Pushkar is a small town spot located 11 km north-west of Ajmer. Surrounded by the Aravalli Range on three sides and Thar Desert on the fourth side this sacred spot gets into the limelight in the months of October, November each year. According to the Puranas, Lord Brahma was in search of an idle place for meditation. While he was on his way a lotus flower fell from his hand on the ground and transformed into a lake (sarovar). From that day itself the region got its name as Pushkar. Furthermore, it is the only place in the country where Lord Brahma is worshipped as the prime god. The religious spot has 52 riverbanks (ghats) and more than one hundred temples.
During the month of October-November the town gets busy with organising and celebrating the Pushkar Fair. The fair brings along the joy of several colourful fountains in the yellow sands of the desert. Such is the attraction and appeal of the fair in this part of the country. The Pushkar Animal (camel) Fair starts eight days before the pious Karthik Purnima. The fairs gets into the limelight in the last four days when thousands of people dressed in Rajasthani dresses and costumes pour in from different directions. The eight to ten days celebration symbolises the harmony of religious, cultural and social ethos on an equal platform. Dressed in traditional costumes the locals as well as the visitor gather at the banks of the Pushkar Lake. Decorated animals like the cows, buffaloes, goats, elephants, camel, etc., are the other attractions of the festival. Besides, handiworks, clothes, make-up items, circus, magic shows, stage shows and puppet dances are the other attractions of the fair.
The camel race gets organised at the Ramlila Grounds. Besides, several sports like the Kabaddi, horse racing, rope pulling, etc., are organised as well. Moreover, people enjoy the exciting camel safari as well. In the evening, people gather to hear the Rajasthani Lok Sangeet. The Rajasthan tour and travel department organises Tent Village for the foreign tourists.
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| Pushkar Fair |
As far as the popularity is concerned this is the second best fair in India after the Kumbh Mela. More than one lakh of people participate in it including the locals, tourists and visitors. Rows of tents surround the Pushkar Lake from all around. This is the most happening zone of the fair as because people could do everything starting from shopping, eating to participating in the cultural programs. Traditionally, on the day of Kartik Purnima people take the holy dip in the fresh waters of the lake before attending the fair. They offer prayer at the Brahma Temple, Gayatri Temple and Savitri Devi Temple.
Festival Date: This year the Pushkar Fair is from 18th of November, 2015.