A Deep Dive into Rajasthan's Art & Culture
An extensive guide to the vibrant traditions, festivals, deities, and heritage of the Land of Kings.
Overview
This document covers a wide range of topics related to the art and culture of Rajasthan. The key areas of study include :
- Architectural Tradition: Temples, Forts, Palaces, and Man-made water bodies .
- Art Forms: Various Schools of Paintings and Handicrafts .
- Performing Arts: Classical Music and Dance, Folk Music and Instruments, Folk Dances and Drama .
- Language and Literature: Dialects of Rajasthani Language, its literature, and folk literature .
- Religious Life: Religious Communities, Saints and Sects, and Folk Deities of Rajasthan .
- Social Life: Fairs and Festivals, Social Customs and Traditions, Attires and Ornaments .
Festivals of Rajasthan
Hindu fairs and festivals in Rajasthan are celebrated according to the Vikrami calendar, which is a lunar-based calendar . To align with the solar calendar, an additional month, known as 'adhik mas', is added every third year . The year begins with Chaitra Shukla Ekam . A popular saying encapsulates the festival cycle: "Teej Tyohara Bavdi, Le Dubi Gangaur," which means the festival season begins with Choti Teej in Shravan and ends with Gangaur in Chaitra .
Understanding the Vikrami Calendar
The Vikrami calendar consists of 12 months, each divided into a dark fortnight (Krishna Paksha) and a bright fortnight (Shukla Paksha) . The months correspond to the Gregorian calendar as follows :
- Chaitra (March-April)
- Vaishakh (April-May)
- Jyestha (May-June)
- Ashadh (June-July)
- Shravan (July-August)
- Bhadrapad (August-September)
- Ashwin (September-October)
- Kartik (October-November)
- Margashirsh (November-December)
- Paush (December-January)
- Magh (January-February)
- Falgun (February-March)
Month-wise Festivals
Shravana Month
Krishna Paksha:
- Nag Panchami (5th day): Celebrated on the fifth day .
- Nidari Navmi (9th day): The mongoose is worshipped on this day .
- Hariyali Amavasya (15th day): Fairs are held at Fateh Sagar Lake (Udaipur), Mangliyawas (Beawar) for the Kalpavriksha fair, and Anupgarh (Ganganagar) for the Buddha Jauhad fair .
Shukla Paksha:
- Choti Teej (3rd day): This festival celebrates the love between husband and wife and a love for nature. The procession in Jaipur is particularly famous. Women wear leheriya, and gifts (Sinjara) are sent to newlywed brides .
- Raksha Bandhan (15th day): Also known as Nariyal Purnima, Shravan Kumar is worshipped on this day .
Bhadrapada Month
Krishna Paksha:
- Badi Teej (3rd day): Also called Budhi Teej, Kajali Teej, or Satudi Teej. The celebration in Bundi is famous .
- Uba-Chhath (6th day): Bachelor women observe a fast and pray all day while standing for a good husband. It also marks the anniversary of Lord Balarama (Hal Chhath) .
- Krishna Janmashtami (8th day): Celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna .
- Goganavmi (9th day): Farmers tie nine knots on their ploughs. Cattle fairs are organized at Dedrewa (Churu) and Gogamedi (Hanumangarh) .
- Bachh-Baras (12th day): The use of a knife is forbidden, and only whole grains are consumed .
- Sati Amavasya (15th day): A fair for Rani Sati (Narayani Devi, also called Dadi Sati) is held in Jhunjhunu .
Shukla Paksha:
- Baba Ri Beej (2nd day): Marks the anniversary of Ramdev ji. A large fair, known as the Kumbha of Marwar, is held in Runicha (Jaisalmer) from the 2nd to the 11th day .
- Ganesh Chaturthi (4th day): Also known as Shiv Chaturthi or Kalank Chaturthi. Fairs are organized in Ranthambore and Chungi Teerth (Jaisalmer) .
- Rishi Panchami (5th day): The Sapta-Rishi are worshipped. The Bhojan Thali Mela at Kaman (Deeg) and Hariram ji ka Mela at Jhorda (Nagaur) are held .
- Radha-Janmashtami (8th day): Celebrated by the Nimbark Sect at their main site in Salemabad (Ajmer), where Radha is considered the wife of Lord Krishna .
- Teja Dashmi (10th day): Celebrated with the Parbatsar Cattle Fair .
- Jal-Jhulni Gyaras (11th day): An idol of Lord Krishna is given a bath in a procession .
- Anant-Chaturdashi (14th day): Idols of Lord Ganesha are immersed in water .
- Purnima (15th day): Marks the beginning of Shradha .
Aashvin Month
Krishna Paksha:
- Shradhs (16 days): No auspicious work is done. Goddess Sanjhi is worshipped with idols made of cow dung and sand. The Matesyndranath temple in Udaipur is known as the temple of Sanjhi, and Nathdwara Saanjhis are made of banana leaves. The Tumbudha fast is observed on the last day .
Shukla Paksha:
- Sharad Navratra (1st day): Marks the beginning of Navratra .
- Durga-Ashtami (8th day): Celebrated on the eighth day .
- Vijaya Dashmi (10th day): The Dashhara fair of Kota, popularized by Maharao Ummed Singh, is famous. Sighting the Leeltans bird is considered auspicious. Weapons and the Khejdi tree are worshipped .
- Sharad Purnima (15th day): Also known as Raas Purnima. The Marwar (Mannd) festival is organized in Jodhpur, and the Meera festival is held in Udaipur .
Kartika Month
Krishna Paksha:
- Karva Chauth (4th day): A fast observed by married women .
- Ahoi Ashtami (8th day): Women fast for the well-being of their children .
- Dhanteras (13th day): Also called Dhanvantari Jayanti .
- Roop Chaudas (14th day): Observed for beauty .
- Diwali (15th day): The festival of lights, also marking the Nirwana Diwas of Lord Mahavira and Dayanand Saraswati .
Shukla Paksha:
- Govardhan Puja (1st day): The Annakuta festival is celebrated in Nathdwara, with participation from the Bhil tribe .
- Bhaiya Dooj (2nd day): A festival celebrating the bond between brothers and sisters .
- Amla Navmi (9th day): Also known as Akshaya Navmi .
- Dev Uthni Gyaras (11th day): Also called Prabodhini Gyaras, it marks the beginning of the Pushkar fair .
- Purnima (15th day): Known as Satya Narayan Purnima. Major fairs include Pushkar (Ajmer), Kolayat (Bikaner), and Chandrabhaga (Jhalrapatan), which is famous for Malwi breed cattle trading .
Magh Month
Krishna Paksha:
- Til Chaturthi (4th day): Also known as Sankat Chauth. A fair is held in Barwada, Sawai Madhopur .
- Shat-Tila Ekadashi (11th day): Six types of sesame seeds (til) are donated .
- Mauni Amavasya (15th day): A day of observing silence, coinciding with the royal bath of the Kumbha fair .
Shukla Paksha:
- Gupta Navratras (1st day): Secret Navratras begin .
- Basant Panchami (5th day): Goddess Saraswati is worshipped, and Gargi awards are given .
- Purnima (15th day): The Beneshwar fair is organized at Nevatpura, Dungarpur, at the confluence of the Mahi, Som, and Jakham rivers. It is known as the "Kumbha of Adivasis" and worships a broken Shivling .
Falgun Month
Krishna Paksha:
- Maha Shivratri (13th day): A major festival for Lord Shiva, with a fair at Ghushmeshwar Mahadev temple in Shiwar, Sawai Madhopur .
Shukla Paksha:
- Phulera Dooj (2nd day): Celebrated on the second day .
- Holi (15th day): The festival of colors. Different types of Holi are played across Rajasthan, such as Koda-mar Holi in Bhinay, Lathmar Holi in Mahavir ji, and Pathar-mar Holi in Barmer .
Chaitra Month
Krishna Paksha:
- Dhulandi (1st day): The day after Holi, when colors are played .
- Sheetla-Ashtami (8th day): A fair, also known as the Donkey Fair, is held in Chaksu (Jaipur) .
- Johar Fair (11th day): Celebrated in Chittor .
Shukla Paksha:
- Hindu New Year (1st day): Basant Navratra starts .
- Gangaur (3rd day): Celebrated with great enthusiasm in Jaipur and Udaipur. Unmarried women pray for a good husband. It has the highest number of folk songs associated with it. In Jaisalmer, only the Gaur procession takes place, without Ishar .
- Ramnavmi (9th day): Celebrates the birth of Lord Rama .
- Hanuman Jayanti (15th day): Fairs are organized in Salasar (Churu) and Mehndipur (Dausa) .
Vaisakha Month
Krishna Paksha:
- Dheenga Ganvar Fair (3rd day): Celebrated in Jodhpur .
Shukla Paksha:
- Akshay Tritiya (3rd day): Also known as Akha-Teej. It's the foundation day of Bikaner, where kite flying is popular. A day known for a high number of child marriages .
- Buddha-Purnima (15th day): Also called Peepal-Purnima. Major fairs include the Banganga fair (Virat Nagar), Gomati Sagar fair (Jhalrapatan), and Matrukundiya fair (Chittorgarh) .
Jyestha & Ashadha Months
Jyestha:
- Vat-Vriksha Amavasya (15th, Krishna Paksha): Women observe the Vat Savitri fast .
- Ganga Dussehra (10th, Shukla Paksha): A fair is held in Kaman (Deeg) .
- Nirjala Gyaras (11th, Shukla Paksha): A day of fasting without water; kites are flown in Udaipur .
Ashadha:
- Gupta Navratras (1st, Shukla Paksha): Observed on this day .
- Bhadlya Navmi (9th, Shukla Paksha): Celebrated on the ninth day .
- Devsyani Ekadashi (11th, Shukla Paksha): Marks a period of rest for the deities .
- Guru Purnima (15th, Shukla Paksha): A day to honor gurus and teachers .
Festivals of Other Communities
Muslim Community
The Islamic Hijri calendar is lunar-based but does not have an 'Adhik Mas' . Key festivals include:
- Muharram: The 10th day commemorates the martyrdom of Hussain, Prophet Mohammed's grandson. Tajia processions are carried out. On the 27th day, the Urs of Saiyad Fakhruddin is celebrated in Galiakot, the religious head of the Daudi-Bohra Sect .
- Rabi-ul-Avval: The 12th day marks both the birth (Id-Ul-Miladul-Nabi) and death (Baravafat) of Prophet Mohammed .
- Rajjab: From the 1st to the 6th day, the Urs of Khawaja Moinuddin Chisti is celebrated in Ajmer. The Gauri family of Bhilwara begins the Urs proceedings .
- Ramjan: The most sacred month of fasting. The 27th day, Shab-E-Kadra, is when the Quran was sent to the world .
- Shavval: The 1st day is Id-Ul-Fitr (Meethi Eid), a festival of harmony .
- Jilhij: The month of the Haj pilgrimage. The 10th day is Eid-Ul-Juha (Bakreed), a festival of sacrifice .
Jain Community
- Aadinath/Rishabhdev Jayanti: Chaitra Krishna Navmi marks the birth of Lord Rishabdeva, worshipped as Kalaji/Kesariyaji by the Bhil tribe .
- Mahavir Jayanti: Chaitra Triyodashi celebrates the birth of the 24th Tirthankar, Lord Mahavir .
- Paryushan Parva: Also called Maha Purva, this is a significant period of fasting and forgiveness, observed differently by the Digamber and Shwetamber sects .
- Sugandha Dashmi: Celebrated on Bhadrapada Shukla Dashmi .
Sikh Community
- Gurunanak Jayanti: Celebrated on Kartik Purnima .
- Guru Gobind Singh Jayanti: Observed on Paush Shukla Saptami .
- Lohdi: Celebrated on January 13th .
- Vaisakhi: Marks the day Guru Gobind Singh established the Khalsa sect on April 13, 1699 .
Sindhi Community
- Chetichand: Chaitra Shukla Ekam celebrates the birth of Lord Jhulelal, considered an incarnation of Varuna, the God of the Sea .
- Thadi Satam: Celebrated on Bhadrapada Krishna Saptami .
Christian Community
Festivals are based on the solar Gregorian calendar .
- Christmas: December 25th, celebrating the birth of Jesus .
- Good Friday: The day Jesus was crucified .
- Easter: Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus .
Folk Gods of Rajasthan
Rajasthan's culture is rich with tales of folk deities who are revered for their valor, sacrifice, and miracles. Among them, the "Panch Peer" (Five Peers) are worshipped by both Hindus and Muslims . These are Pabu, Hadbu, Ramdevji, Mehaji, and Gogaji .
Pabuji Rathore
Born in Kolumand (Phalodi), Pabuji is considered an incarnation of Lakshman . He is known as the "camel protector deity" and is the main deity of the Raika/Rabari caste . He died fighting Jindrao Khinchi to protect the cows of a Charan woman named Deval . His life is immortalized in the "Pabu Prakash" by Asiya Modji . Pabuji's phad (a religious scroll painting) is the most popular, sung by Bhil priests (Bhopas) with the Ravanahatha instrument .
Ramdevji Tanwar
Born in Undu Kashmir (Barmer), Ramdevji is seen as an incarnation of Vishnu (Krishna) . He worked to reduce social discrimination and promote communal harmony . He started the "Kamadia sect," whose women perform the "Terhatali dance" . His main temple is in Runicha (Jaisalmer), and his book is titled "Chaubis Baaniyan" . His feet ("Paglye") are worshipped in his temples .
Gogaji Chauhan
Born in Dadreva (Churu), Gogaji fought against Mahmud Ghaznavi, who called him "Jaheer Peer" . He died protecting cows from his cousins, Arjan and Sarajan . His head fell at "Sheersh medi" (Dadreva), and his body at Gogamedi (Hanumangarh), where his temple is built in a tomb style with "Bismillah" inscribed on it . He is revered as a "snake protector deity" .
Hadbu ji Shankla
Born in Bhundel (Nagaur), Hadbu ji was Ramdevji's cousin and an expert in "Shakunasastra" (fortune-telling) . After Rao Jodha conquered Mandor, he gifted Hadbu ji the village of Bengti (Phalodi), where he served old and disabled cows . A temple built by Maharaja Ajit Singh houses his bullock cart, which is worshipped .
Mehaji Mangalia
His main temple is in Bapini (Phalodi), and a fair is held on Krishna Janmashtami . He died protecting cows of a Gurjar woman against Ranagdev Bhati of Jaisalmer . His horse was named Kirad Kabra . It is believed that his priests are not blessed with sons .
Tejaji
Though not one of the five peers, Tejaji is highly revered . Born in Kharnal (Nagaur), he is worshipped as a "snake protector deity" and the "God of Kalabala" . He died from a snake bite while saving the cows of a Gurjar woman named Lacha . Farmers sing his songs while plowing, and a postage stamp was issued in his honor in 2010 .
Devnarayan ji
Known as the "God of Medicine," he was born in Asind (Bhilwara) and is considered an incarnation of Lord Vishnu . Neem leaves are offered in his temple, where bricks are worshipped instead of idols . His phad is the longest and is sung by Gurjar Bhopas with the "Jantar" instrument . A postal stamp has been issued on his phad .