What is the Pushkar Camel Fair?
Pushkar Camel Fair, also known as Pushkar Fair and Pushkar Mela is a must-see festival that takes place each year in the small town of Pushkar, India.
The magnificent colors of the camel fair, as well as the captivating desert landscape and the religious atmosphere, have made Pushkar one of the biggest events in India.
The original intention behind the Camel Fair was to attract local camel, horse, and cattle traders to do business during the holy Kartik Purnima festival.
Nowadays, the Camel Festival extends to seven days and attracts more than 200.000 tourists, cinematographers, and photographers from all over the globe. There are many other cattle fairs in India but none of them is as famous as this one.
In a nutshell, the century-old Pushkar Fair combines cultural, commercial, and religious events.
When is the Pushkar Camel Fair in 2022?
The fair is celebrated at the beginning of the Hindu month of Kartik and this year, it’s from November 1st to 9th. Make sure to arrive early to see the fair in action!
30.000 camels and other livestock are expected to start arriving up to 5 days before the start of the festival.
What’s the best way for foreigners to visit Pushkar Fair?
The best way for tourists to visit the festival is with an organized tour group. That’s because tour groups get special prices at the hotels and attractions. You can combine Pushkar and Jaipur for an excellent vacation.
The number of visitors during the Camel Fair produces a surge in demand for hotels, and prices rise accordingly. Make a reservation in advance to ensure availability and the best pricing.
The State Tourism Ministry also makes all the necessary preparations for guests’ stays.
If you’re looking for accommodation, keep in mind that Pushkar Adventure Desert Camp is one of the best camps in Pushkar.
Read Also: 5 Reasons Why India Should Be Your Next Holiday Destination
How to get there?
It’s very easy to reach Pushkar from different parts of the country. If you want to travel via roadways, you can reach Ajmer.
This is the closest major city, and it takes only 30 minutes to go from there to Pushkar across the mountain pass road. Look outside when traveling because the scenery is beautiful!
From there you can get a bus on a regular basis. There is also a railway station which is just 11 km from Pushkar. Although the buses are overcrowded, the trip is quick and quite affordable.
The passenger train from Ajmer to Pushkar departs at 9.50 a.m. and arrives in Pushkar at 10.50 a.m. Because it is an unreserved train, tickets cannot be purchased in advance. The cost is ten rupees. On Tuesdays and Fridays, the train does not run.
Jaipur Sanganer and Kishangarh airports are the closest airports. You can take a cab driver from there. The distance from Jaipur Airport is 150.9 km, while the distance from Kishangarh Airport is 41 km.
Taxi rates to Pushkar can double during the festival, so be prepared to negotiate.
What can you expect at Pushkar Camel Fair?
These days, the fair is tourist-focused and much more commercialized.
In addition to the animal market, the festival’s primary events include camel and horse races, cultural performances, exhibitions, magic shows, a competition for the longest mustache, a bridal competition, and much more.
You will see a variety of performers – dancers, musicians, acrobats, magicians, and snake charmers who entertain the crowds.
There’s temple dancing, folk music concerts, an adventure zone, spiritual walks, and an arts and crafts bazaar as well.
Before the festival, Rajasthan Tourism provides a schedule of events that can be picked up for free at your Pushkar accommodation.
What kind of rituals are performed during Pushkar Camel Fair?
The beautiful city of Pushkar is home to the only Brahma Temple in the world and people seek salvation here. It is considered to be one of the most sacred Hindu pilgrimages.
Lord Brahma is one of the gods in the Hindu trinity who created the universe, according to Hindu mythology. The Pushkar lake is thought to have formed after he dropped a lotus flower on earth.
Pilgrims attend this festival to be cleansed of their sins by bathing in Pushkar’s lake’s sacred water on the fair’s last day.
Bathing in the lake is regarded as the most fortunate during the two days surrounding the full moon. It is believed that bathing on the day of the full moon can bring great blessings.
What are the special activities and attractions during the festival?
1) When visiting Pushkar Fair, you should not miss the fascinating Camel safari, which is appreciated by all guests. Camel Safari provides the greatest way to experience desert life.
2) You can participate in Vedic Walks’ Pushkar Fair walking tour. During the fair, it runs twice a day, in the morning and in the evening.
You’ll see pilgrims taking a holy swim in the lake during the morning tour. The evening tour takes you to the bustling fairground at its peak.
3) The spectacle of the camel fair may be seen from above in a hot air balloon ride. In the early mornings and evenings, SkyWaltz provides thrilling balloon rides over Pushkar.
4) Don’t miss the beautiful nighttime maha aarti ceremony (a ritual that uses fire/light as an offering) held near Pushkar Lake.
5) You will have ultimate fun by riding in a Quad Bike through the breathtaking scenery of the desert. If you enjoy exploring vast deserts, you will love this thrilling quad-bike trip.
Which are the must-see places in Pushkar?
Jagatpita Brahma Temple – This is the only Bramha Temple.
(Note: Married men are not allowed to enter the temple)
Pushkar Lake – The holy lake where you can wash away your sins.
Pushkar bazar – This is the best local market to buy local leatherwork, jewelry, and accessories.
Savitri Temple – This is a Hindu temple dedicated to Goddess Savitri that is located on Ratnagiri Hill in Pushkar, a major pilgrimage site.
Varaha Temple – This stunning temple is noted for its architectural beauty and wall carvings.
Rangji Temple – This temple is one of the most famous and ancient temples of Rajasthan in Pushkar.
Ramavaikunth Temple – It is one of Pushkar’s largest, most elaborate, and most impressive contemporary temples.
Must-visit attractions near Pushkar
1) Dargah Ajmer Sharif – It is one of the holiest Muslim shrines in India and a popular landmark in Ajmer.
2) Anasagar Lake – It is one of the most popular artificial lakes in Ajmer and one of the largest in India.
3) Adhai din ka Jhonpra – It is a historical mosque in Ajmer that is believed to have been built in two and a half days by Mohammad Ghori’s command.
4) Soni Ji Ki Nasiya Jain Temple – This beautiful temple is one of the finest Jain temples in Rajasthan and one of the most popular Ajmer tourist attractions.
5) Taragarh Fort – This massive fortress is the most spectacular structure in the city of Ajmer, Rajasthan, India.
Is there anything at the Pushkar festival that you need to be aware of?
You will most certainly be pproached by Brahmins or Hindu priests if you go to the lake at Pushkar who will offer you a blessing (even if you don’t want it) and ask for money in exchange. They may even threaten you to call the cops if you don’t pay them.
Locals may also come and give you flowers and then want money. So, try to avoid anyone who tries to approach you.
Do I need a visa to enter India?
Yes. All foreigners entering India must have a valid international travel document, such as a national passport and a valid visa from an Indian Mission/Post or an eVisa (Limited Categories) from the Bureau of Immigration, Ministry of Home Affairs.
What kind of visa do I need for India?
If you are planning a trip to India for a holiday, recreation, to attend a yoga program, or sightseeing, you will need the India eVisa which is a multiple-entry visa.
British and Irish citizens can also apply for this type of visa. The duration of your stay depends on the country you are from.
Read more: All You Should Know About The India eVisa Application
Who can help me apply for my India eVisa?
Applying for a visa can be a stressful and overwhelming experience. The visa experts of Visa First will take care of the paperwork and will handle your application from start to finish.
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