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Pushkar Fair |
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Also known as Pushkar ka Mela, Pushkar Fair, is the world's largest camel fair held in the holy town of Pushkar in Rajasthan. Pushkar Fair is undoubtedly the world's largest camel fair and it also makes it world's largest cattle fair in general. Competitions such as the "Matka Phod", "moustache", and "bridal competition" are the main attractions of this fair which attracts thousands of tourists. A spotlight of one's holiday in India, the festival hosts around 50,000 camels which are sold, decorated, shaved and raced. From a mere 14,000 to a massive 200,000! This is how the population of Pushkar swells during the Pushkar Fair.
History & Legends
Puskar has has the only temple of Lord Brahma in the country. Myth says that Lord Brahma was on his way to search for a suitable place to perform a 'Yagna' (a fire sacrifice) while contemplating, a lotus fell from his hand on the earth and water sprouted from that place. One of them was Pushkar where Lord Brahma performed "Yagna". Worship of Brahma was considered highly important at the end of the first millennium BC. The holy lake has 52 ghats and pilgrim taking a ritual dip in the lake is a common sight. Although a serene town, Pushkar bustles with life during the joyous celebration held on Kartik Purnima. Every year thousands of devotees throng the lake around the full moon day of Kartik Purnima in October-November to take a holy dip in the lake. Huge and colourful cattle fair "The Pushkar Fair", is also held during this time. Pushkar fair is well-known for it's camel trading and other attractive activities.
Cultural Significance
Umpteen number of traders gather here and and set up shops. These traders sell a lot of products like woolen blankets of Merta, bead necklaces of Nagaur, textiles printed in Ajmer and Jodhpur, brassware of Jodhpur and Jaipur etc. Saddles, ropes, and assorted household items are also on sale. Cultural shows and exhibitions are also organized in this fair to enliven the event. Movies are shown, competitions are arranged, bards and poets recite and sing tales of valour and heroism of bygone days. Animal races and other competitions also add the attraction.
Why visit the Pushkar Fair?
It is the world's largest Camel Fair
You will visit the only Brahma Temple in the world
You will see the Holy Pushkar Lake with 52 ghats surrounding it
Pushkar offers around 400 temples to see
You can participate in numerous cultural activities
Ethnic shopping items from all over the state are on sale
It’s a rare combination of religious fervour and cultural vibrancy in Rajasthan
You can interact with tribal folks and understand their culture
How to Reach Pushkar
Pushkar lies at a distance of 11 km from Ajmer, which serves as the base for the most of the long-distance journeys to and from Pushkar.
By Air : The nearest airport from Pushkar is located in Jaipur which is 131 km away.
By Rail : Ajmer which is situated at a distance of 11 km from Pushkar, is the nearest railway station. Ajmer in turn is well connected with major destinations in Rajasthan.
By Road : Pushkar has to two bus stands. The Marwar bus stand is situated to the north of the town by the post office and has buses to some long distance places including Delhi, Jodhpur and Bikaner. The Ajmer bus stand is located east of the Pushkar town and offers bus services to Ajmer and Jaipur.
Pushkar Fair Programme
The Pushkar Fair is no less than an encyclopedia on the tradition and culture of the state of Rajasthan. It is the event when a better population of the state can be found at one place and at one time. It seems as if the whole state has come alive at Pushkar to stand witness to its pulsating cultural heritage. Villagers gather from all around the state to enjoy and make merry, breaking all the barriers of hectic schedules of their lives. Colourful sights at the fair can touch and move even the sternest heart. Hindu pilgrims can be seen flocking the place to take a holy dip in the Pushkar Lake, washing away all the sins of the past. Devotees and worshippers can be seen surrendering themselves at the only Brahma Temple.
Shopping in Pushkar
Pushkar, a small town in Rajasthan, is located 11 km from the city of Ajmer. It is a land of various colours, different moods and an enigma visited by people from all over the world for various reasons. Primarily, it is a holy place also famous for its Pushkar lake, plethora os temples and last but not the least various shopping articles known for their unique charm.
Pushkar occupies an important place in Rajasthan as a source of souvenirs and visitors who visit this holy town definitely go the bazaars to purchase textiles, clothes with elaborate embroidery, ethnic jewellery which is a speciality of Rajasthan, alluring miniature paintings, leather goods, lovely brass utensils, mesmerising puppets and pottery. Pushkar is considered to be one of the most interesting places in Rajasthan to buy costume jewellery and embroidered clothes.
At the time of Pushkar fair, one can purchase various items like beads, brass utensils, lovely colourful bangles, leather goods, unique embroidered clothes, camel cover, and much more.
Major shopping areas in Pushkar are Sarafa Bazar, Baza Bazar and Kedalganj bazaar.
Exploring the Pushkar Temples
Pushkar, located 11 km northwest of Ajmer in the state of Rajasthan, is one of the most important pilgrimages in the country. The town is considered to be sacred by the Hindus because of the presence of some 500 temples, which encircle the lake. Some of the most visited temples here are the Brahma Temple, Savitri Temple, Rangji Temple, Varah Temple and Apteshwar Temple.
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