The annual Pushkar fair of Rajasthan is one of the celebrated tourism fairs in India and certainly the most colourful of them all! During this fair, the little town of Pushkar turns into a fascinating location for the tourists.

The annual religious and cattle fair makes this little place famous around the world and attracts thousands of visitors from across the globe. The very famous Pushkar Mela held during the Kartik Poornima makes it a fantastic place to sojourn for many.

Though tourists visit this place throughout the year, the little town comes alive with a riot of colours during the festival season. People reach this shrine on the occasion of Poornima (full moon) for a holy dip at the sarovar. The large, gaudy safas of the biri-smoking Rehbaris and the loud hues of the ghagraas of the bejewelled ladies add sparkle to the fair. 

The fair takes place in the month of Kartika (October -November) beginning on Asthmi, the eighth day of lunar calendar and goes on till the Poornima (full moon). The grand Pushkar mela held this year from October 18 to November 24 featured folk recitals, rural sports, Mohan Veena recital by maestro Vishwa Mohan Bhatt, Rajasthani music, Raas Leela, art & crafts bazaar, cattle fair, shilpgram and many camel and animal-based events.

Assistant Director,Tourism  P K Jain says, “This year, adventure sports like parasailing, rappelling, trekking, rock-climbing, camel cart and horse safari and other such activities were added attractions for the guests. The presence of the foreign tourists was overwhelming and a record number of artisans and cattle-sellers participated in the mega extravaganza. The fair attracts thousands of cattle-rearers to Pushkar along with those who are interested in pilgrimage and religious festivities. During the season, the holy town of Pushkar will be abuzz with festive spirit and it becomes the converging place of tourists, traders, sadhus and folk artistes alike.”

Cattle trade

The camel and cattle trading will be at its peak in the first half of the fair. And the religious functions dominate the second half. Though the camel and horse race are major attractions, other events like camel decoration, horse dance and cattle-milking are equally remarkable. Multifaceted rural games like wrestling, satolia, tug of war, bridal attire, impressive moustaches, matka race and many other delightful events fascinate the tourists.

An evening at the Pushkar fair has its own charm. The silence of the night is disturbed by the cry of the cattle. The glittering lights create a spectacular view on the water. Little diyas carrying flowers are set afloat on the water. The beautiful ‘aarti’ and the holy recitations make the Pushkar sarovar the centre of attraction.

One of the foreign tourists, Henry says, “For the tourist visiting Rajasthan, the itinerary is never complete without visiting Pushkar.” Viewing the sunset accompanied by the enticing folk music is an experience in itself. The vast stretch of sandy land and the camel ride with the melodious folk tunes in the backdrop offer a pleasant full moon delight. The market, that bustle with activities during this season, offers a wide variety of  fancy as well as handicraft articles. A good range of souvenirs including Rajasthani costumes, jewellery, embroidered fabrics, decorative wall hangings and attractive accessories, are on display.

Interestingly, the place has a variety of music-cum-bookshops with a decent range of Indian fusion, Indian classical, etc. “There is a huge demand for fusion music from the tourists, so we stock them,” says a young retailer, Avinish.

Many well-known brands of cigars, body lotions, toiletries, etc are available in the stores. The tourists are more attracted to the glittering wares in the stalls under the canopies. The large variety of intricate silver ornaments like hairpins and chains, nose rings and neckbands, waistbands, anklets, toe rings and ivory bangles worn from wrist to shoulder are enough to send anybody on a shopping spree. There are many tattoo stalls as well. And the special ‘Malpua’ samosaas and kachoris are relished greatly by all. The smell and the taste of  hot puris with sabzi work out to be a wonderful mini meal for the pilgrims.

The pleasant weather, rustic lanes, the people, the celebrations, the bazaar and the smiling faces that sell fancy stuff impress the visitors. The magic and charm of this picturesque town on the edge of the Thar work wonders on one and all.