Nagaur Fair

Dussehra is held every year in the Hindu month of Ashvin (Sep-Oct). This festival, which celebrates the victory of Lord Rama over Ravana, is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India. Rajasthan also keeps up the tradition and celebrates this colorful festival on a large scale. However, the city of Kota in Rajasthan is the place to be in during this mega event and the main cause of its attraction is the annual Dussehra Mela that draws people from far and wide.
The Dussehra Mela in Kota is a riot of colors. Well-decorated shops, cultural performances and colorfully clad locals - all vie for your attention as soon as you enter the fair. Theatrical enactments and performances from the Ramayana are greatly popular with the visitors. However, the main highlight of the fair is the burning of the effigies of Ravana, his brother Kumbhakarna and his son Meghnath. Slogans praising the victory of good over evil rent the air as the burning effigies come down to the ground.
Going by Rajasthan's long-standing association with elephants, the gentle beast leads the proceedings of the festival with aplomb. It is by far the most important guest of the festival. Visitors at the Elephant Festival are treated to a rare elephant beauty pageant, which is one of the favorite attractions of the fair. Add to it colorful dance performances, races and tug of wars. But the polo match played by colorfully dressed men on elephants is by far the most important attraction of the Elephant Festival.
As the day wears on, many other events take place one after another thus adding up to a very enjoyable experience. If you are in Rajasthan during this festive season, don't forget to visit Kota and get a taste of Rajasthan like never before.