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The golden sands of Rajasthan is even more glittering during the great festival of Pushkar. The Pushkar Fair or 'Pushkar Ka Mela' as the locals call it, is one of the largest camel fairs in the world.
The tribal carnival of Pushkar is celebrated from the day of Kartik Ekadashi to the full moon day or Kartik Poornima according to the Hindu calendar. These five days, however, fall in the months of either October or November. The fair is also one of the major tourist attractions of Rajasthan.
The big event of Pushkar Fair starts off with a camel race. The camel race is followed by a lot of other activities like music, dance, exhibitions, etc. The performances of local artists and colourfully decorated camels make the event bright.
Farmers, traders and tribal communities gather here from all parts of Rajasthan for buying and purchasing cattle at the Pushkar Bazaar. Camel, goats, cow and sheep are sold and bought here on these days. Women flock in to stalls that sell dazzling traditional jewellery, handicrafts and other items. The whole state is in a festive mood during these five days. Some of the highlights of the fair are the competitions like 'matka phod' (breaking the earthen pot), 'longest moustache' and 'bridal competition'.
The colourful display of rural life in Rajasthan is truly a mesmerising experience. As the festival progresses, it turns into a spiritual gathering as the air is filled with poojas and other holy practices. Devotees gather by the Pushkar Lake to take a dip in the sacred waters. It is believed that by taking a dip here, even the greatest of sinners attain salvation.
Travel Tips
A trip to Pushkar during the festive season should be planned much ahead as tourists throng the place from all over the world. If you are travelling by road, Pushkar is just 15 km from the Ajmer bus stand. For those who are planning to travel by train, the Ajmer Junction Railway Station is the closest to Pushkar which is just 14 km away. The station is well-connected to all the major cities of Rajasthan and the metropolitan cities in India. If you're travelling by air, the nearest International Airport is the Jaipur International Airport which is around 150 km from Pushkar. For stay options and booking rooms, please click here.
