The story
Jaisalmer Desert Festival in Jaisalmer
The Jaisalmer Desert Festival, or Maru Mahotsav, is a three-day cultural festival run by Rajasthan's tourism department, timed to the Hindu month of Magh so its final night falls on the full moon. Events move from Jaisalmer town, with turban-tying and Mr. Desert contests, to the Sam sand dunes for camel races, folk music from Manganiar and Langa musicians, and a moonlit closing program.
Rajasthan's tourism department stages the Jaisalmer Desert Festival annually in the Hindu month of Magh, timing the three-day event to end on or near the full moon, so the closing night at the Sam sand dunes falls under moonlight rather than a fixed Gregorian date.