Puskar Fair

Every year, a small town called Pushkar (13 km from Ajmer) comes alive in the joyous festivities, cultural extravaganza and the cattle marketing of the famous Pushkar Fair. This fair is one of the major cultural reflectors of the state of Rajasthan and people from different parts of India gather on the fair ground to participate in the various entertaining events there. Pushkar pulsates with vibrant energy and activity during the fair held on the Kartik Purnima (full moon day) which falls on the month of October or November and usually continues for about five days.

The Pushkar Lake is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in India, the only one in the country associated with Lord Brahma. The place simply teems with the devotees and the holy men or sages in various garbs who come to the temple (Jagat Pita Shri Brahma Mandir) to pray and take a holy dip in the sacred waters of the Pushkar Lake. Apart from the religious rituals and festivities, people participate in a number of cultural and sporting events. The variety of folk dances and songs lend vivid splashes of colour and music to the atmosphere that is already charged with excitement of the camel races and the cattle fair. The bargaining process, which involves a great deal of haggling between the camel traders and the buyers, add to the spirit of the fair.