Jaisalmer Desert Festival 2024 Location, Dates, Timings, Entry Fees, Theme, How to Reach

Jaisalmer, also known as the Golden City, is a historic town in the heart of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan, India. It is famous for its majestic fort, ancient havelis, Jain temples, and stunning dunes. Every year, in February, Jaisalmer hosts a spectacular event called the Desert Festival, which showcases the vibrant culture of Rajasthan.

The festival is a three-day extravaganza of music, dance, art, food, and fun, attracting thousands of tourists from all over the world. If you are planning to visit Jaisalmer in 2024, here is everything you need to know about the Jaisalmer Desert Festival 2024.

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Jaisalmer Desert Festival 2024 Location, Dates, Timings, and Entry Fees

The festival venue can be reached by car, bus, or camel safari from Jaisalmer. You can also book a package that includes accommodation, meals, and transportation to and from the festival venue.

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Jaisalmer Desert Festival 2024 Schedule

The Jaisalmer Desert Festival 2024 will have a packed schedule of events and activities that will keep you entertained and amazed throughout the festival. Here are some of the highlights of the festival schedule:

• Day 1: The festival will kick off with a grand opening ceremony, followed by a colorful camel procession that will start from the Jaisalmer Fort and end at the festival venue. The procession will feature decorated camels, folk dancers, musicians, and performers. At the festival venue, you can enjoy various cultural shows, such as folk music, puppetry, fire dance, and Kalbelia dance. You can also participate in or watch some quirky competitions, such as camel polo, camel race, turban tying, mustache contest, and Mr. Desert contest.
• Day 2: The second day of the festival will have more cultural performances, such as Gair dance, Bhawai dance, and Manganiyar music. You can also witness some thrilling stunts, such as camel acrobatics, snake charming, and sword swallowing. You can also indulge in some shopping at handicraft stalls, where you can buy souvenirs, such as leather goods, embroidery, pottery, and jewelry. You can also savor some delicious Rajasthani cuisine at the food stalls, such as dal bati churma, ker sangri, gatte ki sabzi, and lassi.
• Day 3: The third and final day of the festival will have the most spectacular events, such as the air force display, the parachute landing, and the Border Security Force camel tattoo. You can also enjoy some more cultural shows, such as Rajasthani folk music, Kathak dance, and Bhopa-Bhopi music. The festival will conclude with a dazzling display of fireworks and a musical night under the full moon.

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What to Expect at Jaisalmer Desert Festival 2024

The Jaisalmer Desert Festival 2024 is a unique and unforgettable experience that will give you a glimpse of the rich and diverse culture of Rajasthan. You can expect to see and enjoy the following things at the festival:

• A feast for the eyes: The festival is a visual delight, as you will see a riot of colors, costumes, and decorations. The camels, the performers, the stalls, and the dunes will create a stunning contrast that will leave you spellbound. You will also get to see some amazing arts and craftss, such as sand art, rangoli, and mehendi.
• A treat for the ears: The festival is a musical extravaganza, as you will hear some of the finest and most authentic folk music of Rajasthan. The instruments, such as the sarangi, the khartal, the morchang, and the dholak, will create a melodious and rhythmic harmony that will touch your soul. You will also get to hear some folk tales and legends, narrated by the local storytellers and singers.
• A joy for the senses: The festival is a sensory delight, as you will feel the warmth and hospitality of the people, the thrill and excitement of the events, and the aroma and taste of the food. You will also feel the magic and romance of the desert, especially at night, when the moonlight and the stars will create a fairy tale atmosphere.

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Desert Festival Jaisalmer Theme

The theme of the Jaisalmer Desert Festival 2024 is “Back to the Desert”, which aims to celebrate and promote the traditional and ecological aspects of desert life. The theme also reflects the resilience and adaptability of the desert people, who have preserved their culture and heritage despite the harsh and challenging conditions.

The theme also encourages the visitors to respect and appreciate the desert environment and its resources and to adopt a sustainable and responsible approach towards tourism.

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How to Reach Jaisalmer Desert Festival

Jaisalmer is well-connected by road, rail, and air to the major cities of India. You can reach Jaisalmer by any of the following modes of transport:

• By Road: Jaisalmer is connected by National Highway 11 and 15 to the cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, and Delhi. You can take a bus, taxi, or car to reach Jaisalmer from these cities. The distance from Jaipur to Jaisalmer is about 560 kilometers, from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer is about 280 kilometers, from Bikaner to Jaisalmer is about 330 kilometers, and from Delhi to Jaisalmer is about 800 kilometers.
• By Rail: Jaisalmer has a railway station that is connected to the cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Delhi, Mumbai, and Ahmedabad by regular trains. You can take a train to Jaisalmer from these cities and then take a taxi, bus, or auto-rickshaw to reach the festival venue. Some of the popular trains that run to Jaisalmer are the Jaisalmer Express, the Ranikhet Express, the Delhi Jaisalmer Express, and the Howrah Jaisalmer Express.
• By Air: Jaisalmer has a domestic airport that is connected to the cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Delhi, and Mumbai by regular flights. You can take a flight to Jaisalmer from these cities and then take a taxi, bus, or auto-rickshaw to reach the festival venue. Some of the popular airlines that fly to Jaisalmer are Air India, SpiceJet, IndiGo, and GoAir.

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History of Jaisalmer Desert Festival

The Jaisalmer Desert Festival has a fascinating history that dates back to the 12th century, when the founder of Jaisalmer, Rawal Jaisal, established his kingdom on the Trikuta Hill, fulfilling an ancient prophecy made by Lord Krishna. To commemorate this auspicious event, the people of Jaisalmer started celebrating with music, dance, and festivities.

Over the years, the celebration evolved into a grand festival that attracted visitors from far and wide. The festival also became a platform for showcasing the cultural and artistic talents of the desert people, as well as a means of preserving and promoting their traditions and heritage.

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Final Thoughts on Jaisalmer Desert Festival 2024

The Desert Festival Jaisalmer 2024 is a must-visit event for anyone who wants to experience the beauty, diversity, and charm of Rajasthan. The festival is a perfect blend of culture, adventure, and entertainment that will leave you with unforgettable memories and impressions. So,

book your tickets now and get ready to witness the spectacle of sand, culture, and camels at the Jaisalmer Desert Festival 2024.

FAQs on Jaisalmer Desert Festival 2024

What is the Jaisalmer Desert Festival?

The Jaisalmer Desert Festival is an annual extravaganza occurring in February, showcasing vibrant local culture. It features traditional performances, camel races, and unique competitions like turban tying and ‘best moustache.’ It’s a heritage celebration that offers a peek into the rich customs of Rajasthan, India.

What is the name of the Desert Festival?

The Desert Festival in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, is known as the Jaisalmer Desert Festival or Maru Mahotsav. This annual event celebrates the culture and heritage of the Thar Desert region, attracting tourists globally.

How much is the entry fee for the Jaisalmer Desert Festival?

The entry fee for the Jaisalmer Desert Festival is approximately 100 INR for foreigners and 20 INR for Indian citizens. This vibrant festival occurs annually during the winter months, showcasing the local culture with colorful events, music, and entertainment.