Pushkar Fair from 19th to 28th November 2012

Pushkar Cattle Fair 2012 is all set to starts from 19th November 2012 with flag hoisting ceremony at mela ground. Pushkar fair 2012 will be held from 19th November to 28th November 2012. Pushkar Fair is the yearly camel and livestock fair, celebrated in the town of Pushkar in the state of Rajasthan. During the fair, Lakhs of people from rural India flock to Pushkar, along with camel and cattle for several days of livestock trading, horse dealing, pilgrimage and religious festival. "The fair will begin on November 19 and conclude on November 28. Officials of different departments have been directed to start preparations for the event," the spokesperson said. The Pushkar fair, one of the key tourist attraction of the desert state, will be held at the mela ground in Pushkar where people from around the country are likely to participate. This small town, becomes a cultural phenomenon when colourfully dressed devotees, musicians, acrobats, folk dancers, traders, comedians, ‘sadhus’ and tourists reach here during Pushkar fair. According to Hindu chronology, it takes place in the month of Kartika beginning on ‘ashtmi’ 8th day of Lunar Calendar and continues till full moon (‘Poornima’). The camel and cattle trading is at its peak during the first half of festival period. During the later half, religious activities dominate the scenario. Devotees take dips in the holy "Sarovar" lake, as the sacred water is known to bestow salvation.

It is one of the world's largest camel fair apart from buying and selling of livestock, and its highlights have become competitions such as the "matka phod", "longest moustache", and "bridal competitions" are the main draws for this fair which attracts thousands of tourists. People throughout the country are allowed to visit the fair to sell their live stocks as well. Handicrafts have much demand in the mela as worldwide tourists visit the destination to buy attractive arts and crafts. An estimated number of around 50,000 camels are brought in the Pushkar camel festival. In recent years the fair has also included an exhibition cricket match between the local Pushkar club and a team of random foreign tourists. People enjoy the dances, music, camel races and many other exciting competitions.