Rajasthan Diwas was celebrated on 30 March marking the unification of the erstwhile princely states in the region into the State of Rajasthan. Fifty-six years ago, on 30th March 1949, took place the grand unification of the erstwhile princely states of Rajputana giving birth to Rajasthan state in the Union of India. Since then, 30th March is celebrated as Rajasthan Diwas every year. The year 2005 marks a new beginning for these celebrations. With Rajasthan emerging as a frontrunner in tourism industry, Government of Rajasthan continues to add new attractions to its repertoire of festivals while bringing forth the vast range of Rajasthani Folk Art, Craft, Dance & Music.
Craft Bazaar showcasing the art forms, handicrafts, pottery styles, prints & textiles, embroideries, carpets, wood & metal work of different regions of Rajasthan promises to be a major attraction for visiting tourists as well as the residents in Rajasthan throughout the 10-day celebrations. Puppet shows and folk performances by Kalbelia, Manganiyars, Garasias, Sahariya, Bheels and other tribes every evening in Jawahar Kala Kendra have been planned as added attraction for the visitors to Craft Bazaar. Grand cultural shows and live concerts every evening in the ambience of majestic Albert Hall, Amer Fort and other equally eye-arresting venues have been planned to entertain people throughout the celebrations. A variety of programmes ranging performances, Ghazal Evening, Bollywood Celebrity Evening to Nritya Natika, Natya Sandhya etc.
Rajasthan Diwas is celebrated every year with an aim to showcase Rajasthan’s culture & heritage and revive the traditional sports, cuisines and folk-art. There have been 44 Padma Shri, 19 Padma Bhushan, 6 Padma Vibhushan awardees from Rajasthan till 2010. The mega festival would mark its beginning on 21st March with the lighting of Rajasthan Diwas flame at Albert Hall amidst cheering from a gathering comprising of VIPs & eminent persons besides the people of Rajasthan.
