Jaipur festivals

Deepawali
The festival of light. Though Deepawali is celebrated all over India, Jaipur's Diwali is something special. Every corner of the city sparkles. With every building glowing, skyline filled with colorful light crackers and the Nahargarh fort over the hill seeming like a glittering palace in the sky, one cannot help remembering childhood fairytales.
Gangaur (March - April)
A festival devoted to Godess Parvati, the consort of Lord Shiva. It is a time for young girls to dress up in their finery and pray for grooms of their choice while the married women pray for the well-being of their husbands. This 18-day festival is laced with various activities and culminates in a grand procession marking the arrival of Lord Shiva to escort his bride home.
Teej (July - August) A festival to mark the advent of monsoon. Processions, women dressed in bright colors and a lot of merriment prevails during Teej. Essentially a women's festival, it is interesting to watch them enjoying in groups and at various bazaars where they turn up to shop in all their finery.
Donkey Fair Khalkani Mata Mela (October)
The donkeys day at Looniyabas near Sanganer. Thousands of donkeys from all over north India are brought here for buying and selling. The donkey races and sports are organized for the merriment people. A rare sight indeed.
Makar Sankranti (January 14)
Celebrated on the 14th of January, every year with traditional fervor, the devotees take a holy dip in the tank at Galtaji. This is also the day of kites at Jaipur. The activity has become a craze amongst the citizens. You will hardly find a school kid over 10 or 12 in the walled city who does not know flying kites. The phenomenon starts well before the Makar Sakranti day. And continues even after the festival. But on this day, it is a treat to watch the skyline of the Pink City. An Unforgettable experience.
Shitla Ashtami (March - April)
This festival locally called as Basoda, is celebrated to ward off the dreaded disease of small fox. The most famous fair is held at the Shitla Mata temple in Chaksu, people gather here to pray and celebrate.
Elephant Festival
The elephants enthrall the spectators on the day of the colorful festival of Holi at Chaugan stadium. Beautifully decorated elephants assemble for a royal procession. Elephant polo, the races etc. are part of the festival