Jaisalmer Desert Festival has began with a thespian opening and ballads, to set a memorable prima facie for it. Today is the first day of the sand state’s three days carnival accompanied with a grand procession. The procession started at 10 a.m. from its starting point at Gadisar Lake and climaxed at Shahid Poonam Singh Stadium.
Below are the further programmes of the festival followed by abundance of excitement and abiding joy:
Inauguration of Desert Festival (11 a.m. to 2 p.m.)
A mixture of desert with regional conducts is seen here. More of local dwellers take part along with the tourists attending the festival. The inaugurating itself is filled with a variety of dances and competitions which fill the air with a never fading enthusiasm.
Below are the bits of the inauguration ceremony which will make it worth remembering:
- Ghoomer Dance
This folk dance of Rajasthan evokes hosannas from viewers. Depicting the vivid shades of Rajasthani culture, this dance is deeply enjoyed by the admirers of desert. Performed with fluttering moves, the performance sets the mood of the festival.
- Turban Tying Competition
This interesting contest crowns the briskest. Turban is the honour for Rajasthanis and this competition excited the crowd like no other thing.
- Moomal Mahendra Competition
Followed with a Rajasthani love tale on Moomal (the girl) and Mahendra (the boy), Jaisalmer Desert Festival celebrates their eternal love with this competition.
- Moustache Competition
You will see a lot of moustache swirls here. Rajasthani gentlemen compete here for longest and most convincing moustaches.
- Miss Moomal Competition
In Rajput love story, Moomal was the most beautiful and graceful girl in Jaisalmer. Famous for her alluring looks, she wanted a groom who can impress her with his great charm, wit and intelligence. Thus, every year, Desert festival arranges competitions for a similar moomal, the most beautiful and smart girl.
- Desert Festival
Every year, many handsome Rajasthanis take part in Marushree or Mr. Desert competition. As the name suggests, it hunts for someone who has great looks, charm and physique.
Some other attractions of Jaislmer Desert Festival 2017, which starts from 9 a.m. itself includes camel safari, camel polo, women wrestling (added this year), Panihari matka race, Air warrior drill show and camel tattoo competition. All these are conducted at Dedansar Stadium.
Camel Race (3 p.m. to 4 p.m.)
This Rajasthani animal is favourite of most tourists and the camel race is enough to add the perfect charm in the opening day celebrations of the Thar desert festival.
Fireworks and Cultural Programmes (6 p.m. to 8 p.m.)
The evening holds even more charisma. The grandeur of the desert state, Rajasthan is displayed in grand exuberance. This has been arranged at Sam Sand Dunes.
