The Desert Festival in Jaisalmer starts in the month of January every year. This two month long festival is one of the best events in the tourism calendar of the country. If you want to witness the rich and colourful culture of the desert region of Rajasthan then Jaisalmer will not disappoint you. The picturesque backdrop of Jaisalmer Fort, sand dunes and miles of barren land serve a perfect backdrop for the Desert Festival at Jaisalmer. The breath taking desert charm compliments the music and rhythm in the air.

Activities
The major attractions of the festivals are Gair and Fire dancers. Riots of colour, dance, music, drama and magic -every pleasing experience to your cultural buds are a day to day affair here in Jaisalmer. The performers wear vibrant and brightly coloured costumes as they dance, sing and perform. The regional tunes of their songs are mainly based on the ballads of tragedy, valor, and romance of the local heroes.

Along with these folk performers, the snake charmers, puppeteers and acrobats attract huge crowd during the Desert Festival. Camel safari and race are two most exciting sides of this festival. It also features Camel polo and camel dance. Funny competitions like the turban tying and display of the most glorious moustaches are also quite popular among the visitors as well as the locales. There is also a Mr. Desert contest held to symbolize the much talked about Rajput glory. The rhythm of the Dotara (traditional form of a guitar) along with the high pitched voice of the local singers represents an ambrosial ambience. A camel ride in the sand will definitely leave you wanting for more. You can further extent your tryst with the desert by camping near the great sand dunes at the mouth of the Thar Desert. Mud houses and straw roofs near Khuri, another tourist hub provides a perfect rural setting for the city birds.

A sense of celebration, envelopes the whole city during these festive months. The charming movements of the traditional performers are like icing on the top.  Apart from the food, dance and music, this festival is an ultimate destination for the shopaholics. Traditional costumes, accessories and handicraft items are very famous and affordable. Traditional Rajasthani chappals are another hot buy in Jaisalmer. Traditional rugs, hand woven blankets and shawls in typical Rajasthani colour and weave are also available in different shops in the city. But while feeding your other senses don't forget to devour special Rajasthani food. The murgh-e-subz, a succulent dish of chicken stir-fried with shredded vegetables, is one not to miss. You can try the ker sangri (desert beans and capers), a unique preparation. Go for a Puppetry show. Puppetry is a traditional art form and source of entertainment in Rajasthan. Tales from the epics, folk tales and social commentary are conveyed through the medium of colourful puppets. String puppets are most popular here. You get to buy them as souvenirs.

The festive mood, however, doesn't keep you warm, especially at night in Jaisalmer. Day time in winter is usually pleasant with mercury suspended around 25°C. Nights are really icy and the average night temperature dips down to 7°C. So don't forget to wrap up before you plunge into the celebration. So pedal up. Free thy soul and eat, drink and live the great Indian caravan life at the heart of the desert.