breakfast, your cab takes you on a half day Jaisalmer city sightseeing tour, starting from Jaisalmer Fort to some beautiful havelis - Patvon ki Haveli and Kothari Haveli. Next, we head for the Sam Sand Dunes, where after a beautiful air show display by the Air Force, there is a beautiful Cultural Programme in the moonlight night, to mark the end the festival.

Day Four

After breakfast, check out of the hotel and proceed back from Jaisalmer to your destination.