By Nandani Sharma
In the heartlands between Jodhpur and Bikaner, the desert city of Nagaur carries centuries of history, that bursts to life each year with its spirited festival celebration. Usually held in late January or early February, this four-day festival is India’s second largest, culturally rich desert festival. The Local people believe that this tradition dates back to the times when Rajput clans would temporarily set aside rivalries to gather in Nagaur for peaceful barter under the blessings of saints. The spirit of past continues till date in the form of a cattle fair – Nagaur witnesses a trade of over 75,000 camels, horses and bullocks. The humps and horns of the cattle are decorated with beads, bells and vibrant fabric. Throughout the fair, you can hear the sounds of haggling traders, jugglers, puppeteers, folk drumbeats, neighs and calls of desert animals.
The Nagaur festival also offers a wide array of entertainment to the visitors in the form of folk – Kalbelia dance, mustache competition, tug -of-war, cock fight, turban tying contest, bullock cart race, all thundering through the fair ground. The Mirchi Bazaar – colourful spice stalls with strings of red chillies, sizzling mirchi pakoras, iron tools, embroidered textiles, and silver jewellery, all make up for a pulsating local rural market experience that is worth everything.
However, to truly take in Nagaur, you must visit sites beyond the fairground. The 12th century Nagaur Fort, also known as the Ahhichatragarh Fort, stands as a sentinel to time, with moated ramparts and mirrored palace rooms. A short walk from there leads you to Tarkeen Dargah, a Sufi shrine where you get to devote yourself to the evening qawwalis. The Jain glass temple with coloured mosaics and the desert magic of the Khimsar sand dunes, just 40 kms away, is the perfect spot for watching the sun dip below the waves of golden sand.
Planning such an immersive journey can feel overwhelming – but that’s where Aryavrit Travels come in. Our customized travel packages include car rental with experienced drivers, handpicked heritage stays, and escort guides who help you understand not just what you’re seeing but what it means. With arrival and departure assistance, seamless logistics and concierge services tailored to your interests, Aryavrit Travels make sure that you experience the Nagaur fair, not the fuss.
The Nagaur festival 2026 is expected to take place from January 24th to 27th. We invite you in for the festivities, where you come for the Camels and leave with sand in your shoes and Rajasthan in your soul. With Aryavrit Travels, the journey will become as memorable as the destination.
