Pushkar Mela – The Most Memorable Trip to Rajasthan

When it comes to celebrate fairs and festivals in India, there is no comparison to Pushkar Fair. This is one of the most famous fairs held at Pushkar town which is located just 11Km from Ajmer, Rajasthan. It is the small peaceful and the sacred town along the bank of the picturesque Pushkar Lake that comes alive during Pushkar fair . Today it is considered as one of the most popular and colorful fairs and festivals in India that attracts numerous tourists from every corner of the world. This cultural cum trade fair provides ample of opportunities for vacationers to enjoy the attractive and lively spectacle of Rajasthan.

During Pushkar fair this small town comes alive and brings the rich tradition of Rajasthan enhancing the glory of the golden sand. Stunning fair ground with decorated camels and cattle, meditating, adventures competitions and vibrant stalls are few essential characteristics of this fair that make it more unique and different. Spending holiday or visiting Pushkar fair in true sense can be your lifetime experience.
This famous fair usually begins on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi and continues for five days till Kartik Purnima. Generally, the time of the fair coincides with the bright half of the moon during the months of October-November. Adding to this, it is also believed that during this fair and time, the Gods visit Pushkar for 5 days every year. This sacred conviction towards the existence of God results in gathering of unbelievable number of devotees who flock to the Pushkar Lake to wash away their sins. In fact, the Pushkar Lake is yet important facet of the fair that adds a unique charisma and provides an ideal setting to the Pushkar Camel fair. Lake is believed to posses some medicinal properties and many devotees perform ceremony of ritual bath in the Pushkar Lake on the Full moon day of Kartik Purnima.
The next major feature of the Pushkar Mela is its camel and cattle fair which is also considered to be the largest cattle fair in the entire Asia. Visitors and tourists gather here in huge numbers to view the participation of numerous camels, mules, horses, cows, goats and sheep along with their masters. In addition, most of the days of the fair are dedicated to selling and purchasing of cattle and camel. However, this entire process normally takes lot of days as initially the sellers draw in customers by praising their animals and once the deal get finalized lots of negotiations take place.

Apart from all this, those who are looking for more fun and enjoyment cannot afford to miss the camel race that take place in Pushkar Fair. This camel race is very popular in the midst of visitors from across the world. Spectators, visitors and participants, each of them have a gala time during the race. In addition to this, the camel beauty contest is another vital and unique feature of Pushkar fair. It is the most interesting part of this event when camel are decorated and paraded. All the camels are cleaned, washed, adorned and interestingly decorated to form patterns.
Vacationers can also find special stalls that set up selling finery and jewelry items for the camels. In Pushkar fair, visitors can also find some of the most beautiful and splendid varieties of ornaments, accessories and other jewelry at different stalls. Craftsmen who make these ornaments or accessories are engaged in this craft for whole year and wait for the fair to make some profits. In addition to this, numerous stalls of trinkets, chains, nose rings, necklaces, anklets, toe rings and the ivory bangles worn from wrist to shoulder attract many women in the fair. Garments and tattoos are also very popular among womenfolk.