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A lively and colourful event, the Camel Festival is organised
by the Department of Tourism, Art & Culture, Rajasthan
in Bikaner every year. January is just the right month
for a desert spree, and Bikaner just the right place to
see the Ships of the Desert. In the camel country Bikaner,
these desert leviathans pull heavy cart loads, transport
grain and even work at the wells.
The Camel Festival begins with a colourful procession
of bedecked camels against the red sandstone backdrop
of the Junagarh Fort, the festivity advances to the open
sand-spreads of the grounds, followed by the best breed
competition, the tug-of-war contest, camel dance and acrobatics,
etc.
The camels display amazing footwork, dancing gracefully
to the slightest direction of their trainers. Bridal,
bridles, bejewelled necks, jingling anklets and long,
lanky camel shadows on dusky sands cast a magical spell.
Hundreds of tourists and thousands of locals and dignitaries
revel in this man-and-animal affair organised especially
for the tourists.
The evenings close with a different tenor and tempo altogether:
a traditional rendezvous of renowned artistes of Rajasthan
and the local folk performers.
The jubilant skirt-swirling dancers, the awe inspiring
fire dance, and the dazzling fireworks light up the fortified
desert city of Bikaner.
Bikaner is connected by rail and road with all the major
cities. The nearest airport is at Jodhpur (243 kms.).
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