The Pushkar fair or the Pushkar Mela is a locally held cultural extravaganza that takes place in the Pushkar town of Rajasthan. The event is highly awaited and goes on for five days in a row. It began primarily as a business of selling and purchasing camels but eventually, it became one of the most sought after festivals taking place in the state. Every year when the event takes place, thousands of tourists from within the country and outside come here to witness the fun. Being one of the most religious of places in the entire country, the Hindus consider attending the event a holy ritual.
How to reach Pushkar
Pushkar is located close to Ajmer in Rajasthan, it is 14 km northwest of Ajmer. The nearest airport connected to Pushkar is in Jaipur, which is 140 kilometers away. By bus is not a great option for long distance travelers. Those who wish to reach here by train, you will need to take a train to Ajmer and take a 30-minute drive to Pushkar.
About the Festival
Out of the most prominent crowd pullers are the Matka Phod competitions and the longest mustache competition. Hundreds of people from across the state participate in the events and the winners are usually given cash prizes and given a space in the local newspapers as well. In the very recent years, the fair organizers have also started to organize a cricket match which takes place between local Pushkar cricket team and international tourists. However, the overall attendance in the event is still questioned. In the 1900’s it was said that more than 100,000 pilgrims visit the town of Pushkar during the event. And as it is assumed, the crowd is getting bigger by every passing year. The celebrations are widely awaited by the local people as they start preparing for the event in advance as it offers a great business opportunity for them as they get to sell their handmade handicrafts and put up stalls of snacks.
During the festival, thousands of people move to the Pushkar Lake, where the fair actually takes place. The camel breeders show off their animals and entice the potential buyers in order to make the deals. Other than camels, other livestock such as goats, buffalos and cows are also bought and sold at the place. For the women, the place becomes a well-equipped shopping mall where they can buy desired clothes, accessories, and other household items at some great prices. A camel race also takes place, which serves as a great attraction for primarily the foreign tourists. The race starts with wild folk music, songs, and dance routine along with some random exhibitions.
When does the festival take place
The festival takes place, according to the Hindu calendar, between Kartik ekadashi to Kartik purnima (full moon). For the western calendar, these days fall usually in the months of October and November.
The full moon day, the last day, is known to be the most auspicious of all the five days when the festival is celebrated. The legend behind the fair says that this was the day when Lord Brahma sprung up the Pushkar Lake. And as a result, Hindus find is religiously significant to take dips in the lake on the full moon lights.
Tip
During the fair, the accommodation prices can jump up to 10 times the normal rate. Although dozens of tented tourist camps are organized around the town for the fair, but still it is recommended to book a bed well in advance before visiting here.
Pushkar fair is a great reminiscent of what Indian culture stands for and the colourfulness of the event makes the day like nothing else.
