Pushkar Fair
Though there is a steady flow of pilgrims to Pushkar throughout, it is transformed into a spectacular fair ground every year during the most popular and colourful fair of the Thar Desert. The Pushkar Fair is an internationally renowned attraction. It begins on the eleventh lunar day of the Kartik month and goes on for five days till Kartik Purnima, which is believed to be the time these lakes were formed. For five days in a year, all the Gods visit Pushkar and bless the devout. The town simply teems with devotees and holy men or sages in various garbs who come to pray and take a dip in the sacred waters of the Pushkar Lake. It is believed that the man who bathes in the Shukla Paksha of the Kartik Month and has a darshan of Varaha (Incarnation of Lord Vishnu) will not take rebirth on earth and enjoy the bliss of heaven forever.

The Pushkar cattle fair is also held simultaneously. Cattle breeders bring a large number of popular breeds to the fair to be sold to the rural folk. The cattle are decorated by their owners and participate in races and are paraded on the sand dunes. Trading is brisk as several thousand heads of cattle exchange hands.

The highlight of the fair is the trading in camels. Camel traders and villagers from miles away converge to Pushkar with their humped beasts. Over 25,000 camels (on the conservative side) are traded, making this the world's largest camel fair. Camels are bought, sold, decked up and paraded on the sand dunes, presenting a picturesque sight. An interesting event is the camel beauty contest, all the camels are cleaned, washed, adorned, some are interestingly shorn to form patterns. The camels preen before the crowds, enjoying every moment of the attention they get. Special stalls are set up selling finery and jewellery for the camels. They wear jewellery of silver and beads with silver bells and bangles around their ankles that jingle-jangle when they walk. Another interesting ritual is the piercing of a camel's nose.

The profusion of colours run riot on the desert sands and this serene town overflows with tribals, pilgrims and tourists from all over the world. Colourful turbans on the heads of the men and the embroidered veils and skirts of the rural Rajasthani women bring alive the arid desert. On the roadside, stalls of all kinds are set up to sell a cornucopia of Rajasthani handicrafts. It is truly a rural bazaar.

Arrangements for accommodation during the Pushkar Fair

On this occasion, the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation puts up a tourist village. The tourist village is self-sufficient and specially designed to complement the natural beauty of the site. The village is arranged in blocks of tents. There are also huts equipped with all the necessary facilities with attached western style toilets and running water. Camel carts are available from the tent camp for the journey to and from the fair.

Shopping
Pushkar Bazaar
The old bazaar of Pushkar is an interesting maze of narrow lanes and bylanes. Small temples, ashrams and old houses with intricate balconies and archways display the grandeur and elegance of Rajasthani art and architecture. On offer are some of the most exquisite items reflecting the rich handicraft tradition of Rajasthan including bead necklaces of Nagaur, woollen blankets of Merta, textiles printed at Ajmer and Jodhpur, brassware of Jodhpur and Jaipur.

Weather
Pushkar has an extreme climate with hot days and cold nights. Maximum temperature in the summer can go up to 45 degrees centigrade, while in the winter it can fall below 10 degrees centigrade. The best season to visit Pushkar would be in the winter months of October up to mid-March.

How to get there
By Air
Jaipur, the nearest airport is 138 kms. (86 miles).

By Rail
Ajmer is 14 kms from Pushkar and is the nearest railhead connected to Delhi, Agra, Jaipur, Ahmedabad, Udaipur, Abu Road and Jodhpur by regular trains.

By Road
Pushkar is well connected by road with a dense network of bus services operating from Ajmer to key destinations around. Distances from important tourist centres are: - - Jaipur: 138 kms. (86 miles). - Delhi: 392 kms. (244 miles).

Excursions
Kuchaman, Kishangarh,Ajmer and Sambhar Lake are some of the possible excursions from Pushkar.

Kuchaman
A visit to Kuchaman transports one to the magic of a bygone era. The Kuchaman Fort is worth visiting and one can view the life of Meera Bai pictorially in a series of miniature paintings in the Meera Mahal. Other attractions in Kuchaman include the Meena Bazaar, where merchants, tradesmen and craftsmen would put up their wares for sale to the royalty. The intricately painted China Pole created by a Chinese traveller narrating his travels in India is another attraction.

Kishangarh
Kishangarh, a princely state once ruled by the Rathores is known for its miniature paintings style. The Phool Mahal or Flower Palace inside the Kishangarh Fort has been converted into a hotel.

Ajmer
Ajmer is a major city in North Rajasthan and located just 14 kms from Pushkar. The most popular attraction in the city is the Dargah or tomb of the 13th century Sufi Saint Hazrat Khwaja Moinuddin Hasan Chisti.

Sambhar Lake
Sambhar Lake is a declared wetland of international importance and a wonderful place for excursion. The lake is considered a bird watchers' paradise and is home to many species.

Where to stay
There are many accommodation options available to choose from, ranging from luxury, mid-range and budget accommodation.

Pushkar Resorts
Village Ganhera
Motisar Road
Pushkar
Distt. Ajmer - 305022
Phone - 0145-72017
Fax-0145-72946

Jagat Singh Palace
Pushkar
Distt. Ajmer- 305022
Phone - 0145 - 72953 - 55
Fax - 0145 - 72952

Tourist Village (RTDC)
Opposite Fair Ground
Pushkar
Distt. Ajmer - 305022
Phone - 0145-72074

Pushkar Palace
Chhoti Basti
Pushkar Lake
Pushkar
Distt. Ajmer - 305022
Phone - 0145 - 72001
Fax - 0145 - 72226

For more information about Pushkar Fair please visit www.pushkar-fair.net

- Bindu Bhadana

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