ELEPHANT FESTIVAL, Jaipur

A festival when the mighty mammals claim the center stage. They stride majestically parading their decorated trunks, tusks and bodies. Floral patterns painted on their bodies are popular with tourists.

The festival begins with a procession of elephants, camels and horses, followed by folk dancers at their entertaining best. Spectators are enthralled with the elephant-polo matches. The sight of these heavy animals running to win the famous elephant race is truly amazing. A highlight of the festival is a hilarious tug of war between elephants and men. A special show is also held after which a prize for the best decorated elephant is announced.

Dates & Years

JAIPUR - SHEETLA MATA FAIR

The Sheetla Mata Fair is held in March-April, the month of Chaitra on Krishna Paksh , in village Seel-Ki-Doongri (Jaipur). Doongri is a hillock on top of which the shrine of Sheetla Mata stands. The fair is held in her honour for a day every year. The fair attracts hordes of visitors from far and wide. People believe that epidemics spread because of the wrath of Sheetla Mata and hence they worship her and make offerings so that she may be pacified. The deity is represented by a red stone.

A temporary market comes up at the fair and the rural folk can be seen trading in wares such as shoes, clothes, foodstuff, utensils and agricultural implements A cattle fair is also organised during the fair.

The village Seel-Ki-Doongri is situated beside a tank known as Band Sheodungri. It lies on the (NH-8) Jaipur-Kota road 35 kms south-east of Jaipur and 5 kms. from the tehsil headquarter, Chaksu. The nearest rail head is Chaksu on the Jaipur-Sawai Madhopur section of Western Railway. Regular buses are available on the Jaipur-Kota, Jaipur-Tonk, Jaipur-Deoli routes which pass by this village.