|
Pushkar Fair - A Lifetime Experience
The Pushkar Camel Fair
is one of the largest in India and the only one of its kind in the
entire world. During the fair, Lakhs of people from rural India
flock to Pushkar, along with Camel and Cattle for several days of
live stock trading, horse dealing, pilgrimage and religious
festival.
This small town becomes a cultural occurrence when colorfully
dressed devotees, musicians, acrobats, folk dancers, traders,
comedians, sadhus and tourists reach here during Pushkar Fair.
According to Hindu chronology, it takes place in the month of
Kartika (October or November) beginning on ashtmi 8th day of Lunar
Calendar and continues till full moon (Poornima). The Camel and
Cattle trading is at its peak during the first half of festival
period. During the later half, religious activities dominate the
scenario. Devotees take dips in the holy "Sarovar" lake, as the
revered water is known to bestow salvation.
|
|
In the month of Kartik each
year, a confounding number of camels travel their way across the
golden sands of Rajasthan to collect at Pushkar for the
week-long fair dedicated to them. Coming in from all directions,
their masters astride them, they flick the sand at every step with
casual ease. The horses that march to this site find the sand-trot
a touch exercise. Plentiful cows and sheep also come to the
animal fair. Completing the scene thousands of men, women and
children, come with their beasts, suddenly inhabiting the barren
plain with the camel providing the backdrop.
The contrast to the dull
desert landscape is the riot of colors - the large gaudy turbans
of the native males arriving here to trade their animals or set up
the stalls to cater to the booming captive market, and the loud
hues of the pleated ghagaras (ankle-length skirts) of the women
bangled by the armful, bejewelled from head to toe- adding charm
and zest to the massive affair.
Shopping in Pushkar - Pushkar occupies an important place
in Rajasthan as a source of souvenirs and visitors who visit this
holy town definitely go the bazaars to purchase textiles, clothes
with elaborate embroidery, ethnic jewellery which is a specialty
of Rajasthan, alluring miniature paintings, leather goods, lovely
brass utensils, mesmerizing puppets and pottery.
Fun and Frolic - As
the tempo of business goes down, the men folk turn to merriment,
for the day of the camel sports is at hand. Camel races are the
first event. Usually a lumbering beast of burden, the camel all
decorated in finery, imagines itself to be an ostrich, and rushes
through the race like one.
How to Reach:
By Air - Nearest
airport is Jaipur, which is connected with major cities. A newly
built air strip at Kishangarh can cater to small charter flights.
Helipad at Ghooghra (Ajmer) and Devnagar (Pushkar) can cater to
clients traveling by helicopter.
By Rail - Ajmer is
well connected by Rail to all-important cities. Pushkar is just 12
Km. away from Ajmer.
By Road - Ajmer is
well connected to important cities of Rajasthan and country.
Jaipur-145 Km., Delhi-415 Km., Mumbai-900 Km., Ahemadabad-520 Km.,
Jodhpur-205 Km., Bikaner-265 Km., Nagaur-1 SO Km., Jaisalmer-475
Km.
Tour Operator of India offers more information on Pushkar Fair
in India and online Booking facility of Pushkar Fair in
India. |
