With the onset of Kartik Shukal Ekadashi begins the vigorating events of Pushkar Fair, a five day long festival that is fun-filled with lively activities. The fair awakes the small town, Pushkar residing beside the mystic Pushkar Lake in Rajasthan and brings cheer, love and celebration to the villagers. The festival is so colorful and revitalizing that rarely a festival in world could match the enthusiasm and liveliness of this annual fair. Presenting the art and traditions of the bygone era, Pushkar Fair revives the ancient times and paves way for visitors to imbibe the rich culture once again and propagate the magnificence of lost traditions and ethnicity forever.
Though Pushkar fair is popularly conspicuous by the fascinating camel ride and ancient cattle fair, it is beyond this and offers much more to the participants. It is an occasion that unites the villagers and brings them closer. It is a festival that is celebrated by all, no matter which religion or state you belong to. It welcomes everyone with open arms and offers the visitors a glance at the culture that India is splendidly rich in. It is an occasion when people could purify their souls with a dive in holy Pushkar Lake and wash away all sins. It is a function that brings colors, happiness and prosperity in life.
Some notable events and features of this festival that captures the vibrancy of Rajasthan are:-
Ancient Cattle Trade
From old times, Rajasthan has been indulging in cattle trade and the tradition is still been followed at Pushkar Fair. Villagers from around Rajasthani towns gather here and sold and purchase camels, cows, sheep, goats and horses.
Camel Ride cum Race
Clad with beautiful clothes and stunning ornaments, camels participating in the race are all decked up by the owners to make their respective camels stand out from others. Each camel is beautifully ornamented and looks mesmerizing sprinting over the glistening sand of the desert with their owners sitting tight over them and directing the way ahead.
Besides the fascinating camel race, many more events like camel beauty contest and ladoo unth are carried out. While at beauty contest camels are dressed up and made to cat walk on the arid sandy desert, at laddoo unth it is seen which camel can carry maximum weight. The merriment lasts all five days and villagers take their prized camel back home with proud and vigor.
Festivities at their utmost splendor
Rajasthani festival can never be complete without folk dances and musical events. Women and men fully clad in authentic ethnic dresses showcase their rich culture through folk dances and plays. People also enjoy melodious Rajasthani music and folk songs sung with competence by the locals.
An incredible festival to satisfy shopping desires
Sure one travels long way to imbibe and admire the glorious culture of Rajasthan but one main attraction for women because of which they come rushing to this annual fair is the availability of stalls selling attractive ornaments, clothes and handicrafts.
Festival for spiritual cleansing
Folks gather at the festival to take bath in the mystic lake of Pushkar that is known to wash away all sins and cure all kinds of skin diseases. There are 52 bathing Ghats at Pushkar lake that is packed with tourists on the last day of festival that is on Kartik Purnima to receive blessings of Lord Brahma, the creator of Earth.
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