Bundi Utsav

Bundi Utsav
बूंदी उत्सव
Folk Dance in Bundi Utsav
Statusactive
Genrefair, public gathering
Begins1996
Frequencyannually
VenueTaragarh Fort, Bundi, Jait Sagar Lake, Nawal Sagar Lake, Raniji ki Baori, Chaurasi Khambon ki Chhatri, Bundi
LocationsBundi, Rajasthan
CountryIndia
Years active24
Previous event
2023
Next event
2024
Organised byDepartment of Tourism, Rajasthan
SponsorsGovernment of Rajasthan
Websitehttps://utsav.gov.in/view-event/bundi-festival-1

Bundi Utsav, or Bundi Festival, is an annual cultural and tourism festival celebrated in the city of Bundi, located in the Hadoti region of Rajasthan, India.[1] The festival teaches about Rajasthan and Bundi's cultural heritage, traditional art, and historical significance.[2] It typically takes place in November, during the Hindu calendar month of Kartika, and lasts three days. Both domestic and international tourists attend the festival.[3]

History

Initial preparations for Bundi Utsav began in 1995, with public input, and the first annual festival was held the following year. The festival was conceived by Bundi District Head Rajmata Daulat Kanwar Ji (who held the role between 1995 and 2000 on behalf of the BJP) and Bundi District Collector Madhukar Ji Gupta, who wanted the event to deepen the connection of local residents to their heritage. Bundi Utsav has gained popularity over the years and is an event in Rajasthan's cultural calendar.[4] As the festival attracts tourists from around the world, it is considered as a significant contributor to the economic development of Bundi city and the surrounding areas.[5][6]

The festival was cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[7]

Activities

Bundi Utsav offers a range of cultural events and activities.[8]

Cultural events

Processions take place in the streets of Bundi, with colourful decorations. They include decorated camels, horses and elephants with traditional attire and accessories. These processions are intended to celebrate the historical regal heritage of Rajasthan and contribute to a festive atmosphere. The procession begins with worship of Lord Ganesha at the Taragarh Fort in Bundi city.[9][7]

A marketplace is set up during the festival, offering handcrafted items, textiles, jewelry, and pottery. It is held at the Government Senior Secondary School in Bundi. Visitors can purchase locally-made Rajasthani handicrafts from artisans.[10]

The festival includes performances of traditional Rajasthani folk music, dance, and theater at the Chaurasi Khambon ki Chhatri in Bundi city.[7]

The festival includes stalls with local Rajasthani cuisine, including traditional dishes such as Katt Bafla, gatte ki sabzi, Danamethi ki Sabzi, and Kadke.[11][12]

Tourist activities

Bundi Utsav also includes various tourist-oriented activities such as heritage walks, guided tours of historical monuments, and competitive activities such as tug-of-war, a mustache competition, a turban tying competition, a pot race, a horse race and a camel race.[13] On the last day of Bundi Utsav, a cultural safari is organised to educate foreign tourists about rural Indian culture. The "village safari" takes visitors to Theekarda village to show them the rural lifestyle, attire and culture.

Deepdaan

The festival includes Deepdan, an event during which earthen lamps are lit and set afloat on the waters of Nawal Sagar Lake, located in Bundi city. Deepdan has tended to draw thousands of citizens.[7]

Painting workshop

The festival includes a drawing and painting workshop also held at Sukh Mahal located on the banks of Jait Sagar Lake in the city of Bundi.[7]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Bundi Utsav begins today, to display glory of royal heritage". The Times of India. 11 November 2022. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  2. ↑ Duttagupta, Samonway. "6 festivals of Rajasthan that will make you fall in love with it". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  3. ↑ "Rajasthan: Bundi Utsav begins in Hadoti with fanfare". Deccan Herald. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  4. ↑ कोटा, दिनेश कश्यप (8 November 2022). "धूमधाम से मनाया जाएगा 'बूंदी उत्सव', राजस्थान की संस्कृति देखने के लिए उमड़ेगी पर्यटकों की भीड़". www.abplive.com (in Hindi). Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  5. ↑ "बूंदी उत्सव का आगाज, 2 साल बाद दिखे लोक संस्कृति के रंग, तस्वीरों में देखें कलाकारों की बेहतरीन प्रस्तुतियां". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd (in Hindi). Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  6. ↑ "Bundi Utsav 2022: 11 नवंबर से होगा बूंदी महोत्सव का आगाज, रस्सा कसी और साफा बांधना समेत ये कुछ रहेगा खास | Bundi Utsav 2022 : Bundi Festival Will Start From 11 November". Patrika News (in Hindi). 2 November 2022. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 "Bundi Utsav begins today after a gap of two years". The Times of India. 22 November 2021. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  8. ↑ "Festivals and Events in November 2017 to Look Forward To | India.com". www.india.com. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  9. ↑ "Bundi Utsav 2019 : दमक उठा शहर का वैभव, पावणों की बहार, देखें वीडियो". Patrika News (in Hindi). 16 November 2019. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  10. ↑ "Hindi News, Hindi Samachar, हिंदी न्यूज़, News in Hindi, हिंदी समाचार". Navbharat Times (in Hindi). Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  11. ↑ "Bundi Utsav 2022: Let's Explore Hadoti And Its Food Heritage". Slurrp. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  12. ↑ "Rajasthan: Culture, cuisine and craft on Day 2 of Bundi Utsav". The Times of India. 17 November 2019. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 10 March 2024.
  13. ↑ "Bundi Utsav begins with traditional fervour". Hindustan Times. 6 November 2017. Retrieved 10 March 2024.