Planning a trip to Rajasthan this October? Make sure the Marwar Festival in Jodhpur is on your list. Held during the full moon of Sharad Poornima, this vibrant two-day celebration brings together folk music, traditional dance, and the timeless tales of Rajasthan’s royal warriors. It’s a festival that lets you experience the true soul of Marwar, colourful, bold, and full of stories.
known as the Maand Festival, it’s all about remembering and honouring the heroes of Rajasthan through cultural performances, competitions, and local artistry. From moustache contests and camel tattoo shows to soulful music echoing through Mehrangarh Fort, the Marwar Festival offers a royal Rajasthani experience like no other.
History Of Marwar Festival, Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Marwar festival, or the Maand festival, takes place annually to honour and keep the heroic tales of the Rajputana warriors alive for the next generation. Folk artists enact battle scenes in front of the audiences in an entertaining rendition through their dance and songs. These breathtaking performances garner global acclaim and attract tourists from around the world.
Major Attractions Of Marwar Festival, Jodhpur
If planning a trip to Jodhpur, try visiting this magnificent city when the Marwar festival is going on. You will be treated with stunning performances and a decked-up city, welcoming you with open arms. Here are a few highlights of this festival that will keep you thoroughly engaged.
Breathtaking Folk Performances
Marwar festival is an opportunity to capture the essence of Rajasthan and its culture through its folk dances which are performed on folk songs sung by local artists, in vernacular languages. Local musical instruments like ravanhatha, marching, kamancha, sarangi, etc., are used to create a lovely ambience. At the festival, you can witness dance forms like Dandi Gair, which is a popular folk dance that is performed with sticks; Kalbelia, a dance form that is performed by the snake charmer community; Bhavai Chari, the dance form where women balance brass utensils on their head depicting the struggle of women in search of water in the desert, and Ghoomar, a folk dance performed by ladies on pious occasions across the state.
Games and Competitions
Besides the cultural connection, the festival has a high adventure quotient as well. Here, you can witness/indulge in various fun activities such as camel tattoo show, magic shows, puppet shows, and horse ride or may take part in competitions such as the best traditional dress competition, turban tying, Matka race, tug of war, and more.
Marwar Festival 2025 – Date, Venue & What to Expect
- Festival Dates: October 6th and 7th, 2025
- Locations: Mehrangarh Fort, Umaid Bhawan Palace, and Mandore Gardens, Jodhpur
The Marwar Festival 2025 is all set to take place on October 6th and 7th in the royal city of Jodhpur, Rajasthan. This two-day cultural extravaganza celebrates the gallantry, sacrifice, and romantic legends of the Rajput warriors who once ruled the region with pride. It’s one of the most iconic festivals in Marwar, offering visitors a deep dive into Rajasthan’s glorious past.
The festival will unfold at Jodhpur’s most iconic venues—Mehrangarh Fort, perched majestically above the city; the grand Umaid Bhawan Palace; and the historic Mandore Gardens. Each location adds a touch of royalty and tradition, making the entire event even more immersive.
From folk music performances and traditional dances to turban tying competitions, moustache contests, and camel tattoo shows, every corner of the festival is full of colour, culture, and charisma. Whether you're a culture enthusiast or just looking for an unforgettable experience in Rajasthan, the Marwar Festival 2025 promises two days of non-stop entertainment and local heritage.
How To Reach
Jodhpur, Rajasthan is home to some exquisite palaces and finest monuments comprising Umaid Bhawan Palace, Moti Mehal, Ghanta Ghar, and Mehrangarh Fort, to name a few. Apart from the visual delight, the city can amuse your taste buds and spirit with its cuisine and art, respectively. Jodhpur is approximately 620km via NH 48, 968km via NH 48, 1900km via NH 19, and 1900km via NH 48 from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru, respectively. We have compiled the best travel routes and modes that you may consider if a trip to Jodhpur is in your mind.
- Nearest Famous City. Jaipur
- Nearest Airbase. Jodhpur
- Nearest Railhead. Jodhpur Railway Station
- Distance from Jaipur. 350.5 km
By Air
Arriving in Jodhpur via airways is a great idea as there are regular flights to the city from across the country at highly economical prices. Vistara, IndiGo, SpiceJet, AirIndia, GoAir, AirAsia, and many more reputed airlines run non-stop and connecting flights to Jodhpur. After deboarding the flight, you may hire a cab or get on a local bus to travel further into the city to Jodhpur Clock Tower, which is the venue for the Marwar Festival.
- Distance between Jodhpur Airport and Mehrangarh Fort. 8.5 Km
- Distance between Jodhpur Airport and Umaid Palace. 4.3 Km
- Distance between Jodhpur Airport and Mandore. 11.4 Km
By Train
You must terminate your train journey at the Jodhpur Junction if you are arriving here to explore the city and its festivals. From the station, you can hire a taxi, take an auto, or get on a local bus to reach your desired destination in the city.
- Distance from Jodhpur Station. 5.7 Km
By Road
Jodhpur is linked via well-maintained national/state highways, which makes the road trip to Jodhpur from nearby cities convenient and fun. Road trips allow you to admire the scenic beauty of the countryside and relish the roadside food en route. You may arrive at Jodhpur via inter-state tourist buses or may get behind the wheel and drive to the city in your vehicle. Mentioned below are the estimated distance and the best route to take if arriving from nearby cities.
- Distance from Jaipur. 350.5 Km
- Distance from Jaisalmer. 281.2 Km
- Distance from Bikaner. 249.6 Km
- Distance from Kota. 395 Km
- Distance from Ajmer. 221.8 Km
- Distance from Gwalior. 684 Km
- Distance from Ahmedabad. 444 Km
- Distance from Indore. 626 Km
Conclusion
The Marwar Festival is a lively celebration that highlights Rajasthan's rich history and cultural beauty. It honors the bravery of Rajput warriors and the royal traditions of Rajasthan's rulers. This two-day event, held during Sharad Poornima, is a dazzling display of folk music, dance, and arts that takes visitors back to the days of kings and queens. The festival is set against the backdrop of the stunning Umaid Bhawan Palace, which shines brightly under the full moon. People dress in traditional clothes, adding to the festive atmosphere. It’s a celebration that beautifully showcases Rajasthan’s heritage and invites everyone to experience its proud legacy.
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Frequently Asked Questions Related to the Marwar Festival
Q1. What is the main festival of Marwadi?
A1. The main festival celebrated by Marwadis is the Marwar Festival, which honours the bravery and romantic tales of Rajput warriors. Other popular festivals include Diwali, Teej, and Gangaur, celebrated with traditional customs.
Q2. Why is Marwar famous?
A2. Marwar is famous for its rich royal history, magnificent forts and palaces, colourful folk culture, and brave Rajput warriors. It is also known for its unique art, cuisine, music, and desert landscapes.
Q3. In which state is the Marwar Festival celebrated?
A3. The Marwar Festival is celebrated in the state of Rajasthan, specifically in the city of Jodhpur.
Q4. What is the name of the dance of Marwadi?
A4. The traditional dance forms of Marwar include Ghoomar, Kalbeliya, and Terah Taali, often performed during festivals and celebrations.
Q5. What is the old name of Marwar?
A5. The old name of Marwar was Mandavyapura, which evolved into "Marwar," meaning.