Elephant Festival

Jaipur, Rajasthan

Keeping elephants at home is a symbol of pride and power to the Rajput kings like other warriors of India. Elephant is an iconic symbol of royalty in Indian culture and various festivals of the country are celebrated in devotion and respect to the elephants.

The elephant festival of Jaipur is a great cultural festival celebrated annually during the Hindu Holi festival which falls in the month of March and April. This festival is celebrated at Chagan stadium. All the celebrations are centered on elephants; hence the name of the festival is elephant festival.

The entire Jaipur city is decorated beautifully during this festival. The new look of Jaipur heralds festival mood among the residents. A cultural procession of elephant marks the beginning of the main festivity of the festivals. Elephants are decorated with flowers garlands and tilaks. The musicians and folk dancers perform music and dance along their side in the cultural procession.

The activities of the festival are ‘Gaj Shringar’ which means display of decorated elephants, and polo matches and tugs of war are held between the elephants. The elephants also play holi, the festival of color and greet the guests with garlands. The best decorated elephant is chose from the festival and awarded. Horses, chariots, camels and cannons are also displayed at this elephant festival in Jaipur.

Reaching Jaipur is quite easy. One can reach easily this capital city of Rajasthan by taking a flight or train from Delhi.