Pushkar Camel Fair: 2nd to 10th November ‘2011

Rajasthan’s most popular fair, the Pushkar Camel Fair has held annually during the Hindu month of Kartika (usually in October or November). Legend has it that during the full moon in this month, all the 330 deities of Hinduism descend to earth and visit Pushkar to bless devotees. Pushkar is also famous for housing the only known Brahma temple in India. Another legend states that Brahma performed a grand ‘yajna’ or sacrifice/offering here. Pushkar is, therefore, a very significant pilgrimage for Hindus and is considered one of the 5 dhams that all devout Hindus aspire to visit at least once in their lives.

The Pushkar fair on the other hand is a spectacle worth experiencing. It embodies a perfect blend of faith, cultural extravaganzas and commercial interests. It begins on ‘ashtami’ or the eighth day of the Kartika month and continues till the full moon. During the fair, Pushkar is bright and colourful, bustling with devotees, musicians, acrobats, folk dancers, traders, comedians, sadhus, and tourists. The fair is decidedly the world’s biggest camel fair and the first five days see some serious trading. It is estimated that around 50,000 camels exchange hands during this fair.  Hundreds of shops sell camels, horses, bulls, cows and other cattle. After a sale is finalized, the animals, especially the camels, are groomed and ornamented festively; sometimes even with perfumed handmade saddles, strings of cowries, beads, embroidered back covers and boots. The last day of the fair sees thousands of devotees throng the ghats of Lake Pushkar for the holy dip to wash away their sins and pay respects to the gods.

During the fair, one also has the opportunity to view and purchase the best of Rajasthan’s handicraft industry as artisans flock the city with the best of their wares. Apart from this, there are camel races, friendly cricket matches between the locals of Pushkar and foreigners and entertaining contests like “Who has the longest Moustache”.

With so much activity, it is not surprising that the Pushkar fair attracts numerous tourists from all over India and around the globe. This year, the fair is to be held from the 2^nd to the 10^th of November.