Pushkar is a relatively small town located in the Ajmer district in the Indian state of Rajasthan. Pushkar is one of the five sacred pilgrimage sites (dhams) for devout Hindus. It lies on the shore of Pushkar Lake which is related to the mythology of the creator god Brahma. But pilgrims are not the only people who travel to Pushkar. Its annual camel fair attracts thousands of tourists. Originally simply a local cattle fair, it has expanded to become one of the biggest tourist attractions in the region.
The Puskrar Camel Fair started as a regular common cattle trade fair organized for purely practical purposes. People came here to buy and sell livestock (camels, sheep, cows and goats). Over the years, it has grown into a large and colorful festival and one of India’s most highly-rated travel experiences visited by over 400,000 people every year.
Even if you’re not interested in livestock trading, we recommend that you have a look at camels exhibited at the fair. They are not your regular camels. Many of them are interestingly sheared to form patterns or adorned with jewelry and bells around their ankles. At the fair, visitors can also buy beautiful handmade jewelry, clothes, high-quality textiles, unique cheeses made from camel milk, camel hair shawls, and unusual local souvenirs such as camel dung paper.
The Pushkar Camel Fair offers a lot of entertaining activities including camel and horse races, folk music and dance, magic shows, fun competitions such as bridal competition or “the longest mustache”, traditional meals, campfires, hot air balloon flights, spiritual events and ceremonies around the sacred lake and more.
