Rajasthan Pushkar Cattle Fair
Rajasthan Pushkar Cattle Fair is held each October – November at the time of the Kartik Purnima full moon , Pushkar Camel Fair is one of India’s most highly-rated travel experiences, a spectacle on an epic scale, attracting 300,000 people and up to 20,000 camels, cattle and horses. For visitors it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the color, spectacle and carnival of one of the last great traditional Fair, which brings livestock, farmers, traders and villagers from all over Rajasthan.
The Pushkar Fair, also known as the Pushkar Camel Fair, or Pushkar Mela, is a colorful and vibrant display of unique exhibitions, exciting competitions and fascinating events. Extending to seven days, this annual camel and livestock fair, held in the town of Pushkar between the months of October and November draws a large number of crowds. Besides, this fair is renowned for being one of the world’s largest cattle fairs.
Apart from its celebratory aspect, this wonderful event also possesses a religious significance. Over the years, the fair has found an honorable mention in Rajasthan Tourism.
A Brief History of Pushkar Mela
According to mythology, all the 330 gods and goddesses of Hinduism assembled at Pushkar Lake on the day of Purnima (full moon night) to consecrate the lake. This is how the lake came to be deemed as sacred. This is the reason behind an enormous amount of pilgrims coming together at the Pushkar Lake for a holy bath to wash away their sins and pay their respects at the Brahma Mandir, the only one of its kind in India. The waters of this lake are also believed to possess healing properties.
Pushkar has also been mentioned in the Mahabharata, a 2000 yrs old epic as one of the most ancient sacred sites in India. Besides this, it has also been referred to in the Hindu scriptures as one of the five holy cities.
When and where it is celebrated ?
As the name implies, Pushkar Camel Fair, or Pushkar Mela, as it’s commonly known, is held over a period of seven days in the town of Pushkar, which lies in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan. The fair is celebrated between the months of October and November on the occasion of the holy Kartik Purnima. This year it is going to be start from 28th October – 04 November 2017 on the auspicious day of full moon in Kartik month.
Highlights of Pushkar Mela
Although the Pushkar Mela is primarily held to showcase the camels and livestock, and is the world’s largest cattle fair, there are other events and feature which are the main highlights of this fair. These events enhance the entire experience of the fair while gifting the visitor with some lovely memories.
Elevated Sitting Arena
There is the elevated sitting arena, which allows the visitors to be seated in a specially designed tented viewing gallery equipped with all the modern amenities. The opening ceremony is in itself a grand event. It’s marked by hundreds of brightly adorned camels and horses mounted by riders clad in vibrant traditional Rajasthani attire.
Pushkar Glamping Experience
One of the best things to enjoy in Pushkar Fair is the Pushkar Clamping Experience. These camps combine the pleasures of camping amidst luxury. An example of this is the tented accommodation at the Sky Waltz Camp which offers a choice of air conditioned and non-air conditioned options of stay in Pushkar Fair. The other major attraction is the stunning performances by eminent fusion maestros from around the world.
Hot Air Ballooning
You can also enjoy hot air ballooning at the Pushkar Fair. Watching the buzzing activities from above gives you an experience like no other. This thrilling activity is one of the top reasons to visit Pushkar Fair. Further, along with this unique experience, one can also indulge in a number of adventurous activities like parameters’, quad biking and horse riding, among others.
Cattle Fair
Of course, there is the cattle fair, which is one of the major highlights of Pushkar Festival, Rajasthan. The fair witnesses the cattle owners bringing their livestock – camels, horses, cows, goat and sheep, all dressed in colorful attire to be sold and purchased.
Religious Gatherings
However, it must be remembered that the fair has a strong religious association with it too. This is also the time when a large number of pilgrims visit the lake to mark the importance of this event while the temple city buzzes with religious activities.
Delightful Handicrafts
You should also visit the famous Pushkar Mela for taking home with you delightful handicrafts. During the event, a number of makeshift stalls are set up which sell items ranging from saddle straps, saddles and beads to strings of cowries. The fair is also attended by women in large numbers, and as such, one can also find a gamut of traditional silver ornaments, bead necklaces from Nagpur, garments of patchwork, printed textiles from Ajmer and traditional footwear, besides others.
Harmony Half Marathon
Harmony Half Marathon is one of the things not to miss in Pushkar Fair. Held during the course of the Pushkar Fair, the run starts from Dargah Ajmer Sharif and ends at the Pushkar Stadium Ground.
How to Reach Pushkar
By Air: Sanganer airport in Jaipur is the nearest airport to Pushkar, at a distance of 146 km. From there, one can hire taxis or private vehicles to reach Pushkar.
By Train: Pushkar Terminus Railway Station, which has been in operation since 2012, is connected to Ajmer railway station, located at a distance of 11 km.
By Road: Pushkar is well connected to the national highways of Rajasthan. Regular buses ply from Pushkar to the major cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur and Ajmer from the Ajmer bus stand.
