Alwar Matsya Festival is a colorful, multi-day fiesta celebrated in Alwar, Rajasthan and is one of the most prominent festivals of the state. This Alwar festival honors and celebrates the rich social culture, legacy, and history of the region and attracts locals as well as tourists from across the world. During the two day festival held in late November or early December, you will get to experience adventure, the vibrancy of culture, the fascinating traditions of Alwar– all against the backdrop of its opulent palaces and forts.
There are also various adventure sports that you can partake in. The festival includes local sightseeing or Alwar Darshan that will give you an insight into the lifestyle, traditions, customs, and culture of the locals. This year, the Matsya Festival will be held on the 25th and 26th of November. Alwar Matsya Festival is an expression in Sanskrit that means fish. According to Hindu folklore, the symbol of fish was used to depict the supreme Lord Vishnu.
As one of the many avatars of Vishnu, Matsya was believed to be a protector of the primary man, Manu, from the gushing water. The ancient city of Alwar was a part of the Matsya Kingdom, one of the sixteen Mahajanpadas. The Matsya festival has a substantial historical and cultural value where people come together to take part in games, sports, dance and sing, and make merry Alwar Matsya Festival.
History of Matsya Festival
The name Matsya has been derived from the Sanskrit word Matsya which means fish. According to Hindu mythology, Lord Vishnu took Matsya’s avatar to save Manu, the very first person on earth. During the Vedic period, an Indo-Aryan clan that resided on the west side of the Yamuna river named its kingdom Matsya Mahajanpada.
The present-day Alwar, Bharatpur, and some areas of sub-urban Jaipur are located on the same spot as Matsya Mahhajanpada. This historical significance has led to the naming of the Alwar Matsya Festival.
Since the events of the Matsya festival, Alwar is held at different historical, ancient, and cultural spots in the city, people can gather information about and explore these wonders while enjoying the festival.
Indira Gandhi Stadium, Siliserh Lake, Nangli Circle, Mahal Chowk City Palace, and Fateh Jung Gumbad are a few popular places where events of the festival are planned.
Significance of Matsya Festival
The Sanskrit word for Fish is Matsya. As per the Hindu traditions, it is used as a sign of Lord Vishnu. Alwar Matsya Festival is regarded as one of the many avatars of Lord Vishnu which is said to have saved the primary man, Manu from the substantial gush of water. During the Vedic time, one of the Indo-Aryan clans mounted their Kingdom known as Matsya Mahajanpada located in the southern part of Kurus and west of Yamuna River. This spot is now separated into Alwar, Bharatpur and Jaipur suburban communities. Viratnagari is the capital of Matsya which is now called as Bairat.
Special highlights of the festival:
- It is a two-day festival and is called ‘the Pride of Alwar’.
- One of the biggest attractions of this festival is the Shehnai-wadan (Flute recital) performed by many esteemed artists.
- An Archaeological Exhibition called the Dharohar, is organized at the site of the festival.
- The Matsya Festival with its Alwar Darshan, offers the opportunity to get a closer look at the lifestyles and customs of the locals.
- The game of Rassa Kasi /Tug of War is played by women wearing traditional attires.
- The festival offers the chance to experience many water sports at the famous Siliserh Lake.
What is the Alwar festival about?
This three-day festival organized annually by the district administration body is one of the most widely awaited times of the state. Held usually during the spring season, in the months of February and March, it boasts of a wide variety of showcases, ranging from cultural to modern. There is something in the Alwar Matsya Festival for every kind of person that pays a visit and knows the right keys to find enjoyment.
Major Attractions of Matsya Festival
- Enjoy Fun Activities and Adventure Sports
Trekking, parasailing, and hot air balloon rides are the major attraction of the Alwar Matsya Festival. The locals and tourists participate with great enthusiasm. Besides these sports, people can also participate in fun games such as tug of war, Rumal Jhapatta (handkerchief snatching), and Teerandazi (archery).
- Exhibitions and Excursions
The festival also features an exhibition wherein handmade craft items are displayed. One can also witness ancient artifacts that have been extracted in excavations by ASI. Tourists can also opt for Alwar Darshan which is organized by the government during the Matsya Festival. The excursion tour will take you to several forts, palaces, wildlife sanctuaries, and lakes located in Alwar Matsya Festival.
- Day 1 Activities
The first day of this Rajasthani festival will begin with an aarti in the Shree Jagannath Ji Temple. The aarti will be followed by many fun activities such as eco trekking, hot air balloon ride, sand art performance, paddleboat race, along with folk music, and dance performances.
- Day 2 Activities
It has a lot more to offer as one may participate in a mehndi rangoli competition, a painting competition, and then concludes the day with a musical night with Asit Tripathi.
How to Reach
Alwar Matsya Festival is a nice blend of Indian traditions and culture. It is located at an approximate distance of 166, 1,292, 1,474, and 2,095 km from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru respectively. Here is how you can travel here by the following means of transportation.
By Air
Jaipur International Airport, that is approx. 160km away from Alwar is the nearest airport. Direct and connecting flights from all metropolitan cities like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, and more arrive here. From the airport, one can take a taxi or a bus to reach Alwar.
By Rail
Alwar Junction Railway Station is the nearest station to reach Alwar. From the station, one can take a taxi or a bus to reach the desired location in the city. There are regular and frequent trains to Alwar hence one may consider traveling by train if looking for a budget-friendly travel option.
By Road
Depending upon your location you can consider traveling to Alwar by road via a well-maintained motorable road network. For traveling, you can take interstate or private buses, hire a cab, or if it is suitable, you can also self-drive.
