Elephant Festival in Jaipur

Welcome to the colorful and vibrant land of Jaipur. This capital city of Rajasthan hosts a number of festivals and events. Theses festivals and events are really worth watching. Each and every festival is unique in its own way. The Elephant Festival in Jaipur is one of the most popular festivals here.

The Elephant Festival in Jaipur is a unique event held annually in this land of great kings and warriors. Held on the day of Holy every year, the Elephant Festival in Jaipur attracts visitors from all the corners of the globe. There is a reference of the tradition of Hastimangala or the Elephant Festival in the Jataka stories of Buddhism. In the past, the elephants were a mark of royalty. It symbolized strength and wealth. For the Rajput kings, the elephants were of especial importance not only during the wars but also during the royal festivities-a must at royal pageant. Rajasthan Tourism revived the tradition by including the Elephant Festival in the cultural calendar. Till today, Jaipur carries on the trend of carrying the tourists to Amber Palace on elephant back. As the name suggests, the elephants are the center of attraction in the Elephant Festival in Jaipur. The festival commences with a procession of elephants, camels and horses, accompanied by merry folk dancers. Elephant races, elephant-polo matches, elephant fights and a tug of war between elephants and men are part of this spectacular event. The elephants move graciously in procession, run races, play the regal game of polo, and finally participate in the spring festival of Holi. In a nutshell, it is the festival time for the elephants.

Most of the players in the Elephant Festival in Jaipur are the female elephants. Utmost care is taken in by the elephant keepers or mahouts decorating and grooming the elephants because there are prizes for the Best Groomed elephant as well. The elephants are painted on foreheads, trunks, foreheads and feet with floral motifs and beautified with ornaments and jewelry from tusk to tail. The Game of Polo is most important because it is considered a royal game on the elephant Festival. The Polo players are attired in saffron and red turbans attempt to score goals with long sticks and a plastic football for their teams. At the end the tourists are invited to mount the elephants and play Holi.

The Elephant Festival in Jaipur is one of the major annual events here. You will certainly enjoy this festival if you come to Jaipur during this time.