Elephant Festival
The Elephant Festival of Jaipur gets underway in the month of Phalgun (March) on the eve of Holi, the festival of colors. The Elephant Festival of Jaipur is a unique event held annually in the capital of the north Indian state of Rajasthan. Held during Holi, the festival of colors, to herald the advent of Spring, the Jaipur Chaugan or polo field is brought alive with elephants, dancers, musicians and onlookers from all the globe.
The mahavats or owners proudly decorate their elephants with bright colors, jhools (saddle cloth) and heavy jewellery. Female elephants are made to wear payals or anklets which tinkle as they walk. Prizes are given for the most beautifully decorated elephant. , the Elephant race, the tug-of-war between Elephant and 19 men & Women.Strangely, most of the participants are female elephants.
The game of polo forms the highlight of the Elephant Festival of Jaipur. Dressed in saffron and red turbans, the teams try to score goals with long sticks and a plastic football. Finally, the tourists are invited to mount the elephants and play Holi. Participants dance with great vigor-the excitement rising to a crescendo.
The Elephant Festival is the specialty of the state of Rajasthan. Like the Desert Festival of Jaisalmer, the Elephant Festival of Jaipur has become a major draw for the tourists during their travel and tour. Given the importance of the elephant in the socio-cultural milieu of the state of Rajasthan, tourists can rest assured that they are in for some great Indian festivities and fun in Jaipur.
History
The Jataka stories of Buddhism refer to the tradition of Hastimangala (the Elephant Festival). A royal mount from time immemorial, the elephant has also been a symbol of strength and wealth. For the Rajput kings, the elephants were of especial significance not only during war but also during the royal festivities-a must at royal pageant. Nishan-ka-hathi, the flag carrier, led the procession. The king always mounted a caparisoned elephant. Special hunting programs and elephant fights were organized to entertain the royal guests. Jaipur was a favorite with the important personalities of the British Raj and the Maharajas always arranged for their guests of honor elephant rides up to the Amber palace. Even today, the mahouts take tourists up to the Amber Palace on elephant back.
Rajasthan Tourism revived the tradition by including the Elephant Festival in the cultural calendar. The present-day pageant, originated only a decade ago, was devised especially with the tourist in mind. The inclusion of the game of polo is more recent, being inspired by a cartoon in Punch magazine that showed the Indian polo team atop an elephant after it won all the international tournaments. Every year on the day after Holi, the old stadium at Jaipur, the Chaugan (originally planned for elephants), forms the venue for a spectacular jamboree.
Places to see
Jaipur is famous for Hawa Mahal, Amber Fort, City Palace, Jantar Mantar and many more.
Getting there:
By Air
Indian airlines, Jet airways and Sahara airlines have regular service to Jaipur. All the major cities are connected to Jaipur.
By road
Rajasthan Roadways have regular bus services from New Delhi, running deluxe and air conditioned coaches from Bikaner house, Delhi. Jaipur is also well connected with the other cities of Rajasthan. With good road conditions you can also travel by private car/taxi.
By Train
Shatabdi and Intercity connects Jaipur to Delhi. Shatabdi is fully air conditioned train starts from Delhi (5.55 AM) to Jaipur (10.35 AM), you can also try Intercity Exp starts from Delhi at (4.55 PM) reaches Jaipur (10.35 PM). There are other trains also to Jaipur from other metro cities, to know more click here.
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