The Bundi Utsav comes each year in the month of November-December to give a new life to the town of Bundi in Rajasthan state. An extravaganza of customs, traditions, and traditional art forms, the Bundi Utsav has it all for the visitors in terms of representing the cultural richness of the state of Rajasthan in general and that of the town of Bundi in particular.
Traditional folk music and folk dance of the region become central attractions of the festival, whereas household indulges in preparing native handicrafts to be sold installs as a part of the larger celebration. Apart from the rich folk art forms, one can witness jovial events like turban-binding competition, and moustache competitions as parts of the larger extravaganza of Bundi Utsav.
When is the Bundi Utsav Celebrated – 2024 Dates
The dates of 2024 are November 18-20. The Bundi Utsav is a three-day celebration of the cultural richness of the town of Bundi. The festival falls in the month of November-December of the Gregorian calendar each year. The Bundi Utsav is technically celebrated in the month of Kartik in the traditional Hindu calendar. The festival thus falls on different dates of November and December every year.
Where is the Bundi Utsav Celebrated – A-Town High on Cultural Richness
The Bundi Utsav is celebrated each year in the town of Bundi in the northwest Indian state of Rajasthan.
Events & Festivities at the Bundi Utsav
Bundi Utsav comes as an extravaganza of celebrating all that is there to be celebrated. On the one hand, the traditional art forms moustache for the people to witness and enjoy, and on the other hand, various competitions of later day origin are held as a part of the celebration of Bundi Utsav. The important events that constitute the Bundi Utsav are as follows.
Folk Music and Dance
Folk music and dance forms of the region are performed by the experts as well as budding artists, putting the traditional art forms on display. Visitors from all over the country find solace witnessing the beautiful aura of folk art forms in their rawest of forms.
Fireworks, as well as the lighting of clay lamps or diyas, can be seen on the nights of the festive days on different venues in the town, providing a soulful conclusion of daylight celebration of music, dance, and other competitions.
Sports Various sports competitions are held as a part of the Bundi Utsav in the town. It includes a range of games from static Kabaddi competition to large scale games like horse riding and camel race etc. People participate in these games with much enthusiasm, making the Bundi Utsav an occasion for the sportsmen of the region to look forward to.
Handicrafts Many households in the town of Bundi are experts in preparing traditional crafts of the region. These handicrafts are furnished to their most beautiful forms and then are put on stalls during the three-day festival to be sold. People who visit from far off distances to attend the festival take these handicrafts back home as souvenirs of the time spend in the culturally rich town.
Other Competitions Amusing competitive events are held as parts of the Bundi Utsav, which draws visitors to have a look of the unfolding of the celebration. Some of these competitions are turban binding competition, mustache competitions, etc.
Deepdan Ceremony
Deepdan, which means charity of earthen lamps, is a ceremony of the Bundi Utsav which stands true to its name. Men light deeps or earthen lamps and give it to women. The women then release these lamps in the river to float, making prayers and chanting as the lanterns float on water.
About Bundi – the ‘Chhoti Kashi’
Bundi is a small town in the northwest Indian state of Rajasthan. Located at a distance of 210 kilometres from the capital city, Jaipur, Bundi has its architectural significance in terms of particular styles of palaces, temples, and stepped wells for storing water known as Baoris. The town is marked with several temples, which includes Radhai Krishan Temple, Hanumanji Temple, and Neelkanth Mahadev Bundi etc. The fact that the town is marked with numerous Hindu temples has brought the alternative title of ‘Chhoti Kashi’, meaning Small Varanasi, to the town. Talking about the famous Taragarh fort of Bundi, the world-renowned Short Story writer, Rudyard Kipling wrote, “The Taragarh Fort must have been built by angels, not human beings.” Moreover, Bundi is home to one of the best forms of paintings in the world.
How to Reach Bundi
By railways, the nearest railway station is the Bundi Railway station, located within the town. However, the nearest major railway station is the Kota Junction Railway Station, situated at an approximate distance of 35 kilometres from Bundi. Once in Kota, the most convenient way to reach Bundi is to take a taxi, which will cover the distance in mere one or two hours.
By airways, the nearest airport is the Jaipur International Airport, 3located at an approximate distance of 210 kilometres from Bundi. Trains can be availed to reach Bundi from Jaipur.
Bundi in Rajasthan is a town of rich cultural and historical significance. The Bundi Utsav is celebrated each year to express this richness to the fullest. The festival is a significant occasion for the people of the town and nearby villages, and statistics reveal that more than 90% of the people of Bundi attend the festival. People from other parts of the country visit Bundi during festive days too, to witness the cultural heritage of the town and dive in the delirium of folk music and dance forms. The Bundi Utsav represents the beauty of the state of Rajasthan and makes it a point to celebrate all that can be put into celebration.