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The Pushkar Fair is Mughal India on joyous display and the center of an incredible extravaganza.

Every November, a quiet country town in northern India transforms itself into the place where everyone wants to be.

Throughout the year, pious Hindus flock to Pushkar on pilgrimage to worship at Lord Brahma’s temple on an auspicious day.

A dip in the waters of Pushkar and a visit to the temple ensure Hindus eternal salvation. However, during November Pushkar becomes much more.

Livestock traders curry their finest horses and head for the annual camel and cattle sale.

Tribal villagers, dressed in their dazzling traditional best, come together for a kaleidoscopic open-air festival filled with camel races, acrobats, fortune tellers, dancing and feasting.

Everything from gaudy camel tassels to vintage gypsy dowry bags is for sale here.

Spend a full day with your expert A&K Tour Director and local guide enjoying the wonder and incredible photographic opportunities, or spend a quiet morning as you walk amid the gypsy campfires.

Experience Pushkar Fair with A&K and choose the A&K itinerary ideally designed to match your personal travel expectations.

All About Pushkar Fair

Pushkar Camel Fair, also called Kartik Mela and Pushkar Mela, is an annual multi-day cultural event celebrated in the holy town of Pushkar, Rajasthan.

This festival puts camels and other livestock at the core of the celebration.

Staring from the Hindu calendar month of Kartik and ending on Kartik Purnima, this vibrant festival sees hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for visitors to witness the colorful and energetic spectacle.

The fair was started with an intention to attract local camel and cattle traders for business.

After 100 years of celebration, it has now become a major tourist attraction.

Apart from the trading of livestock, Pushkar is an important pilgrimage site, as well as an amalgamation of colorful cultural themes.

Camel hoarders at Pushkar

Activities at Pushkar Fair

Cattle Fair: Numerous activities take place at the fairground, where camels are shaved, padded, and dressed up to be entered into various competitions, the most famous being camel races.

Other competitions like beauty contests and dances also take place, a sight that both astounds and delights the onlookers.

Moustache competition at camel fair

Music: These vigorous competitions are followed by calm evenings filled with local music. Several famous fusion bands perform live on the stage.

Food: Foodies are in for a treat as they can feast on local delicacies like Daal Bhaati Churma, Mohan Maas, Kachori, Kalakand, and many others.

Rituals: Visitors also partake in spiritual and heritage walks, adventure zone, and arts and crafts bazaar.

During this festival, pilgrims take a dip in the holy lake to be absolved of their sins.

A grand ritual in the form of Maha Aarti is held alongside Pushkar Lake in the evening.

To experience the blend of Mughal, Rajput, and South Indian architecture, one must visit Rangji Temple, devoted to an incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Celebrations at pushkar

Adventure: Visitors can also witness the spectacle from high up in the air, in a hot air balloon.

During Pushkar Fair, walking tours are also organized, in the mornings as well as evenings.

The fair includes other adventurous activities like quad biking, paramotors, and horse riding.

Colors of life at Pushkar

Sports: Whether it be a village-style cricket match, kite flying, turban tying, musical chairs, and hilarious mustache competition, there’s no dearth of exciting sports. 

Marathon: Another interesting event during Pushkar Fair is the Harmony Half Marathon, which starts from Dargah Ajmer Sharif and ends at Pushkar Stadium Ground. This event sees active participation from tourists as well as local people.

Camping: One interesting activity to do here is the Pushkar Glamping Experience, which combines the thrill of camping and luxury.

Various tented accommodations are present at the Fair premises, keeping you close to the fair while encasing you with luxury.

The preferred mode of accommodation for tourists is camping.

However, you can also stay at nearby hotels and lodges.

Colorful decorations at pushkar fair

Market: Numerous makeshift stalls are set up during the fair selling items like handicrafts, saddle straps, bead necklaces, ornaments, textiles, garments, and traditional footwear.

Visitors can also visit the two prominent markets of Pushkar- Shilpgram Bazaar and Sarafa Bazar.

You can find a wide variety of items like Rajasthani costumes, fabrics, puppets, bangles and beads, bags, decorative pieces, souvenirs, etc.

Camels and dust at Pushkar fair

Nearby attractions

• Naga Pahar is a famous tourist destination. It is the site of Nag Kund and is a photographer’s paradise. Sitting on a hill, you can capture breath-taking views of the town.
• Visitors also like to visit Rose Garden. Nature lovers feel at one with nature, surrounded by a multitude of beautiful roses.
• Anasagar Lake is located in the heart of Pushkar. You can enjoy a relaxing boat ride here, or savor the local snacks stalls.
• At a distance of 16 km, Ajmer is also an exciting option. Ajmer is famous for Dargah Sharif, the famous mausoleum. Mayo College is also a popular destination, famous for its incredible architecture. Taragarh Fort, one of India’s oldest hill forts is also located here.

Life of a camel owner

How to reach Pushkar

The nearest airport to Pushkar is the new Kishangarh airport, located 40 minutes away. The second closest airport, Sanganer Airport, is located in Jaipur.

The Jaipur airport is connected to all major Indian cities.

It is at a distance of 145 km from Pushkar. You can take a cab from the airport to reach Pushkar.

Pushkar is easily accessible by road from all neighboring cities like Ajmer, Jaipur, Indore, and Nagda.

Lone musician at pushkar

Planning for Pushkar and India travel

It can be quite chaotic at the fair and one can feel lost if not accompanied by a local guide.

Also if you are planning India for the first time, Pushkar fair is a great way to start, as it showcases India in all its colorful layers.

Along with Pushkar you may like to experience the Taj Mahal, forts of Rajasthan and the heritage of Delhi.

You may consider this specially curated group tour built around Pushkar fair, .

You can also get our travel experience designers to customise the plan for your group of friends and family. 

All About Pushkar Fair

This camel festival is India’s largest cattle fair, lasting 9 days and includes many programmes and attractions.

Pushkar is also known for having the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma. On the night of Kartik Purnima, according to mythologies, 33 million gods and goddesses are said to have consecrated the lake surrounding the temple. Pushkar is now one of the five dhams for Hindu devotees.

History

Locals in Pushkar claim that the fair dates back more than a century. Initially, the fair was organised to honour and celebrate Kartik Purnima (the full moon night of Pushkar lake consecration) in the Hindu lunar month of Kartik.

Villagers from the surrounding area would come here to celebrate through religious rituals, folk music, and dance.

Rajasthan, being a desert, is home to camels, which are an integral part of their culture and festivals.

During Pushkar Mela, camel owners dress their camels in colourful clothes and accessories, hang bells around their necks, and paint them to attract viewers.

All About The Fair

During the Pushkar fair, pilgrims and villagers from all over the country flock to this sacred site to take a holy dip in Pushkar Lake and pray to Lord Brahma.

The fair’s main attractions are puppet shows, moustache competitions, camel sports, Matka Tod competitions, camel parades, and dance performances.

The Pushkar Fair (Mela), which lasts nine days, is a concentrated dose of Rajasthani culture and heritage.

How To Reach

Train

You must take a train to Ajmer, then a 30-minute drive to Pushkar.

The railway station in Ajmer is well-connected to major Indian cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, Jaipur, Allahabad, Lucknow, Kolkata, Bhopal, and Bangalore.

You can take a taxi to Pushkar when you arrive at the station.

Air

The nearest airport to Pushkar is 140 kilometres away in Jaipur.

The airport has direct flights to major cities such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata.

You can take a cab to Pushkar when you arrive at the airport.

Bus

Long-distance travellers should avoid this option.

On the other hand, buses from Delhi to Ajmer and Pushkar are readily available.

The Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation operates deluxe and semi-deluxe buses (air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned) that connect Ajmer to nearby cities before transporting you to Pushkar for a meagre fare.

Pushkar Fair

Pushkar Fair, also known as the Pushkar Camel Fair, is held in the town of Pushkar in November at the time of Kartik Purnima.

This traditional carnival brings thousands of camels, cattle, and horses together.

This is a seven-day colorful, unique exhibition that attracts many tourists from all over the world.

Apart from trading livestock, the main attractions of the fiesta are camel and horse races, cultural performances, exhibitions, magic shows, the longest mustache competition, bridal competition, and much more.

Besides, this fair is renowned for being one of the world’s largest cattle fairs.

Description About Pushkar Fair 

Almost 50,000 animals come together during this largest camel fair. 

Camel Safari and Horse Safari are one of the magnificent experiences you can gain at this festival.

These are the best ways to explore the sturdy region of the vast Indian desert during sunrise and sunset.

The hot air balloon ride is another famous activity to indulge in at the Pushkar Mela.

This gives you an opportunity to observe the sheer beauty of this majestic desert city.

It is plausible to witness the scenes of the fair from above.

This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that one should not miss.

During this time, one can spend some time with the locals and get a deep insight into rural India in its pure form.

Over the years, the fair has found an honorable mention in Rajasthan Tourism.

When is the Pushkar Fair Celebrated?

The Pushkar Fair is celebrated every year on the holy Kartik Purnima.

The full moon day in the Hindu lunar month of Kartik has been known to be very propitious.

Pilgrims from far and wide come to take a dip in the holy waters of the Pushkar Lake and pray to Lord Brahma.

In addition, during the winter, the Pushkar Camel Fair takes place when the weather is far more soothing than the blazing heat of the summer months.

Visitors can stroll for long hours without feeling fatigued or tired.

The rolling dunes, the vibrant ambiance, and the festive colors embrace one and all.

Where is the Pushkar Fair celebrated?

Pushkar Camel Festival is celebrated in the small town of Pushkar.

This holy town is located in the state of Rajasthan on the edge of the Thar Desert.

Religious Importance of Pushkar Fair

This wonderful event also possesses a religious significance.

During the Pushkar Fair, the pilgrims take a holy dip in Pushkar Lake.

This is the auspicious time of the year, as it is believed that if someone takes a holy bath on the day of the full moon, that person receives special blessings.

It is also believed that it brings good fortune and washes away all sins.

How is the Pushkar Fair Celebrated?

Camels, known as the Ship of the Desert, can be witnessed in large numbers at the Pushkar Festival .

The camels are dressed in colorful garbs, washed, and ornamented with clothes, jewelry, silver bells, bangles, and other finery.

They are adorned at their best and are paraded around for all to see.

There is even a Camel Beauty Contest organized at the festival.

Camel Races– You can enjoy camel races along with many competitions, dance shows, and the trade of cattle.

There is one exciting contest that turns the camel into a clown car.

Numerous people climb aboard until the camel starts bucking vigorously to get people down from its humps.

Souvenirs stalls– There is a massive inflow of pilgrims, camel traders, and tourists.

At the Pushkar Fair, you can purchase goodies from the local marts and bazaars set up for a few days.

Brassware, Rajasthani garments, cloth pieces, and camel saddles can be bought from these markets as souvenirs.

In addition, women can get attractive jewelry for themselves.

Jewelry for Women– Since the fair is held in the small town of Pushkar, rural jewelry is on display.

Rajasthani women love to ornament themselves with chunky silver jewelry in beautiful designs in this part of the land.

However, if you are an affinity for gold jewelry, you can choose from the traditional forms of rakhri, gajra, jod, Bala, gokhru, bajubandh, and timaniyan on exhibit.

Famous Rajasthani things– The Pushkar Mela has Rajasthani-style pottery and necklaces made out of glass beads sourced from Nagpur, Jodhpuri printed textiles, and other goods sourced from Ajmer.

The cattle traders and farmers are the potential customers for saddles and leather whips.

It is a fascinating sight and an excellent opportunity to witness the colors, aromas, and mood of an old traditional-style Indian festival.

You will find musicians, dancers, acrobats, magicians, snake charmers, rides, and food stalls to entertain the guests.

The festival highlights are temple dancing, folk and classical music, and an arts and crafts bazaar.

The mustache competition is one of the significant highlights where menfolk compete for the award for their facial tresses and is definitely worth witnessing.

Experience the best of this camel fair with our Pushkar Fair tour packages.

Go for a hot air balloon ride and witness the spectacle of the camel fair from up in the sky.

There are tour companies that offer exhilarating hot-air balloon flights over Pushkar. Savor the beautiful sight of the desert landscape in the early sunrise hour or any time of the day.

An International Hot Air Balloon Festival is also organized during the fair.

Things to do at the Pushkar Camel Fair

Although the Pushkar Mela is primarily held to showcase camels and livestock and is the world’s largest cattle fair, other events and features are the main highlights of this fair.

These events enhance the entire experience of the fair while gifting the visitor with some lovely memories.

Look at the things to do at Pushkar Camel Fair for a lovely experience –

• Pushkar Glamping Experience

These camps combine the pleasures of camping amidst luxury.

An example is a tented accommodation at the Sky Waltz Camp, which offers air-conditioned and non-air-conditioned options for a glamping stay at Pushkar Fair.

The other major attraction is the stunning performances by eminent fusion maestros from around the world.

• Hot Air Ballooning

Enjoy hot air ballooning at the Pushkar Fair.

Watching the buzzing activities from above will give you an experience like no other.

This thrilling activity is one of the top reasons to visit the Pushkar Fair.

Further, one can indulge in a number of adventurous activities like paramotors, quad biking, and horse riding.

• Cattle Fair

A cattle fair is one of the major highlights of the Pushkar Festival in Rajasthan.

Cattle owners bring their livestock – camels, horses, cows, goats, and sheep; all dressed in colorful attire to be sold and purchased.

• Handicrafts

Take beautiful handicrafts from the Pushkar Camel Fair home with you.

During the event, a number of makeshift stalls are set up that sell items ranging from saddle straps, saddles, and beads to strings of cowries.

The fair is also attended by women in large numbers who can also find a gamut of traditional silver ornaments, bead necklaces from Nagpur, garments of patchwork, printed textiles from Ajmer, and traditional footwear.

• Elevated Sitting Arena

The elevated sitting arena allows visitors to be seated in a special tent viewing gallery equipped with all the modern amenities.

It’s marked by hundreds of brightly adorned camels and horses mounted by riders clad in vibrant traditional Rajasthani attire.

• Religious Gatherings

Besides all the camel races, stalls, and food, Pushkar Fair also has a strong religious association.

A large group of pilgrims visits Pushkar Lake to mark the importance of this event while the temple city buzzes with religious activities.

• Harmony Half Marathon

The Harmony Half Marathon is one of the best things to do at Pushkar Mela. Held during the Pushkar Fair, the run starts from Dargah Ajmer Sharif and ends at the Pushkar Stadium Ground.

Places to stay at the Pushkar Fair

For foreign and outstation travelers, accommodation at the Pushkar Fair must be arranged before arrival.

However, some visitors choose to finalize their lodging booking after they reach their destination.

Accommodation options here include the Limra Swiss Tents, which are easily accessible.

These are mostly cottage housings situated at a distance of about 13 km from Pushkar.

If you are taking the Jaipur route, they are at a distance of approximately 150 km.

To reach Pushkar from Jaipur, a hired car or taxi is the preferable mode of transport.

Amenities at the Limra Swiss Tents – The Limra Swiss tents are comfortable and spacious.

The huge cozy beds are perfect for unwinding and relaxing after a day’s journey.

There is a table, bed stand, cupboard, shelves, and other furniture built in elegant designs.

A private sitting space allows you to loosen yourself and cherish an exclusive time with your partners or fellow travelers.

In addition to that, there are private “sit-outs,” verandahs, attached baths, and other modern amenities.

Other facilities provided by the tents are a travel desk, money exchange, STD/ISD call facilities, complimentary coffee/tea in the morning, Ayurvedic treatment and massages on request, and many more.

In addition, the recreational facilities provided include optional village guided tours and other entertainment programs.

Dining at the tents– Along with lodging facilities, these tents also offer opulent dining scopes.

You can choose from a wide variety of delectable Indian culinary delights prepared by the finest chefs.

Conclusion

Attend Pushkar Camel Fair  for a rich cultural experience.

It is a traditional Indian festival that will give you an insight into the lives of rural life and allow you to interact with the locals.

Before you attend the festival, book your stay from our collection of hotels in Pushkar.

Enjoy the natural blessings with a stay in Pushkar hotels equipped with modern luxuries.

For a more authentic experience, stay in tents at Pushkar Fair.

If you want to explore more of Rajasthan and other delights, you may want to browse through our collection of Jaipur, Udaipur, and Jodhpur tour packages.

Then, book comfortable and hassle-free travel plans with us.

Pushkar Fair

The Pushkar City
The Pushkar city is located in the western part of Rajasthan, near Ajmer.

The holy city is known for being home to the only temple of Brahma and for the Pushkar Fair.

A small town though, this place attracts many tourists every year.

The major attractions in the city are the temples of Brahma and Savitri and the Pushkar lake.

The Pushkar Fair
The annual Pushkar fair in Pushkar is celebrated with great enthusiasm.

The festival is an obeisance to lord Brahma, the creator of this world.

Situated in Pushkar is the only temple of Brahma in the world.

Celebrated on the occassion of Karthik Purnima (November), it is believed that Lord Brahma, Vishnu and others come down to Pushkar to bath in the lake Pushkar.

So it is considered very holy to bath in the Pushkar lake on this auspicious occassion.

The festival becomes a hub for the cultural activities of Rajasthan.

People come from far places to take part in the festival celebrations.

They stay in there tents, named after the village they belong to.

They also bring herds of cattles along.

These cattles are here for a show and for trading.

Other cultural events of Rajasthan also takes place during the festival.

The Festival Attractions
Cattle Fair: The cattle fair is synonimous to the Pushkar fair.

The villagers and the merchants meet at Pushkar and barter.

The cattles are decorated in very colorful manner to attract the buyers and the tourists.

Cattle Competition: Various competitons involving cattles takes place during the festival.

The famous camel race and the cattle race also takes place here.

There is an intersting event to test the power of the camels.

Many people sit on the back of the camel and the camels race.

People fall from the back of the camels and the camel who carries the most number of people on the back is declared the winner.

Other events like the Cattle fashion show, magix\c shows are also a part of this event.

Recreation: The culture of Rajasthan comes alive in Pushkar through the folk lores, music and dance performances.

Cultural events, exhibitions and movies reflect the rich culture of Rajasthan.

Other Attractions
Temples and Ghats: The temples and Ghats are decorated to worship the Lords.

A series of worship processes takes place during the festival.

People visit the temples and take bath in the Pushkar lake.

The temples of Pushkar comes to a new life during the celebrations.

Shopping: The ghats and the surrounding areas of the lake becomes a mini Rajasthan market during the fair.

Decorative items for Cattles, like saddles, saddle-straps and beads are sold.

One can buy jewelry, garments, silver ornaments, bead necklaces, tie ‘n’ dye fabrics etc.

Also for the Tatoo lovers, stalls for body tatoo are made all over.

How to Visit Pushkar
Air: Jaipur Airport (145 Km) is the nearest airport to Pushkar.

Rail: Ajmer Railway station, 11 Km from Pushkar, is very well connected to the major cities of India and has some direct trains to these cities.

Road: Ajmer and Pushkar are well connected to the cities of Rajasthan and nearby states.