Pushkar Fair

Overview
Located on the edge of Thar desert, Pushkar is a small town in northern Indian state of Rajasthan. On the banks of a picturesque lake by the same name, Pushkar has now emerged as an important pilgrimage spot for Hindus. It surprises many that a small town like Pushkar has as many as 400 big and small temples and 52 ghats. Moreover, Pushkar has the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma in India.

But it is the animal fair of Pushkar that has shot the small town into international fame. The fair is not just about buying and selling of animals, rather many attractive events are held in the fair which can be termed as unique. The fair attracts tourists from all parts of the world.

The Pushkar Fair
Time and venue
In the Hindu month of Kartik, which is October-November in the English calendar, Pushkar comes alive with one of India's most amazing fairs. The fair is held for a duration of one week. The fair is held on the banks of holy Pushkar lake. Participants to the fair normally take a holy dip in the waters of Pushkar lake before the beginning of proceedings.

Pushkar fair is also dubbed as the largest camel fair in the world. It is said that the Pushkar fair gives a much needed break to the villagers who lead a harsh life in the arid deserts.

Trading of animals
Trading of animals takes place mainly on the first five days of the fair. Basically a camel fair, other animals traded in Pushkar fair are horses, cows, goats and sheep. Long-drawn negotiations are held with the seller concentrating on singing the good virtues of the animal and the careful buyer in an interrogative mood. Many tourists love to witness the transaction process, which itself is unique in many respects.

Colourful Events
Once the momentum of the trading process dies down, it is time for the fun events. First on the list are Camel races. Well decorated camels under the watchful eyes of their masters run like ostriches from the starting to the finish line giving a fine opportunity to tourists to catch them in their lenses or handycams. The next event is somewhat like an animal musical chairs. As the music stops, the camel is supposed to manage to stick its long arching neck between two poles.Every participant is guided by their master.

But the best event of Pushkar is the beauty contest involving the camel. As judges sit silently at a distance, masters bring splendidly bedecked camels to the ring and parade them in front of judges. Some of the qualities that the judges look for are the choice of its equipment and ornament and its capacity to interpret and carry out the commands of its master.

The final event is called 'laadoo oonths' in which man after man climbs on to the back of camels and the camel lifting the highest weight is the winner. Unable to keep the balance, most climbers come crushing down to the ground giving a nice opportunity to tourists to have a hearty laugh.

The shops and colourful attires
The tiny stalls in the fair sell a variety of colourful items that include traditional dresses and exquisite items of handicraft. Many tattoo stalls are also put up whose services are mainly sought by foreign tourists. Another attraction in Pushkar is the attire of womenfolk. Women come out in catchy attires including intricate silver ornaments, hairpins, chains, nose rings, neckbands, waistbands, anklets, toe rings and ivory bangles worn from wrist to shoulder.

The Culmination
The curtain falls on one of the most attractive fairs in the world on the day of Kartik Purnima. Participants first go to the Pushkar lake for a holy dip in its waters. After a holy dip, they queue up to pay obeisance at the Brahma temple of the place. In the evening, earthen lamps on leafs are set afloat in the lake waters. The lamps look like thousands of twinkling stars in the waters.

Finally, with tears in their eyes, the participants return to their native villages in long caravans.

Camping in Pushkar
Apart from enjoying a wide variety of fun-filled activities, several people go for camping in Pushkar. The Royal Desert Camp is a famous desert camp set up during the Pushkar fair and is easily accessible from the fair ground. Equipped with necessary amenities the camps in Pushkar offer fine lodging, dinning and entertainment facilities. So when you plan a trip to Pushkar keep the annual cattle fair in your mind.

Reaching Pushkar
Flights : The nearest landing facility is Jaipur at a distance of 145 kms. Jaipur airport is connected to most air destinations of India.

Trains : Ajmer is the nearest railhead from Pushkar. Many express trains operate to Ajmer from other parts of India.

Bus services : Pushkar is well connected to Ajmer, the nearest big town at a distance of 11 kms. Buses are regularly available to Ajmer from many destinations of Rajasthan.

	Rajasthan Heritage Tour (17 Days) Features : The tour highlights the heritage destinations in Rajasthan. You will be visiting popular cities and tourist attractions of Rajasthan. The places covered in the tour are Mandawa, Bikaner, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Jaipur, Bharatpur, Agra and Delhi.

	Rajasthan Desert Adventure (15 Days) Features : A complete adventure package - this tour takes on a round trip of desert outbacks at Rajasthan. You will spend two nights at the jungle and camping for the same period. Camel Safari will be part of your adventure. Places you will be visiting include Delhi, Nawalgarh, Pokharan, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur, Udaipur, Jaipur, Agra.

	The Desert Circuit (11 Days) Features : Amuse yourself with this 11 days tour at Rajasthan. The desert circuit will take you across four important cities Jaipur, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner. There will be sight-seeing trips for Jaipur, trips to popular forts and palaces in these cities, guided city tours and more.

Romantic Maharaja (20 Days) Features : Twenty days tour package - Romantic Maharaja provides for your travel, accommodation and catering in the famous cities of Rajasthan viz., Bharatpur, Jaipur, Udaipur, Pushkar, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner, Gajner and Shekhawati. There will be a minimum one days stay at these destinations. There will be guided city tours and all assistance will be provided. The tour plan will be as Delhi, Agra, Bharatpur, Jaipur, Pushkar, Udaipur, Narlai, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Gajner, Bikaner, Shekhavati, Delhi.

	Travel to India-Pushkar Fair (15 Days) Features : The tour encompasses some selected destinations of Rajasthan and begins from the city of Delhi. You will see all arrangements for city tours including that of Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner, Mandawa, Jaisalmer and Pushkar. From arrival to departure the team will escort you to the famous forts, palaces, towns and other tourist places.