Pushkar Mela - Rajasthan
About Pushkar Mela
The Pushkar Camel Fair, also known as the Pushkar Mela, Kartik Mela, or Pushkar Ka Mela, is a famous annual fair held in the town of Pushkar in Rajasthan, India. The fair typically takes place in November and is known for its camel trading and various cultural and religious events, including music and dance performances, competitions, and religious ceremonies. It is one of the biggest cattle fairs in the world, and this occasion attracts thousands of tourists and traders from all over India and abroad.
Pushkar celebrates the fair on the full moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik, which typically falls in October or November. The event holds significance for the people of Pushkar, traders and tourists from all over the country and abroad. It lasts for more than seven days. Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation organizes the event, setting it up on a gigantic ground on the outskirts of Pushkar.
Trading of camels is the main attraction of the fair, which takes place on a gigantic ground called the Camel Fair Ground. Camel traders from all over Rajasthan and neighbouring states come to the fair to buy and sell camels. When you’re roaming the camel-fair ground, you see hundreds of camels decorated with colourful beads, tassels, and other decorations, paraded around the fairground for prospective buyers to see. The camel owners also participate in their livestock in various competitions and races, such as the “camel beauty contest” and the “camel race”.
In addition to camel trading, the fair also organizes several cultural and religious events. You can enjoy music and dance performances, including traditional Rajasthani folk music and dances. There are also competitions, such as the “Matka- Phod” (breaking the pot) competition and the “longest moustache” competition, and religious ceremonies, such as the “Gangaur Puja” and the “Rajasthani Holi” enjoyed with great zeal and devotion.
At the fair, one can witness and appreciate a vast array of camels brought in for trading from different parts of the state. From the one-hump dromedary camels to the two-hump Bactrian camels, there is a considerable diversity of camels at the fair. The camels are decorated well in various ways with different ornaments and other materials to make them more attractive to potential buyers. These decorations include intricate designs painted on their bodies and varied colourful beads and tassels.
The Pushkar Camel Fair also provides an excellent opportunity for tourists to experience the richness of the culture and traditions of Rajasthan. Visitors can also take a cleansing dip in the holy Pushkar Lake. It is a local belief that the lake has healing powers. Pushkar is also one of the very few places in the world with a temple dedicated to Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe according to Hindu mythology, which tourists can visit.
Apart from the camels, traders also bring several other kinds of animals to the fair for trading, including horses, cows, and goats. More than 50,000 animals are gathered each year for the fair. The fair also has a variety of shops and stalls selling traditional Rajasthani handicrafts, textiles, and jewellery. These handicrafts are a perfect way to take a piece of Rajasthan with you and also make for great souvenirs.
Visitors can also enjoy traditional Rajasthani food, such as “dal bati churma” and “mirchi vada”, at the food stalls set up at the fairground. These dishes are a must-try for anyone visiting Rajasthan, and the fair offers a superb opportunity to taste several authentic Rajasthani dishes.
The fair is not just limited to camels but also features a variety of other animals, such as horses, cows, and goats. Several shops and stalls sell traditional Rajasthani handicrafts, textiles, and jewellery. Visitors can also enjoy traditional Rajasthani food, such as “dal bati churma” and “mirchi vada”, at the food stalls set up at the fairground.
The Pushkar Camel Fair is a unique and fascinating event that offers a glimpse into the richness of the culture and traditions of Rajasthan. It is a must-visit for anyone interested in experiencing vibrant and colourful Indian culture and witnessing the unique spectacle of camel trading in action. With a combination of religion, culture, tradition, and commerce, the Pushkar Camel Fair is truly a one-of-a-kind event that is an experience too special to miss. The fair provides a platform for camel trading (and various other animals) while acting as a cultural melting pot, where people from different regions and backgrounds come together to celebrate their culture and traditions. So, if you ever plan a trip across India, you can include the Pushkar Camel Fair in your itinerary for an unforgettable experience.