The intention behind celebrating the Pushkar Camel Fair is to attract local camel and cattle traders to do business during the holy Kartik Purnima festival(according to Hindu Calendar), held in Pushkar around the full moon in the Hindu lunar month of Kartik. … The best way for foreigners to visit the fair is to go with an organized tour group.
Pushkar Camel Fair Dates
The Pushkar Camel Fair is directly linked to the Hindu lunar calendar and Panchang. This annual 14-day festival takes place in the lead up to the full moon in the auspicious Hindu month of Kartik (October and November month), the most prosperous time to absolve past sins. During this moon phase, locals bathe in the holy waters of Pushkar Lake, hoping their wishes will come true.
The fair has two components: Religious rituals, and camel trading. The camel trading—which is the main attraction for tourists—happens at the beginning of the festival, with competitions and activities. Apart from this, Rajasthan Tourism conducts an official program of events. Towards the end, the focus shifts to religious ceremonies.
The official dates of the Pushkar Camel Fair in the next 2 years are as follows:
- In 2020, the Pushkar Fair will be held from November 22 to 30.
- In 2021, the Pushkar Fair will be held from November 11 to 19.
The arrival of the Camels: October 30 to November 4
Before the official beginning of the festival, camels, herders and traders come to set up camp in the sand dunes. As the days progress, the arrivals continue, the gathering grows, and lively trading takes place. This is a great time for photography, as it’s possible to move around freely and observe the scene. By the fourth day, the sand dunes are at their most crowded and the vibe is hopping with horses, camels, livestock, traders, and herders.
What Rituals are Performed During the Pushkar Fair?
All Pilgrims come to this festival to not only bathe in the holy waters of Pushkar’s lake and be absolved of their sins. The two days around the full moon are considered as the most auspicious time of the year for bathing in the lake. Those who bathe on the day of the full moon are said to receive special blessings.
