Pushkar fair in Pushkar
Rajasthan is a colourful state full of vibrant and lively people. The spirits of Rajasthan come to full form during the festivals and fairs. The Pushkar fair in Pushkar is one such event when the otherwise quiet city of Pushkar comes to life. The fair is set amidst the sand dunes of the Thar Desert and surrounded by the hills. The fascinating backdrop of the Pushkar fair adds to the charm of the fair. The fair starts on the Kartick Ekadoshi and culminates on the Kartick Purnima. This five day celebration attracts thousands of people from the neighboring places, tourists from across the country and foreigners from all corners of the globe. Apart from being the largest camel fair in the world the Pushkar fair is lot more than that. The trading of animals, fun and frolic of exciting games, frenzy of shopping and the religious aspect surrounding the Pushkar Lake and the Bramha Temple - all these make the Pushkar Fair one of its kind experience.
Pushkar Fair
The Trading at the Fair - Pushkar fair is one of the largest animal fairs in the country. Hundreds of people gather here with the animals including camels, horses, cows, goats, and sheep. The camels are main draw of the fair and large numbers of camels are sold and purchased at the fair during this period. Some of the traders strike quick deals and some animals are sold over a lengthy bargain. Most of the local men who attend the fair keep themselves busy with the animal trading.
Shopping at the fair - While the men are busy trading animals at the fair ground, the female folk, dressed in colourful bright dresses gather at the shops. There are hundreds of shops set up at the fair ground and all sorts of products including Rajasthani jewelries and cloths are sold at the shops. The traditional Rajasthani silver jewelries and colourful cloths made with the local tie and dye methods are sold in large quantities. The tattoo stalls also add to charm of the fair. Local women as well as foreign tourists also make decorative body arts at these shops.
Fun and excitement of the fair - After the day long trading and the shopping frenzy the crowd gathers at the fair ground where different games and races take place. Different competitions like the "matka phod", moustache and bridal competition are big draw. But the biggest attraction of the Pushkar fair is the camel race. Various camel races are organised at the fair ground during the five days of the fair and most exciting camel event of the fair is the 'laadoo oonth'. For the last couple of years a cricket match between the locals and foreign tourists are also being organised at the fair.
The religious aspects of the Pushkar Fair - Pushkar fair is one of the largest Hindu pilgrimage of the country. Thousands of Hindu pilgrims and hundreds of Hindu sadhus gather at Pushkar during the fair. On the last day of the fair, that is the Kartick Purnima the pilgrims take a holy dip at the Pushkar Lake at the dawn and offer puja at the Brahma Temple.