Rajasthan Fairs & Festivals [ See the Date of Fair & Festivals ]

Many travelers pay frequent visits to Jaipur to witness the colorful celebrations that occur here on an extensive and expansive scale. Of the various fairs and festivals the one that enjoys an exclusive position is the elephant festival, Jaipur.

The elephant festival in Jaipur is celebrated annually. In this event elegantly and richly caparisoned elephants walk in a line and form a spectacular sight. In this Jaipur elephant festival different types of events take place of which run races, polo game, tug of war between elephants & men and finally participation in the spring festival of Holi are highly acclaimed. Truly speaking, elephant, camels and horse processions followed by animated folk dance performances can't afford to be missed.

The celebration of the elephant festival, Jaipur finds its place in the very famous Jataka stories of Buddhism where tradition of Hastimangala or the Elephant Festival is referred. Elephant are also considered to be the symbolic representation of strength and wealth. In fact the Rajput rulers have assigned special significance to elephants not only in wars but in royal festivities too. In the regal pageants the presence of the elephants was an absolute must.

To state laconically, Rajasthan Tourism in its endeavor to revive past traditions has promoted elephant festivals in Jaipur to the fullest extent. The present-day pageant and the game of polo that are an integral part of this festival were organized in the past by the Rajput kings.

The famous venue for Jaipur elephant festival is the old stadium at Jaipur which is called the Chaugan.