The Pushkar Fair

 

(Photographer: Paul Beinssen- Allposters-)

Pushkar in Rajasthan is one of the oldest cities in India and legend associates Lord Brahma with its creation. The Pushkar fair is a massive event for desert dwellers. The fair continues for 5 days and is one of the largest cattle fairs in the country. Animals, including over 50,000 camels, are brought from miles around to be traded and sold.


Trading is brisk as several thousand heads of cattle exchange hands. All the camels are cleaned, washed, adorned, some are interestingly shorn to form patterns, and special stalls are set up selling finery and jewelery for the camels. Camels at the Pushkar fair are decorated with great care. They wear jewelery of silver and beads. There are silver bells and bangles around their ankles that jangle when they walk. An interesting ritual is the piercing of a camel's nose.