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Rajasthan has always been known for its festivals and fairs that
give it a distinct character and depth. In fact, all these
events are basically an extension of Rajasthan's culture, which
never fails to mesmerize people. The annual Elephant Festival in
Jaipur is another such event that is sure to fascinate many.
Held during the festival of Holi, the Elephant festival is
basically a celebration of the advent of spring and an elaborate
celebration of life as a whole.
On the day of the Elephant Festival every road in Jaipur seems
to lead to the famous Polo Ground. The festival is flagged off
by a huge procession of elaborately decorated elephants, camels
and horses followed by a band of folk performers. Music, dancing
and color becomes the order of the day with multitudes of people
descending upon the venue of the most awaited festival in Jaipur.
Going by Rajasthan's long-standing association with elephants,
the gentle beast leads the proceedings of the festival with
aplomb. It is by far the most important guest of the festival.
Visitors at the Elephant Festival are treated to a rare elephant
beauty pageant, which is one of the favorite attractions of the
fair. Add to it colorful dance performances, races and tug of
wars. But the polo match played by colorfully dressed men on
elephants is by far the most important attraction of the
Elephant Festival.
The Elephant Festival of Jaipur has enthralled many so far. If
you also want to be a part of this exciting event next year,
make sure that you are in Rajasthan on the 10th of March (2009)
and be a part of an event that is sure to change your
conventional way of looking at fun and relaxation.
Many travelers pay frequent visits to Jaipur to witness the
colorful celebrations that occur here on an extensive and
expansive scale. Of the various fairs and festivals the one that
enjoys an exclusive position is the elephant festival, Jaipur.
The elephant festival in Jaipur is celebrated annually. In this
event elegantly and richly caparisoned elephants walk in a line
and form a spectacular sight. In this Jaipur elephant festival
different types of events take place of which run races, polo
game, tug of war between elephants & men and finally
participation in the spring festival of Holi are highly
acclaimed. Truly speaking, elephant, camels and horse
processions followed by animated folk dance performances can't
afford to be missed.
The celebration of the elephant festival, Jaipur finds its place
in the very famous Jataka stories of Buddhism where tradition of
Hastimangala or the Elephant Festival is referred. Elephant are
also considered to be the symbolic representation of strength
and wealth. In fact the Rajput rulers have assigned special
significance to elephants not only in wars but in royal
festivities too. In the regal pageants the presence of the
elephants was an absolute must.
To state laconically, Rajasthan Tourism in its endeavor to
revive past traditions has promoted elephant festivals in Jaipur
to the fullest extent. The present-day pageant and the game of
polo that are an integral part of this festival were organized
in the past by the Rajput kings.
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