Chandrabhaga Fair 2026 is listed for 23 to 25 November in Jhalrapatan, near Jhalawar in Rajasthan. Rajasthan Tourism's current festival calendar and the Incredible India event page agree on those dates. Incredible India names Mela Ground, Jhalrapatan as the venue and identifies the district administration and Tourist Reception Center, Jhalawar as organisers. The dates are confirmed listings; a detailed 2026 timetable should be checked separately before planning around a particular performance.
The fair combines a river pilgrimage, livestock trading and cultural events. That makes it a different visit from a programme held entirely inside a fort or auditorium: the riverbank, fairground and nearby temples all matter to the experience. This guide was checked against the official pages on 2 November 2026.
| Planning question | Official listing |
|---|---|
| Dates | 23 to 25 November 2026 |
| Town | Jhalrapatan, near Jhalawar |
| Venue | Mela Ground, Jhalrapatan |
| River | Chandrabhaga |
| Organisers named by Incredible India | District Administration and Tourist Reception Center, Jhalawar |
Where is Chandrabhaga Fair held?
The Rajasthan Tourism calendar places the fair at Jhalrapatan, about six kilometres from Jhalawar. Use Jhalrapatan and the named fairground when checking the final approach to your accommodation or the event. A general booking for the Jhalawar area does not by itself establish how close you will be to the riverbank or fair entrance.
The Incredible India event page describes pilgrims gathering on the Chandrabhaga's banks during Kartik. It explains the belief that bathing in the river is spiritually purifying. This is a description of the religious tradition, not a medical claim about the water or a declaration that every point along the bank is suitable for bathing.
What happens at the fair?
Rajasthan Tourism describes livestock brought for trading, including cattle, horses, buffaloes and camels. Incredible India also highlights decorated animals and the fair's connection with rural life. Visitors primarily interested in the trading tradition should distinguish that part of the gathering from the cultural programme rather than assume the same activities run at every location throughout the day.
The tourism department's general description includes Deepdan, a Shobha Yatra, competitions and cultural evenings over three days. Those establish the kinds of activities associated with the fair. They do not establish an exact start time, a procession route, an admission price or a performer list for the 2026 edition. Those details need a current programme or organiser notice.
Why an old Chandrabhaga schedule can mislead
Rajasthan Tourism's separate Chandrabhaga destination page still displays a day-by-day programme explicitly dated 22, 23 and 24 November 2018. It contains precise activity times, making it easy to mistake for a current schedule if the year is overlooked. Those times have not been carried into this guide.
For 2026, use the year-labelled calendar entry and the matching Incredible India date listing. Before setting out for a specific ritual or evening show, look for a programme that actually states 2026 and names its date and venue. Neither the older page's timetable nor its old promotional banner overrides the current 23 to 25 November listing.
What else can you see in Jhalrapatan?
The official Jhalawar destination guide identifies a Chandrabhaga temple complex beside the river, including Chandramouleshwar, Lakulish, Harihar and Devi temples. It also describes Jhalrapatan's Padmanabha temple, popularly known as the Sun Temple, as a 97 foot high, tenth-century temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu. These are specific nearby heritage interests, rather than promised additions to the fair programme.
Build the visit around what interests your group: the river traditions, rural trading or temple architecture. Confirm any separate monument access arrangements with the relevant authority and allow time between sites. This article does not attach the fair's dates to a claim that all nearby attractions share its opening hours or that one admission covers every location.
If comparing Rajasthan trips, our guides to the 17 to 24 November Pushkar Fair, 27 to 29 November Bundi Festival and 1 to 3 December Kumbhalgarh Festival cover different places and events. Match their dates to travel time and your own leave, rather than treating them as one continuous local programme.
