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 greatest camel Fair held in the holy town of Pushkar in Rajasthan. Pushkar Fair is without doubt the world's largest camel fair and in addition, it tends to make it world's biggest cattle fair in general. Competitions including the "Matka Phod", "moustache", and "bridal competition" would be the primary points of interest of this Fair which attracts thousands of visitors. A spotlight of one's vacation in India, the festival hosts about 50,000 camels that are sold, decorated, shaved and raced. From the mere 14,000 to some huge 200,000! This is how the population of Pushkar swells throughout the Pushkar Fair.
History & Legends
Puskar has has the only temple of Lord Brahma within 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 within the lake is a common sight. Although a serene city, Pushkar bustles with life throughout 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. Massive and colourful cattle Fair "The Pushkar Fair", is also held throughout 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 could be the world's largest Camel Fair.
You’ll visit the only Brahma Temple inside 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.
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