The Magical Pushkar Fair

The Magical Pushkar and Pushkar Fair according to @Kurt993

Rajasthan is one of the state in India known for its glorious, colorful and royal cultures. It holds various shades for one to explore. It has an abundant heritage and a rich culture, which makes it a majestic attraction by itself. Rajasthan is also known for its colorful and splendor festivals. The unique blend of music, art, and dance creates a mystique ambiance in these festivals.

Pushkar Camel Fair is also one of the same colorful and unique festival celebrated in the Pushkar town of Rajasthan.

Pushkar, a small town situated about 15 kms northwest of Ajmer and 150 kms southwest of Jaipur. Known to be a 2000-year-old city and is well-known for its Camel Fair and the Brahma temple worldwide.

Pushkar Camel Fair is an annual five-day camel and livestock fair, which is held annually in November. This fair is the biggest known Camel Fair in the world and occurs on the bank of beautiful Pushkar lake situated in the heart of Pushkar.

The Pushkar fair starts with the trading of camels and livestock. In addition to the trading of camels and other livestock, Pushkar Fair also holds some grand events of longest moustache competition, Turban Tying, Matka Race, Musical Chairs, Bride & Groom Contest, folk music and dance, magic shows, horse and various camel competitions and various other traditional sports such as football, kabaddi, cricket and satori match. This fair occurs around the Kartika Purnima which falls between late October and early November.

The most famous Brahma temple is also situated here right at the heart of Pushkar, at the bank of Pushkar Lake. The Pushkar lake has many Ghats. These Ghats are designed especially for offering prayers and taking baths. The Brahma Ghat is the most famous among the other Ghats. According to Hindu mythology, this is the exact place where Brahma and Savitri offered their prayers. This Temple is also one of the very few temples, that are dedicated to Lord Brahma.

One can also opt for a unique & amazing hot air balloon ride. Which is available right next to the fairground and runs twice in a day, the first ride happens at five in the morning and second at 4:30 in the evening. If you have ever desired to ride a hot air balloon then, Pushkar is where you need to go. A hot air balloon ride is easily accessible and entertainingly attractive during the Pushkar Camel Fair. It is also one of the most exciting way to view the Pushkar city by moving in the air over the dunes and Pushkar lake, high temples, markets and holy places. One can also prefer to take an hour long camel cart ride to the dunes of Thar desert.

I just love to stroll around the little vibrant markets of Rajasthan. They are always full of colorful articrafts. Pushkar’s market is one of the same market to roam around, which is not more than a kms of local shops, showrooms, and emporiums. The Pushkar market starts near the lake and end at the fairground. One should keep at least a day entirely for shopping in Pushkar as there is a huge variety of products available at reasonable prices. Be it items like embroidered clothes, fashionable accessories, silver jewelry, rose products and leather goods. You can also buy decorative pieces like miniature paintings, wall hangings, and colorful puppets, the Pushkar market has it all. The main shopping market in Pushkar is Sadar Bazaar. But one will notice that there are shops all across the Sarafa Bazaar, Kedalganj Bazaar, and the Baza Bazaar. Whatever be the preference and budget, there’s something here for everyone. One can also try to bargain.

Apart from Pushkar lake, its markets, and the famous Brahma temple, another thing that caught my attention was the sound of drums (Nagadas) in evening on the Ghats, these drums were played by the famous drummer of Pushkar, Nathulal Solanki. He is known to be the maestro of this wonderful instrument.

How to Reach?

The Pushkar city is easily easy to get to from Ajmer, which is just 11 kilometers away. The way to Pushkar from Ajmer is divided by the Naaga Pathaar or the Snake Mountain.

One can reach Pushkar by means of air, train, and road.

By Air:

To reach Pushkar by air, the nearest airport is the Sanganer airport, Jaipur. The Sanganer airport is 146 kms away from Pushkar.

By Train:

To reach Pushkar by train, the closest railway station is the Ajmer junction railway station. The Ajmer junction railway station is situated at a distance of just 11 kms from Pushkar. This railway station connects Ajmer with the other major cities of Rajasthan and India.

By Road:

Pushkar is well connected to the major roadways and national highways of Rajasthan and India. The Marwar bus stand is the main bus stand of Pushkar and is linked to major cities like Delhi, Jodhpur, and Bikaner. The other bus stand is the Ajmer bus stand.

When to travel?

As Pushkar is surrounded by Thar desert, it sees extreme summers and freezing winters. The temperature in Pushkar varies from 10 degrees in the day to 5 degrees in the night during winters and rises up to 45 degrees in the summer days. Summers usually spans from mid of March to June/ July, making the days sweatier and dry with abundant of sunshine. One can enjoy Pushkar’s landscape as this city holds a lake, sand dunes of thar, hills and copious diversity surrounding it.

According to me the best time to visit Pushkar is between the month of October and February. During this time the afternoons are pleasant and the nights are cold. This makes one enjoy the day-long desert safaris and camel rides. Also, many festivals and carnivals held during in these months causing Pushkar to get packed with tourists. This is also the time when the famous Pushkar Fair occurs.

I’ll advise you to include a new moon or else a full moon day in your stay time as Pushkar comes alive on these days with a lot of fairs, festivals, and festivities.