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Bikaner Camel Festivals
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Bikaner
Camel Festival
These desert engines meander in the countrysides, in
bazaars, on the roads; they pull heavy cart loads, transport
grain and even work at the wells. They have walked into the
lives of the Bikaneris so intimately, that they had now
become an indispensable part of the city. Loyal, submissive
and low maintenance, the camel is still the most precious
element in the desert, despite its characteristic flatulence
and tendency to bite during the breeding season.
To bestow a humble gratitude to the desert king, the
Rajasthan Tourism Department organizes a vivacious and
colorful event in Bikaner every year. Hundreds of tourists
and thousands of locals rejoice in this man-and-animal
episode organized especially for the tourists.
The Khaki Hump Show
Eat, drink and be merry. Lanky camels with bejeweled necks
and jingling anklets will display amazing footwork on the
slightest peck of their mentors. You are happy and so they
are. After all, it is 'their' festival. January is the right
month for a desert spree and Bikaner is just the right place
to draft such a concert.
The Camel Festival begins with a kaleidoscopic parade of
decorated camels against the red sandstone backdrop of the
Junagarh fort, heading towards the open sand grounds. The
first day offers the gorgeous presentation of the desert
kings. Combating for the first place in the beauty contest,
splendidly embellished camels are brought to the arena and
careened to catch the critical eye of keen judges.
The way the camel is embroidered, the choice of its gadgets
and ornament, its capacity to interpret and carry out
commands and the variety of pranks it is capable to perform
are the basic criteria for selection of the "beauty
pageant". A competition for best fur cutting design, camel
milking and also for the best camel hair cut is organized.
On the second day, the speedy Jaisalmeri camels of the
region take part in the camel sprints, which offers a
healthy competition to the best camels of the region who
compete for the honor. The hoopla extends to such a height
that you have to cover your ears and raise your voice to
shout for your favorite camel's name. Betting is greatly
enjoyed in these regions and don't get awestruck while
watching huge amount of money flying from one pocket to
another in much less time.
As the sun dives into the horizon, the arena springs up in a
different tenor and tempo altogether with the dazzling
fireworks illuminating the desert city. Renowned artistes of
Rajasthan and the local folk performers present a rendezvous
with the traditional wing of music and dance. The rhapsodic
skirt-swirling dance and the spine-chilling fire dance will
really swing your emotions to the extreme, while you will
comb every secret memories of yours to match the
extravaganza that is happening right before your eyes. |
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Tel: 91-11-44112200
Fax: 91-11-23721731
E-mail :-
