Pushkar Camel Fair
The Pushkar Fair, or Pushkar ka Mela, is the annual five-day camel and livestock fair, held in the town of Pushkar in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is one of the world’s largest camel fairs, and apart from buying and selling of livestock it has become an important tourist attraction and its highlights have become competitions such as the “matka phod”, “longest moustache”, and “bridal competition” are the main draws for this fair which attracts thousands of tourists.
Thousands of people go to the banks of the Pushkar Lake where the fair takes place. Men buy and sell their livestock, which includes camels, cows, sheep and goats. The women go to the stalls, full of bracelets, clothes, textiles and fabrics. A camel race starts off the festival, with music, songs and exhibitions to follow. Between these events, the most waited for is the test of how the camel is able to bring the items. In order to demonstrate, the men go up on the group of camels one after another.
The Annual Pushkar Fair in Ajmere District, Rajasthan undoubtedly showcases true Rajasthani culture like no other fair. The mela at the scenic and Holy Pushkar Lake, which was created by Brahma, the reator of the Universe attracts thousands of devotees from far and wide. Rural women attired in very colourful ethnic Rajasthani dresses, men with colourful turbans of various designs and sizes, the makeshift market that springs up selling a colourful array of rural crafts and most of all the hundreds of thousands camels arriving to be sold or exchanged make Pushkar arguably, the most lively and vibrant of all Indian Fairs. I have very fond memories of the days I spent at the Fair. My stream also have a number of images from my 2007 visit. Sadly, this year I wouldn’t be visiting the fair due to come personal commitments. I was really saddened to read in the newspapers that due to some administrative goof up, there is no water in the Holy Pushkar lake. Unable to take the mandatory dip, many pilgrims might give the fair a go by. Sad news for photographers. Please see the link below timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/jaipur/Theres-no-lake-in... Here is an image from my old files.
