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6-9 August 2005
This year the Department of Tourism is celebrating four days
long Saawan-Teej Festival from 6th to 9th August 2005. A Craft
Bazar & Food Court is being setup in the lawns of Tourist Hotel,
M.I. Road besides these Kids Zone, Swings, Mehndi (henna)
applying and performances of folk artists are some of the other
attractions in this ‘Saawan Mela’ which will last for
four days from 6th to 9th August this year from 2pm to 10 pm
daily.
 A
‘Teej Fair’ will be organised at Hotel Khasa Kothi on 8th
and 9th August from 12 noon to 4 pm daily. In this fair
performance of folk artists, decorated Swings for entertainment,
shops of handicraft items, camel & elephant rides,
mouth-watering shops of Ghewar (a round sweetmeat) are main
attraction for tourists. Many entertaining competitions like
mehandi, bangles, turban tying, lehariya competitions etc are
also organized. Foreign and domestic tourists equally enjoy this
fair, which is held at Hotel Khasa Kothi for two days on i.e.
6th and 9th August this year. Entries for various events may
be sent to Tourist Reception Centre, Government Hostel, M.I.Road
Phone 0141-5110598.
In the evening the traditional procession of Goddess Teej is
brought out amid royal paraphernalia which comprises of
caparisoned elephants, dancing folk artists, royal palanquins,
chariots, bullock carts, from the City Palace (The residence of
earstwhile king of Jaipur), winding its way through Tripolia
Bazzar and Chhoti Chaupar on two consecutive day this year on i.
e. 8th and 9th August.
Teej is the festival of swings. It marks the advent of
the monsoon mont h
of Sawan (August). The monsoon rains fall on the parched land
and the pleasing scent of the wet soil rises into the air.
Swings are hung from trees and decorated with flowers. Young
girls and women dressed in green clothes sing songs in
celebration of the advent of the monsoon. This festival is
dedicated to the Goddess Parvati, commemorating her union with
Lord Shiva. Goddess Parvati is worshipped by seekers of conjugal
bliss and happiness. An elaborate procession is taken out in
Jaipur for two consecutive days on the festive occasion which is
watched by people in large numbers. The teej idol is richly
decorated with ornaments and gaudy dresses. The Teej idol is
covered with a canopy whereas the Gangaur idol is open.
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14 January
 From royal splendour to
riotous egalitarianism , 14 January is celebrated in India as
Makar Sankranti - heralding the transition of the sun into
the Northern hemisphere.
In Jaipur Kites virtually blot out the sky. Everyone joins in
this riotous celebration and shouts of " Woh Kata Hai ! "
reverberate from rooftops to the accompaniment of drums as
adversary's kites are cut down. And everyone's an adversary! Any
kite in the sky is fair game !
Its been five years that this Desert Kite Festival is held. Kite
makers flaunt kites sized as big as 1.5km of various shapes and
Designs. Some carrying messages, some depicting social issues,
some as caricatures of politicians. Its been the most popular
event recently, even tourists can take part in various kite
flying competitions. The colours that flaunt in the blue sky
mesmerises the viewers.
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