Pushkar Camel Fair
Facts
& Figures
Population of Pushkar : 14,000
Population of Pushkar (During the fair): 200,000
No. of Camels in the fair: Around 50,000
Best time to visit : October to March
Highlights: Camel trading, folk performances, body
tattooing, ethnic shopping, puppet shows, acrobatics, best breed
contest, moustache competition, bridal competition etc.
Introduction
Also known as Pushkar ka Mela, Pushkar Fair, is the world's largest
camel fair held in the holy town of Pushkar in Rajasthan. Pushkar Fair
is undoubtedly the world's largest camel fair and it also makes it
world's largest cattle fair in general. Competitions such as the "Matka
Phod", "moustache", and "bridal competition"
are the main attractions of this fair which attracts thousands of
tourists. A spotlight of one's holiday in India, the festival hosts
around 50,000 camels which are sold, decorated, shaved and raced. From a
mere 14,000 to a massive 200,000! This is how the population of Pushkar
swells during the Pushkar Fair.
History & Legends
Puskar has has the only temple of Lord Brahma in the country. Myth says
that Lord Brahma was on his way to search for a suitable place to
perform a 'Yagna' (a fire sacrifice) while contemplating, a lotus fell
from his hand on the earth and water sprouted from that place. One of
them was Pushkar where Lord Brahma performed "Yagna". Worship
of Brahma was considered highly important at the end of the first
millennium BC. The holy lake has 52 ghats and pilgrim taking a ritual
dip in the lake is a common sight. Although a serene town, Pushkar
bustles with life during the joyous celebration held on Kartik Purnima.
Every year thousands of devotees throng the lake around the full moon
day of Kartik Purnima in October-November to take a holy dip in the
lake. Huge and colourful cattle fair "The Pushkar Fair", is
also held during this time. Pushkar fair is well-known for it's camel
trading and other attractive activities.
Cultural Significance
Umpteen number of traders gather here and and set up shops. These
traders sell a lot of products like woolen blankets of Merta, bead
necklaces of Nagaur, textiles printed in Ajmer and Jodhpur, brassware of
Jodhpur and Jaipur etc. Saddles, ropes, and assorted household items are
also on sale. Cultural shows and exhibitions are also organized in this
fair to enliven the event. Movies are shown, competitions are arranged,
bards and poets recite and sing tales of valour and heroism of bygone
days. Animal races and other competitions also add the attraction.
Why visit the Pushkar Fair?
- It is the world's largest Camel Fair.
- You’ll visit the only Brahma Temple in the world.
- You’ll see the Holy Pushkar Lake with 52 ghats surrounding
it.
- Pushkar offers around 400 temples to see.
- You can participate in numerous cultural activities
- Ethnic shopping items from all over the state are on sale.
- It’s a rare combination of religious fervour and cultural
vibrancy in Rajasthan.
- You can interact with tribal folks and understand their culture.
