Bikaner Camel Festival
fair
When it happens
January
Two days in January organized by state tourism. Region: Bikaner, Rajasthan.
Gallery
Significance
A dazzling celebration of the desert camel, featuring fur-cutting competitions, camel dancing, races, and folk fire dances.
Why it's celebrated
The camel holds a central place in Rajasthani desert culture, and the fair commemorates the historic legacy of the Bikaner Camel Corps.
How it's celebrated
The fair opens with beautifully decorated camels. There are camel fur-cutting displays (intricate patterns clipped into the coat), camel dances and camel beauty pageants, and visitors enjoy tea and sweets made from camel milk.
Key rituals
The fair begins with camels adorned in ornaments and traditional tasselled finery, led in a procession from Junagarh Fort where elders perform a puja.
Beliefs & spiritual meaning
The camel is regarded as an auspicious symbol of the desert, and caring for and honouring camels is believed to bring prosperity to the region.
History & origins
The festival was started by Rajasthan Tourism to support camel herders and keep alive the heritage of the historic Bikaner Camel Corps.
What to expect
Two days in January on the sand outside Bikaner. Camels in ankle bells moving to drums, camels with patterns shaved into their coats, races, and a fire dance after dark. The shaved-hide designs are what most people end up photographing.
Frequently asked
Are camel safaris available?+
Yes - camel rides and desert safaris are specially arranged for visitors during the fair.
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