Average life span of a camel is about 50 years. Wide toes of a camel ensure it a requisite grip over sand sediments to run fast in desert. Camel stores fat and water within and survive for a quite long duration during travel in desert. Its utility in human settlements in desert region has kept it domesticated since centuries. Camels in Rajasthan are still in use as a means of travelling and transportation. In addition to domestic, travel & transportation purposes, the ship of desert, camels, have also been used successfully in war activities. Maharaja Gagan Singh had founded Bikaner Camel Corps in 1890s and camels from this foundation were taken for the world wars. Presently, this unit now is under BSF India. Importance of camel can easily be understood by the fact that National Research Centre on Camel (NRCC) was formed in 1984 in Bikaner. The objective of NRCC is to do research on genetics (camel breeding) and utilization of milk. The camel breeding farm is a large complex of camel stables, enclosures, and buildings. A camel museum is also in Bikaner which preserves the development and research related aspects of camels.
The camel festival in Bikaner is also popular outside India too and happens to be one of the major tourist attractions in Bikaner during Rajasthan tour. The festival is organized by Department of Rajasthan Tourism. The festival is celebrated every year in the month of January but the dates vary as per lunar calendar. The festival is a way to paying gratitude towards the animal which has made desert life somehow easy in terms of travelling and transportation for many ages. The festival starts with camel safari in which tourists can take part. Several kinds of cultural activities and competitions take place. The performances of folklores and folk dances, on the one hand, enhance the charm of the event but, on the other hand, help preserve & foster the cultural heritage of the region. Major attractions of Bikaner Camel Festival are as follows:
Camel Decoration Competition: Camels are decorated using traditional Rajasthani craft materials, and there becomes a pageant like competition in which the most beautifully decorated camel is considered as a winner. This camel beauty pageant is certainly a treat to the eyes.
Camel Fur-cutting Competition: In this competition, the furs of camels are cut in artistic style creating some structure and designs. On the basis of this art the camel is announced as a winner.
Games of Camels: Many camels are trained in various kinds of interesting activities like race, dance etc. Competitions of these activities are organized. Trained camels perform the designated activities. Camel dance and camel race are major among all such games.
Folk Music and Dance: Rajasthan is a land of various types of folk music and dance. In day time camel related activities are main highlights whereas folk music and folklores are performed. The cultural fiesta takes place around Junagarh Fort.
Rajasthani Fire Dance: After dance and music show, local folk groups perform dance around fire, which gives a different feel.
Some other attractions of the festival are Miss Marvan competition, Mr Bikana competition, tug of war game, village wrestling, Kabaddi and many more such games and competition. Overall, during two-day camel festival, 10 competitions, 2 band performances and 2 cultural events take place.
You can try camel milk tea. There are other dishes made of camel milk are on display & sale. Famous cuisines of Bikaner are Bikaneri Bhujiya, Bajre ki Roti, Dal Bati Churma and Ghevar.
Other attractions in Bikaner are its fort, temples and local market where you can buy many things related to Rajasthani art and craft. Karni Singh Stadium is the venue of the celebration of camel festival. There is no provision of ticket for entry; the festival is open for all. The nearest airport to Bikaner lies in Jodhpur which is at a distance of 250 kilometers. One can also reach by bus, train or cabs. While enjoying Bikaner Desert Festival, don’t miss to explore historical monuments, taste sweets and hop on a camel safari in desert.
Dates & Schedule of Bikaner Camel Festival
| Year |
Start Date |
End Date |
| 2019 |
January 12 |
January 13 |
| 2020 |
January 11 |
January 12 |