India is a country of colors and festivals, cultural and regional diversity make it special and different from others. Nowadays, not only Indians but also foreigners love to celebrate Indian festivals and adopt their culture. If you are interested in discovering yourself in the thriving and colorful culture of India, the Pushkar Camel Fair is the best option for you. Pushkar festival is also known as Pushkar Mela, this is a five-day annual festival. Here you see Rajasthan’s rich culture, tradition, and history. So pack your bag to explore this amazing festival and Rajasthani culture in India. In this blog, we deliver all the Pushkar Mela-related information and guide you to attending this festival in India.
What is the Pushkar Camel Fair in India?
Pushkar Mela is an enchanting annual five-day festival celebrated in Pushkar in the state of Rajasthan. Pushkar is counted as the ancient city in India and organized one of the unique camel & livestock trading fares. Every Year, around 50,000 camels are decorated, raced, displayed & traded at this fair. Pushkar festival Rajasthan basically began to attract local cattle traders to do business, but now it has become one of the most famous tourist attractions in India.
This is a bright-color festival, attracting many tourists from all over the world. In India, the Pushkar Camel festival is the second largest cultural conclave after the great Kumbha Mela. In this fair, you discover camel trading, puppet shows, craft shops, mustache races, acrobatics, and many other events. But Pushkar Fair or Camel Trading is a prime component in this 5-day festival.
History of the Pushkar Festival
Pushkar festival is organized for a minimum of 151 years old and its beginnings are established on a legend mentioned in some scriptures. According to this legend, Lord Vishnu was carrying a lotus, fell on Earth, and then Pushkar Lake originated. The history of the Pushkar Festival introduces that all the 330 million Hindu religious Gods and Goddesses congregate around this sacred lake and on the day of Poornima, perform a special “Yajna” to purge themselves from the mistakes perpetrated in the past.
On the day of Poornima, a dip in the lake is inferred to wash away the sins as the water of the lake is admitted to have healing properties. Due to the popularity of these rituals, Pushkar is counted as one of the five holiest cities in Rajasthan. This 100-year-old fair is now a prime event in India, and where you see the dynamic culture of Rajasthan. All over the world, talented artists come here to show their talents, like magicians, dancers, and snake charmers, to participate in Pushkar Camel fair to present their skills and entertain the crowd.
Main Attractions At Pushkar Fair
At the Pushkar Camel Fair, you experience many amazing events like magic shows, cultural performances, and presentations that keep visitors entertained. These are some prime attractions of this grand fair.
- Camel Shows- The Camel Show or camel race is the main show to see in this fair. Thousands of camels, fully dressed, attract every visitor. Here you see the best camel shows and activities like camel dance and parade. Click some selfies with them and also dance with them.
- Cattle Fair- This is also a prime attraction of the fair. Several state cattle owners come to this fair with their cattle, like cows, horses, goats, and sheep. They dressed them in colorful clothes or jewelry and brought them to this grand fair for trading.
- Cultural Performances- The Pushkar Camel Fair is quite popular for organizing some fantastic cultural performances like folk dances, acrobats, matka Phod competitions, and bride and groom contests. Many talented artists come here all over the world and showcase their talents.
- Moustache Competition- In Rajasthani culture, growing long and thick mustaches is a pride for Rajasthani men. Pushkar Fair held a mustache competition that saw participation in large numbers.
- Souvenirs- At this fair, you can purchase Rajasthani garments, bags, jewelry, toys, decorative pieces and handicrafts, camel souvenirs are famous among tourists visiting the fair.
- Religious Activities- You can participate in these activities like bathing in the holy Pushkar Lake, Lake, participating in Maha Aarti, and performing other rituals like Deepandaan and Pushkar Abhishek.
Pushkar Fair-Things to Do
- Enjoy Desert Camping or Glamping- Desert Camping is one of the prime things to experience in Pushkar Mela. The fair organized large luxury tents for a comfortable stay. You can have an amazing experience with camping in the desert. People come from all over the world to experience the Pushkar for desert camping.
- Try Camel Safari- Camel safari is the best way to discover the huge desert and enjoy amazing views during sunrise and sunset. So when you make a plan to visit Pushkar, must try this camel ride.
- Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride- If you love to experience thrill and adventure then must try a hot air balloon ride and enjoy an amazing view of this desert town.
- Take a Dip in Pushkar Lake- Pushkar Lake is counted as one of the holiest lakes in India and on the day of Poornima, taking a dip in this lake is a religiously remarkable activity. Many devotees around the world come to Pushkar festival , just to take a dip in the holy lake. They accept that the holy water of the lake guides devotees to the way of redemption.
Indulge in Famous Rajasthani Food- If you adore to taste various mixtures of food then must try Rajasthani Food in Pushkar Fair. Along with Rajasthani food, you can also try Chinese food, Lebanese cuisine, and Italian, here you find every variety of food. But the Rajasthani dish Dal Baati Churma, steals the show, so you must try this.
- Engage in Handicrafts shopping- In this mela, several makeshift stalls come, and you purchase many things like patchwork garments, Rajasthani footwear and dresses, silver jewelry, and handicraft design items.
How to Get There?
Pushkar is a popular destination for several tourists, and you can easily reach there through any mode of transport. So, if you choose to travel by bus, then first reach Ajmer and it takes 30 minutes to reach Pushkar to Ajmer. Or if you prefer a train then catch a train from Ajmer to Pushkar that takes only 50 minutes to reach the Pushkar railway station. If you prefer to travel by air, the closest airport to Pushkar is Jaipur Sanganer. From this airport, you can hire a can or local transport to reach Pushkar.
Frequently Ask Question (FAQ)
The Pushkar Camel Fair in 2024 is scheduled to take place from October 26th to November 2nd.
The main highlights of the Pushkar Camel Fair include the trading of thousands of camels, horses, and cattle, colorful cultural performances, camel races and competitions, and the sacred Pushkar Lake where pilgrims take holy dips.
Visitors can participate in camel rides, hot air balloon rides for panoramic views of the fairgrounds, traditional Rajasthani folk dances and music performances, photography competitions, and shopping for handicrafts, jewelry, and clothing at the bustling markets.
Apart from the Camel Fair, Pushkar boasts several attractions such as the Brahma Temple, Savitri Temple offering stunning views of the city, the serene Pushkar Lake surrounded by ghats, and the vibrant streets lined with cafes, shops, and art galleries.
Transportation to and from Pushkar is not typically included in the Camel Fair itinerary. Visitors can arrange their own transportation or opt for guided tours that may include transportation.
During the fair, visitors can choose from a variety of accommodation options including luxury hotels, heritage resorts, guesthouses, and campsites. Many visitors also opt for tented camps set up specifically for the duration of the fair, offering a unique and immersive experience.
Yes, the Pushkar Camel Fair features a vibrant lineup of cultural events and performances including camel and horse dances, traditional Rajasthani music concerts, puppet shows, and the highly anticipated moustache competition.
While there are no specific restrictions for attending the fair, visitors are encouraged to respect local customs and traditions. Additionally, it's advisable to dress modestly and be mindful of taking photographs, especially of individuals, as some may prefer not to be photographed.
Visitors can book their participation in the Pushkar Camel Fair itinerary through various travel agencies, tour operators, or online platforms offering specialized packages for the event. It's recommended to book in advance to secure accommodations and activities during the busy fair period.