Marwar Festival

• History
• Places to visit
• How to reach

Jodhpur, the quintessential blue city is a precious jewel that guards the cultural, historical, and architectural roots that flourished here. The place enjoys a unique identity in the Indian Heritage. Rajasthan celebrates its heritage with elaborate festivals that involve performances by folk artists showcasing the folk art forms, and the Marwar festival is one such popular cultural extravaganza. The festival celebrates the battle sagas of brave Rajput warriors, tales of the great rulers of Rajasthan, along with the culture and cuisine of the state.   

Initially, the festival was known by the name Maand festival. Budding and renowned folk music/dance artists who narrate the romantic lifestyle of the Rajputana rulers and the tales of their heroic acts on the battlefield are the highlights of this two-day annual festival. The festival is held during Sharad Poornima or full moon day. Programs and events take place at multiple venues. One of them is Umaid Bhawan Palace, an architectural splendour or a gem of Marwar Estate. The palace is decked with white sheets, also referred to as ‘chandni.’ Guests are requested to follow costume guidelines- white kurta pajama for gents and pink dress or sarees for women. The whole ambiance speaks volumes about erstwhile royal times. The current royal family also participates in various events.  

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 the 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. 

1. 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, morchang, kamaicha, sarangi, etc., are used to create a lovely ambiance. 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 desert, and Ghoomar, a folk dance performed by ladies on pious occasions across the state.  

2. 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. 

3. Marwar Festival 2020 Dates and Venue

Marwar Festival is a two-day festival that is organized in the Ashwin month (between September and October as per the Gregorian calendar) at Jodhpur’s landmark Clock Tower and Osian’s Sand Dunes. The other venues are Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mandore, and Mehrangarh Fort. The Marwar festival 2020 is scheduled to take place on October 30 and October 31. 

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 or may take an auto or get on a local bus to reach the 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 wheels and drive to the city in your vehicle. Mentioned below is the estimate of 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

Frequently Asked Questions Related to Marwar Festival

Ques 1. Where is the Marwar Festival organised in Rajasthan?

Ans 1. Marwar Festival is organised in Jodhpur, Rajasthan at multiple venues like Mehrangarh Fort, Umaid Bhawan Palace, Mandore, Osiyan, etc. 

Ques 2. What is the significance of the Marwar Festival?

Ans 2. Marwar Festival is celebrated to honour the bravery, chivalry, and valour of Rajput warriors. The various events and performances aim at taking the audience to the erstwhile days when hard battles were fought on the land of Rajputana. 

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PLEASE NOTE : Dates can vary due to cancellation or last-minute changes.