The sacred town of Pushkar in Rajasthan hosts the Pushkar Camel Fair, also known as the Kartik Mela or the Pushkar Mela, every year for several days.
Camels and other animals are crucial to this festivity. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people go to this lively celebration, which begins in the Hindu month of Kartik and concludes on Kartik Purnima. Viewers will only have the chance to see the vibrant and exciting show once in their lives.
The original goal of the fair was to bring in dealers of camels and livestock from the area. It has evolved into a top tourist destination after a century of festivities. Pushkar is more than just a cattle market, it is also a vibrant cultural melting pot and a major pilgrimage destination.
History
In Hindu mythology, there was a time when the gods let out a swan bearing a flower. The spot where the flower fell from the swan’s beak was revered as the site of a great yagna conducted by Lord Brahma. Pushkar, meaning “to be born due to a flower” in its direct translation, is how this area came to be called. In the time after, the area became a holy spot for Hindus. Despite its secular origins as a cattle market, the Pushkar fair ends on a religious note with pilgrims bathing in the Pushkar lake and visiting the town’s many temples.
Style
● Gujarati women wear a shirt that falls below the waist, in contrast to the full-body jackets worn by Rajasthani women, which go all the way to the hips.
● Wearing sarees embellished with regional designs or needlework is also common among Gujarati women.
● Men from these two states also wear turbans that are distinct in design and color.
● Although both Rajasthani and Gujarati embroidery styles are widespread, the former is known for its abundance of Zardozi, Kutch, and mirror work, while the latter is known for its abundance of gota work, Danka, tie-dye, and zari.
● The two civilizations’ arm bangles seem quite distinct from one another. White ivory ones are worn by Rajasthani ladies, and colorful glass ones are worn by Gujarati women. However silver jewelry is a major part of both civilizations’ dress codes.
International food festival
Although the Pushkar Camel Fair has been around for a long time, it has changed a lot in the last few decades. The expo has been growing in popularity since it changed its name to an international culinary festival in 2017.
To spice things up and bring in more people, the Pushkar Camel Fair organizers opted to include a cuisine festival. They enlisted the help of world-class chefs hailing from India and beyond to demonstrate their mettle and produce one-of-a-kind meals.
One of the fair’s most popular events, the food festival is a huge hit with attendees.
Indulge in mouthwatering cuisines from across the world at the Pushkar Camel Fair Food Festival.
The event showcases a wide variety of cuisines, including traditional Rajasthani food, Indian street food, Italian, Mexican, French, and even Japanese.
Some of the food vendors provide regional delicacies including biryani, chaat, and Rajasthani dal.
Guests may also enjoy ice cream, churros, Indian sweets, and more during the event.
Food
Foodies may look forward to a plethora of local dishes, like Mohan Maas, Kalakand, Kachori, Daal Bhaati Churma, and many more.
Marathon
At Pushkar Fair, you can also enjoy the thrilling Harmony Half Marathon. The route passes via Pushkar Stadium Ground before ending at Dargah Ajmer Sharif. Everyone, from tourists to residents, gets into the party mood.
Camping
Experience the best of both worlds with the Pushkar Glamping, an exciting adventure that blends camping with the finer things in life. You may stay in opulence close to the fairgrounds in one of the many tents that dot the grounds. Many vacationers choose to camp while they’re on the road. Another option is to stay at one of the many hotels or lodges in the area.
Rituals
Spiritual and historical tours, an adventure zone, and an arts and crafts fair are all available to visitors. As a means of atonement, pilgrims bathe in the sacred lake during this occasion. At night, a magnificent ceremony called Maha Aarti is performed on the shores of Pushkar Lake. Go to the Rangji Temple, which is dedicated to an avatar of Vishnu, to see how South Indian, Mughal, and Rajput architecture come together.
Adventure
Hot air balloon rides allow guests to take in the view from above as well. Morning and evening walking trips are also available during Pushkar Fair. Additional exciting pursuits such as horseback riding, paramotoring, and quad biking are available during the fair.
Ways to teach
Just forty minutes away is the brand new Kishangarh Airport, which is the closest airport to Pushkar. Sanganer Airport, the second-closest airport, is in Jaipur. You may reach every major city in India via the Jaipur airport. The distance from Pushkar to it is 145 kilometers. From the airport, you may reach Pushkar by taking a taxi. From nearby cities like Ajmer, Jaipur, Indore, and Nagda, Pushkar may be reached simply by road.