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Festival

Jaisalmer Desert Festival (Maru Mahotsav)

Organizer: Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan

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Festival Government source Recurring · Annual festival — held every year Seasonally closed · reopens ~January

Jaisalmer Desert Festival (Maru Mahotsav)

Jaisalmer Desert Festival (Maru Mahotsav) is an adventure event organised by Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan in Rajasthan. Three-day government desert cultural festival on the Thar dunes featuring camel races, camel polo, folk performances, and jeep/camel safaris through the Sam sand dunes.

#desert#dunes#camel#festival#folk-dance#handicrafts#family-friendly
View source
When
Held annually around late January / February (the three-day festival is tied to the full moon of Magha, so exact dates shift each year). Confirm the current edition's dates on the official Government of India Utsav portal / Rajasthan Tourism before travel.
Best time
Annually over ~3 days in winter (typically late January-February)
Where
Shaheed Poonam Singh Stadium & Sam Sand Dunes, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan
State
Rajasthan
Organiser
Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan
Charges
Entry: Free (stated 'Free' on the Govt of India Utsav portal). Optional desert activities (camel/jeep safaris) are separately paid and their prices are unverified officially.
Listing status
Government source

This event was added from publicly available information and hasn't been verified by its organiser yet.

About this event

Three-day government desert cultural festival on the Thar dunes featuring camel races, camel polo, folk performances, and jeep/camel safaris through the Sam sand dunes.

Highlights

  • Rajasthani folk music, Kalbeliya dance, puppet shows and fire dances in the Thar Desert
  • Camel races, camel polo and 'best decorated camel' competition
  • Quirky contests: longest moustache, turban tying, tug of war
  • Camel rides over the Sam Sand Dunes, with a moonlight-night grand finale
  • Handicraft and local-food stalls; golden-city Jaisalmer as backdrop

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Charges & inclusions

Charges: Entry: Free (stated 'Free' on the Govt of India Utsav portal). Optional desert activities (camel/jeep safaris) are separately paid and their prices are unverified officially.

Inclusions: Officially listed activities: puppeteers, acrobats, camel tattoo shows, camel races, camel polo, traditional processions, camel-mounted bands, folk dances, traditional food (per utsav.gov.in). Safari prices are NOT officially published.

Information only — not verified by us. We compiled this from public sources and it may be wrong, incomplete or out of date. Confirm it directly with the official organiser or authority before you travel, book or pay. We do not book, sell tickets, issue permits or guarantee any detail on this page.

Getting there

Main venue Sam Sand Dunes, ~40-45 km from Jaisalmer city; nearest railhead and airport Jaisalmer

Source & status

Listing status
Government source
Information source
Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan
Last checked
2026-08-20

We describe where the information came from — we credit the source, we don't certify the event. Always confirm current dates, prices and bookings on the official government source before you travel or pay.

Ministry of Tourism, Government of India (utsav.gov.in) - lists organiser 'Department Of Tourism & District Administration', entry 'Free', and the activity listhttps://utsav.gov.in/view-event/desert-festival-1

Frequently asked questions

Three-day government desert cultural festival on the Thar dunes featuring camel races, camel polo, folk performances, and jeep/camel safaris through the Sam sand dunes.

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