The Pushkar Fair 2017

PUSHKAR- the 'Pilgrim City' is a picturesque town 14 kms. from Ajmer. Known for its temples and lake, the Nag Pahar (Snake Mountain), which forms a part of chain of the Aravali ranges, stands between Ajmer and Pushkar. The road from Ajmer to Pushkar is a very interesting drive as the road winds through the Nag Pahar, leading to the ancient lake. The town situated around the beautiful lake is surrounded on three sides by hills, while the fourth side is cordoned by sands which have drifted from the plains of Marwar.

It is one of the most revered places for Hindus and referred as Tirth Raj' or the king among places of pilgrimage, just as Kashi(Banaras) is their 'guru' or preceptor. No pilgrimage to Badri Nath(Himalayas), Jagannath (Orissa), Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu) and Dwarka (Gujarat), the four principal places of pilgrimage for the Hindus is complete till the pilgrims bath in the sacred waters of Pushkar.

According to Padma Puran, the Hindu religious text, Lord Brahma was in search of suitable place for a Vedic yagna. While contemplating, a lotus fell down from his hand on the earth and water spurted from three places, one of them being Pushkar and Lord Brahma decided to perform his yagna over here.

The beautiful Pushkar Lake is a sanctified spot, considered as old as the creation, and has been a place of pilgrimage since time immemorial. It is surrounded by 52 bathing ghats, where people come to take a dip with deep religious faith rooted in their hearts. Pushkar has withstood the test of time, and has been a mute witness to the evolution of history from the time of Rama, the hero of the earliest Hindu Epic Ramayana, to Fa-Hien's accounts of Pushkar in 4th century AD., to the time of Muslim invasion to the present day.
The Pushkar Cattle Fair is one of the largest in India and the only one of its kind in the entire world. During the fair, Lakhs of people from rural India flock to Pushkar, along with camel and cattle for several days of livestock trading, horse dealing, pilgrimage and religious festival.

This small town, becomes a cultural phenomenon when colourfully dressed devotees, musicians, acrobats, folk dancers, traders, comedians, ‘sadhus’ and tourists reach here during Pushkar fair. According to Hindu chronology, it takes place in the month of Kartika (October or November) beginning on ‘ashtmi’ 8th day of Lunar Calendar and continues till full moon (‘Poornima’). The camel and cattle trading is at its peak during the first half of festival period. During the later half, religious activities dominate the scenario. Devotees take dips in the holy "Sarovar" lake, as the sacred water is known to bestow salvation.



This small town is transformed into a spectacular fair ground, as rows of make shift stalls display an entire range of objects of art to daily utility stuff. Decoration items for cattle, camel and women, everything is sold together. Small handicraft items are the best bargain for buying souvenirs. The camel and horse races have crowds to cheer. Camel judging competitions are quite popular with animal lovers. Each evening brings different folk dances and music of Rajasthan, performers delivering live shows to the roaring and applauding crowds.

Pushkar fair has its own magic and it's a lifetime experience for travellers. It has featured in numbers of travel shows, films and magazines. According to the Lonely Planet: "It’s truly a feast for the eyes. If you are any where within striking distance at the time, it’s an event not to be missed." www.villagestays.in