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#Pushkarfair2015: 12 fantastic reasons why you should head to Pushkar

November 19, 2015 18:28 IST

Where the most popular camel fair in the world is on…

1. Good weather

Pushkar Camel Fair

Photograph: Danish Siddiqui/ Reuters

There’s no better time to travel to Rajasthan than in November. It’s that time of the year when summer heat is at bay and winter is yet to kick in.

2. Click till you drop

Pushkar Camel Fair

Photograph: Himanshu Sharma/ Reuters

You’d have never seen so many camels at one time, in one place. It’s an irresistible sight! Every photographer’s delight, Pushkar comes alive during the camel fair.

You can spend hours watching the gloriously decorated camels. And then, there are the stunning Rajasthani people, the natural beauty of Pushkar itself and the entertaining acts put up across the fair.

If that does not have you grabbing your camera already…

3. Watch the camels shake their booty

Pushkar Camel Fair

Photograph: Owen Young/ Creative Commons

Yes! You heard it right. Here’s where you can watch camels and horses dance and cheer for camels as they race.

You can also take a camel ride and soak up the magic of the desert.

We recommend you do this closer to twilight; it makes for a truly memorable experience.

3.  Cleanse your sins

Pushkar Camel Fair

Fulvio Spada/ Wikimedia Commons 

It is said that a dip in the PushkarLake will cleanse you of all your sins.

Later in the evening, you can witness the Maha Aarti at Varah Ghat, take a quiet walk or just sit back and watch the dance performance at the OldRangjiTemple.

4. Food you actually want to try

Pushkar Camel Fair

Photograph: Owen Young/ Creative Commons

Bite into a delicious creamy kulfi or almond ice cream, taste delicious gulab jamuns and feast on scrumptious Rajasthani fare.

The bhaang lassi is to die for! Try it out if you get a chance.

The special chocolate balls at the Out of the Blue café are delicious as well, but not for the faint-hearted.

5. Shop till you drop

Pushkar Camel Fair

Photograph: Mantra_man/ Wikimedia Commons

Trinkets, dupattas, silver, handicrafts, jewellery, leather goods, harem pants, bandanas, colourful puppets… name it and you’ll find it here.

Enjoy the art and craft bazaar at the fair. Just remember to bargain :)

6. Stop over at Ajmer

Pushkar Camel Fair

Photograph: Glenna Barlow/ Creative Commons

Ajmer is just a 30-45 minute drive away. Known for its rich history and heritage, Ajmer is famous for the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti.

A day at Ajmer is a must if you are at Pushkar.

7. Detox

Pushkar Camel Fair

Photograph: A Vahanvaty/ Wikimedia Commons

Remember, Pushkar is a holy place. Alcohol is a strict no-no. Non-vegetarian food is not allowed either.

Here’s your chance to detox, lose those love handles and fit into your sexy LBD for the New Year’s party.

8. The Sadhus

Pushkar Camel Fair

Photograph: Himanshu Sharma/Reuters

You don’t need to travel to the Himalayas to meet sadhus who live in caves. You will spot all of them -- including the Naga sadhus – at Pushkar.

You’ll also bump into snake charmers, gypsies and people dressed as mythological characters all over the place.

9. Back to school feeling

Pushkar Camel Fair

Photograph: Tracy Hunter/ Wikimedia Commons

Remember participating in competitions when you were in school? Well, at Pushkar, you’re never short of opportunities to win prizes.

There are many contests like turban tying, tilak and moustache competitions, in which people with 17-feet long moustaches are known to participate.

You can also choose to watch a football match, a game of tug-of-war played between locals and foreigners or a wrestling competition.

Or cheer for the women participating in the matka race (water pot) competition as they balance half a dozen matkas on their head and run.

10. Camp out

Pushkar Camel Fair

Photograph: Kamal Kishore/ Reuters

There is no dearth of accommodation at Pushkar.

You could stay in tents in the desert. Nothing quite beats a night out around the campfire.

For people in the mood to spend, try the Heritage Sarovar. This hotel was once called the Man Mahal palace. It was built by Raja Man Singh and is situated close to the lake. 

11. Hot air balloon ride

Pushkar Camel Fair

Photograph: Swati Kulkarni/ Creative Commons 

Watch the fair from a hot air balloon. But if you cannot take a hot air balloon ride, there are other options too.

Out of the Blue cafe has a cozy little terrace from where you can watch the glorious sunset. You can sit there for hours and watch the balloon rides in progress.

12. Unusual contests

Pushkar Camel Fair

Photograph: blog100days/ Creative Commons

One of the special segments of the Pushkar Fair is the Indian Bride and Groom Competition. Only foreigners are allowed to participate.

You’ll get a chance to watch foreigners dressed as Indian brides and grooms in traditional Rajasthani attire.

They definitely make for a pretty picture :)

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Anita Aikara Mumbai