About Pushkar Fair
Every November, the sleepy little township of Pushkar in Rajasthan,
India awakens from a slumber with a riot of colors and a frenzied burst of
activity. The occasion: Pushkar Fair.
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The Holy Legend : Pushkar, the holy town in Rajasthan is known for it's
sacred lake and the only Brahma Temple in the world. Legend has it that this
lake was formed where Lord Brahma - the lord of creation - dropped a lotus
on the day of the full moon. Every November, the famous Pushkar Fair is held
for 7 days, starts on Naomi, finishes on Kartik Poornima (Full Moon).
Thousands of pilgrims throng the lake during the annual cattle fair and on
the full moon of Kartik take a holy dip in the lake.
Very few, if at all any, fairs in the world can match the liveliness of
Pushkar. Most people associate the Pushkar Fair with the world's largest
camel fair. But it is much more than that. It is an occasion for villagers
from far and near to gather together and enjoy a welcome break from their
harsh life of the arid desert. And enjoy they do! In dazzling style and
colors.
» Cattle Trading : The Pushkar
fair is synonymous to the cattle fair. So there are camels, horses, cows,
goats, and sheep; all decked up to be sold and purchased. The proud cattle
owners throng Pushkar, traveling across the golden sands of the various
places in Rajasthan. There is bargaining, presence of several popular breeds
and the parading of the well bred, highly decorated cattle. As is believed
about Pushkar Fair is the world's largest camel fair.
» Competitions : Talking about
Pushkar Fair the most striking feature is the cattle competition. Imagine
the entire limelight on beautifully decorated cattle when they race their
ways into the audiences' heart or the manner in which they play musical
chairs. The Pushkar Fair watches the best-bedecked camel in parade winning
the beauty contest. But the most hilarious competition of all makes large
numbers of people sit on the camels back and usually fall down! Of course!
The camel that accommodates the maximum number of people on its back wins
the competition.
» The spectral evenings- " Deepdaan" : The
evenings are possessed with its own charm, Deepdaan creates a spectacular
view on the scared lake. The silent night pierced by camel calls, folk
lores, dramas and heart throbbing beats of folk music and dances.
» The Holy Dip : The ritual of taking holy dips is
believed to bestow salvation and a holy dip taken in Pushkar lake on Kartik
Purnima,(Full moon in the months of Oct-Nov.) the most auspicious of them
all. Even before sunrise, people descend the ghats to bathe, many of which
have been built over the years by various kings and nobles.
» The famous Brahma Temple : The most famous is the
Brahma temple; worship of Lord Brahma was considered highly important at the
end of the first century BC. Brahma was a God of the Aryan invaders and
during Vedic times, his cult temporarily displaced the more ancient Shiva
and Shakti cults (Refer to Gods Section). A legend recounts how Brahma
sought an abode on earth.
How to reach Pushkar !
The holy city of Pushkar is well connected with the other cities. The
nearest airport happens to be in Jaipur at a distance of 146 kilometers. You
may take a flight to Jaipur and then drive to Pushkar. Then there is the
railhead at Ajmer just 11 kilometers from Pushkar. The National Highway
Number 132 links Pushkar with Ajmer through road too. Ajmer in turn is well
connected with destinations like Jaipur and Delhi both through road and
rail.
