About the Fair - The full moon of November – Karthik Purnima - brings excitement to Pushkar for this is when the world famous camel fair takes place in the main as well as the surrounding area of the city. Every year around 200000 traders from around the world with 50000 camels gather here for camel trading. Many people associate Pushkar fair with the world's biggest camel fair, but this is much more than that. People from far and near gather here to enjoy life. They make the tranquil land colorful and loud with their folk music, dance, and puppet show. Pushkar has great religious significance. It is believed that people gather here during Pushkar fair to take a dip in the holy lake of Pushkar to wash away their sins. And seeks the blessings of Lord Brahma. It is customary to float lighted earthen lamp on the water of the lake. The view is really spectacular when the sacred lake twinkles with earthen lamps and camel fair at the back ground. This lake has 52 ghats and an array of temples along its bank. Pushkar is considered as one of the five dhams in Hindu mythology. Here lies the only Brahma temple in the world.
The City During the Fair - The streets of Pushkar are very narrow and there is very less motorized traffic in the main bazaar. But during the fair, the extraordinarily mystic and amazingly small town of Pushkar gets packed with people and camel. These narrow streets are filled with fancy stall, interesting shops, hotels and temples. During the fair this land of Brahma shows how creative the creator is! Poets, musicians, directors, actors from all over the world become crazy to witness this vibrant festival. Over the five days fair many animal cow, goat, cattle, horse, camel are purchased and sold. Little animals know which master it will serve after the Pushkar Mela. Apart from the animals the shop keepers tickle traveller's fancy from hippy – chick minidresses to didgeridoos. It seems that woman keep less interest in trading and they are fascinated by silver ornaments, hair pin, bangles and other accessories. Tie & die and garment patch work are also fabulous. And the taboo stall gives the woman a mark of beauty. Pushkar is Rajasthan under one roof during the fair.
Highlights of the Fair - The description of Pushkar fair will be in complete without mentioning the activities that the camels do. The trading actually begins before 5 days of the Karthik Poornima. On that full moon day trading is over and actual count down for fun and frolic starts. Camels become very fashionable those days. The proud owner of the newly purchased camels decorate their camels with beautiful bead ornaments. Scarf, hand made saddle to fit the hump and make them ready for the show, like musical chair, camel race and most thrilling event is the 'laadoo oonth' shows how much weight the camel can carry.
How to Get There - Pushkar is 11 km away from Ajmer but separated from it with Nag Pahar or Snake mountain. Nearest airport of Pushkar is Jaipur and rail station is Ajmer. Ajmer is well connected by train with Delhi ,Agra, Udaipur, and Jaipur.
Lodging - Elaborate arrangements for staying of visitors are made including luxury tents during the Mela, otherwise Pushkar has plenty of lodging facility though not fancy but cleanly white washed.
The tarrif reaches sky high during the Pushkar fair as the demand is very high, but if one has negotiation skill then there is nothing to worry.
2008 Pushkar Fair - The 2008 Pushkar Fair will be starting from 7th Nov till 13th Nov .So hurry up and start planning.
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