A lively and colourful event, the Camel Festival
is organised by the Department of Tourism, Art & Culture,
Rajasthan in Bikaner every year. January is just the right month
for a desert spree, and Bikaner just the right place to see the
Ships of the Desert. In the camel country Bikaner, these desert
leviathans pull heavy cart loads, transport grain and even work
at the wells.
The
Camel Festival begins with a colourful procession of bedecked
camels against the red sandstone backdrop of the Junagarh Fort,
the festivity advances to the open sand-spreads of the grounds,
followed by the best breed competition, the tug-of-war contest,
camel dance and acrobatics, etc.
The camels display amazing footwork, dancing gracefully to the
slightest direction of their trainers. Bridal, bridles, bejewelled
necks, jingling anklets and long, lanky camel shadows on dusky
sands cast a magical spell. Hundreds of tourists and thousands
of locals and dignitaries revel in this man-and-animal affair
organised especially for the tourists.
The evenings close with a different tenor and tempo altogether:
a traditional rendezvous of renowned artistes of Rajasthan and
the local folk performers. The jubilant skirt-swirling dancers,
the awe inspiring fire dance, and the dazzling fireworks light
up the fortified desert city of Bikaner.
Bikaner is connected by rail and road with all the major cities.
The nearest airport is at Jodhpur (243 kms.).
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