India is a land of festivals—each day on our cultural calendar marks a celebration of faith, harvest, victory, or seasonal change. From north to south, the spirit of festivity binds us together, reflecting unity in diversity. Among all Indian cities, Jaipur stands out for preserving these traditions with royal grace, colour, and grandeur. Known globally for its heritage, hospitality, and architecture, Jaipur is also loved by families, photographers, and cultural explorers for its local festivals and fairs.
I am Pitamber your local tour guide in Jaipur. With years of experience exploring every street, fort, and festival of this beautiful Pink City, I’ve had the honour of sharing Jaipur’s magic with travellers from all over the world. From royal palaces to hidden temples, I’ve seen how deeply our culture is rooted in celebrations Today, let me take you on a special journey. I’m going to share some fascinating stories about the local festivals in Jaipur. These aren’t just events; they’re the heartbeats of our city.
Planning your visit around these local festivals? Don’t miss our helpful One Day Jaipur Itinerary to make the most of your time in the Pink City.
1. Diwali: The Festival of Lights
Diwali is one of the most important festivals in India, and Jaipur’s Diwali celebration is famous worldwide. For five magical days, the entire city is lit up with millions of lights, lanterns, and diyas. Homes, shops, temples, and even government buildings are beautifully decorated.
Each day has its own significance:
Day 1: Dhanteras (shopping for gold and utensils)
Day 2: Choti Diwali (preparations and home decorations)
Day 3: Main Diwali (Lakshmi Puja and lighting diyas)
Day 4: Govardhan Puja (worship of Lord Krishna)
Day 5: Bhai Dooj (celebration of sibling bond)
As your guide, I take guests on a light tour through the old city markets, show hidden corners where artisans make hand-painted diyas, and arrange private Lakshmi pujas in heritage havelis. The joy and spiritual energy of Jaipur during Diwali is something you must experience once in a lifetime.
2. Teej Festival: Monsoon Celebration for Women
Teej is a festival that celebrates the arrival of monsoon and the divine love of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati. Jaipur’s Teej is one of the most colourful celebrations in India. Women wear green sarees, apply mehendi, and swing on beautifully decorated swings.
A grand procession of the Teej Mata (Goddess Parvati) is carried out in a royal chariot from the City Palace. Folk dancers, musicians, and beautifully adorned elephants join the parade.
During Teej, I help visitors experience the rituals like applying mehendi with local women, tasting ghevar (a special sweet), and witnessing the Teej procession from royal balconies. It’s a perfect family friendly Jaipur festival tour moment that
stays with you forever.
3 . Gangaur Festival: Celebrating Love and Devotion
Held in March-April, Gangaur is a major local festival in Jaipur. It celebrates the union of Shiva and Parvati, symbolising marital love, harmony, and prosperity. Unmarried girls pray for a good husband, while married women pray for their husband’s well-being.
The idols of Gauri are hand-crafted and carried in a grand procession through the walled city, accompanied by traditional music and dance. Women wear their finest traditional attire and sing folk songs.
As a guide, I organise cultural walks through the Gangaur processions, arrange storytelling sessions with local elders, and offer the chance to dress in traditional attire for a photo experience.
4. Makar Sankranti: The Kite Festival
Makar Sankranti marks the beginning of the harvest season and is known for its iconic kite festival in Jaipur. Held every year on 14th January, the skies of Jaipur become a canvas of colourful kites. People shout “Woh Kaata!” as they cut each other’s kites with skillfully prepared threads.
Families gather on rooftops with snacks like til laddoos and gajak, and it’s a day full of laughter, music, and kite battles.
I arrange rooftop experiences for tourists, where they can learn how to fly kites, enjoy Rajasthani music, and savour local snacks while watching the sky turn into a festival.
5 . Elephant Festival: Royal Grandeur in Motion
Held around Holi, the Elephant Festival is a unique fair in Jaipur that showcases decorated elephants in royal processions. Elephants are adorned with vibrant paints, jewellery, and embroidered clothes. They participate in games, tug-of-war, and even elephant polo.
This festival revives royal traditions and displays the bond between humans and animals. My guests enjoy front-row access to the procession, behind-the-scenes interactions with mahouts, and ethical insights into elephant welfare.
6. Jaipur Literature Festival: A Global Cultural Feast
Every January becomes the hub of global literary minds at the Jaipur Literature Festival. Authors, poets, thinkers, and artists from all over the world gather for panel discussions, book readings, workshops, and cultural performances.
As your guide, I help you navigate the sessions, meet local authors, and arrange tea sessions in heritage courtyards where you can mingle with literary minds in a royal setting.
7. Rajasthan Day Celebration of Statehood
March 30 marks the formation of the state of Rajasthan. The city hosts a grand celebration filled with folk music, dance, parades, fireworks, and cultural shows.
Visitors can witness camel parades, puppet shows, and performances by Rajasthani folk artists. I provide heritage walks and explain how Jaipur’s royal history connects with modern Rajasthan.
Want to understand why Jaipur stands as a shining gem in India’s heritage? Learn How Jaipur Became the First Planned City of India and discover what makes its architecture and layout so special.
8. Annakoot / Govardhan Puja: Feast of Devotion
A day after Diwali, Annakoot is celebrated by offering a “mountain of food” to Lord Krishna. At the famous Govind Dev Ji Temple, hundreds of food items are displayed as devotion.
It’s a festival of gratitude and abundance. I offer guests an early morning darshan, explain the rituals, and help them enjoy the prasad prepared lovingly by temple devotees.
9. Sheetla Mata Fair:
Held in Chaitra (March-April), this local fair in Jaipur is dedicated to Goddess Sheetla, believed to protect against diseases. Devotees offer stale food (basi roti) as prasad. I guide guests to Sheel-Ki-Doongri village, near Jaipur, to witness this age-old tradition. We walk through the colourful fair, meet villagers, and learn about rural Rajasthan’s spiritual life.
10. Narsingh Leela:
I arrange seating with village elders who share stories passed down generations, and guide guests through the mythological symbols, making it an unforgettable spiritual journey.
11. Govind Dev Ji Janmotsav
On Janmashtami, the Govind Dev Ji temple in Jaipur lights up with devotion. The idol is dressed in shimmering clothes and the entire complex echoes with bhajans and bells.Guests are taken for the morning aarti, and we offer insights into the temple’s Mughal-era roots and its importance to Jaipur’s royal family.
Conclusion
These local festivals in Jaipur aren’t just annual events—they are living expressions of culture, faith, and celebration. With me, Pitamber Tour Guide, you get more than just sightseeing. You experience Jaipur through the eyes of someone who calls it home.So whether you’re planning a family-friendly Jaipur festival tour or a solo spiritual journey, these festivals offer unforgettable memories, cultural immersion, and true Rajasthani hospitality.
Come, be a part of Jaipur’s festivals—and carry home not just photos, but stories that stay with you forever.
