India's greatest tribal gathering, Pushkar Mela is held annually in November from Karthik Ekadashi to Karthik Purnima as per the Hindu calendar. It is a grand travel experience held on a vast scale. People visit the fair to witness the beauty of Rajasthani Culture. Attracting more than 400,000 tourists, funky competitions like 'Matka Tod', 'Longest Moustache', and 'Bridal Competitions', are held during the annual Pushkar Fair. Spread over five days, more than 11,000 cattle, horses and camels are part of this visual spectacle.
Camel safari - It is one of the most exciting features of the fair. The ride on undulating dunes is a mesmerising and an unforgettable experience.
Camping - Camping in Pushkar is not ordinary camping. It is an entirely different affair with large luxury tents. The tents have all facilities including butler service. People from all over the world come to camp under the full moon in the dunes.
Hot Air Balloon Ride - One of the most thrilling activity at Pushkar is the hot air balloon ride to get a fantastic panoramic view of the place. However, this is not for the faint-hearted.
Attractions At The Pushkar Camel Fair
The activities and celebrations take place in the fairgrounds, which is a vast arid landmass at the intersection of the Brahma Temple Road and National Highway 89.
The beautifully dressed camels are indeed the highlight of the fair. Camel parades, camel beauty pageants, camel dance show and the auction of the camels are integral components of the Fair and its main attraction.
Camel Rides significantly enthral the visitors and stalls of delicious Indian snacks and sweets satiate the hunger pangs of all. There are some exciting competitions at the fair like Competition of Moustaches where men who have longest and the most beautiful moustache compete for the title. The show of snake charmers and magicians is also a delight at the fair.
Religious Activities at the Pushkar Mela
A few days before the full moon, Bhajans and religious ceremonies take place in various temples of the town. Honouring Brahma, the creator, is the centre of all rituals. Pilgrims offer prayers to Brahma in the temple at Pushkar, which is the only temple of Brahma in the country. On the full moon night, people bathe in the Pushkar lake. The ceremonies are brought to an end by a maha aarti (worship with fire) by the lake and firework displays.
History of the Pushkar Mela
It is believed that 330 million Gods and Goddesses of the Hindu religion had come to Pushkar Lake on the full moon night to sanctify the pious. As a result, thousands of pilgrims come to Pushkar to commemorate the event and redeem themselves. Pushkar is also one of the five dhams or sacred places which are revered by the Hindus.
About Pushkar Mela - Rituals & Traditions
Sunset at Pushkar Mela Source Pushkar Mela is a 100 years old camel fair which is immensely popular all over the world. It reflects the vibrant culture of Rajasthan through a wide range of events and activities.
The fair has two essential components-camel trading and religious rituals. Camel trading is the main highlight, and it takes place at the beginning of the festival. Gradually, the focus of the fair shifts from trading, competition and activities to religious ceremonies. The activities include camel racing, horse shows, cow and horse beauty contests, acrobatics, camel safaris and a plethora of other exciting events.
The time during which the festival takes place (full moon) is considered to be the most auspicious time to redeem the past sins and wish for something. During this phase, the locals bathe in the holy Pushkar Lake hoping for good things to come their way. Since there are a large number of tourists at the fair, Gujarati and Rajasthani traders gather at the fair and sell paintings, clothes, jewellery shoes etc.
10:00 AM: Pooja & Flag Hoisting, Mega Cultural Event & Opening Ceremony
10:00 AM: Nagada Vadan, Live Workshop / Camel Decoration by Ashok Tak at Mela Ground
10:00 AM: Adventure Activites at Adventure Zone Till 5:30 PM (Ticketed)
10:30 AM: Mandana Competition at Mela Ground
10:30 AM: Cultural Group Dance Performance by School Girls at Mela Ground
11:00 AM: Chak De Rajasthan Football Match at Mela Ground
4:30 PM: Hot Air Balloon Flights
5:00 PM: Inaugration of Shilgram Handicrafts Bazar
5:30 PM: Deepandaan, Rangoli, Maha Arti & Pushkar Abhishek at Pushkar Sarovar
7:00 PM: Navraj Hans - Live Concert at Mela Ground
9:00 PM: Live Musical Performance at Mela Ground - Vinni Devda
Second Day -
06:30 AM: Hot Air Balloon Flights
10:30 AM: Kabaddi Match with Foreigners at Mela Ground
10:30 AM: Adventure Activites at Adventure Zone Till 5:30 PM (Ticketed)
11:00 AM: Shilpgram Handicrafts Bazaar (Open till 8 PM)
11:30 AM: SHorse Dance Contest at Mela Ground
01:00 PM: Inter Panchayat Samiti Rural Sports at Mela Ground (Rassa Kashi, Volleyball etc.)
04:30 PM: Hot Air Balloon Flights
07:00 PM: Prem Joshua -Live Musical Concert at Mela Ground
09:00 PM: Jazz Nagada by Nathu Lal Ji - Live Musical Performance at Mela Ground
Third Day -
06:30 AM: Hot Air Balloon Flights
08:30 AM: Spiritual Walkfrom Gurudwara at Mela Ground
10:30 AM: Adventure Activites at Adventure Zone (Till 5:30 PM)
11:00 AM: Shilpgram Handicrafts Bazaar (Open till 8 PM)
1:00 PM: Inter Panchayat Samiti Rural Sports at Mela Ground
4:30 PM: Hot Air Balloon Flights
6:00 PM: Maha Aartiat Sarovar Ghat
6:00 PM: Inauguration of Gir & Cross Breed Cattle Exhibition
7:00 PM: Voice of Pushkar - Preliminary Round at Mela Ground
9:00 PM: Cultural Performance at Mela Ground by Mahakaal Group
9:30 PM: Odissi Dance at Mela Ground by Akshita Bhatt
Fourth Day -
05:30 AM: Harmony Marathon from Dargah Khwaja saheb, Ajmer to Shri Brahma Temple, Pushkar
06:30 AM: Hot Air Balloon Flights
09:00 AM: "Lagaan" Style Cricket Match at Mela Ground
10:30 AM: Adventure Activites at Adventure Zone (Till 5:30 PM)
11:00 AM: Shilpgram Handicrafts Bazaar (Open till 8 PM)
11:00 AM: Moustache Contest at Mela Ground
11:30 AM: Turban Tying & Tilak Contest at Mela Ground
1:00 PM: Inter Panchayat Samiti Rural Sports at Mela Ground
4:30 PM: Hot Air Balloon Flights
6:00 PM: Maha Aartiat Sarovar Ghat
7:00 PM: Voice of Pushkar- Finale at Mela Ground
7:30 PM: Classical Dance at Old Rang Ji Temple
8:30 PM: Live Music Performance at Mela Ground - Sufi Night
Fifth Day -
6:30 AM: Hot Air Balloon Flights
10:00 AM: Finals of Inter Panchayat Samiti Rural Sports at Mela Ground
10:30 AM: Adventure Activites at Adventure Zone (Till 5:30 PM)
10:30 AM: Matka Race at Mela ground (Women Only)
11:00 AM: Shilpgram Handicrafts Bazaar (Open till 8 PM)
11:30 AM: Musical ChairRace at Mela Ground (For Women Only)
4:30 PM: Hot Air Balloon Flights
6:00 PM: Maha Aarti at Pushkar Sarovar Ghat
7:00 PM: Indian Bride & Groom Contest at Mela Ground
7:30 PM: Classical Dance at Old Rang Ji Temple
8:30 PM: Live Music Performance at Mela Ground - Yugm Band
Sixth Day -
06:30 AM: Hot Air Balloon Flights
10:30 AM: Adventure activities at Adventure zone (Till 5:30 PM)
11:00 AM: Shilpgram Handicrafts Bazaar (Open Till 8:00 PM)
4:30 PM: Hot Air Balloon Flights
6:00 PM: Maha Aartiat Sarovar Ghats
7:30 PM: Best of Rajasthanat Mela Ground - Cultural Show
7:30 PM: Classical Dance at Old Rang Ji Temple
Seventh Day -
06:30 AM: Hot Air Balloon Flights
09:00 AM: Mega Cultural Event & Closing Ceremony(Matka Race, Tug of War, Group Dance, Kala Jattha & Other Local Performances)
4:30 PM: Hot Air Balloon Flights
5:30 PM: Maha Aarti at Sarovar Ghats
7:30 PM: Fireworks Displayat High level bridge
How To Reach Pushkar Mela 2024
Ajmer is the nearest railway station to Pushkar and has trains coming from all major cities of India. Airport located at Kishanganj is the nearest airport which is connected with all major cities too.
Thus, Pushkar Mela is one of the most lively, vibrant and colourful gatherings of people and livestock and is a beautiful celebration in the dunes of Rajasthan.
