Pushkar Fair: A Colourful Carnival

The narrow lanes, earthy smell, crowded alleys, stalls and well decked up rooftops and houses. This was the very first impression I had while struggling to make my way to reach the hotel. Rajasthan being one of my favourite destinations in India, the urge to explore a new destination is always evident in my travel talks. So when I decided to finally land up in Pushkar during the famous Pushkar Fair, the level of excitement reached the sky. And I happily ticked off one more destination from my bucket list.

Situated at the edge of Thar Desert, Pushkar is a charmingly tranquil town. Popularly known as the temple town of Rajasthan, Pushkar is home to almost 400 temples and 52 Ghats. Not just that, it earns the reputation of housing the only Brahma Temple in the world. With the rich cultural heritage, the thriving history, and the mythology, Pushkar is considered as one of the sacred destinations in India. One of the most picturesque sights of the town is the famous Pushkar Lake.

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I was mesmerized by the scenic view of the lake which was surrounded by many Ghats along with the towering Nag Pahar or the Snake Mountain. The reflection of those white old fashioned houses in the lake was simply beautiful. People from far off places come to Pushkar to take a holy dip in the Pushkar Lake around Kartik Purnima. It is believed that the holy Pushkar Lake has unique powers to heal all kinds of diseases and wash away all kinds of sins.

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I was very much intrigued by this place in my very first impression and decided to take a stroll around to get a sense of the town. The view of the town was overwhelming. While walking down the lanes, I felt as if I was part of the colourful carnival where sparkling lights brighten those dark lanes, endless crowd moving from one end to another, irresistible smell of famous Kachori and Malpua and those happy faces all around. The energy and vibe in the air was simply incredible. The festivity was in full swing._MG_0688

The main attraction of Pushkar is always the famous Pushkar Fair, which is an annual event where camel and other livestock are traded among local communities.People from different parts of Rajasthan come to Pushkar to trade. This fair happens during the holy month of Kartik (according to the Hindu calendar) between Ekadashi to Kartik Purnima. This 5 days affair in Pushkar is no less than a cultural extravaganza.

One of the most interesting things to look out in Pushkar fair is undoubtedly the crowd.Nowhere in the world can one see this kind of colourful crowd. I was mesmerized by the burst of colours everywhere.

_MG_0868Be it their colourful costumes, gorgeous looking jewellery or be it the dazzling turbans. The rainbow of colours dominated the whole area. And those happy faces add to the charm of the surrounding. People from different ages were equally charged up and  enjoying the festive mood.

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The whole fairground looked like a small world where one can shop intricate silver jewellery, gorgeous traditional attire, utensils, decorative stuff for animal and what not.Among all these, you should not miss the food stalls which offer mouth-watering spicy Rajasthani cuisines. And if you are an adventure junkie who enjoys the air ride in giant wheels, Pushkar fair has it all for you.

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But the moment  I inched forward towards the open field and saw the herd of camels beyond my horizon, was truly a treat to my eyes. Camels and more camels.

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The entire Thar Desert was full of thousands of camels, their owners and those tents spread across the miles. I stood still for a while to soak into it. The decorated camels and their herders were equally captivating.

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I would call this ground a Photographer’s Paradise. You can’t go wrong with any of your pictures. There is so much to capture into your lens.

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Be it the characters, the landscape, camels, lifestyle, culture or the tents.

IMGP7607You will find a perfect story in every corner. Pushkar Fair is not only the place for business among local communities, but a place for social interactions, recreation and entertainment as well.

Pushkar Fair is celebrated with great zeal by the people of Rajasthan. Owners buy colourful ropes and other ornamental stuff to decorate their camels to attract buyers.The Pushkar fair is considered as world’s largest Camel fair, due to which it draws a lot of tourists .

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Interestingly, a variety of competitions are organized during this fair where camels are decorated at their best to take part in these competitions. Among them, camel decoration , camel dance , and moustache competition are few to watch out for. Not just that, you will be thoroughly entertained by Rajasthani Folk Dance and Songs by the evening.

While capturing those priceless moments into my lens, my photographer friend Brian Thomas, asked me to accompany him to a local’s house for a cup of tea. I was a little apprehensive in the first place as I could not see any house from the fair ground. But then I decided to go with him. It was almost a half a km from the main fair ground; I landed up in a small hut.

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I was surprised to see the way they greeted him. Later I got to know that he was a regular to their house for last couple of days. And for the first time I had tea, which was made of goat’s milk. I was floored by the hospitality of the family. It left me speechless when I experienced this kind of simplicity which is unimaginable in the most civilized modern cities. And because of those priceless moments, I can go those extra miles to explore remote corners of India, where people still practice “Atithi Devo Bhava” and you can find those simple, humble and incredibly beautiful people.

IMGP7791Pushkar as a destination just surprised me to the core. This tiny little place which is most famously recognized for the Pushkar fair has so much to offer that you can’t comprehend everything in one visit. From temples to ghats, and lifestyle to culture, I was spellbound. Pushkar is undoubtedly a beautiful experience which not only stays with you for a long period, but will also leave you with a strong urge to come back once more before long. Similarly, Pushkar Mela is a priceless treat for those who wish to experience the cultural magnetism of Rajasthan.


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19 Comments

  1. Abhinav Singh

    I went solo to Pushkar fair years ago. It is still one of my finest travel experience. The air of Pushkar is infectious with good cheer, great food and it’s a delight of eyes. Loved the pictures you have clicked.

    Reply
  2. Cat

    This is such a colorful and lively place! I’m intrigued by all the vendors at the Pushkar Fair. Did you buy anything? The group of camels is quite a sight!

    Reply
  3. Lois Alter Mark

    I am floored by all the vibrant colors and the scenery and the expressions on the people. Just stunning storytelling in both words and pictures. It totally makes me want to visit!

    Reply
  4. Rachelle

    Colorful is right! I can’t believe how many different colored outfits there are! I love wearing bright color combinations and I usually stand out. Not at the Pushkar Fair! And I really love the picture at the beginning. Wonderful composition and it’s so fun!

    Reply
  5. Janiel

    I think camels are soooo funny! Very smelly, but funny & a hoot to ride on. I rode once in Morocco and it decided to go swimming while I was on it, lol. After that I truly fell in love with camels, so to see this festival of camels is so fun & sincerely made me smile reading this post. I can only imagine what it’s like to see a camel DANCE! HAHAHA! I love the photos btw, of the people, it reminds me of Steve McCurry Photos.

    Reply
  6. James

    I visited Pushkar years ago and had a fabulous time. It must be fun to visit during the Pushkar fair and seeing all the sites with so much colour. You festival and people photography is fantastic!

    Reply
  7. Kathy VA

    Pushkar Fair is an event I’d love to witness. I’ve never seen camels in person, just pictures. It must have been a wonderful feeling to not only see camels but decorated camels at that. I know Indians are welcoming and friendly. That’s of the interesting reasons I’ve been longing for visit. And it’s numerous history and legends too.
    Kathy VA recently posted…10 Free Things To Do In Tours, FranceMy Profile

    Reply
  8. Kathy VA

    Pushkar Fair is an event I’d love to witness. I’ve never seen camels in person, just pictures. It must have been a wonderful feeling to not only see camels but decorated camels at that. I know Indians are welcoming and friendly. That’s interesting I’ve been longing for visit. And it’s numerous history and legends too.

    Reply
  9. Lisa

    If I ever go to India, I’d like to visit Rajasthan. All your photos are wonderful and full of colour showing this fair. I have a real love affair with camels, after riding one in Morocco. They’re such warm animals, if not a bit smelly!

    Reply
  10. Abigail Sinsona

    Your words are beautifully presented such that I have a vivid picture of Pushkar in my head. Your photos also match the quality of your words. Indian festivals and fairs such as these are so culturally enriched. I would love to be able to partake in one of these in the future!

    Reply
  11. datta ghosh

    mesmerizing clicks, I loved the one with sunset and camel and the revered elderly person with moustache

    Reply
    • Parnashree Devi

      Hey Datta, Thanks a lot for the comment. Do keep coming to my blog and read about other destinations as well.

      Reply
  12. Brian

    I loved the pictures of camels walking off into sunset with turbaned owners you must have had a good camera 🙂

    I just posted a photo blog entry on Karni Mata, the rat temple, here:

    http://pileofprints.blogspot.com

    Reply
    • Parnashree Devi

      Hi Brian , All thanks to you 🙂 I like your post on Karni Mata Temple . Keep in Touch

      Reply
  13. Yogi saraswat

    Beautiful ! Traditions always attracts !! Great pictures with informative description

    Reply
    • Parnashree Devi

      Thank you Yogi. Keep Visiting my blog for many more travel stories across India.

      Reply
  14. Navneet

    Breathtaking Pictures !

    Reply

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