Event Date: 5th November to 13th November, 2008
Pushkar,
an important pilgrim centre in Rajasthan, is famous for world's
largest camel fair, The Pushkar fair. This fair is one of the main
cultural activities of Pushkar. It is held in the month of November
every year. Pushkar fair is well-known for its camel trading and
other religious activities. Villagers come from different parts
of the state and bring their cattle with them. The festival is full
of folk dance, and music. Colourful shops make this fair a very
charming cultural event. Camel races are also held during this vibrant
festival.
This
fair is held at Pushkar town, 11 km from Ajmer in Rajasthan for twelve
days annually during October- November. This cultural and trade cum religious
fair is an attractive and lively spectacle with Rajasthani men and women
in their colourful traditional attire, saffron-robed and ash smeared Sadhus
(holy men) and thousands of bulls, cows, sheep, goats, horses and camels
in richly decorated saddles. Perhaps the largest cattle fair in the world,
it attracts more than one lakh people from all over Rajasthan as well
as tourists from different parts of India and abroad.
Trading of cattle, camel races and dazzling displays of bangles, brassware, clothes, camel saddles and halters make the fair colourful. Necklaces of glass beads from Naguar, pottery, printed textiles from Jodhpur and Ajmer are all on sale here. Farmers, cattle traders and breeders buy and sell their animals, leather whips, saddles etc. There are facilities for camel rides also.
This
livestock fair coincides with the climaxing of a religious celebration.
Pushkar is among the five main places of pilgrimage mentioned in the Hindu
scriptures. It has a large number of temples including one of the only
two temples dedicated to Lord Brahma in India. Hundreds of thousands of
devotees take a ritual dip in the holy Pushkar lake on the day of the
Kartik Purnima (full moon night of the Kartika month) and worship at the
Brahma temple (Jagat Pita Shri Brahma Mandir). It is believed that Lord
Brahma, the creator, wished to perform a 'yagna' following his long years
of penance. During his sojourn in search of a place for yagna, Brahma
dropped a lotus from heaven which created the lake Pushkar. It was on
the Karthika night that a drop of nectar fell in this lake, thereby making
it sacred. Pilgrims flock from all over India to be in Pushkar at this
auspicious time. They also believe that all the 330 million Gods and Goddesses
are present at Pushkar Lake during the occasion.
Camel
trading is the main activity of Pushkar Fair. So many interesting events
are held during this fair. Camel races and other events like the Puppet
show, cattle show and Magic show are also the part of this event. Pushkar
is also the sacred place for Hindus. Amidst chanting of Vedic mantras
people take bath in the Pushkar Lake. Shopping is one of the main activities
during this festival. Decorative items for Cattles, like saddles, saddle-straps
and beads are sold. One can buy jewelry, garments, silver ornaments, bead
necklaces etc.
The
trading which involves a great deal of bargaining between the cattle traders
and the buyers add to the spirit of the fair. Apart from the religious
rituals and trading, people participate in a number of cultural and sporting
events. The variety of folk dances, dramas and songs lend colour and melody
to the atmosphere that is already charged with excitement of the camel
races and the cattle fair. The sweeping expanse of the desert becomes
dotted with thousands of camels, stalls and camping families. The Rajasthan
tourism Development Corporation has taken adequate measures to facilitate
convenient access of the fair site and to accommodate the fairgoers.
Pushkar Fair is believed to be the largest cattle trade fair in the world and coincides with a Hindu religious celebration.
Next Event Dates:
25th October to 2nd November, 2009
13th to 21st November, 2010
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