Bikaner Camel Festival
Past
The Bikaner Camel Festival is an annual cultural extravaganza dedicated to the "Ship of the Desert." Organized by the Rajasthan Tourism Department, this world-famous event celebrates the deep bond between the desert communities and their camels. Against the backdrop of the red-sandstone Junagarh Fort, the city comes alive with vibrant processions, desert sports, and traditional folk music.
📅 Official Festival Schedule (2026)
The 2026 festival is a 3-day event held from January 9th to January 11th.
Day 1: Friday, Jan 9 – Heritage & Food
- Heritage Walk (8:00 AM): The festival kicks off with the "Hamari Virasat" walk from Laxminath Temple to the famous Rampuria Haveli.
- Bikaneri Food Festival: A celebration of local flavors like Bikaneri Bhujia and authentic Rajasthani Thalis.
- Contests: Selection of "Mr. Bikana" and "Miss Marwan" at the Dr. Karni Singh Stadium.
Day 2: Saturday, Jan 10 – Camel Art & Performance
- NRCC Events: The action moves to the National Research Centre on Camel. Highlights include:
- Camel Fur Cutting: Intricate patterns carved into camel coats.
- Camel Dance: Camels performing to the rhythmic beats of the dhol.
- Folk Night: A grand evening of Rajasthani music and dance at the stadium.
Day 3: Sunday, Jan 11 – Desert Adventure & Fire Dance
- Raisar Sand Dunes: The finale moves to the desert dunes for:
- Rural Sports: Tug-of-war, wrestling, and camel races.
- The Fire Dance: The legendary Jasnath sampradaya performing their breathtaking dance on live coals as the sun sets.
Highlights of the Festival
- The Grand Procession: A parade of decorated camels adorned with colorful bridles, jewelry, and bells.
- Camel Artistry: Bikaner is the only place where you can see the unique art of camel fur design and decoration in such detail.
- Desert Delicacies: Don't miss the Camel Milk Tea and camel milk kulfi, unique local treats found at the NRCC stalls.
Practical Travel Tips
- 🚉 Getting There: Bikaner Junction is well-connected to Delhi, Jaipur, and Jodhpur. The local Nal Airport serves domestic flights.
- 🧣 Weather: January in the Thar Desert is cold. While days are pleasant (22°C), night temperatures can drop to 4-6°C. Heavy woolens are essential
The Bikaner Camel Festival is an annual cultural extravaganza dedicated to the "Ship of the Desert." Organized by the Rajasthan Tourism Department, this world-famous event celebrates the deep bond between the desert communities and their camels. Against the backdrop of the red-sandstone Junagarh Fort, the city comes alive with vibrant processions, desert sports, and traditional folk music.
📅 Official Festival Schedule (2026)
The 2026 festival is a 3-day event held from January 9th to January 11th.
Day 1: Friday, Jan 9 – Heritage & Food
- Heritage Walk (8:00 AM): The festival kicks off with the "Hamari Virasat" walk from Laxminath Temple to the famous Rampuria Haveli.
- Bikaneri Food Festival: A celebration of local flavors like Bikaneri Bhujia and authentic Rajasthani Thalis.
- Contests: Selection of "Mr. Bikana" and "Miss Marwan" at the Dr. Karni Singh Stadium.
Day 2: Saturday, Jan 10 – Camel Art & Performance
- NRCC Events: The action moves to the National Research Centre on Camel. Highlights include:
- Camel Fur Cutting: Intricate patterns carved into camel coats.
- Camel Dance: Camels performing to the rhythmic beats of the dhol.
- Folk Night: A grand evening of Rajasthani music and dance at the stadium.
Day 3: Sunday, Jan 11 – Desert Adventure & Fire Dance
- Raisar Sand Dunes: The finale moves to the desert dunes for:
- Rural Sports: Tug-of-war, wrestling, and camel races.
- The Fire Dance: The legendary Jasnath sampradaya performing their breathtaking dance on live coals as the sun sets.
Highlights of the Festival
- The Grand Procession: A parade of decorated camels adorned with colorful bridles, jewelry, and bells.
- Camel Artistry: Bikaner is the only place where you can see the unique art of camel fur design and decoration in such detail.
- Desert Delicacies: Don't miss the Camel Milk Tea and camel milk kulfi, unique local treats found at the NRCC stalls.
Practical Travel Tips
- 🚉 Getting There: Bikaner Junction is well-connected to Delhi, Jaipur, and Jodhpur. The local Nal Airport serves domestic flights.
- 🧣 Weather: January in the Thar Desert is cold. While days are pleasant (22°C), night temperatures can drop to 4-6°C. Heavy woolens are essential
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