Saturday, December 20, 2008

Fairs And Festivals In Udaipur

The city of Udaipur is a lovely land around the Azure water lakes hemmed in by the lush hills of the A vision in white drenched in romance and beauty, Udaipur is a fascinating blend of sights sounds and expeience-an inspiration for the imagination of poets, painters and writen.

Rajasthan is famous for its colorful festivals and vibrant fairs. Being part of Rajasthan, the city of Udaipur celebrates all the fairs and festivals with equal fervor. Each and every city of Rajasthan observes one or the other festival that is particularly associated with that city. The important fairs and festivals that are closely associated with Udaipur are Mewar Festival and the Shilpgram Fair. If you want to catch the vigor of these desert people, catch them during their famous fairs and festivals. This would help you to imbibe how charming these people are.

A glimpse of their celebrations would make you dance at the tunes of their music। Mewar Festival is celebrated consequently with the celebrations of Gangaur festival in Jaipur. The festival has its own religious importance and is celebrated with enthusiasm in Udaipur. Talking about Shilpgram Fair, it is another fair that is organized to promote art and crafts of Rajasthan. If you want to be a part of these festivals, plan your trip during the gala time of Udaipur. Once seen, these fairs and festivals would become an unforgettable part of your memories.

Shilpgram Fair
Shilpgram Mela is held annually in the west of the city of Udaipur। Shilpgram Crafts Fair is organized to promote art and craft of Rajasthan.

Location : In the west 3 kms from Udaipur, Near Hawala village

Time : November / December

Highlights : Amazing Handicrafts

How to reach : One can easily reach Shilpgram Fair either by taking regular buses, tongas, auto-rickshaws and taxis from the city

Literally meaning a "Craftsmen's Village" is a living ethnographic museum depicting the enormous diversities in craft, art & culture between various Indian states, but the exquisite terracotta work mainly in dark red and dark brown sand material along with the wooden carvings are the forte of this ethnic village . Shilpgram comprises 26 huts set in 70 acres of natural surroundings at the foot of the Aravali Hills.A colourful craft festival during winter seasons to the whole set up induces viatanity and zeal.

Situated 3 kms west of Udaipur near the Havala village is the Centre's Shilpgram - the Rural Arts and Crafts Complex. Spread over an undulating terrain of 130 bighas (70 Acres) of land and surrounded by the Aravallies, the Rural Arts and Crafts Complex is conceived as a living enthnographic museum to depict the lifestyles of the folk and tribal people of the West Zone. Within this complex, huts of the member states are constructed incorporating traditional architectural features of different geographical and ethnic groups residing within the West Zone of India comprising of five Federal States.

One of the important objectives of Shilpgram is in the sphere of increasing awareness and knowledge of rural life and crafts, specifically, for the younger generation. Special emphasis is laid on workshops for children on arts, crafts, theatre and music.

The Rural Arts and Crafts Complex - Shilpgram - would also provide an opportunity to rural and urban artists to come together and interact through the process of camps and workshops. It is hoped that through intimate observation of different styles and experiences, urban and rural artists would learn from one another and enrich their skills and art forms. The Centre promotes contemporary urban ceramists, potters, designers, visual artists etc. to work with their traditional counterparts in creating works of everyday art which would then be put up for exhibition and sale for visitors.

The Center developed two Museums in the Shilpgram where simple objects of day-to-day use, that represent the sense of wonder and aesthetics in rural and tribal life are put on display. In addition, a Crafts Bazar in the fashion of a traditional 'haat' was made where visitors could buy traditional crafts from the Zone. Craftsman were invited periodically to demonstrate their skills and sell the crafts to the visitors at the Shilpgram.

An attraction no less of the Rural Arts and Crafts Complex is the open air Amphitheatre with a seating capacity of approximately 8000. Besides the major theatre festivals which the Centre hold here, it is hoped that this facility would motivate the local community as well as outside visitors to take a keener interest in theatre and the traditional folk performing arts.

Mewar Festival
The Mewar Festival is celebrated to welcome the advent of spring. It coincides with the festival of Gangaur in Udaipur, and has a unique charm about आईटी

Location : Udaipur, Rajasthan
Highlight : Celebrations on a grand scale to mark the advent of spring season
Best Time to Visit : October to April
How to Reach : Udaipur has its own airport that is connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, etc. The city has its own railway station and trains from major cities like Delhi, Ahemdabad, Jaipur, etc. ply over here. Udaipur can also be reached easily via a wide network of roads.

Udaipur, the jewel of Mewar Kingdom, is famous for the palaces, the forts, the lakes and the temples that are one of the main tourist attractions. If you are desirous to feel the real charm of the tradition and the culture of the locals who reside here the festivals is the best option. Of the innumerable festivals and events in Udaipur , the Mewar Festival in Udaipur is one of the most famous one that is celebrated with extreme pomp and grandeur.

The Mewar Festival in Udaipur that coincides with the festival of Gangaur is celebrated to mark the advent of the spring. All the locals especially the women wait throughout the year to celebrate this festival. The Mewar Festival at Udaipur is one of the most colorful festivals when you can see women and children dressed in their best. The colorful clothes, the stone and the gem studded jewelry and the glass bangles add a different charm to the entire festival.

The Mewar Festival of Udaipur is celebrated with the women folk assembling to dress the images of the images of the Isar and Gangaur. After the idols are decorated in their best they are taken around on a tour around the city that is followed by a ceremonial procession. After the processions tours through the different parts of the city it finally terminates at the Gangaur Ghat at the lake of Pichhola. It is here where are idols are transferred to special boats accompanied by songs and dances. after all the religious ceremonies comes to an end, cultural programmes reflecting the true charm of the Rajasthani culture start, songs, dances, music are carried on throughout the day. After all these comes to an end, there is an impressive firework display culminates the end of the Mewar Festival in Udaipur. Festivity and mirth in the eyes of the people, the intense curiosity to enjoy every single moment of the festival is the unique characteristic of the festival that makes it one of the much-awaited festival and events in Udaipur.

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