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Matsya Festival: Alwar's own festival among palaces and lakes
Folk troupes in procession below a hilltop fort in an old princely capital
The Matsya Festival (Matsya Utsav) is Alwar's own festival, run by Rajasthan Tourism in late November around the city's foundation day. Over two to four days it puts folk dancers, musicians and craftspeople on stages across the old princely capital and around it: at Mahal Chowk in the city, at Siliserh lake and at Bhangarh. Next dates: 25–26 November 2026.
The Alwar district administration and Rajasthan Tourism confirm the programme in mid-November.
The legend
The festival is named after Matsya, an ancient kingdom and one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas. In Sanskrit, matsya means “fish”.
In 1948 Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur and Karauli briefly joined as the Matsya Union, and in 1949 they merged into Rajasthan.
Today, in the last week of November, Alwar becomes a stage for two days for the region's folk artists, musicians and craftspeople.
Customs
Folk dances
Ghoomar, Kalbelia and Bhavai are danced, alongside traditional music.
Local crafts
The craft exhibition shows textiles, handmade souvenirs and decorative pieces made here for generations.
Why it is called Matsya
The name goes back to Matsya, an ancient kingdom of the region and one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas, the great states of early India. In Sanskrit matsya means "fish". The name came back in modern history too: in 1948 Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur and Karauli briefly joined as the Matsya Union, and in 1949 they merged into Rajasthan.
Alwar itself became a princely state in 1770 under Pratap Singh Naruka, a Kachwaha Rajput, and the festival is held to mark the city's foundation. Rajasthan Tourism describes it as a celebration of the region's traditions and customs, and its setting is the point: the palaces, forts, lakes, hunting lodges and forests of a district that most travellers pass through on the way to Sariska without stopping.
What the programme looks like
The programme changes every year and is confirmed by the Alwar district administration and Rajasthan Tourism in mid-November. Recent editions, as published on the Ministry of Tourism's Utsav portal, were built from pieces like these.
Folk dance and music nights
Ghoomar, Kalbelia and Bhavai are danced alongside traditional music. The evening cultural nights have been held at Mahal Chowk in the city.
Procession and lamps
A traditional procession (shobha yatra) through the city, and in some years lamps lit around the Sagar tank in the evening.
Siliserh lake and Bhangarh
An afternoon cultural programme at Siliserh, the 19th-century lake southwest of the city, and street performers welcoming visitors at Bhangarh.
Temple aarti
A special evening aarti (lamp ritual) at the Jagannath temple in Alwar.
Crafts and competitions
A craft exhibition of textiles and handmade pieces, mehndi, rangoli and painting (or mandana) competitions, a photography exhibition and a winter flower show.
Morning yoga and cycling
Yoga sessions and an eco-tourism cycle ride starting from Purjan Vihar, the old Company Garden.
Getting there and planning
- Where Alwar is — About 150 km south of Delhi and about 150 km north of Jaipur, according to Wikipedia. The nearest airport the Ministry of Tourism gives is Delhi, about 160 km away; Alwar Junction railway station is in the city.
- Check the days — Rajasthan Tourism's calendar gives two days around 25 November, but recent editions have run three or four days and started earlier. Wait for the programme in mid-November before fixing train tickets.
- Ask at the Tourist Reception Centre — The festival is organised through Rajasthan Tourism's Tourist Reception Centre in Alwar, which has the current programme and venues.
- Combine with — Sariska Tiger Reserve and Bhangarh are in the same district. In some years the Pushkar Fair falls in the same month.
FAQ
When is the Matsya Festival?
Next dates: 25–26 November 2026. It is held in late November around 25 November; the exact days and length are confirmed in mid-November.
Where is the Matsya Festival held?
In Alwar, Rajasthan, at several venues: Mahal Chowk, Siliserh lake, Purjan Vihar and the city streets for the procession.
What was the Matsya kingdom?
An ancient kingdom of this region, one of the sixteen Mahajanapadas of early India. In 1948 Alwar, Bharatpur, Dholpur and Karauli briefly revived the name as the Matsya Union.
Is the Matsya Festival free?
The Ministry of Tourism's Utsav portal lists recent editions as free. It is a public festival run by Rajasthan Tourism, and the processions and street events are open to all.
Sources (4)
Facts checked: 22 October 2026. Prices and hours are approximate; check locally.