Jaisalmer does not need a reason to be special. It already has all of that, from the golden fort and the havelis to the endless Thar light. But every February, the city goes up another level. The Maru Mahotsav brings camel races, Kalbeliya dancers, Manganiyar musicians, and thousands of visitors together on the sand dunes for three unforgettable days.
Here is what you need to know if you are planning a trip to Jaisalmer Desert Festival 2027
What is Maru Mahotsav and Why is it Celebrated?
“Maru” means “desert,” and “Mahotsav” means “festival”; together, Maru Mahotsav stands for the festival of the desert.
The Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation launched it in the 1970s to bring the folk traditions of the Thar to a wider audience. The Langas, Manganiyars, Bhopa ballad singers, and local artisans had been keeping this culture alive for centuries in relative obscurity. The festival gave them a proper stage.
The main motive behind this festival celebration is to keep the local Rajasthani culture alive and spread it to the visitors coming from various cities and countries.
NOTE: A lot of people mix up Maru Mahotsav with the Pushkar Camel Fair. Both festivals are celebrated in Rajasthan, and both involve camels, but they are completely different events that occur in different cities, in different months, and for different purposes. Double check your dates before you book flights or hotels.
In Which Month Is the Jaisalmer Festival Celebrated?
Every year in February, timed to the full moon of the Hindu month of Magh.
February is the best time to visit Rajasthan, as during this time the weather during the day remains warm while the nights remain colder.
TIP: Since the festival follows the lunar calendar, the exact dates change slightly every year. Always check the official Rajasthan Tourism website before you lock in flights or hotels.
How Long Does the Desert Festival Last?
The festival goes for 3 days and 3 nights but the real question is what happens in these 3 days in the desert festival. You will get a change to experience the Rajasthani folk music, traditional dance performances, camel races, cultural competitions, local handicrafts, and desert activities.
Distance to Jaisalmer from Major Cities
Jodhpur to Jaisalmer Distance
285 to 300 km | 4.5 to 5.5 hours via NH25
By Car: Hatchback from Rs 2,800. A Toyota Rumion on rent in Jodhpur costs you around Rs 3,500 to Rs 4,200 with seats for 6 to 7 people, perfect for a small group.
By Train: Jaisalmer Express takes around 6 to 7 hours to complete the journey. Good if you are not in a rush and have a limited budget.
By Bus: RSRTC runs this route. It fills up fast in festival season so make sure to book early.
Jaipur to Jaisalmer Distance
570 to 600 km | 8 to 10 hours via Jodhpur or Bikaner
By Car: Solo traveller or couples can go for a sedan, which starts from the range of Rs 5,500. For larger groups, a luxury Urbania van rental in Jaipur can be an ideal choice for 12 to 17 people. It has recliner seats, an LED screen and AC to make your 9-hour drive comfortable.
By Train: Ranikhet Express overnight. Wake up in Jaisalmer and save a hotel night. Book 4 to 6 weeks ahead.
By Bus: Overnight Volvo buses can be an ideal choice for a solo traveller or couple travelling together. It is a budget-friendly option.
Udaipur to Jaisalmer Distance
500 to 520 km | 8 to 9 hours via Pali and Jodhpur
By Car: Solo travellers or couples can book a sedan, starting from Rs 5,000. For groups, a Tempo Traveller or Urbania van rental in Udaipur works better. You can choose an urbania based on your group size, as it comes in various ranges of seating capacities.
By Train: There is no direct train between Udaipur and Jaisalmer. A cab or an overnight bus is the simpler choice for this route.
By Bus: Overnight Volvo buses run this route and are a budget-friendly pick for solo travellers or couples.
What Happens at the Desert Festival?
Camel Race & Camel Decoration Competition
Decorated camels racing across open sand. The decoration contest that comes after it is just as good. Some of these animals look like they are dressed for a wedding.
Folk Music & Dance
The Langas and Manganiyars perform every evening. If you have never heard Manganiyar music live, it will stop you where you stand. The Kalbeliya dance, in which women in spinning black skirts with silver embroidery participate. It is a UNESCO-listed site and the best performance you will see anywhere in India.
Turban Tying Competition (Pagdi Bandhai)
Men from different parts of Rajasthan each tie a turban in their own regional style. The variety of colors, techniques, and draping methods is far more interesting than it sounds. Good photos guaranteed.
Mr. Desert & Miss Moomal
Traditional attire and personality competitions, judged on cultural knowledge and presentation. The finals happen at Sam Dunes on the last evening.
Longest Moustache Competition
In this competition, men with long moustache participate and he who has the longest mustache wins. It is one of the best competitions held at the desert festival.
Tug of War & Matka Phod
In this game, there are two village teams that compete to smash the clay pot hanging above and in another game, two groups pull the rope and whoever pulls it to the red mark wins.
Heritage Walk
An early morning walk through the old city lanes exploring the fort walls, havelis, tiny temples, and narrow sandstone streets. Go before 9 AM while the light is golden and the lanes are still quiet.
Desert Overnight Camp
It is not part of the festival but if you are in Jaisalmer, you must get the experience of the desert safari in Rajasthan; it includes camel safaris, desert night camping in the open sky and traditional folk performances.
Jaisalmer Desert Festival 2026 Dates & Key Timings
The Jaisalmer Desert Festival 2026 is expected on February 10, 11 and 12, 2026, ending with the Sam Dunes finale on the full moon evening of February 12.
| Day | Venue | Key Events |
| 1 | Jaisalmer Fort & City Grounds | Opening ceremony, Kalbeliya dance, folk music |
| 2 | Gadisar Lake & City Grounds | Turban tying, moustache competition, camel decoration |
| 3 | Sam Sand Dunes (42 km from city) | Camel race, Mr. Desert & Miss Moomal, moonlit folk concert |
Timings: Daytime events run 10 AM to 4 PM. Evening shows from 6 PM. The Sam Dunes finale starts around 4 PM and runs past 9 PM.
Entry: Most events are free to attend. Some fort performances have a small fee. Keep Rs 500 in cash, as not every counter takes UPI.
For 2027: The festival is expected around February 28 to March 1–2, 2027, since the Magh full moon falls later that year. Confirm exact dates on the Rajasthan Tourism website as you get closer.
Festival Highlights of Desert Festival (Maru Mahotsav)
Moonrise at Sam Sand Dunes
Full moon over the Thar, musicians playing, thousands sitting on the open sand. If you only catch one evening of the festival, make it this one.
Kalbeliya Dance
Women spinning in perfect sync, skirts flaring wide, live music building underneath. You do not need to understand it to feel it.
Camel Polo
The camels have their own opinions about direction. The riders disagree. The crowd is very entertained.
Bhopa Phad Performance
A scroll storyteller narrating an epic ballad from memory all night. Even twenty minutes tells you everything about why this tradition is still alive.
The Fort at night
The golden sandstone lit up after dark. Go after 7 PM. Make sure your phone is charged.
Jaisalmer Desert Festival Tour Package
4 Days / 3 Nights – Desert Festival Package
Starting from Rs 8,500 per person (double occupancy, group of 4 or more)
What is included:
- Pickup and drop-off from Jodhpur by car, Tempo Traveller or bus rental in Jodhpur
- 3 nights hotel stay in Jaisalmer (budget to mid-range; upgrades available)
- 1-night desert camp at Sam Sand Dunes with dinner and folk music evening
- City sightseeing of the fort, havelis, Gadisar Lake
- Sam Dunes transfer for the festival finale
- Driver, fuel, tolls and all local transfers
What is not included: Train or flight to Jodhpur, daily meals (except camp dinner), monument entry fees, and personal shopping.
4-Days Complete Itinerary for Jaisalmer Festival
Day 1: Morning departure from Jodhpur to Jaisalmer. Arrive by afternoon and check into the hotel. Head out to Jaisalmer Fort and Patwon Ki Haveli before sunset. Attend the festival opening ceremony in the evening. Dinner on your own at some great rooftop spots with fort views.
Day 2: Full Festival Day Early morning at Gadisar Lake before the crowds arrive. Then to the festival grounds for the turban-tying and mustache competitions. Camel decoration contest in the afternoon. End the day at the fort for the Kalbeliya and folk music performances.
Day 3: Sam Sand Dunes & Finale Check out after breakfast and drive to the desert camp at Sam (42 km). Settle in and have lunch. At 4 PM, head to the dunes for the camel races, Mr. Desert and Miss Moomal finals and the moonrise concert. Back to camp for dinner. Sleep under the stars.
Day 4: Return to Jodhpur Morning chai at the camp. One last stop in Jaisalmer for shopping if you need it. Drive back to Jodhpur.
Best Places to Stay at the Desert Festival
Desert Camps at Sam Sand Dunes
If you are here for the festival, stay at least one night in a desert camp. Swiss tents, bonfire, folk musicians, camel rides at sunset, and a sky with no light pollution. Rates run Rs 2,000 to Rs 7,000 per night. Book 6 to 8 weeks before the festival to get a camp.
Hotels Inside Jaisalmer Fort
Staying inside the living fort is a completely different experience. Small properties, full of character. Killa Bhawan and 1st Gate Heritage Home are the well-known picks. Book even earlier than the camps.
Heritage Hotels in the City
Suryagarh, Hotel Nachana Haveli, and Hotel Rang Mahal are each at a different price point and offer different experiences. Confirm the prices online, as each has different pricing and during the festival, they change their regular prices.
Budget Guesthouses
Clean, central, Rs 600 to Rs 1,500 per night. Moomal Hotel and Hotel Pleasant Haveli are reliable picks within walking distance of the fort and the main bazaar.
Quick reminder
Book 2 to 3 months ahead for festival dates. Walk-in availability during Maru Mahotsav is almost zero, and whatever is left costs you double. Please confirm the prices from the official sources before making any decision.
Famous Places to Visit Near Jaisalmer
Jaisalmer Fort (Sonar Quila)
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is one of the only living forts in India with residents still inside. Go at sunrise or the hour before sunset for the best light on the sandstone.
Patwon Ki Haveli
The total of five havelis built by Jain merchants in the 1800s are covered in some of the most intricate carved stonework in Rajasthan. Give it an hour.
Sam Sand Dunes
It is located 42 km from the city, the festival finale venue and the best sunset spot in the region. Camel rides and quad biking available year-round.
Gadisar Lake
It is a 14th-century reservoir with temples and cenotaphs around the edges. Calm, photogenic, free to enter. It is best to visit in the early morning when the birds are out.
Kuldhara Village
A haunted village, as it is said that the entire village of 1,500 families was abandoned overnight in 1825. No one knows exactly why. The ruins are well-preserved and the story is genuinely strange.
Lodhruva
The original Bhati Rajput capital before Jaisalmer was built. It is located around 15 km from the city. Beautifully restored Jain temples and almost no other visitors.
Tanot Mata Temple
It is located around 130 km toward the Pakistan border. Pakistani shells that landed in the temple compound during the 1971 war never exploded. The temple kept them on display. It is a striking place with a story that stays with you. You need a permit to get there from the BSF office in Jaisalmer before you go.
FAQs
Q1. When should I book hotels for the Jaisalmer Desert Festival?
At least 2 to 3 months ahead. Desert camps at Sam and hotels near the fort go first. If you wait till a month out, expect limited options and high prices.
Q2. Is this a good trip for families with kids?
Yes. Camel races, folk music and turban competitions are what kids like best. Just remember to pack extra layers for the evenings because the temperature drops fast after dark.
Q3. Is Jaisalmer safe to visit given its proximity to the Pakistan border?
The city is completely safe with steady tourist traffic all year. Border areas like Tanot require a BSF permit and should be visited in daylight only. Thousands of tourists do it every year without any issue.
Q4. Is there an entry fee for the festival?
Most outdoor events are free. There are some shows in the fort and some other venues, ranging from Rs 100 to Rs 300. Carry cash, as UPI is not accepted everywhere.
Q5. How to get back from Sam’s Sand Dunes at late night?
If you have a private cab or Tempo Traveller, your driver will bring you back. With one, shared jeeps and private cabs are available at the venue. Agree on the price before you get in. The easiest option is to spend the night at a desert camp and drive back in the morning when it is light.
Conclusion
You will find plenty of reasons to visit Rajasthan. But very few experiences match what Jaisalmer feels like during these three days in February: the music, the desert light, and the full moon rising over the dunes while thousands of people sit on the sand around you.
Plan early. Get your transport sorted well before the dates, especially if you are travelling with a large group. Book that desert camp as soon as you confirm your dates. And take at least one extra day just to walk the old city slowly, without a schedule.