India:

India Trip

November 2008

Pushkar Fair

Pushkar is a tiny, laid back town (no motor traffic on the main street) that comes alive in the elaborate festivities, cultural extravaganza and cattle marketing of the famous Pushkar Fair. This fair is on the edge of the Rajasthan Desert in the state of Rajasthan near Ajmer. People from different parts of India gather on the fair ground to participate in the various entertaining events; alcohol and meat are banned. Pushkar is energized with activity during the fair; it is held during the full moon in late October or early November and usually continues for about five days.

Thousands of people go to the banks of Pushkar Lake where it is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in India, the only one in the country associated with Lord Brahma. The site fills up with followers and holy men in rather strange garb who come to the Brahma Temple to pray and take a holy dip in the sacred waters of Pushkar Lake. The town of Pushkar encircles the lake (around which there are 52 ghats) surrounded by temples. Legend also has it that the ancient Lake Sarovar appeared miraculously when a lotus fell from the hands of Lord Brahma and dropped into this valley. From the spots where the petals fell, water sprang out and lakes were formed. A holy dip in Pushkar Lake is thought to be salvation giving for a person who bathes here at this particular time (October/November with the full moon).

Abounding with over 400 temples in this tiny place, the special attraction is the temple of Lord Brahma, the only Indian temple dedicated to Brahma. He is the Hindu god of creation, four-headed facing in all four directions, symbolizing his presence everywhere. A four-armed life-sized statue of Bramha is enshrined inside the temple.

The Brahma temple is the most famous temple in Pushkar (dedicated to the creator of the universe according to Hindu mythology). It is an important pilgrim centre for the Hindus, nestled in this Pushkar Valley and full of natural beauty. It holds a special place in the hearts of Indian for it is believed that Lord Brahma, together with all the gods and goddesses, performed a religious ceremony here. It is identified by its red spire and by the image of a goose considered sacred to Lord Brahma. This temple built with marble is decorated with silver coins placed by devotees from all over India to commemorate the births and deaths of their loved ones; there is a silver turtle on the floor of the temple.

Apart from the religious rituals and festivities, people participate in a number of cultural and sporting events, many of which take place at the arena. The variety of folk dances and songs lend vivid splashes of colour and music to the atmosphere that is already charged with excitement of the camel races and the cattle fair. Men buy and sell their livestock, which includes camels, cows, sheep and goats. The camel trading which involves a great deal of haggling between the camel traders and the buyers adds to the spirit of the fair. The women go to the stalls, full of bracelets, clothes, textiles and fabrics. A camel race starts off the festival, with music, songs and exhibitions to follow. This fair attracts people not only from India but a large number of tourists from other countries as well.

We spent two nights/three days in a tent near the fair. We traveled in a camel-driven cart into the fair and rode around the fair to witness these festivities. We did this late afternoon due to the heat of the day. In the morning, we walked down to the lake area to witness the bathing ghats and people taking their holy dip, then we walked into the bazaar area of Pushkar. We also went into the very crowded Brahma temple, then returned to the fair and walked around observing the activities. The entire fair and surrounding area sights were quite amazing and fascinating events.

To see more photos of Pushkar City and Pushkar Lake click here.

Pushkar Fair Photo Gallery

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