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Jaisalmer Desert Festival: three days that end on the dunes
Desert songs by the golden fort, then fire dancing on the dunes at full moon
The Jaisalmer Desert Festival, Maru Mahotsav, is a three-day celebration of the folk culture of the Thar, run by Rajasthan Tourism. It ends on Magha Purnima, the full moon of the month of Magha, with an evening of music and dance on the Sam sand dunes. Next: 18–20 February 2027. Entry is free.
Rajasthan Tourism publishes the dates years ahead (its current list runs to 2030) and can revise them; the Jaisalmer district announces the programme a few weeks before.
The legend
The Desert Festival, Maru Mahotsav, was opened on 7 February 1979 by Rajasthan's Chief Minister Bhairon Singh Shekhawat.
Run by the tourism department, it gathers Rajasthani folk culture in Jaisalmer for three days, with musicians trying to outdo one another.
Customs
Shobha Yatra
A procession opens the festival, with troupes moving through town dancing kalbelia, gair and kachhi ghodi.
Moustache contest
Favourite contests include the moustache competition, safa turban tying and a race carrying water pots on the head.
Evening on the dunes
The last evening moves to the Sam dunes: under the Magha full moon there is song and dance and ballads of valour and love.
How the three days run
For three days the musician and herder communities of the Thar gather in one town, and Rajasthani folk performers from across the region try to outdo one another. The festival runs from the 13th day of the bright half of Magha to the full moon.
It opens with the Shobha Yatra, a procession through Jaisalmer with camels, musicians and troupes dancing kalbelia, gair and kachhi ghodi, many in traditional dress. The days that follow are given to performances and contests, and in the evenings cultural programmes are staged with the lit-up Jaisalmer Fort as a backdrop. Manganiyar and Langa musicians are among the performers, along with puppet shows and fire dancers.
The last evening moves out of town to the Sam sand dunes. Under the Magha full moon there is song and dance, and ballads of valour and love. This full-moon evening is the peak of the festival.
Contests and events
The programme changes from year to year; Rajasthan Tourism lists events like these.
- Mr Desert and the moustache contest — The best-known contests, alongside the longest-moustache competition. Women's titles include Miss Moomal and Mrs Jaisalmer.
- Safa turban tying — A race to tie the Rajasthani turban fastest and best.
- Camel and horse races — Along with traditional games, and a race carrying water pots on the head.
- Craft bazaar and food festival — An art and craft bazaar and a food festival open as part of the programme.
When it is held
The festival follows the lunar calendar: three days ending on the full moon of Magha, so it usually falls between late January and late February. Rajasthan Tourism publishes the dates years ahead and can revise them, and the Jaisalmer district announces the detailed programme a few weeks before. Next: 18–20 February 2027.
The festival is a good reason to be in Jaisalmer if your trip already takes you there, and it pairs with the fort and the havelis of the old town, such as Patwon ki Haveli. Other winter festivals in Rajasthan include the Nagaur Fair and the Baneshwar Fair.
Where the festival comes from
The Desert Festival is not an old religious feast but a state festival created to showcase the culture of the desert. It was opened on 7 February 1979 by Bhairon Singh Shekhawat, then Chief Minister of Rajasthan, and is organised by the state tourism department. Its aim is to gather in one place the folk traditions of the region, which are otherwise spread across scattered desert villages.
Practical notes
The Ministry of Tourism's event listing gives entry as free. The nearest airport and railway station are both in Jaisalmer. For the latest programme and venues, the official contact is the Tourist Reception Centre in Jaisalmer, run by Rajasthan Tourism.
The final evening on the Sam dunes is outside the town, so arrange transport there and back in advance. For general safety advice, see is India safe.
FAQ
When is the Jaisalmer Desert Festival?
Next: 18–20 February 2027. It usually runs for three days ending on Magha Purnima, usually between late January and late February.
Is there an entry fee for the Desert Festival?
No. The Ministry of Tourism's listing gives ticket information as free.
Where is the Desert Festival held?
In Jaisalmer town for the first days, with evening programmes against Jaisalmer Fort, and on the Sam sand dunes outside the town for the final full-moon evening.
Who organises the Jaisalmer Desert Festival?
Rajasthan Tourism, the state tourism department. It was first opened in 1979.
What is the name of the desert at Jaisalmer?
The Thar, the Great Indian Desert. The festival gathers its musician and herder communities.
Facts checked: 21 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.