The Banganga Fair is held annually on the full moon day of Vaishakh (April-May) near a rivulet 11 kms from the historical township of Bairath in Jaipur district. The stream is believed to have been created by Arjun, one of the Pandavas.

Visiting the Banganga Fair, taking a bath and paying homage to the holy sites in the vicinity at this time is therefore considered very auspicious by the pilgrims who come from Alwar, Behror, Jaipur, Bharatpur and many other places. Apart from those who come to the fair for pilgrimage, traders of different communities arrive at the fair to sell their wares. The articles sold range from simple rural ornaments to toys and household items. The buying and selling adds to the atmosphere and to the hustle and bustle of the fair. Giant wheels and merry-go-rounds thrill the children as well as the grown-ups.

Devotees gather at the Shri Radha Krishnaji’s temple in the morning, they take a bath at the ghats (a flight of steps leading to the water) of the Banganga river with the belief that it has powers to purify the soul. The people then proceed to the nearby shrines of Hanuman and Ganga Bihari and also visit the Shiva temple and the Math of Goswamiji. Bairath is 85 kms from Jaipur on a diversion from National Highway No. 8 near Shahpura which connects Alwar. There is a regular bus service between Jaipur and Maid (from where Banganga is only a couple of kilometres away).

Other Jaipur Festivals

Dussehra is celebrated by staging Ramlila in different parts of the city and cuminating in the ceremonial burning of the giant effigies of Ravan, Kumbhakaran and Meghnath, celebrating Lord Rama’s victory over the Demon King, and victory of Good over Evil.

Celebrated every year in October- November, Diwali is perhaps the most popular of all Indian festivals. The origin of this festival can be traced back to the ancient Hindu epic Ramayana, when Lord Rama returned to this kingdom Ayodhya after 14 years of exile. The whole kingdom was lit up with diyas (earthen lamps) to celebrate his return. During the Diwali celebration decoration and lighting is done throughout the walled Pink City, with every market competing with the others to pick-up the best decorated market award.

Other Jaipur Festivals

This annual festival of Jaipur is unique in its concept which is celebrated in March and at the Chaughan stadium. A number of beautifully bejeweled and bedecked elephants march gloriously in a grand procession that savors of royal tastes and participate in several competitions and events at the time of Holi. There are dancers, musicians and a large number of onlookers who come there to witness this majestic event. The elephants move with poise in pageant, run races, play the regal game of polo, and finally participate in the spring festival of Holi. It is festival time with elephants typically celebrated one day before the Holi, Indian festival of colours.

Other Jaipur Festivals

Teej is Celebrated usually during the first week of August. To celebrate the advent of the monsoon, girls and young women dressed in colourful leharia sarees or costumes, sing songs and offer puja to goddess parvati, and pray for conjugal bliss and happiness. It is considered a day for lovers and would-be life partners and young boys and girls come to the city from nearby villages, singing and dancing on bullock and camel carts and open tractor-trailers.

Other Jaipur Festivals

Gangaur Festival is usually celebrated in March or April, a fortnight after Holi. It is the most colorful and important festival of Rajasthan. Young girls and newly married women praying for their loved one or husband respectively, offer prayers to Goddess Parvati in spring (Mar or Apr). Ghever, the traditional sweet associated with this festival is prepared all over the city.

Other Jaipur Festivals

Makar Sankranti is celebrated on 14th January every year is a day of kite flying at Jaipur. This has now become the festival of kite-flying which does not spare the soaring spirits of anyone in Jaipur. The traditional sweet associated with it is Phirni, made in abundance by the halwais of Jaipur. It is Open to all, tourists can also participate in various kite-flying competitions.

Other Jaipur Festivals

Tonk - 96 km away from Jaipur, Tonk is a small and peaceful town. Once ruled by the tribes said to be descendents of ‘Pathans’ from Afghanistan, the highlight of the city is the Sunehri Kothi or the Golden Bungalow. The monument has stark and simple exteriors but its lavish and ornamental interiors are quite charming. The other monuments that are worth passing through are the old buildings that were once occupied by the British office. The leather and the felt industry of Tonk are also famous and one can get some good bargain on leather and felt items from the place. The Persian arts and crafts are prevalent in Tonk and those who are interested can also visit the library of Nawab of Tonk, which boasts of a good number of Arabic and Persian manuscripts and the Arabic and Persian Research Institute.

Besides the nearby tourist attractions around Jaipur, there are many places of interest to visit and admire. Lutyen’s and Mughal’s Delhi and Agra’s Taj Mahal are particularly popular with tourist all over the world.

Other Excursions to Jaipur

• Abhaneri
• Bagru
• Samode
• Sanganer
• Sariska
• Tonk
• Viratnagar
  

95 km from Jaipur, the village of Abhaneri is situated on the Jaipur-Agra road and is especially notable for ‘baoris’, the step wells that are an indigenous invention of the local people at rainwater harvesting. Besides these ‘baoris’, the Harshat Mata Temple is worth visiting, who is the Goddess of Mirth and Happiness. According to the local beliefs, Goddess Harshat Mata is always depicted in a jolly mood and is said to impart her mirth and happiness as brightness to the whole village. ‘Abha’ means brightness in Hindi. Thus, the village was originally named ‘Abha Nagri’, which in time was corrupted to Abhaneri.

Other Excursions to Jaipur

• Abhaneri
• Bagru
• Samode
• Sanganer
• Sariska
• Tonk
• Viratnagar
  

Sariska having the Sariska National Park - 107 km from Jaipur, Sariska National Park is larger than Ranthambor and has a similar topography. However, it does not have so many tigers and has not been so commercialized. Sprawling across an area of 800 sq km in the Northern Aravalis, it was declared a sanctuary in 1955 and became a National Park in 1979. The steep hills and narrow valleys, scrub-thorn arid forests, dry deciduous forests, rocks and grasses make a natural habitat for wide range of wildlife that exhibits ecological adoption and tolerance. Legacy of the Maharajas of Alwar, it boasts of historic pavilions and temples and the Kankwadi Fort nearby, which has a long and turbulent history. The best place and time to spot the wildlife and viewing game at Sariska is at the water holes at sunrise and dusk, when animals come here to drink water.

Other Excursions to Jaipur

• Abhaneri
• Bagru
• Samode
• Sanganer
• Sariska
• Tonk
• Viratnagar
  

Sanganer - (16 Kms.) another centre of hand block printed textile and hand made paper. The town is entered through the ruins of two Tripolias (Triple Gateways). The town is an important centre for crafts industry and produces some of the finest hand printed textiles from units of block and screen printers. This textile is popular all over country and abroad.

Other Excursions to Jaipur

• Abhaneri
• Bagru
• Samode
• Sanganer
• Sariska
• Tonk
• Viratnagar