Pushkar Fair 2020

Pushkar is a small town located near the city of Ajmer in Rajasthan.The city is surrounded by hills on three sides and has a history of great royal architecture. Pilgrims from other parts of India come to this city to take a dip in the Pushkar Lake especially around Karthik Purnima. A dip in this lake is believed to cure skin diseases. Portraying the vibrance and culture of Rajasthan, Pushkar Mela is the world’s oldest and largest camel fair. It is a celebration of the spirit and colours of Rajasthan, and the “ship of the desert”, camels. This fair is held every year in Pushkar, and attracts footfall from all over the globe. It is a display of camels, other cattle, and beauty of what Rajasthan truly is.

Pushkar Mela 2020 dates:

This mela takes place in the month of Kartik, which, according to English calendar are the months of October and November. And true enough, this year, the mela will be held from November 22nd to 30th.
There are two parts of this mela- the camel trade fair and the cultural fare. If you are interested in camel trading, then you will have to come 2-3 days prior to the official start of the festival, because that is when camel traders and herders arrive to set up their camps. As the days progress, this gathering becomes larger. This is an opportunity for photographers as they can move around freely and take great pictures, and even enter photography competitions. During this time, cattle fair, trades, camel races take place. Rajasthan government takes active interest in organizing this mela because of which the facilities provided here are all top-notch!

Camel trade:

In the initial days of the mela, the main attraction is camel trade which witnessing as many as 50,000 camels taking part. Cattle (camel, horse, cows, etc.) is cleaned, and decorated with colourful saddles for display. Camel dance, camel parades and camel beauty pageants are common events that happen. Bargains take place for the most demanded breeds.

Competitions Pushkar Mela:

Apart from cattle fair and camel races, the fair also holds a number of other competitions- longest moustache, tug of war, Rajasthani group dance. Parallelly there is a huge festival of Rajasthani folk art and music. There are also competitions where locals are pitted against visitors in friendly matches of kabaddi or wrestling. Rajasthan tourism organises an Indian bride and groom competition for foreigners every year, wherein they get the opportunity to dress in traditional Indian attires and walk the ramp. Matka race for women, turban tying and tilak competitions, and camel decoration competitions are also organised. It is estimated that over 2.4 Lakh people visit Pushkar mela every year from around the world because of this large number, it is advised that you plan your trip well in advance if you are planning on witnessing the magic of Pushkar Mela 2020.

Things to Experience in Pushkar Mela:

Simply put, the mela is a treasure chest for photographers! From the decorated (and often, intricately shaved to make designs) camels, to the vast expanse of sand, to the chaotic beauty of the mela ground, every second spent at the mela is a terrific opportunity to take some amazing pictures. Apart from this, 

• Pushkar Mela sees spellbinding performances from tribal musicians and dancers. Amusement park rides are set-up, and folk music and dance performances are organised.
• A number of adventure activities, like hot air ballooning, quad-biking and horse-riding are also available.
• Camping at the Pushkar Mela is taken up a notch by the Pushkar Glamping Experience, which combines luxury and camping to give a world-class experience to the visitors.
• Harmony half marathon is the one thing you shouldn’t miss at all if you are visiting Pushkar mela 2020. The run starts from Ajmer Sharif and sees the participants tackling twists and turns to reach Pushkar stadium. However, you will have to declare yourself free of ay ailments before you participate. This requires prior registration, so don’t forget to find out!
• Beautiful handicrafts are one thing that you can carry back from the mela for your friends or family. -Printed materials from Ajmer, oxidized jewellery, traditional footwear, cowrie work jewellery and clothes are few items that are found in this mela.
• Body tattoo and piercing stalls are also common. (make sure you look out for hygiene)
• Camel safari and horse safaris.
• Display of traditions through folk dance and music. Magicians and snake-charmers are also a part of the show.
• Indulge in local delicacies. Kumavat Bhojanalaya is famous for its dal baati.
• Maha Arti at Sarovar ghat every day at 6 PM.
• A few years ago, Indian Ocean had performed at the mela. If you are lucky enough, you may get a chance to hear your favourite band at Pushkar Mela 2020.
• You can also buy tickets to an elevated seating area from where you can comfortably view the activities of the mela. All modern facilities and refreshments are provided to the guests here.

Rituals Pushkar Fair:

In the mela, during the time of Kartik Ekadashi to Kartik Purnima, pilgrims from all over the country flock to take a dip into the Pushkar lake. The most important days of the mela are around the full moon night because it is considered that anyone who takes a dip in the holy lake during that time will be showered with God’s choicest blessings. People offer their prayers to Lord Brahma, who is one of the gods of the Hindu Trinity. It is said that he dropped a lotus into the water of this lake and thus, the name Pushkar, meaning a blue coloured lotus flower, came into being. The world’s only Brahma temple is in Pushkar.

Accomodation in Pushkar:
Needless to say, the demand and prices of accommodation are high during this time. You can opt for luxury camps, delux non-AC camps, or simple hotels as well. It would require you to shell out a H.U.G.E sum of money, but you can opt for traditional camps loaded with luxury to have a world-class experience. There are also various package deals that provide meals and accommodation together.

Pushkar mela is an absolute delight, which brings to you the magical culture of Rajasthan on a platter. So, plan well in advance, and take time to relish it because it is a once in a lifetime experience!

Pro-tip: Since the crowd in Pushkar at the time of the mela is HUGE, it is advised that you keep your eyes open and money safe. Do not fall for scams!