Makar Sankranti & The International Kite Festival
As January begins, Jaipur's skies fill with colour during Makar Sankranti, the harvest festival celebrated with infectious enthusiasm across Rajasthan. held on January 14th, Makar Sankranti transforms rooftops and open spaces throughout the city into a spectacular canvas of flying kites.
From dawn until dusk, the sky becomes a kaleidoscope of colours—traditional paper kites alongside elaborate modern designs, all competing for altitude and attention. Rooftops, especially in the old city, are a buzz with neighbourhood kite flyers engage in friendly aerial battles, attempting to cut competitors' strings with glass-coated lines.
Staying at Dera Rawatsar or Dileep Kothi places you at the heart of this celebration. Your hosts can connect you with local families and rooftop venues throughout Jaipur, allowing you to participate authentically in this joyful tradition while enjoying traditional Sankranti treats like til (sesame) and gur (jaggery) laddoos and gajak. Both helping to keep the body warm in this winter month. This is the beauty of heritage hospitality—access to genuine local experiences that typical hotels simply cannot provide. As the night descends, the sky will be alight with sky lanterns, creating a beautiful spectacle and the end of a perfect day.
The festival represents more than entertainment—it's a cultural celebration marking the sun's northward journey, the end of winter, and the promise of harvest season. Experiencing it through local connections, facilitated by your heritage homestay hosts, offers authentic immersion into Jaipur's living traditions.
The Jaipur Literature Festival: A Global Literary Gathering
Later in January, Jaipur hosts an entirely different but equally compelling celebration—the renowned Jaipur Literature Festival. This year, from January 15-19, 2026, the festival takes place at Clarks Amer, bringing together literary luminaries, emerging voices, debut authors, and book lovers from around the world.
Often described as the "greatest literary show on Earth," the festival features panel discussions, author readings, book launches, and intimate conversations spanning genres from fiction and poetry to politics, history, and contemporary issues.
This year's lineup includes Booker Prize Winners Kiran Desai and Banu Mushtaq, British actor and writer Stephen Fry, author of Wild Swans, Jung Chang as well as writers, historians, political writers and journalists. It’s a wide and varied programme, all for INR 200 a day! In the evening, head to the music stage, expect a mix of contemporary Indian sounds, fusion, folk, and international music.
For literature enthusiasts staying at Dera Rawatsar or Dileep Kothi, the festival journey becomes part of the experience. Start your day with a delicious, hearty breakfast at your heritage property—fuel for a full day of literary immersion. The drive to Clarks Amer takes you through Jaipur's evolving landscape, building anticipation for the day ahead.
After inspiring sessions and stimulating conversations at the festival, return to Jaipur's vibrant evening scene. Your hosts can recommend the city's world-class restaurants and sophisticated cocktail bars—from rooftop venues with Pink City views to intimate spaces serving contemporary Indian cuisine. Perhaps join a cooking demonstration at your property, learning the culinary secrets behind royal Rajasthani recipes. Or simply unwind in your heritage accommodation's peaceful courtyards, processing the day's intellectual feast in an atmosphere designed for reflection.
Your Heritage Base for January's Festivities
Dera Rawatsar and Dileep Kothi provide more than just accommodation during Jaipur's festival season—they offer curated experiences and genuine local knowledge and of course delicious authentic Rajasthani meals. Your hosts, deeply connected to Jaipur's cultural landscape, can facilitate authentic kite festival experiences, provide insider recommendations for dining and evening entertainment, and ensure your festival logistics run smoothly. The boutique scale of both properties means personalized attention perfectly suited to festival-goers. Return each evening to genuine hospitality—staff who remember your preferences, comfortable spaces designed for relaxation after busy festival days, and the kind of peace that only heritage properties can provide.
