The Pushkar fair is a grand, colorful livestock fair held annually in the old city of Pushkar. The festival is celebrated during an auspicious time based on the Hindu calendar. It’s an event that gives farmers from all over India the opportunity to trade livestock. The entire gala gives visitors a peek into this centuries-old cultural tradition in one of the most sacred cities in India. It’s a fascinating chaos to be part of and something you’ve never ever seen before. If you’re heading to Pushkar, let’s get you up to speed on what to expect and everything you need to know about the Pushkar Fair in 2021.
When Is The Pushkar Fair In 2021?
The Pushkar Fair 2021 is going to be held for a period of 9 days from 11th to 19th November. It’s a time when the tiny little town of Pushkar is full of life and you have to be here to get a glimpse of what it’s like. Like any other cultural event, this fair organizes a ton of dance shows, music performances and even cattle competitions that happen on different days.
You’d find that each camel is shaved and dressed differently with ornaments and that’s for owners to identify their own camel. On each day, there will be a bunch of interesting contests and carnival rides set up for everyone to have a grand time when they visit the fair. Keep in mind that to catch the primary celebrations of the fair in full swing, you should ideally attend the first 5 days of the fair.
Here’s a rundown of few things you shouldn’t miss at the Pushkar Fair –
Things To Do At The Pushkar Fair 2021
Visit The Brahma Temple
The Brahma temple in Pushkar is one of a kind and the only temple dedicated to the deity Brahma in India. The architecture of the temple and the surrounding views here will give you an essence of what Pushkar is all about. Brahma is the God of creation and many pilgrims come to visit the temple especially during the fair. They come mainly because of the spiritual rituals that take place here, which you can also see for yourself.
Stroll Around Pushkar Lake
The Pushkar Lake is the central attraction of Pushkar with 52 ghats. Among all the ghats, we highly recommend that you stop by Jaipur Ghat to catch the sunset. The markets and area around the lake have several eating joints where you can stop for a quick bite. You can sit by the banks of the Pushkar lake to watch the devotees and all the grand religious rituals taking place here during the Pushkar Fair.
Spend Time On The Pushkar Fair Ground
The fair ground is the heart of the Pushkar fair and must be visited to get an experience of the high spirit of the events. At this spot, you’ll find the most number of camels you’ve ever seen all in one place! The ground is also filled with make-shift stalls selling traditional jewelry, bags, shoes, home decor and many more handmade items. There are also dance, song, and other performances like camel races, mustache competitions, cricket matches taking place simultaneously here.
Go Over The Pushkar Mela On A Hot Air Balloon Ride
Going on a hot air balloon ride is a high-end experience but worth trying if you’d like to get an aerial view of the entire Pushkar fair. In terms of cost, it will be in the range of INR 12,000 to 15,000 per head. The whole hot air balloon ride lasts for roughly 3 hours and only happens in the early morning and late evening.
Take The Savitri Mata Ropeway
When the chaos of the camel fair gets a wee bit too much, you can hop onto a ropeway that takes you away from the crowd and gives you an eagle-eye view of Pushkar. If you’re the type of person that likes to take the stairs instead of the elevator, you can also reach the top of Savitri Mata temple by climbing a number of steep stairs.
Pro Tip – Your accommodation will provide you with a schedule of the fair and its events when you visit. Make sure you ask for it so you can plan your time in Pushkar according to events you like being part of.
Getting To Pushkar
Pushkar is well-connected to the Pink city of Jaipur. You can reach Pushkar in less than 3 hours if you drive keeping Jaipur as your base city. You could consider flying into Jaipur if you like. Be it Jaipur or Pushkar, goSTOPS can accommodate you as you explore the culturally rich cities of India. If you like taking the train, you’d have to book a ticket to Ajmer (a major train station in Rajasthan and well-connected to major cities). Once you reach Ajmer by train, you can take a local cab and reach Pushkar in less than an hour.
Things To Be Aware Of
Over the years, the Pushkar Fair has gotten more and more commercialized. When you’re here, there could be many moments when vendors force you to buy items. It’s also common for some priests to scam you into paying them a huge sum of money in return for a blessing. Locals could also ask you to pay them if you take a picture of their outfits. It’s important to be aware of such things and if it does happen to you, be as adamant as you can.
With things like your wallet or valuables, make sure it’s in a zippered pocket or in the inside pockets of a jacket you wear. The fair does get crowded with tourists and devotees coming on a pilgrimage with huge families so it’s best to stay vigilant of your surroundings in the chaos.
You’re Set For The Fiesta!
At the Pushkar Fair, you’ll bump into camels, cows, monkeys, people and it’s all part of the madness of the festival. People from all over India come to Pushkar during this time to experience the festival. The downside to this is that most accommodation options get sold out in advance. If you’re heading out to Pushkar for the fair, be an early bird and check out goSTOPS property in Pushkar – It’s the perfect place to retreat from all the noise of the fair. We’re also walking distance away from the serene Sunset Point at Jaipur Ghat so you can sink back into the affairs of Pushkar city whenever you feel like it. Now isn’t that a steal deal?
FAQs
Why Is The Pushkar Fair Famous?
The Pushkar fair happens annually, it is a grand affair where camels and other animals are traded. The fair is celebrated with a lot of pomp, color and competitions. It’s fun to be part of a big Indian carnival, see hundreds of camels and get up close to them. These are a few reasons many people come to be part of the fair.
Will The Pushkar Fair Happen In 2021?
The Pushkar fair is scheduled to happen from November 11th to 19th in 2021.
Why Do People Visit Pushkar?
Many pilgrims and tourists visit the town of Pushkar because it’s a culturally rich and holy city. Many are drawn to the Pushkar lake, the temples dotted in the area, the cafés and the beautiful scenery in the background of the town.
Is It Worth Going To Pushkar?
Traveling to Pushkar is worth it if you like visiting a cultural city with an easy-going vibe. Pushkar is not the main tourist circuit destination, it’s more offbeat and you’d have a peek into the traditional plus religious rituals of the locals of Pushkar.
