Reflecting the vibrant culture of Rajasthan through sparkling activities and events, the 100 years old Pushkar Mela is definitely one of the most famous and largest camel fairs in the world. From letting you witness the beauty of the golden sand to embracing the vibes of Rajasthani culture, this fair is a land of colors you must visit.
With multiple reasons for why you should attend the Pushkar Mela Rajasthan at least once in your life, here’s all the essential information about this popular fair, what’s different, and why you need to book your Rajasthan trip right away!
Quick Links
- Reasons For Visiting Pushkar Fair
- Schedule Of The Pushkar Fair
- Highlights Of The Pushkar Fair
- Top Things To Do At The Pushkar Fair
- Other Places To Visit In Pushkar
- Pushkar Camel Fair Accommodation
- How To Reach The Pushkar Fair
- Tips For Visiting The Pushkar Fair
Reasons for Visiting Pushkar Fair
- It helps you witness the beauty of Rajasthan like a local
- Lets you be a part of entertaining competitions and events
- You get to listen and watch the most famous fusion bands of India
- It lets you experience the fun of staying in luxury and old-school style camps
- You get to witness the trading of camels
- Helps calm the adventurer in you with a range of pulsating activities
- It lets you witness the magical desert from up in the air
Schedule of the Pushkar Fair
The famous five-day fair is being held for nine days this year, and will begin with a Harmony Marathon from Dargah Shareef in Ajmer to the Brahma Temple in Pushkar at 6:00 AM on day one. This zeal-filled run is a great initiative for celebrating the uniqueness of the incredible state of Rajasthan, and you can be a part of it too.
The Pushkar Mela will culminate with a Maha Aarti on the Pushkar Lake followed by sparkling fireworks on the High Level Bridge.’
Dates: 11th November to 19th November
Timings: 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM
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Highlights of the Pushkar Fair
While every day of the Pushkar Camel Festival is loaded with fun and cultural events, each day has a specialty, which will add onto your experiences. The true beauty of Rajasthan’s culture is best reflected through every bit of this fair, and so it’s essential for you to make a note of all the following highlights of all the events happening every day so that you don’t miss out on anything.
Day 1: Harmony Marathon, Hot Air Balloon Flights, and a renowned band (preferable Indian Ocean) will be playing to call the day off
Day 2: Langri Taang with foreigners, Camel decoration and dance contest, and sunset safari at the dunes
Day 3: Horse dance contest, Shilpgram Handicrafts Bazaar, and cultural evening
Day 4: Spiritual Walk from Gurudwara to Mela Ground and cultural performances on the ground
Day 5: Lagaan style cricket match, Mustache competition, turban tying, and kite flying
Day 6: Matka race, musical chair, and best of Rajasthan
Day 7: Adventure activities on the adventure zone
Day 8: Mega cultural event & closing ceremony, Matka race, Camel race, and Kala Jattha
Top Things to do at Pushkar Fair
Here are the interesting things you can do at the Pushkar Mela:
1. Shop for Paintings and Jewelry
Set up by rural artisans, the Shilpgram is a great stop to buy souvenirs and take memories home from the fair. From traditional handcrafted jewelry to gorgeous paintings and classic leather ware to pretty puppets, there is a lot you can buy from here. There’s a lot to take back home from the Pushkar Mela in Rajasthan.
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2. Get your Adventure Game on
Image Courtesy: Indianluxetravellers.com
Enjoying an aerial view of the fair from a hot air balloon flight, indulging in Paramotoring, quad biking, and taking a camel safari are some of the best ways to calm the adventurer in you while you’re soaking the warmth of the desert. Get ready, hop on, and explore the city while you’re at the Pushkar Camel Fair. This place is also surrounded by some of the best resorts in Pushkar.
The cost of these activities range from INR 4, 000 to INR 18,000, and are undoubtedly a few must-have experiences when you’re in Rajasthan.
3. Participate in the Photography Contest
If you’re a photography enthusiast at heart, it’s time you let the world see your talent and win a prize for it as well. Of all the things to do in Pushkar Mela, participating in ‘Frame The Fair’ being organized by the Rajasthan Tourism and E Factor Entertainment is one thing you must definitely do!
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4. Witness or Be a Part of Fun Competitions
From competitions like Mustache Contest to Matka Race, and Camel Dance to Bride & Groom Contest, there is a long list of events happening throughout the Pushkar Mela. Apart from just witnessing them from a distance, you can also participate in them and make unforgettable memories. This is also one of the best things to do in Pushkar foe a great trip.
5. Indulge in Pushkar’s Local Delicacies
While everything at the fair might look too expensive, know that it’s definitely worth a try, especially the local cuisines like Dal Bhaati Churma. It’s the best time to indulge in the food specialities of Pushkar, and you can relish it throughout your trip to the Pushkar Mela in Rajasthan.
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Other Places to Visit in Pushkar
While you’ll already be in awe of the town during the Pushkar Festival, here are some of the top places which you must definitely explore to see the what makes this town a true marvel.
1. Pushkar Lake
Renowned as one of the most sacred lakes in Rajasthan, this place is a paradise for every type of traveler. The serenity encircling the lake is worth experiencing, and so it the beauty of watching the sunset and sunrise from here.
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2. Sarafa Bazaar
Apart from the Shilpgram Bazaar in the Pushkar Mela, the Sarafa Bazaar in the town is one of the best shopping places in Pushkar to visit if you’re a Shopaholic at heart. It offers a variety of items like the Rajasthani costumes and puppets, embroidered fabrics, souvenirs, bangles and beads, decorative pieces, curios, embroidered shoes, glass lamps, bags, and more.
3. Rangji Temple
A perfect blend of Mughal, Rajput, and South Indian architecture, this temple is an extraordinary site in the town of Pushkar. Since it is devoted to an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and is in close proximity to the old markets, it usually stays crowded with innumerable worshippers.
4. Naga Pahar
Being a hill that divides Pushkar from Ajmer, and is rumoured to disappear with time, Naga Pahar is a top tourist attraction in the town. Apart from sitting by the Nag Kund here, you can also admire the breathtaking view of the town from here and capture memories on your camera.
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5. Rose Garden
Image Courtesy: Haveteacupwilltravel.wordpress.com
Pushkar is famously known as the ‘rose garden of Rajasthan’ and so there is every reason why visiting the beautiful land with zillion number of roses is a must thing to do. The fragrance of these flowers is captivating, and the beauty is breathtaking. Definitely a paradise for nature lovers!
Pushkar Camel Fair Accommodation
There is no doubt that the best accommodation at the Pushkar Festival are the traditionally styled camps wrapped in modern luxury, which can be availed via The Sky Waltz Camp.
From deluxe non-AC camps to luxury AC camps, a stay here will cost around INR 10,000 and INR 13,000 respectively. Apart from accommodation, the package includes all the meals at the camp, local transfers to the Pushkar Mela ground, VIP seats for the evening concerts, and more.
Apart from Sky Waltz, Camp Bliss also offers luxury tents near the fair in a peaceful gooseberry orchard and offer a magical experience with camps priced around INR 29,500.
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How to Reach Pushkar Fair
Situated in Ajmer, Rajasthan on the shores of Pushkar Lake, the town is easily accessible by all modes of transport.
By Air:
Connected to all the major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata, Sanganer Airport in Jaipur is the nearest airport to Pushkar. Upon reaching the airport, you can take a bus or hire a cab to cover the distance of 146 kilometers to reach the town.
By Train:
The closest railway station to Pushkar is Ajmer, which is located some 11 kilometers away from the town. If you’re traveling from Delhi or Jaipur, you can take the Shatabdi or the Pink City Express to reach Ajmer from where you can take a taxi to reach Pushkar.
By Road:
Connected to major roadways and highways in India, Pushkar can be reached easily by taking any regular bus from Ajmer, Indore, Jaipur, and Nagda. Or you can also take your own car and drive directly to this vibrant town.
Tips for Visiting Pushkar Fair
- Make sure you book your tickets well in advance, and also the camp to get the most traditional experience during your visit.
- The Harmony Marathon is a great initiative. Do try and be a part of it to add some thrill to your holiday.
- The Shilpgram Handicrafts Bazaar is a haven for Shopaholics, and is home to the best Rajasthani souvenirs. Do visit and shop your heart out.
- Don’t forget to carry your medicines, a mosquito repellant, and a torch.
- Participate in competitions that interest you and indulge in fun to get a closer glimpse of the fair and its festivities.
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So, are you excited about visiting the Pushkar Fair? If yes, then get packed, plan your Pushkar vacation and leave right away for an enticing vacay! Don’t forget to share your experience once you come back from Pushkar with us.
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