The annual Pushkar camel fair unfailingly draws among the largest crowds ever every single year. The fair gets its name owing to the place it is held in – a small, quaint, desert town called Pushkar in the state of Rajasthan. Pushkar is placed on the edge of the Thar Desert and quite near to Ajmer. This answers the important question of Pushkar camel fair location. Thousands of camels are brought to the fair each year and this year is expected to be no less. This vacation, come visit the spectacular Pushkar camel festival and witness a truly traditional Indian festival in all its glory. Here’s our guide to help you through the when, where, and what queries of the fair.
When is the Pushkar camel fair this year?
Pushkar camel fair reviews have been positive every year giving travelers and locals alike plenty of reasons to visit. The official dates for Pushkar camel festival have already been released for this year. The fair is scheduled to be held from November 15th to November 23rd in 2018. The camels, along with other livestock which will make an appearance at the fair, usually begin to arrive at least 4 days prior to the beginning of the fair. So make sure to arrive early enough as the camel part of the fair lasts only for the first few days of the event. After this, the focus will shift to religious aspects of the festival. If you don’t have enough time to get your flight bookings done in advance, you can book last minute flights with Indian Eagle travel agency.
What are the Pushkar camel fair celebrations like?
A majority of the fair’s activities are held at the massive fairgrounds situated near the intersection of National Highway 89 and Brahma Temple Road. The camel fair is celebrated in a most intriguing and beautiful way. Camels are shaved and dressed up in colorful costumes. They are then made to dance and are entered into beauty contests as well before being taken to trade. The massive, colorful carnival comprises of vast number of magicians, musicians, snake charmers, acrobats, dancers, and winding rides among several other things.
Sometime before the Pushkar camel fair begins, the government of Rajasthan publishes a detailed itinerary of events scheduled to be held at the fair. You can get one of these for free from your lodgings at Pushkar.
What are the rituals performed at Pushkar camel fair?
There is a massive religious angle to the camel fair held at Pushkar every year. Pilgrims come from all across the country and sometimes even the world to take a dip in the Pushkar Lake. They do this believing that it will absolve them of the sins they have committed. This fair is held to signify the Kartik Purnima Festival, a highly important one for Hindus in India and the world over. The festival takes place during the full moon day as per the Hindu Lunar month of Kartik (October-November). It is believed that those who perform this ritual on the full moon day will receive blessings different and special than the others.
Things you can do at Pushkar camel fair
Invest in business class flights for a comfortable journey to India and come take part in some of the most fun things you can do at the Pushkar Mela. From exciting desert camping to thrilling camel safaris, there are plenty of fun things to do at the fair. You can even go on a hot air balloon ride and enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the colorful fair beneath. You can try Pushkar Fair walking tour, horse safari and quad biking as well. While this is one of the most interesting festivals in India, there are some bizarre Indian festivals which you might interesting to attend as well.
Where to stay during Pushkar camel fair?
As the fair dates draw near and accommodation demands increase, so will the rates. So one of the best things to do if you want to find cheap accommodation is to arrive a couple of days early and scout for one. You also have the option to search for rooms online and book in advance. There are plenty of guesthouses, hotels, and luxury tented camps as well to choose from. You can even opt for a farm stay if you wish to experience it. Else, some good accommodation options you can consider include Ananta Resort, Bhanwar Singh Palace, Dera Masuda, Aaram Bagh Resort, and Pushkar Bagh among others.
How to reach Pushkar
Kishangarh is the nearest airport to Pushkar receiving domestic cheap flights from Delhi and other major cities such a Mumbai and Udaipur on a daily basis. Alternatively, the airport in Jaipur about two and a half hours away is your other option. From the airport, you can take a cab to Pushkar. However, keep in mind that cab fares will be very high during Pushkar camel fair so expect to pay quite a huge amount as cab fare. The closest railway station is at Ajmer and there are bus routes such as Nag Parbat to Pushkar as well if you’re traveling this way.
