India is known as the land of varied culture and religions, with various colourful fairs and festivals throughout the year. Fairs and Festivals are the essential part of Indian people, even tourists visit India to experience the unique charm of these occasions. Among these fairs & festivals, some are related to religions, others are related to a particular region. These fairs and festivals celebrated in India, have their roots dating back to several years and centuries. In fact fairs and festivals are the spirit of Indian rich culture and civilized society. Nevertheless, Indian people are famous all over the world for celebrating all the fairs and festivals with great enthusiasm and importance. Some of the famous fairs and festivals are :

About the Festival

The Pushkar Fair is one of the biggest fair in India, and is believed to be the only of its kind all over the world. Every year during November, Lakhs of people from all over the country gather in Pushkar to experience the charm of desert land. People from the remote areas of the country flock to the town, along with their Camels and Cattle for trading, dealing, pilgrimage and religious festivities. The Camel and Horse races are also organized to cheer the visitors. The Camel judging competitions are very popular among the animal lovers.

What Happens During the Festival

The sleepy township of Pushkar, comes alive with colorfully dressed visitors, musicians, acrobats, folk dancers, traders, sadhus and pilgrims. They tourists and pilgrims enjoy a welcome break far from their busy schedule. The Pushkar Fair held in the Hindu month of Kartika, (October- November), beginning on Asthmi (8th day of Lunar Calendar) and continues till Poornima (full moon). The first half of the festival is dominated by Camel and Cattle trading, while the religious activities dominate the later half. Legend goes that Lord Brahma, the creator, wished to perform a 'yagna', following his several years of penance. Brahma dropped a lotus from heaven, during his search of a place to perform yagna, which formed the Pushkar lake. On the Karthika night, a drop of nectar fell in Pushkar Lake, and made it sacred. During the fair, the devotees take holy dip in the sacred lake to wash away their sins and worship at the Brahma Temple. It is also believed that all the 330 million Gods and Goddesses come at Pushkar Lake during the fair.

Items on sell in the Fair Trading of cattle, is major attraction of the fair, in which farmers, cattle traders and breeders buy and sell their cattle. The make shift stalls in the fair sell colorful bangles brass ware, clothes, camel saddles and whips etc. In addition items like necklaces of glass beads from Naguar, pottery, printed textiles from Jodhpur and Ajmer attract large crowd.

Cultural Activities The visitors participate in several cultural and sporting events organized here. In the evening the artists present different folk dances, drama and music of Rajasthan, which lend colour and melody to the atmosphere.

How to reach there

By Air : Nearest airport is Jaipur (138 Kms), airlines operate flights from Jaipur to major cities of the country.

By Rail : Ajmer (11 Kms) is the nearest railhead from Pushkar. The trains are available for Delhi, Agra, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Jodhpur and Udaipur etc.

By Road : Pushkar is connected by good networks of road with major cities and towns in Rajasthan and rest of the country.

Where to Stay

The hotels in Pushkar provide the basic accommodation facilities. The luxury tents are also available which provide the facilities like attached bath, and running water etc.