A camel festival is celebrated across Rajasthan and I attended the one which happened in Bikaner. It was SUPER crowded. I would call it as a different experience. Nothing more.
The festival had a lot of different types of programs planned with singing performances, dance performances, DJ and many more. It was located in a huge sand dune near Bikaner.
There was an activity called Dhora Daud. Climbing up a sand dune is not easy. As you keep one step, your feet will slip and go back two steps. It’s very strenuous. Dhora Daud is race to climb the dune. I envy and respect the stamina and speed with which some of the guys ran up the mountain of sand.
There was a showcase by the BSF with their camels. They were all dressed up well and rode the camels in a line. It was a good fancy dress show to watch.
There were some long bearded men who were taking pictures. The guy in white is growing and grooming his beard for the past six years. It it’s rolled and swirled up his ears. I know how difficult it is to grow a beard. And so respect for him.
There was some sand art also done. I must say it was done very well. However I was not able to take a good picture if it. A selfie stick might have helped. I also learnt that this smooth looking sand is so desperate for water that it just sticks to itself when water touches it.
We also saw a bunch of men playing and singing. The instrument they are playing is called Chang. The song had repeated tune and slow rhythm. The rhythm was playing in my head for long. It was a nice to hear. A girl was slow dancing for it and It perfectly suited it.
If someone wants to have a desert dune experience and does not want to go to the super commercialised Jaisalmer they can visit this place in Bikaner. It has the same tents, paragliding, dune bashing and other things done in Jaisalmer and I suspect it will be a cheaper and less crowded. Just don’t visit it during the camel festival. 😃
Endless thoughts 