Introduction
Among all such fairs, the largest, longest, and most popular fair celebrated in Pushkar is the Pushkar Fair or the Pushkar Camel Fair. Rajasthan is one of the most culturally active states. These are the considered and most attractive gatherings of camels and livestock mainly in the desert area. Pushkar Fair is celebrated as one of the iconic and exclusive fairs of India.
This blog will help to get acquainted with more details of the Pushkar fair that takes place annually and attracts thousands of tourists. Therefore, let us gather more information on the fair.
Overview
The Pushkar Fair is held during the month of Kartik either the middle of October or November during a week of the full moon day known as Kartik Purnima. Separately it also attracts tourists, pilgrims, and traders from all over the world and is one of the largest animal fairs in the world.
It is not the business of animal swapping but culture, music, dancing, painting, and even religious rites to give beauty to the fair simply known as Pushkar Fair. It is said to be the sacred river Ganges and this Pushkar lake is formed by the Lord Brahma and to become activated for any spiritual practice during the festival.
History & Culture
The history of the Pushkar Fair dates back to the mythological era of ancient India. It is still believed that the Pushkar Fair was started when Lord Brahma created Pushkar Lake. In earlier years, the Pushkar Fair developed into a large-scale festival which is now a significant cultural and religious event. People come to Pushkar for bathing in the lake which is considered sacred and is said to give blessings to the bather.
The Pushkar fair is also an exhibition of the cultural traditions of Rajasthan. Songs and dance performances such as Ghoomar and Kalbelia, which are specific to Rajasthani culture, are popular with tourists. Small shops selling different products ranging from handcrafted toys, clothes, accessories, jewellery and local food to sample the authenticity of the region’s culture.
Spiritual Hub: It is the birthplace of the I P C O & possession of the famous Ajmer Sharif Dargah.
Historic City: The place of historical significance is the Taragarh Fort.
Cultural Blend: An amalgamation of two religions namely Hinduism and Islam in their cultures and the structure of the monuments.
Gateway to Pushkar: The famous Pushkar is located near the holy town of Pushkar where the famous Pushkar Fair is held every year.
Scenic Beauty: Situated amidst the Aravalli hills which gives this place a beautiful looking view.
Puja Ceremony: Engage in religious activities at the lake and inside the temple.
Main Attraction of Pushkar
Pushkar Lake: Pushkar lake is one of the oldest temples at Pushkar and for bathing ghat for travellers.
Cattle Trading Grounds: Experience interaction with people, animate trading, camels, horses, or other livestock.
Cultural Performances: Experience Rajasthani folk music, artist dance and drama, and puppet shows transforming the desert.
Brahma Temple: One of the very few temples that is dedicated to Lord Brahma, thus being visited by thousands of pilgrims every day.
Things To Do
Hot Air Balloon Rides: View the fair skies and the sand where the event is located. Camel Cart Rides: Take an old-fashioned camel cart ride around the fairgrounds.
Photography: Pushkar is a small town that has become a sacred city that has lots of culture as well as nature, which is why it is the best place for photographers. Because the town is situated on a hill, there are hills surrounding the town and one beautiful lake within the town to photograph.
Shopping: Shop at the crowded market selling Rajasthani artefacts and toys to take back home.
Camel Safari & Horse Riding: Some of the common activities that can be carried out within the areas of deserts include.
Practical Tips for Travelers
Do’s: Be culturally sensitive, dress appropriately, and interact with the people to enhance your tour.
Don’ts: Do not take photographs of people without their consent and do not get involved in purchases of fixed-price ‘blessings’.
Timing: The best time to visit is during Kartik Purnima when the fair is at its best and also the best time to buy woollen clothes.
Accommodation: If you want to enjoy the accommodation at the Pushkar Fair then it will be better to book before 5 months because after that it will be sold out.
Dress Code: It is advised to dress comfortably, especially if one is overweight or if the area is very hot. Politeness is dear, particularly in cases where the visitors are within the temples.
Nearby Attractions
Ajmer Sharif Dargah: This is one of the attractive mosques of the Islamic pilgrimage and is located at a distance of about fifteen kilometres from Pushkar.
Merta City: This city has the Meera Bai temple. It is an ancient city and can be reached in half an hour by car from Pushkar.
Nag Pahar: Another attraction is Serpent Hill where one gets a top view of Pushkar and the territories around it; though it takes a short hike.
Connectivity with Major Cities
The location of Pushkar is very well connected with most of the major cities of India, so it is not very difficult to reach this place for tourists.
By Air: The nearest airport is very close to Jaipur which is about 150 km away from here. Jaipur International Airport is well connected to various popular cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore and more so it would be rather easy for an air-bound traveller. Taxi services as well as buses are easily available for tourists from the airport to travel to Pushkar.
By Train: However, unlike most cities on our list, Pushkar does not have a railway station; the nearest railroad station is in Ajmer, to be precise, 14 kilometres away. Ajmer Junction is a major railway junction connected with direct train facilities and facilities from Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, and Chennai. Pushkar is a small town, which is located at a distance of about 11 kilometres from Ajmer and to reach this place one can take a taxi or a local bus.
By Road: Like many other cities in India, transportation in Pushkar is not a problem as there are bus services from other cities and towns. It takes almost 2 hours to reach Pushkar from Jaipur by car. The tourists can also decide to drive or get a taxi from Delhi, which is 400km away, and thus it is one of the known weekend destinations.
By Bus: Interstate: The principal bus service is between Pushkar and other cities of Rajasthan like Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Udaipur It has both state as well as private buses. These buses are relatively cheap and certainly comfortable for the passengers that are using them.
The good infrastructure, particularly the transport system assures that major tourist attraction centres such as Pushkar are easily accessible by road from different parts of the country.
Conclusion
The Pushkar Fair is much more than a fair: it is one of the most colourful and saturated exhibits of the most attractive parts of India with a ride through the Rajasthan region. From the bright and noisy fair and bull trade to the quiet and pious acts on the bank of the lake, the Pushkar can boast a great combination of time-honoured customs and unexplored thrills. If one wants to immerse in the rich colours of Indian culture, then the Pushkar Fair cum holiday at Pushkar is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
