| Pushkar fair |
Every year, Pushkar comes alive in the joyous festivities,
cultural extravaganza and the cattle marketing of the
famous Pushkar Fair. This fair is one of the major cultural
reflectors of the state of Rajasthan and people from different
parts of India gather on the fair ground to participate
in the various entertaining events there. Pushkar pulsates
with vibrant energy and activity during the fair held
on the Kartik Purnima which falls on the month of October
or November and usually continues for about five days.
The Pushkar Lake is considered to be one of the holiest
pilgrimage sites in India, the only one in the country
associated with Lord Brahma. The place simply teems with
the devotees and the holy men or sages in various garbs
who come to the temple (Jagat Pita Shri Brahma Mandir)
to pray and take a holy dip in the sacred waters of the
Pushkar Lake. Apart from the religious rituals and festivities,
people participate in a number of cultural and sporting
events. 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. The bargaining process, which involves
a great deal of haggling between the camel traders and
the buyers, add to the spirit of the fair. This fair attracts
people not only from India but a large number of tourists
from other countries as well. The Rajasthan tourism Development
Corporation has taken adequate measures to facilitate
convenient access of the fair site and to accommodate
the fairgoers. The RTDC maintains the Pushkar tourist
village and the Sarovar Hotel in Pushkar. In the year
2000 the Pushkar Mela will be held from 9th to 11th November.
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