Rajasthan Travel
Tuesday, May 29th, 2007FAIR AND LOVELY!
Come November and Rajasthan becomes the cynosure of all eyes. Why? Because along with Kartik Purnima comes the much awaited Pushkar fair. Over the years, Pushkar Mela, as it is popularly known, has been one of the major trumps in the hands of Rajasthan tourism because in its varied moods it manages to bring the ancient customs of Rajasthan to the fore; mixed with a lot of mysticism, adventure and fun. A perfect formula guaranteed to be a crowd puller. Let’s explore the Pushkar magic a little further.
200,000 people-no, it’s not the population statistic of a large city, but that of the approximate number of people who visit the fair. Not to forget the 50,000 cattle that they bring along. The fair is of great importance to the locals because this is the one chance they get to relive the glory days when a great deal was spent on cattle embellishments. Today the fair gives them a chance by organizing cattle beauty contests where the camels and other cattle preen and pose pretty. Also, a lot of cattle accessories are sold-all in precious silver.
Its not just fun and games at Pushkar because these people take even their sports seriously. The famed camel races of Pushkar are legendary and people come from far and wide to witness them. Also, cattle trading takes place in a big way in this fair.
A comprehensive experience of Rajasthani art, the fair has numerous dances and folk items which regale the spellbound spectators. Music like that created by the Bhil and Langda minstrels is legendary and a definite not-to-miss event. Beautiful materials with rajasthani handwork are also available. Women will get a full country feel with henna and tattoo artists all over the place.