Bikaner Camel Festival

Place Bikaner, Rajasthan Month January Significance Dedicated to Camel Bikaner festival is dedicated to the indispensable 'Ship of the Desert', camel. The desert town of Bikaner is located in the Northern part of Rajasthan. This festival starts off with a magnificent procession of bedecked camels against the red sandstone backdrop of the Junagarh Fort (1588-1593) in the town. It is a colourful spectacle of beautifully decorated camels that fascinates the onlookers with their charm and grace. The festivity advances to the open sand-spreads of the Polo Grounds, followed by camel races, camel milking, fur cutting design, the best breed competition, camel acrobatics, camel bands and so on. The camels display amazing foot-work, dancing gracefully to the slightest direction of their riders. There displays and competitions accompany the colour, music and rhythm unique to a fair in Rajasthan. The jubilant skirt swirling dancers, the awe-inspiring fire dance and the dazzling fireworks light up the fortified Desert City. The festivities reach to the peak with a different tenor as the renowned artists display a medley of folk dances and songs. The dates of the festival differ every year. There is a unique camel breeding farm just outside the town. The other sightseeing places are the Junagarh Fort and Karni Matha Temple where thousands of holy rats are worshipped. How to get there Air The nearest airport is Jodhpur (256km). From Jodhpur daily flights to Delhi and Mumbai. Rail Rail network connects Bikaner with Delhi (470kms), Kolkata, Jodhpur (243kms), Jaipur (321kms) and Allahabad. The "Palace on Wheels" luxury train also covers Bikaner. Express Train the Jaipur-Bikaner Express (Departure 8:30 PM)rs to reach Jaipur. The Intercity Express departs at 5 AM & reaches Jaipur at 11:55 PM. The Ranakpur Express leaves for Jodhpur at 9:35 AM, it takes about 5 1/2 hours. The Sarai Rohilla Express leaves at 7:45 PM & reaches Delhi at 6:40 AM. A good rail network with cities connects Bikaner like Delhi, Kolkata, Jaipur and Allahabad. The bus stand is north of the city centre. There are several Rajasthan State Transport Corporation buses between Bikaner and Jaisalmer, Jaipur, Udaipur, Ajmer and Delhi.   Rajasthan Fairs / Festivals Calendar 2008 :: 21 - 22 January (Bikaner Camel Festival) 02 - 04 February (Brij Festival) 09 - 12 February (Alwar Festival) 13 - 16 February (Nagaur Fair) 17 -21 February (Baneshwar Fair) 19 - 21 February (Desert Festival) 01 March (Karni Mata Fair) 12 March (Sheetla Mata Fair) 21 March (Elephant Festival) 03 April (Kaila Devi Fair) 08 - 09 April (Gangaur Festival) 08 - 10 April (Mewar Spring Festival) 04 - 05 August (Teej Festival) 15 - 16 August (Gogamedi Fair) 18 - 19 August (Kajli Teej) 09 - 10 September (Ramdeora Fair) 07 - 09 October (Dussehra Mela) 13 - 14 October (Marwar Festival) 19 - 21 October (Kota Dussehra) 05 - 13 November (Pushkar Camel Fair) 08 - 18 November (Kolayat Fair) 12 - 14 November (Chandrabhaga Fair) 22 December (Shilpgram Art & Craft Festival) 29 - 31 December (Winter Festival)