One of the most popular and colorful fairs of Rajasthan is the Pushkar Fair, held annually at the sacred pilgrim destination of Pushkar – renowned for housing the only shrine in entire India that is dedicated to Lord Brahma. A major tourist attraction in Rajasthan, Pushkar fair takes place in the Hindu month of ‘Kartika’ (October or November). The History of Pushkar Fair lies in the Hindu scriptures.
Pushkar is one of the five ‘dhams’ or pilgrim centers held in high esteem by Hindus, the other four being Badrinath, Puri, Rameswaram, and Dwarka. Colorfully dressed devotees, musicians, acrobats, folk dancers, traders, comedians, sadhus and tourists from all around the globe come to this small town during the Pushkar Fair. The fair begins on ‘ashtami’ or 8th day of Lunar calendar and continues till full moon (Kartika Poornima).
The history of Pushkar Fair states that on the day of Poornima, all the 330 million deities of Hinduism visit Pushkar Lake and bless the devout. So thousands of devotees converge for a holy dip at the lake to wash away their sins and pay obeisance at the only Brahma Temple in the world.
The history of Pushkar fair is also marked by the fact that Kartika Poornima – the day of ritual oblation, is also the closing day of this world renowned festival. The fair is certainly the world’s biggest camel fair. Hundreds of shops sell camels, horses, bulls, cows and other cattle. The fair is a perfect instance of the cohabitation of the religious faith and commercial interest of the human society.
The age old legend that Hindu God Brahma performed a grand ‘Yajna’ at Pushkar also forms part of the history of Pushkar fair. Pushkar bursts into a riot of colors during Pushkar fair, and very few fairs in the world can match the liveliness and religious significance associated with this fair.
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