
The Festival is organized in the beautiful city of Bikaner, Rajasthan by the state’s Tourism Department. The desert town of Bikaner is located in the Northern part of Rajasthan. The festival is organized every year in January or late December to emphasize the value of the ship of the desert – “Camel”. The two-day festival is marked by different interesting activities.
This festival starts with a magnificent procession of bedecked camels against the red sandstone backdrop of the Junagarh Fort (1588-1593) in the town. It is a colorful 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 sight of unusual camel activities like camel races, camel dances, and the bumpy, neck-shaking camel rides highly fascinates the viewers. The camels display amazing footwork, dancing gracefully to the slightest direction of their riders.
Their displays and competitions accompany the color, 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 their peak with a different tenor as the renowned artists display a medley of folk dances and songs. Finally, the festival concludes on a fine note with a magnificent display of sparkling fireworks that illuminate the desert city of Bikaner.
Here are some key highlights and features of the festival:
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Camel Processions: The festival kicks off with a colorful procession of beautifully adorned camels. These camels are decorated with vibrant rugs, jewelry, and other accessories, showcasing the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan.
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Camel Competitions: Various competitions are held during the festival to showcase the abilities and beauty of camels. These include camel races, camel dances (where camels move to the rhythm of traditional music), and even a competition for the best-decorated camel.
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Cultural Performances: The festival also features folk music and dance performances by local artists. This adds a festive atmosphere and gives visitors a glimpse into the traditional arts of Rajasthan.
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Crafts and Handicrafts: The festival provides a platform for local artisans to display and sell their crafts and handicrafts. Visitors can purchase items such as camel leather goods, jewelry, textiles, and pottery, reflecting the region's craftsmanship.
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Cuisine: Traditional Rajasthani cuisine is a major highlight of the festival. Visitors can savor local delicacies such as dal-baati-churma, ker sangri, and sweets like ghewar and ghevar.
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Tourist Attractions: Bikaner itself is known for its impressive architecture, including the Junagarh Fort and the Karni Mata Temple (also known as the Rat Temple). Visitors often take the opportunity to explore these landmarks while attending the festival.
Legends
Several legends enrich the local folklore and traditions:-
Legend of Rao Bika: Bikaner, the city where the Camel Festival takes place, derives its name from Rao Bika, the founder of the city. According to legend, Rao Bika, the son of Rao Jodha of Marwar (Jodhpur), established Bikaner in 1488 AD after a disagreement with his father. He chose a barren desert region and built the city, which later grew to prominence due to its strategic location on the trade routes.
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Karni Mata Temple and the Legend of the Rats: One of the most famous legends associated with Bikaner is linked to Karni Mata Temple, located in nearby Deshnoke. Karni Mata, a revered sage, is believed to have had special powers and is said to have reincarnated her family members into rats. The rats in the temple are therefore considered sacred and are worshipped by devotees who visit the temple seeking blessings.
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Laxmi Nath Temple: This temple in Bikaner is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and is known for its intricate architecture and historical significance. The legend associated with this temple speaks of its origins in the 15th century and its importance as a place of worship and cultural heritage in the region.
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Camel Legends: Given the prominence of camels in Rajasthan's desert life, there are numerous folk tales and legends about these resilient animals. Camels are often depicted in local folklore as symbols of endurance, loyalty, and grace under harsh desert conditions. The Camel Festival itself celebrates these legends through various events and performances.
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Folklore and Traditions: Rajasthan as a whole is rich in folk music, dance, and storytelling traditions. These folklore elements often revolve around heroic deeds, love stories, and moral lessons, passed down through generations via oral tradition and performing arts.