# Bundi Utsav

Bundi Utsav, or Bundi Festival, is an annual cultural and tourism festival celebrated in the city of Bundi, located in the Hadoti region of Rajasthan, India. This vibrant festival showcases the rich cultural heritage, traditional art forms, and historical significance of Bundi. It typically takes place in the month of November and spans over three days, attracting both domestic and international tourists.

## History

This festival was started in the year 1995 with public participation. Its outline was prepared in the year 1995 and the first Bundi Utsav was organized in the year 1996. The then-Bundi District Collector Madhukar Gupta had taken the initiative to connect the common people with this festival. Over the years, the festival has gained popularity, becoming one of the most eagerly anticipated events in Rajasthan's cultural calendar.

## Celebrations

The Bundi Utsav offers a colorful and diverse array of cultural events and activities, providing visitors with a glimpse into the region's rich cultural tapestry. Some of the highlights of the festival include

### Cultural processions

Colorful processions wind their way through the streets of Bundi, featuring elaborately decorated camels, horses, and elephants adorned with traditional attire and accessories. These processions showcase the regal heritage of Rajasthan and add to the festive atmosphere. It starts with the worship of Lord Ganesha at the Taragarh Fort in Bundi city.

### Crafts Bazaar

A bustling marketplace is set up during the festival, offering a wide range of handcrafted items, textiles, jewelry, and pottery at the playground of Government Senior Secondary School, Bundi. Visitors have the opportunity to purchase authentic Rajasthani handicrafts and interact with skilled artisans.

### Cultural performances

The festival features captivating performances of traditional Rajasthani folk music, dance, and theater at Chaurasi Khambon ki Chhatri in the city of Bundi. Artists from across the region come together to showcase their talent, enchanting the audience with their vibrant performances.

### Rajasthani cuisine

The festival is a culinary delight, offering visitors a chance to savor the flavors of Rajasthani cuisine. Traditional dishes such as Katt Bafla, gatte ki sabzi, Danamethi ki Sabzi, and Kadke are served to foreign visitors at the festival venue.

### Tourist activities

In addition to the cultural festivities, the Bundi Utsav also includes various tourist activities such as heritage walks, guided tours of historical monuments, and fun activities such as tug-of-war, mustache competition, turban tying competition, pot race, horse race, camel race.

### Deepdaan

Deepdan, an event during which earthen lamps are lit and set afloat on the waters of Nawal Sagar Lake in the city of Bundi, in which thousands of citizens participate and enjoy.

### Painting workshop

A drawing and painting workshop also held at Sukh Mahal located on the banks of Jait Sagar Lake in the city of Bundi.

### Village safari

On the last day of the grand and colorful Bundi Utsav, visitors from foreign countries enjoyed the village safari and learned about the rich culture of rural India. The foreign tourists visited Theekarda village and got acquainted with the rural lifestyle, costumes, and culture.

## Significance

The Bundi Utsav plays a crucial role in promoting tourism and fostering cultural exchange in the region. It provides a platform for local artists and craftsmen to showcase their skills, thereby preserving and promoting traditional art forms. Furthermore, the festival attracts tourists from around the world, contributing to the economic development of Bundi and the surrounding areas.