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Shekhawati Festival |
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The Shekhawati Festival is jointly organized by the State department of tourism and the Morarka Foundation. The district administrations of Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu are also actively involved in the staging of this massive event. The festival is scheduled to be held from February 9th to 12th this year. The Shekhawat Festival has had a long, colorful and successful run for the last 17 years. The
main functions of the festival are held at the Surya Mandal Stadium at
Navalgarh. However, various activities associated with the festival area held
in areas of Sikar, Jhunjhunu and Churu. The festival was initially organized
with the intention of letting tourists – both domestic and international – get
a feel of life in rural India. But over the years, it has expanded and today
encompasses both the arts and crafts of the region, local sports as well as a
much appreciated organic food festival. The
Shekhawat region is an ideal place to showcase life in rural Rajasthan. The
area is dotted with havelis that bring back memories of a bygone area. These
havelis with their characteristic architecture have lovely frescoes that date
back to the 18th and 19th century. There are plenty of
temples and forts that add to the atmosphere of the region. In addition,
Shekhawat is also the place where organic farming has taken a strong foothold
and the festival focuses on this aspect of India’s agrarian festival. Happenings
at the Shekhawati Festival The
inauguration of the festival sees the entire region come alive and buzz with
non-stop activities. Some of the regular happenings at the festival are: Organized
tours: The
Shekhawat region has a rich architectural and cultural heritage. The havelis
and old mansions of the area are an awe-inspiring sight. During the festival,
these heritage buildings are thrown open to the public and tourists can sign up
for the organized tours. Interested tourists can also book rooms in these
havelis during their stay in Shekhawat. Arts
and crafts:
The Shekhawati festival is the perfect opportunity for the locals to give
outsiders a glimpse into the prodigious talent. There are arts and crafts
exhibitions and sessions as well as various cultural programs. Various rural
games and sporting events are also held. Seminars and workshops give visitors
to the festival an insight into the arts and crafts of the region. Cattle
fair: The
cattle fair is one of the biggest attractions of the Shekhawati festival. In
fact, people come from across the state to buy and sell cattle during the
festival days. The fair with its rustic atmosphere, noise and bluster provides
a totally unique sight and experience for tourists. Organic
food court: This
is one of the highlights of the festival. The food court has nearly 50 stalls
that provide organic food to all the visitors and the participants at the fest.
In fact, only organic food is available during the Shekhawati food festival.
Organic lunches are organized and visitors are given an opportunity to
understand the entire process of growing and cultivating organic food. Awards ceremony: One of the main organizers
of the festival, the Morarka Foundation, also presents achievement awards to
selected persons from the local community. This includes awards for meritorious
students and brave servicemen from the region. The
Shekhawati festival is definitely one of the more vibrant events in the Indian
tourism calendar. The crowds that throng here over the years are testimony to
its success. |
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