While identifying the must-visit destinations in India Tour, Joanne wrote down Pushkar Fair in Rajsthan her priority list. She had read somewhere that Pushkar is one of the holiest cities of India. What attracted her most was the legend that went with the city.
It was popularly believed that Gods were on a lookout for a place on earth where their lord-Brahma could perform a holy yagna. So a holy swan was released with a lotus in its beak. Gods opined that where ever this lotus will fall is where Brahma will perform the yagna and as luck would have it, the lotus fell in a place which is popularly known as Pushkar, which stands for lotus.
Pushkar Fair TourJoanne undoubtedly wanted to see this place which was the chosen one for Gods and also wanted to plan her trip in such a way that she could be in time to see the Pushkar fair. Erco Travels agent had mentioned in his email that this will be a five day long festivity and is the most sought after tourist attraction. He went on to add that this is the time when whole city vibrates with religious fervor and is out on streets to celebrate.
For the tourists Pushkar fair Tour is a period of relaxation and merry-making. However for others, it is the busiest time of the year as the area boasts of country’s largest cattle fair. In this, animals especially camels-to the tune of almost 50,000 are displayed and sold. This is accompanied by brisk trading in cattle. What makes this activity so engrossing for the tourist is the manner in which these animals are decorated before being sold. The camels are washed, scrubbed and cleaned and then decorated with jewelry and finery. Many animals are also adorned with bells that tinkle filling the air with a musical sound of festivity. Another interesting ritual is the piercing of camel's nose.
For tourists another major attraction is Rajsthan camel safari & Rajsthan Wildlife Tour .The interesting manner in which this animal moves its body makes it an unforgettable experience for the tourists. This ride just shake one’s body to core but is one experience that tourist can never get over from.
According to the Hindu calendar this fair commences on ninth moon or nawmi as it is known as and ends in Purnima or full moon and falls somewhere in October or November, or in the month of Kartik as per the Hindu calendar. Apart from this fair, Pushkar as a town is known for almost 12 more local fairs and festivals that span a period of ten to fifteen days in a year. However, most famous out of these is the one in which animal trading takes place in which almost 4,000 to 6,000 tourists visit the city every day.
Apart from enjoying the festivity of Pushkar fair, tourists also enjoy exploring the rugged terrain of the Great Indian Night Desert using these camels. These rides on the undulating sand dunes in the vastness of the desert, enjoying the tinkling sound of small bells hanging from animal neck is indeed an experience of life time that hardly a few tourists of ours are able to forget, says a proud Erco Travel agent.
