The Magic of Desert Festival

..............................Desert Festival (click on the image for more information)

Event : Desert Festival

Date : 7th - 9th February 2009

Venue : Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

It is time to head to the golden city of Jaisalmer in Rajasthan. The Internationally acclaimed Desert Festival starts on 7th February. This is a 3 gala festival which is filled with music, dance, culture and competitions. It is an yearly cultural event which attracts performers from all over Rajasthan and spectators form all of the world. The camel shows like camel dance and camel acrobatics with decorated camels is of particular interest to the tourists. And you really don't want to miss the Mr. Desert Competition. This competition is about the length of the mustache and the Man with the longest mustache is the winner. Mr. Desert competition will surely leave you dumbstruck. There are other folk and cultural events as well like puppet shows and Rajasthani folk dances.
The venue is one of its biggest points. The finals of the competitions are held right in the middle of the desert on Sand dunes. Since the festival is organized on weekends; being a part of Desert Festival in Jaisalmer is a perfect option for weekend getaway.

Mamallapuram Dance Festival

.......................................Mamallapuram Dance Festival..................................................

I am witnessing one of the most prolific display of Indian Classical Dances these days. I have come to Tamil Nadu to be a spectator in the famous Mamallapuram Dance Festival. The festival started on the day of Christmas and will continue till 25th January. A month long dance festival, that makes it the longest dance festival in India.

I have now been here for three days and every night has been a special one. I saw live performance of Bharatnatyam that absolutely mesmerized me. As much as the dance is intriguing, the backdrop is also mind blowing. The venue is the Arjuna's penance. It is a bass-relief carved on two gigantic rocks. There is a performance of different dance every night. All Indian classical dances like Odissi, Kuchipudi, Kathakali and Kathak are slated to be performed here during Mamallapuram Dance Festival. The performers are all very well known and established dancers.

So if you are coming to Mamallapuram or even Chennai which is only about 50 km from here, do not miss out on this dance festival.