Pushkar Fair held annually in Rajasthan. Pushkar is a small city, located 15 km from Ajmer. It is a holy place, mostly visited for the sacred Pushkar lake and Brahma Temple. The fair has a religious festival also. Large number of pilgrims come to visit the lake and take a holy bath on the day of Purnima(full moon) ‘tithi’. The Mythology is, all 330 Hindu Gods and Goddess assembled at Pushkar lake on the full moon night to make the lake. The Brahma Temple present here is the only temple found for Brahma in India.
The fair is mainly held for showcase the camels. It is the largest cattle fair in the world. The fair witnesses the cattle owners bring their horse, cow, buffalo, camel and sheep to be purchased and sold. Camels and horses are dressed in colorful attire. The fair is celebrated between the months of October and November on the occasion of the holy ‘Kartik Purnima’.
Every year nearly 20,000 to 50,000 camels and 200,000 tourists are coming down in the festival. Hundreds years back camel buyers and sellers from as far as Afghanistan were attending the fair. Nowadays the festival has become more of a tourist attraction. A hot air balloon ride, camel race, horse race, dance competition and other games take place with music, songs, traditional fire dance and exhibitions to follow. Camels are dressed up and paraded during the festival. Large number of stalls are set up which sell traditional items like bead necklaces, garments of patchwork, printed textiles,tie and dye, traditional footwear and silver ornaments.
Tourists should visit other places lie around Pushkar. Savitri temple ( located atop Ratnagiri hills), Anasagar Lake and Sunset point(camel safari at the dunes) is a breathtaking site. Camel carts are swinging around the desert at sunset which really offers a unique experience. Thus the vibrant fastival of Pushkar fair is definitely a priceless life time experience for those who wish to visit the gorgeous culture and tradition of Rajasthan.
