The Pushkar Cattle Fair (also known as the Pushkar Camel Fair or Pushkar Mela) is one of the world's largest camel, horse, and cattle fairs, as well as an internationally renowned cultural festival. It is held annually in the holy city of Pushkar, in the desert of Rajasthan (India). The vast majority of events are concentrated on the outskirts or around the city of Pushkar.
The festival is generally divided into three distinct areas or phases:
Livestock Trading: The original purpose of the fair. Thousands of herders dress and decorate camels, horses, and cows with colorful fabrics and jewelry to sell or auction them.
The Carnival and Contests: Activities organized by the Rajasthan Tourism Department, which include camel races, folk dance performances, fairground rides, and unique competitions like the "longest mustache" contest.
The Religious Aspect: The fair coincides with the full moon of the Hindu month of Kartik (Kartik Purnima). Thousands of pilgrims travel to Pushkar to bathe in the city's sacred lake and wash away their sins.
Photo Gallery: © Sylvia Furrer & Holger Hoffmann - India 2009