This New Year party enjoy the local culture and tradition with folk songs and dances. Pour yourself into the exciting extravaganza in the middle of historical forts, ancient havelis, temples, majestic palaces, and indigenous Rajasthani culture. The immense span of desert offers more than one can expect. So, enjoy the privilege of lying in the sand with stars overhead and let the desert serenity engulf you during the New Year Festival Jaisalmer 2018-19.
Jaisalmer has withstood the tide of time since the bygone era, dotted with palaces, forts, temples and the ‘very famous’ sand dunes. The vibrancy of the city and its majestic walls are always a sight to behold. The city indeed speaks of its history through its walls. Come and soak yourself into this colorful amalgamation of history and culture.
The New Year festival Jaisalmer is held at the Silky Sam Sand Dunes, situated 41 km west of Jaisalmer along a good sealed road, which happens to be one of the most popular excursion spots from the city. The band of dunes is about 2 km long and is undeniably one of the most picturesque locations in the region. The place acquires something of a carnival atmosphere from late afternoon till the next morning. The New Year Party is nothing short of a lifetime experience.
Festivities
The desert, the temperature, the vibes, with almost 15000 camps and 45000 people to join you from different countries.
The Arabian Nights Desert Safari is sure to be a hell of an experience and lets you have a true taste of the Rajasthan Desert. An hour of intensive, exhilarating dune cruising follows as the twenty or so jeeps veer up steep dunes, whirling the sand around their wheels before fleeing back to the bottom. The Desert Safari stops at sunset, and guests are greeted with traditional welcome accompanied by a welcome drink.
The beautiful sight of the red sun setting on the vast desert is an added bonus. This is succeeded by a traditional gala dinner with unlimited drinks, beverages, and barbecue, along with Rajasthani folk dance.
Highlights
New Year Festival Jaisalmer as a Music Fest:
The Jaisalmer New Year Festival is sure to beat your Monday blues with music genres like EDM (DJ Night), Sufi, and Bollywood, accompanied by live folk music performances. So, pack your bags and get ready to hit your toes and dance all along.
Rajasthan folk music can woo anyone with its serene rhythms and words. Folk music of Rajasthan is a journey of emotions, stories, and daily activities that Rajasthani people interweaved into a beautiful whole. Its music is an amalgamation of history and heritage. Rajasthani music includes dancing and story-telling through songs.
Kalbelia Dance is what defines the Kalbelia community. The Kalbelia women take a lot of pride in performing the dance while the men render soulful tunes to their body movements with ‘Poongi’. The songs and the Kalbelia dance have carried the oral tradition of music, inherited from generations. The Kalbelia dance carries the essence of Jaisalmer traditional folklore. The Thar desert is where it intercepted, and since then is an integral part of the Rajasthani culture of music and dance.
Camel and Jeep Safari:
Make your New Year a special one while you head out on an amazing Jeep safari and drive through the desert. Nothing beats a ride through the rippling, windswept desert on camelback to witness the rustic life of the desert.
Camel Dance Show:
Camels are decked up in the ancient style with Gorbands around their neck. They dance to the tunes of Sarangi.
Bonfire on the Dunes:
Sitting under the stars with your hands soaking in the warmth of the bonfire is one of the most enchanting experiences that the New Year Festival Jaisalmer offers to you.
New Year DJ Night:
What’s better than dancing your heart out on the New Year’s Eve. The DJ night lets you experience an array of music.
Rajasthani Dishes:
From the spicy Laal Maas (a traditional preparation of mutton) to sumptuous Dal Bati Churma (traditional staple cuisine) from Bikaneri Namkeens to simple Ker Sangri (traditional cuisine), the fairground is filled with the aroma of delectable cuisines.
Additionally, to mark a happy beginning to your year, a cake-cutting ceremony is organized.
DATE: 31st December 2018 – 1st January 2019
How to Reach Jaisalmer?
Air: Jaisalmer Airport is a domestic airport, located 17 km southeast of Jaisalmer. Well-connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, etc. You can hire a private cab to reach Sand Dunes from the airport.
Rail: Jaisalmer is connected to a wide network of trains touching Indian cities like Delhi, Jodhpur, Jaipur, and others. Delhi Jaisalmer Express, Jodhpur Jaisalmer Express, Howrah Jaisalmer Express, and Lalgarh Jaisalmer Special are the ones to take note of. Once you reach the station, auto-rickshaws and private taxis are lined outside the station to take you to your destination.
Road: Jaisalmer is well-connected by road from Jodhpur, Barmer, and Bikaner via Pokhran. Luxury AC coaches and semi-luxury buses ply frequently. Buses ply from Jaisalmer to the Sand Dunes. One can even take cabs to directly reach the destination from the railway junction or bus station.
Exploring the rich culture and colors of Rajasthan under the warmth of the winter sun can be an immemorial experience. Be enchanted by the unique rituals of Rajasthan accompanied by folk music and dance of Jaisalmer Festival and blissfully celebrate the year-end.
You would furthermore like to read about other Rajasthan Music Festivals.
