This is the most popular of the seasonal festivals and falls normally in the month of March (near equinox). It heralds the entry of the spring after winter. Streets are literally transformed into carnivals of color and people douse each other in colorful water and smear friends with multicolored powders. In the evening, the people gather and congratulate for happy Holi.

The festival comprises of two days. First day at night Holika; the witch is burnt in a big bonfire signifying the end of winter and evil and beginning of a new year. The second day people start gathering from the morning and put colors, colored powder to their friends and intimates. This is continued till mid-day and after-noon people dress up in new costumes and go to various houses of the friends and relatives greeting them for happy Holi.

The legend behind this festival is that Bhakt Prahalad was a great devotee of Vishnu. Holika, the aunt of Prahalad was having a boon that artificial fire could not burn her. The father of Bhakt Prahalad was demon and he did not like that his son worship lord Vishnu. Vishnu saved the life of his devotee Prahalad and Holika could not survive. To commemorate the victory over evil is celebrated on this day, the most colourful carnival of its kind in India.

The festival is dedicated to the Goddess Parvati (also known as Gauri) the consort of Lord Shiva. The festival is held for a period of Fifteen days following Holi and is mainly celebrated by women. Married women invoke her blessings for material happiness while unmarried girls pray to her, to be granted ideal husbands. Colorful wooden images of goddess are worshipped in each home. The procession of the goddess starts from palace premises in the fort. It was carried by women and the Maharwal used to witness the procession too. The image is then carried upto Garisar lake for ceremonial bath. At night ladies apply Mehandi (Hena) to their palms and feet as an indication of their Sohag (happy married life).

Dussehra is celcbrated in different parts of India in different ways. It celebrates the triumph of good over evil i.e. the victory of Rama over Ravana. The tale of Rama and Sita and the battle fought between Rama and Ravana is enacted on stage and it is known as Ramlila.
These theatrical performances are quite popular and are witnessed by capacity crowds day after day. On the tenth day of the festival huge effigies of the ten-headed Ravana and his brother Kumbhkarana and Meghnath, stuffed with thousands of firecrackers, are set afire. The festival is of special significance to the Rajputs. In the palace the royal family of Jaisalmer performs Ashwa (horse) Puja and also worships their weapons.

Diwali is celebrated every year in October-November with great enthusiasm throughout the state. The festival marks the return of Lord Rama exile after 14 years. Homes are decorated, sweets are distributed and lamps are lit to create a world of fantasy. On this day, houses all over Jaisalmer glow with twinkling diyas and candles. Various fireworks create kaleidoscopic designs against the black canvas of the sky. For Hindu business communities, Diwali marks the beginning of the New year.