Jaisalmer Desert Festival 2024 & 2025

There comes a moment in our lives when we wish to take a break from the relentless hustle and bustle of life. At this moment, we want to ease off and find alternate heaven to spend quality time with our family.

This is a treasured time when we wish to do nothing else but enjoy life and gain unique experiences. If that is something you are looking for, then we cannot think of a better place than Jaisalmer and a better time than the Jaisalmer Desert Festival for you.

Imagine spending three amazing days in an unearthly setting, celebrating the dizzying abundance of culture and traditions. Sounds fun. Well, then you are in for a treat because we are just starting.

Here is what is in store for you at Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer Desert Festival.

Side note: If you plan on visiting Jaisalmer next year during the Jaisalmer Desert Festival, ping us for unbelievable quotes.

1. An Introduction To Jaisalmer Desert Festival

Revel in the glorious heritage of Rajasthan at the Jaisalmer Desert Festival. This three-day-long cultural extravaganza graces the barren lands of Jaisalmer annually during the Magh (February) month as per the Hindu calendar.

These three days in Jaisalmer bring international and local tourists together to experience the region’s sacredness and artistic prowess.

Fun fact: The event is planned in such a way that its last day falls on the full moon.

Are you wondering what the festival dates for 2025 are? Then drum rolls, please. Jaisalmer Desert Festival will happen around 22-24 February 2025.

The festival’s base will remain at the dunes of the Thar Desert (42 km from the main city of Jaisalmer). Do note that some of the events may take place at the Jaisalmer Fort and adjoining areas.

2. Why Is The Desert Festival So Popular?

Now that the introductory details are out of the way let us dig deep into why this festival is famous in the first place.

Jaisalmer Desert Festival is a showcase of Rajasthan’s plush culture on the backdrop of the infinite Thar desert.

The desert comes alive during these days and what you see is color, enthusiasm, and happiness all around. Cultural shows, processions, religious activities, and even bizarre competitions adorn its existence. These events add to the landscape’s beauty and make spending three days here a delight for the heart and soul.

Another reason for its popularity is its art. During the festival, the beguiling art of Thar is also put on display, enabling travelers to enjoy and even buy them.

And, how can you even forget the opportunity of living in the infinite desert amid all the festivities? That’s the best reason to be here during this time. Don’t you agree?

What To See /Do During Jaisalmer Desert Festival?

There are a variety of things you can take part in while you are here. Here are to name a few:

1. Desert Safari And Activities

You cannot simply ignore the Desert at the Desert festival, can you?

it is a brainer that the desert activities are the highlights of this event.

Whether it is gazing over long stretches of sand or raiding it on a camelback, a visit to this festival cannot be rendered complete without enjoying the desert shenanigans.

And, if you are under the impression that desert camping and desert safari are going to be the only offerings of this event. Then, you should change your perception for good as here you will also enjoy dune bashing, parasailing, and for that matter visiting the nearby villages.

Doesn’t that sound amazing already?

2. Immersing In The Culture – Cultural Nights And More!

A festival in Rajasthan without cultural nights sounds like a recipe for disappointment. Well, lucky for you, the Jaisalmer Desert Festival doesn’t disappoint.

Its cultural nights are the most vibrant in the state – with the performances of local and national artists. If you enjoy performing arts, we bet you will never want to leave the festival’s premises.

Besides the cultural nights, there are many happenings during the day at the Jaisalmer Desert Festival. Be it the colossal display of art and craft, puppet shows or for that matter, shopping jaunts, there are a plethora of ways in which one can immerse in the art while you are here.

3. Witnessing Bizarre Competitions

Jaisalmer Desert Festival is the king of bizarre competitions. There, we said it!

We mean, just look at the lineup, and tell us it doesn’t make your heart do a complete somersault. Where else, if not for this festival, you will hear camel and polo in the same sentence?

And, this is not the only competition that we found both exciting and fascinating. There are many other events like a camel grooming competition, juggling showcase, turban tying competition, and longest mustache competition that presses our curious bones.

Yours too? High five!

4. Heritage Walks

Another important aspect of this festival, and for Jaisalmer in fact, are its much-revered heritage walks

You cannot imagine coming to Jaisalmer and missing it, can you? And, even if you plan on doing so, Jaisalmer Desert Festival will leave no stone unturned to remind you of its glorious past and amazing structures.

The monuments in Jaisalmer are one of a kind and can be easily covered in these heritage walks. They are all smothered in golden hues and provide an amazing background for pictures and competitions alike.

If you cannot make time to go on a full-fledged trip to all these places, taking small jaunts to Jaisalmer Fort and Bagore ki Haveli is highly recommended.

And, if you can make time, do visit the Jain Temples, Gadisar Lake, Bada Bagh, and Kuldhara Village.

5. Dining With The Entire City

Where else in the world will you get the opportunity to dine with the whole city? During the Jaisalmer Desert Festival, you will not only eat authentic Rajasthani food but also get to dine with, if not thousands, then a hundred other travelers during one of its events.

Isn’t that just amazing!?

6. Jagmag Jaisalmer: The Authentic Flavour Of Jaisalmer

Jaisalmer with its night bazaars, street puppet shows, magicians, and food stalls put forward such a ravishing street culture that getting enough of it is simply not possible.

We are completely obsessed with how beautifully these night bazaars go about advocating the Rajasthani culture. Only a person who has been there once can know how amazing it feels to be amid all that art and beauty.

7. Going On Spiritual Jaunts

Another component of the Jaisalmer desert festival that we are already in love with is its connection with religion.

The festival starts off with a pooja and hosts events like Deep Daan ( giving away lamps) to invoke positivity among everyone who steps foot in Jaisalmer during this time.

Although none of the events of the festivals take place at Jaisalmer’s temples, you can always take out time to pay them homage.

Tips That Will Help You A Ton At Jaisalmer Desert Festival

• Jaisalmer Desert Festival is an international event, so it is only natural for it to be swarmed by tourists. Remember to always book your tickets months in advance. If you are booking via a travel agent in India, make sure to book with them 6 months prior. Note: If your plan is a little last minute, the chances of getting tickets are low. In such a case make sure you involve a trusted travel agency as they might arrange a ticket for you. Plus, planning with them will save you the trouble of arranging everything within the anticipated timeline.
• Carry a few woolens for the evening as you’ll be residing in the desert where the temperature drops down drastically during the night.
• Try attending every event if you can but be wary of your belongings while you go in the crowd.
• Carry cash if you are planning to go shopping at the Festival. Otherwise, for other events carry minimum cash in your pocket.

How To Reach Jaisalmer For The Jaisalmer Desert Festival?

Now that you know everything about this festival, here is how you can reach the event spot.

By Air:

Unluckily, Jaisalmer doesn’t have an airport of its own. The nearest domestic airport is in Udaipur, which is about 300 km from the city. So, it is in your best interest to land at the Udaipur Airport (in case you are coming only for this event) and cover the rest of the distance via road.

Rail:

Jaisalmer has its own railway station and is connected with major Rajasthani cities. So, Raul is another great option to reach here.

By Road:

If you are coming from other states, you can take the Rajasthan tourism bus for Jaisalmer from your nearest ISBT. However, if you are traveling via your car, do know the roads to Jaisalmer are well-made and rarely cause any inconvenience.

FAQ

How Is The Weather In Jaisalmer During The Jaisalmer Desert Festival?

The Desert Festival of Jaisalmer is held in the month of February every year. During this time, the weather of Jaisalmer and its nearby dunes is pretty pleasant, which means it is neither too high nor too low. In fact, it is the perfect time to enjoy all sorts of outdoor activities in the area.

The days are comfortable with a temperature in the 20’s with the night being a little cooler as after dawn the mercury falls down to as low as 5 degrees centigrade.

Is It Worth Visiting Jaisalmer During The Desert Festival?

Of course, it is, and we cannot emphasize it enough. During the Jaisalmer Desert Festival, you will discover a different side of the city. First of all, unlike all the other times of the year, the city will be decked in all sorts of embellishments. Secondly, you will find a whole different level of buzz surrounding the desert state when you land here during the festival. Third, the ambiance will be a lot merrier than anticipated. Believe us; everybody you meet will be in a festive mood, and the already humble hospitality of Jaisalmer will feel even more homely.

Even if you put this aside, there is no number that you can put on activities that you can indulge in during this time. Plus, the sheer variety of the people you will come across will make your trip a social success. Believe us when we say this, you will not even realize how well and fast your three days will go.

We at TGIR highly recommend you guys see this festival during your visit to Rajasthan as the experiences you’ll garner at this festival will be unlike any other.

How Do I Attend The Jaisalmer Desert Festival 2022?

The best way to attend the Jaisalmer Desert Festival in 2022 is on a trip to Rajasthan in the month of February. You can pre-book a trip with us for the same, and we can suggest exceptional itineraries within your budget.

TGIR is an expert when it comes to Rajasthan, just ask around, and you will hear only good things about us and our tour plans. So, ping us whenever you feel you are ready to collaborate with us. We will be waiting. And, if you think the time is now, well, request a quote right away!

Hey there travelers! We are thrilled that you made it to the very end. It is pretty evident that you are very interested in seeing the Jaisalmer Desert Festival. We hear you! So, when are you requesting a quote and making the first move toward attending this gala event? Well, the time isn’t that bad now, you can request a quote and expect a revert in no time. We are waiting!