Rajasthan Elephants Festival

                                                Rajasthan Elephants Festival

The elephant has references in Indian mythology. As goods or Devas and the demons or Asuras churned the oceans during "sagar manthan" for the elixir of life that would make them immortal, there surfaced the "navratnas" - nine jewels. One of these jewels was the elephant.

Elephants have always occupied a pride of place among the erstwhile Rajput rulers. The Rajput rulers' use of elephants in war is legendary. War aside elephants have been an integral part of Rajasthan's royal courts and were used in royal parades. As a rule of thumb, a Rajput king would always ride on elephant.

 Jaipur, the capital of Rajasthan was a much preferred place for elephant parades in honor of the royal guests. This grand spectacle of elephant parade was given a fresh lease of life courtesy Rajasthan Tourism and every year in the month of March a grand spectacle of impeccably bedecked and ornamented elephants are paraded in full public glare at Jaipur's Chaugan Stadium. The spectacular parade is followed by a bewildering array of special events like playing holi with elephants, elephant race and the amazing game of elephant polo. It is indeed party time for the elephants.
 The most amazing feature of this colorful festival is that the majority of the elephants that take part in the festivities are female of the species. Each elephant is garishly decorated from tusk to tail with charming jewelry. Their foreheads are embossed with floral decoration.

During Holi, the Chaugan is brought alive with elephants, dancers, musicians, and onlookers from the entire globe. The festival starts with an impressive procession of the majestic animals lovingly painted and tastefully attired with glittering ornaments and embroidered velvets.
Royal Elephant CartThe echoing sound of the trumpet fills the atmosphere. A ceremonial procession is recreated with caparisoned elephants, lancers on horses, chariots, camels, cannons, and palanquins. The large beast is the center of attraction in the many races and beauty pageants.
 The elephant-keepers take great care to decorate the elephants by painting their trunks, foreheads, and feet with floral motifs and adorning them from tusk to tail with interesting trinkets. The game of polo forms the highlight of the festival. Dressed in saffron and red turbans, the teams try to score goals with long sticks and a plastic football.

 Finally, the tourists are invited to mount the elephants and play Holi. Participants dance with great vigor-the excitement rising to a crescendo.
 Jaipur was a favourite spot with the important personalities of the British Raj and the Maharajas always arranged for their guests of honour elephant rides up to the Amber palace. Even today, the mahouts take tourists up to the Amber Palace on elephant back like shuttle taxis.
 There were deadly and furious elephant-fights in the Chaugan of polo-field, the venue of the Elephant Festival. Rajasthan Tourism recreated the tradition by including the Elephant Festival in the cultural calendar. During Holi, the festival of Colors, to acclaim the coming of Spring, the Jaipur Chaugan is brought alive with elephants, dancers, musicians and onlookers from all the globe.
Elephants have always held an important place in the Indian society, Lord Ganesha , the Hindu deity with the head of an elephant is greatly revered and is the lord master of all ceremonies and happy beginnings. Elephants are part of many major religious ceremonies, processions and even marriage ceremonies, all primarily ceremonial roles as the era of the war elephant is now long over.
As the name suggests elephants are the centre of attraction at the Elephant Festival Jaipur. Pachyderms are washed, painted and groomed in all finery by their loving grooms or Mahouts as they are called in India. Elephants are specially decorated for the elephant festival, with chunky elephant jewellery, large anklets decked with bells grace their feet, their bodies are painted with traditional Indian motifs, gold embroidered velvet rugs grace their backs along with silver and gold plated Howdahs and gold embroidered velvet parasol’s . The large ears of the elephants are adorned with ear danglers and brightly coloured brocade scarfs. Even their tusks are ringed with gold and silver bracelets and rings. Richly embellished head-plates adorn the Elephants foreheads. The mahouts are also all dressed up in their brocade jackets and bright coloured Safa’s or turbans. At the Jaipur Elephant festival there is a prize for the best decorated Elephant and its Mahout.
In fact, Gold & Silver rings and bracelets have even found their way onto their tusks and glitzy head plates crafted in authentic Rajasthani style flow from their foreheads. Their grooms are also handsomely dressed with jackets & colored turbans matching the  the elephants. And hey, there’s a prize for the best decorated elephant and groom as well, no wonder they’re all decked up!
The elephant festival kicks off in glamorous style with the beating of the Nagara & blowing of the Bankiya as well decked up elephants, camels and horse drawn carriages join the procession. This event not only celebrates the majesty of the elephants, but also highlights
races, elephant-polo matches and a most interesting tug of war between elephants and men, are all part of this spectacular event.

History:-

The Jataka stories of Buddhism refer to the tradition of Hastimangala (the Elephant Festival). A royal mount from time immemorial, the elephant has also been a symbol of strength and wealth. For the Rajput kings, the elephants were of especial significance not only during war but also during the royal festivities-a must at royal pageant. Nishan-ka-hathi, the flag carrier, led the procession. The king always mounted a caparisoned elephant. Special hunting programs and elephant fights were organized to entertain the royal guests. Jaipur was a favorite with the important personalities of the British Raj and the Maharajas always arranged for their guests of honor elephant rides up to the Amber palace. Even today, the mahouts take tourists up to the Amber Palace on elephant back.
Rajasthan Tourism revived the tradition by including the Elephant Festival in the cultural calendar. The present-day pageant, originated only a decade ago, was devised especially with the tourist in mind. The inclusion of the game of polo is more recent, being inspired by a cartoon in Punch magazine that showed the Indian polo team atop an elephant after it won all the international tournaments. Every year on the day after Holi, the old stadium at Jaipur, the Chaugan (originally planned for elephants), forms the venue for a spectacular jamboree

Celebrations:-

The famous Chaugan ground of Jaipur in Rajasthan makes the perfect venue for the occasion. Elephant Festival commences with an impressive procession of the majestic animals lovingly painted and tastefully attired with glittering ornaments and embroidered velvets marching towards the ground. They greet the visitors, offer garlands to the guests and walk past the ramp before a jury of experts and tourists to select the best amongst them for the ‘Best decorated Elephant’ Shield! Different competitions are organized to enjoy the festival to its full and the arena is brought alive with musician and dancer. Witness a game of elephant polo a newly-introduced sport. Though they lack the speed and ability of the polo ponies it is great fun to watch the enormous pachyderms moving around the field after the ball in great speed. To get a feel of their true strength join your hands with the ten add people in the tug-of-war with the largest elephant. Then there is the unique ‘Gaj Shringar’ exhibition displaying everything connected with the elephant-ornaments, textiles (Jhoo) parapernalic howdahs and carriages, paintings medicines and food. Here one can enjoy seeing Elephants at their best. The Elephant keepers (mahouts) decorate their Elephants from head to toe with an exceptional care. The 'Best Decorated Elephant' contest is another feature of this cultural fest.
A ceremonial procession is recreated with caparisoned elephants, lancers on horses, chariots, camels, cannons, and palanquins. Elephant is the centre of attraction in the many races and beauty pageants. Most of the participants are female elephants. The mahouts (elephant keepers) take great care to decorate the elephants painting their trunks, foreheads, and feet with floral motifs and adorning them from tusk to tail with interesting trinkets. Female elephants wear anklets with and make music as they walk.
Finally, the tourists are invited to mount the elephants and play Holi. Participants dance with great vigour and the excitement rising to a crescendo. A program of Dhaph and Gair dance to demonstrate the spirit of Holi and a dazzling display of fireworks complete the day leaving unforgettable memories. Come! Celebrate! You are most cordially welcome to the Elephant Festival of Rajasthan.
Although elephants are the main attraction of the festival, to add charm to the festivities, brightly bejeweled camels and horses with their masters seated on the saddle also take part in this remarkable festival. Traditional Rajasthani folk dancers enthrall the audience by their rhythmic dance
Importance of Festival:-
The festival begins with a fixed procession; while musicians play folk tunes and dancers revolve in a flurry of colours, richly caparisoned elephants march along in a procession This is followed by a 'most excellent ornamented elephant' competition, games of elephant polo, elephant races, a special 'elephant decoration' exhibition and a tug-of-war between humans and an elephant. No prizes for guessing who wins.
 All Elephants, are in graceful attire, full with glitter and gold. All the elephants attract the audience with their grand processions and ornamented trunks and tusks.
 The most visible feature of this festival is Elephant polo where, the players wear saffron and red turbans, sit on the elephants, and try to score goals with long sticks and a plastic football. Only female elephants take part in this festival. The Festival also provides platform for the folk custom of Rajasthan. The festivities finish with performances of folk dances; with a liberal splashing of Holi colours on all and various and a fantastic display of fireworks.
 Come to the festival and watch Jaipur come alive!
 The game of polo forms the emphasize of the Elephant Festival of Jaipur. Dressed in saffron and red turbans, the teams try to score goals with long sticks and a plastic football. Finally, the tourists are invited to mount the elephants and play Holi. Participants dance with great vigor-the excitement rising to a crescendo.
 Strangely, most of the participants are female elephants. The mahouts (elephant keepers) take great care to decorate the elephants - painting their trunks, foreheads and feet with floral motifs and decorating them from tusk to tail with exciting ornaments. The mahouts were employed in the Phil Khana, the department of elephant in the royal management. They played an important role until the princely state was incorporated into the Union and the department became surplus. They, however, have continued their connection with the elephants.
 
How it is celebrate Elephant Festival:-

The exclusive range of upcoming fairs and festivals Rajasthan consists of several cheerful events. Elephant polo, Elephant dance along with the eye-catching procession of aesthetically adorned horses, camels and folk dancers wins the heart of many visitors.
Elephant festival included in the Rajasthan festival list also embrace events like tug of war, worship of Elephant as Lord of Ganesha and much more activities performed by the locals.

What people do on Elephant Festival:-

Elephant festival is marked in the list of festivals of Rajasthan in March which includes many events. The festival has many things to do for tourists where they can treat their eyes with glorious visual sights of bedecked elephants with gulaal sprinkled over their head. Apart from sightseeing tourist can enjoy special tours in Rajasthan and take along with them some of the souvenirs from festival though shopping. Last but not the least, mouth-watering cuisine on the special occasion can also be the main attraction

How to Reach:-    
 
Air:- 
The Jaipur Airport is called Sanganer Airport. There are domestic flight connections to Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Jodhpur and Udaipur. There is a single international flight to Dubai.

Train : -

 Connections are from Delhi, Agra, Mumbai ,Chennai, Bikaner, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Ahmedabad. Well connected from other states like UP, MP.

Road : -

 A convenient mode of travel to Jaipur is by road. Regular bus service of AC and Deluxe Coaches are available

Hornbill Festival - A Biggest Festival In Nagaland

                                                  Hornbill Festival                        
                                                 

The Nagaland Tourism department, along with other allied departments and tribal organisations of the State, is gearing up for the ten-day long Hornbill Festival at the Naga heritage village, Kisama, some 12 kms from here.

Organised by the State Tourism and Art and Culture Departments, Hornbill Festival showcases a melange of cultural displays under one roof with an aim to revive and protect the rich culture of Nagaland and display its extravaganza and traditions.
Besides the cultural display at Kisama, Kohima also enjoys ten days of night carnival at Indira Stadium.
The Hornbill festival is a collaborative celebration and coming together of all Naga tribes because of which it is known as the ‘festival of festivals’
A prominent sight at Kisama are the imposing tribal Morungs (male dormitories) that are resplendent speciments of Vernacular architecture. Every Naga community is represented in their respective Morungs. Some even accomodate the majestic log drums where male members intermittently beat the gigantic hollowed log with wooden beaters in perfect synchronization. Long before the age of modern communications, the Nagas devised indigenous methodologies of relaying messages by beating different tempos and arrangements to send out messages decipherabe only to the village members. As you hear the sound reverberate throughout Kisama it hypnotically draws you in search of the source.

An ethnic wooden craft 'Naga Traditional Welcome Gate' with traditional fineries of the Naga tribes welcomes visitors to the Naga Heritage village. The village has been designed with structures and features to give you an experience of a traditional Naga village. Of the exhibits Naga  morungs or traditional huts of different tribes made with bamboo and cane and decorated with wood carvings and hunting trophies are spectacular. During the festival, Naga tribes perform traditional dances and music, along with indigenous games and sports, including wrestling.

Organised by the State tourism and Arts & Culture departments, the festival aims to revive and protect the rich culture of Nagaland and showcase its ethnic customs and traditions to the world. Besides the traditional extravaganza, events include Hornbill International Rock Contest (HIRC), Hornbill International Musical Festival, North East Cultural Day, Hornbill Charity Concert-cum-Ball, Hornbill Master Chef Competition, Hornbill Snooker Championship, Hornbill National Dance Competition, Miss Nagaland Contest, Hornbill Annual Cycle Rally, Kids Carnival, 'Glocal' (Glocal) Film Fest, Vintage World War II Motor Rally, International Car Rally and many other competitions. Over 25 bands including bands from the US, UK, Norway, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia take part in the Hornbill International Rock Contest (HIRC) held for 4 days at the Naga Solidarity park during the festival. While the Horbill shopping festival promotes the display and sale of indigenous  Naga crafts and products, Food fest give Naga food the desired focus.    
Several dignitaries from North East and other states, diplomats, and journalists from other countries grace the occasion. Thousands of visitors from South Asian countries including Thailand, Myanmar, Japan, South Korea, Singapore and other states in India takes part in the festival. The first day of the Horbill festival 2013 coincides with 50 years of attainment of Nagaland statehood on 1st December 1963.

The state is mostly mountainous except those areas bordering Assam valley. Mount Saramati is the highest peak with a height of 3,840 metres and its range forms a natural barrier between Nagaland and Burma. It lies between the parallels of 98-degree and 96-degree East Longitude and 26.6-degree and 27.4-degree latitude north of the equator. The state is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna; it has been suggested as the "falcon capital of the world.
The Hornbill Festival is the most lavish and exuberant showcasing of the Naga culture and heritage, and one of the most thronged festivals of the country by people from all around the world. The festival is named after the large exotic bird because it forms the center of many a local folklore. The Festival, organised by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments, is an extravagant affair, complete with parades, fashion shows, beauty contests, sports, games, stalls of various regional cuisines and artefacts.

Expect the most ethnic representation of all the Naga tribes, including their traditional war costumes and war cries, the different simplistic architectural styles in the smaller huts erected in the area. If you thought that the festival for all display and no interaction, you’re wrong there. There is a slew of amazing competitions to participate in, like the King Chilly Eating Competition, the Hornbill Rock Festival, the Kohima Night Bazaar, and even more, which you shouldn’t miss at any cost if Nagaland is on your list of destinations to visit in December.

Legends:-

Festivals in India were always associated with agriculture. Nagaland and its tribes celebrated the same. The Nagaland State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments brought together all tribes ad celebrations to create a spectacular extravaganza of art, culture, music, dance and festivities.
Started in 2000, the festival displayed the glorious heritage of Nagaland. 2007 witnessed the origin of the Rock Music Festival giving it an international platform. Today the festival has made an international name. Not only Nagaland, the glories of all North Eastern states of India can be witnessed under one roof. The festivities are numerous. From arts, rituals, food, activities, music, dancing and shopping, relish the wealth of traditions so proudly preserved

Celebrations:-

Hornbill festival, also known locally as the “Festival of Festivals, is organized by State Tourism and Arts and Culture Department, Government of Nagaland to encourage inter-tribal harmony and promote colorful local culture and traditions, display its unique customs, rituals and practices as well as preserve its heritage. Tourists are warmly welcomed and are treated well. The celebrations are attended by all the major tribes of Nagaland who present themselves with various arts, folk songs, dances and games. There are numerous displays of handicrafts, handloom, multi-cuisine, local food stalls while a rich amount of rice beer always at hand to indulge in. Evenings are lighted by the thrilling Hornbill National Rock Concert in which bands from all over the country and abroad participate to compete. This is followed by the amazing Night Market in the town. But the most attractive event at the festival is Naga chilly eating competition and pork eating festival which draws a lot of crowd and evokes much fanfare and excitement.

Main events/highlights of the Hornbill Festival:-

1. Cultural events spread throughout the festival highlighting traditional dances, music, indigenous games
2. King Chilly Eating Contest
3. Port Fat Eating Contest
4. The Hornbill Rock Festival
5. North East Cultural Ensemble
6. Hornbill Adventure Rally
7. The Kohima Night Bazaar
8. World War Peace Rally

•Hornbill Festival is celebrated in Nagaland every year in the first week of December. It is one of the biggest indigenous festivals of the country.
•The festival is a tribute to Hornbill, the most admired and revered bird for the Nagas for its qualities of alertness and grandeur.
•The majestic bird is closely identified with the social and cultural life of the Nagas as reflected in tribal folklore, dances and songs.
•It is organized by the State Tourism and Art & Culture Departments. It is also supported by the Union Government.
•The Hornbill Festival provides a colourful mixture of dances, performances, crafts, parades, games, sports, food fairs and religious ceremonies.
•It exposes both the culture and tradition of tribal peoples, and reinforces Nagaland’s identity as a unique state in India’s federal union.
•It was established on 1st December 1963 and was inaugurated by the then President Dr. S Radhakrishnan.
•Over the years festival has become a unique platform for tourists to witness cultural diversity not only of the Nagas and other seven sister states of the northeastern region.
Entry Formalities - Permits: Before embarking on a journey to Nagaland, acquiring the entry permit is a must.

Domestic tourists :-

Domestic tourists should obtain the Inner Line permit issued by the following authorities  Deputy Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House, New Delhi, Deputy Resident Commissioner, Nagaland House, Kolkota, Assistant Resident Commissioner In Guwahati and Shillong, Deputy Commissioner of Dimapur, Kohima and Mokokchung .

Foreign tourists:-

Foreign tourists no longer require a Restricted Area Permit (RAP) / Protected Area Permit (PAP) to enter Nagaland. Previously, tourists were required to travel in a minimum group of four people. They were allowed to visit all 11 district headquarters and specified places with this permit, valid for 10 days, with an option to extend for up to a month. The new rules only require foreigners to register themselves at the local Foreigners Registration Officer (FRO) of the district they visit within 24 hours of their arrival. This is a temporary change in effect for one year.

How To Reach:-

1.The Hornbill Festival venue - Naga Heritage Complex is at Kisama village situated 12 kms away from Kohima on NH-39. The venue for the Rock concert is IG Stadium Kohima, 20 kms from Kisama. Nagaland is well connected by Road, Air and Train.

By Air:-

1.Nearest Airport and Railway station is at Dimapur which is at a distance of 70 Kms from the state capital Kohima (however, Guwahati Airport is connected to all the major cities of India) and around 2 hour’s journey (often it takes more time for traffic).

By Train:-

1.Regular shared vehicles are available from Dimapur Railway Station. Guwahati to Dimapur is connected by various trains and Shatabdi-12067 is the best option.

By Road:-

1.By road it is 340 Km and around 8 hour’s journey from Guwahati. Daily overnight buses from Guwahati ISBT are available. Private vehicles on hire are available from Guwahati and Jorhat.