A Walk Through Of Pushkar When It Comes Alive During Pushkar Fair 2018

Though the Pushkar Fair is celebrated for ten days in the Kartik month, its last four days are critically important for the sacred reasons. On the main day of Kartik Purnima, lakhs of people take a dip in the holy Pushkar lake, and in the evening Lord Brahma is offered prayers at the Varaha Ghat with thousands of brightly lit diyas floating in the lake, making it a marvellous spectacle to watch. So if you have not yet visited you can still plan your Pushkar trip. 

Pushkar Fair has started with a full swing where you can see livestock owners from all across the country coming here to trade cattle especially camels – the Ship of Desert. It’s priceless to see the expressions on the faces of these men when they sit patiently in the Pushkar Mela Ground for days and wait for the trade to take place.

Not just their faces, there are few more sights that are truly glowing and precious during this time. Though Pushkar’s streets are known for their colorful fervor and unique shopping experience, they are swathed in their own charm at the time of Pushkar fair.

The boisterous bazaars of Pushkar is the spectacle that one shall never miss; the streets refreshed in the shades of red, yellow, pink, blue are, synonymous to the people of Rajasthan and their culture. It’s interesting and fun to navigate on Pushkar’s narrow alleys during the fair time when each and every corner is brimming with action.

Did we say thousands of camels ? Well the only living beings who have started giving a tough competition to the cattle in the last few years is the ‘Photography Enthusiasts’ who come from all around the globe in large groups and are seen more in number than the cattle itself 😉

• 

And why won’t they? After all, who would want to miss these magical spectacles ?

The fair has already started from 15th November and continues till 23rd November and if you love photography, culture, Rajasthan, streets, food, adventures, camel rides or any beautiful thing on the planet, we suggest you to pack your bags are start your journey to Pushkar !

10 Not-To-Be-Missed Experiential Moments At Pushkar Fair 2018

After a whole year of longing, here it comes again carrying along the true essence of Rajasthani culture and vibrant colours of dessert- The Pushkar Fair. Offering prismatic views and traditional items from the land of ghats, Pushkar fair is one of the biggest tourist attractions that take place every year.

The temple city of Pushkar raises the spirit of all during the annual Pushkar Fair when this beautiful town bustles with lively mesosphere. Let’s teleport you to the abode of camels and horses. Here’s what you can expect at this year’s Pushkar fair.

1. Sunrise

When the dust mixes with golden light falling from sun, the ship of desert shines beautifully exuding absolute delight !

2. Tranquil Ghats

If you really want to see and know how ‘ghat ghat ka pani’ tastes and looks, there is no better place than Pushkar.

3. Beautiful Camel Fair

Expect lots of fun and amazement! As the name suggests, you will see thousands of camels at the fair area. The camels are beautifully decorated. They are brought here not only for trading but also for entertainment of the tourists. A camel ride is not to be missed. Camel decoration contests and races are held at the fair. Besides camels, you can enjoy horse-riding too.

4. Folklore

Musical performances by folk artists from all over Rajasthan are the major draws. Live dance and singing performances by talented performers make the time special. Besides music, you will also see acrobatics and comic performances at Pushkar Fair.

5. Devotion

When you are at Pushkar Fair, you are not limited to enjoying just the fair but it is also a great time to see the holy Pushkar city at its best. There is only one Lord Brahma temple in the world and Pushkar has it. Besides visiting the temple, taking a dip in the holy Pushkar Sarovar nearby is also part of the ritual.

6. Street Food

It’s Rajasthan, so there is no way you can escape the thought of delicious food anywhere and everywhere, but here, as you walk down the streets, you find the baatis being freshly made, kachoris being fried and malpue exuding utter bliss !

7. Street Shopping

The boisterous bazaars of Pushkar is the spectacle that one shall never miss; the streets refreshed in the shades of red, yellow, pink, blue are, synonymous to the people of Rajasthan and their culture. It’s interesting and fun to navigate on Pushkar’s narrow alleys during the fair time when each and every corner is brimming with action.

8. Colourful Turbans

Red, green, pink, yellow, orange, or all in one, the Rajasthani men never shy away from flaunting their fashion mantra i.e. the colorful gorgeous turbans.

9. Hot Air Balloon Safari

If you have an adventurous streak, taking a hot-air balloon ride over the bustling terrain has to be in your list. Seeing all the activities from top is amazing and you can take a chopper ride too.

10. Sunset

Last but not the least, that time of the day when the camel needs respite, the chill in the air is felt by all, the men and women start to prepare for their meals on chulhas, the sun is seen setting in spreading the scintillating palette of colours on the sky which is an absolute treat to watch and to just sink in.

Date: 16th-23rd November, 2018

Soak Into The Colourful Festival Of Gangaur With Shahpura, Near Jaipur

Rajasthan boosts not only in its history and heritage but its beauty reflects in its sparkling deserts, monuments and colorful festivals. On this note, we will take you to one of the most beautiful festivals of Rajasthan – GANGAUR, which truly embodies the spirit of diversity.

Gangaur is one of the most colorful & auspicious festivals of Rajasthan – celebrating spring, harvest & marital fidelity. While ‘Gana‘ is another name for Lord Shiva, ‘Gaur‘ symbolises Gauri aka Parvati, his wife, also an epitome of marital bliss. The 18-day festival is observed by both married & unmarried women where they fast, women dress up in red bandhani sarees and turban clad men worship the clay idols of Isar & Parvati.

When the bright skies have ushered in the festive season of spring, the remote town of Shahpura, located 65 km from the capital Jaipur, came culturally alive when the pious deities of Isar Maharaj & Gangaur Mata were regally taken around the streets and worshipped with vigour & devotion by both men and women.  The Shahpura Gangaur Festival, hosted at Shahpura Haveli was organized by Rani Ratna Kumari Foundation in association with the Rajasthan Tourism Department and Jaipur Beat was a part of it.

On the day of Gangaur, the celebration began with the married & unmarried woman; all dressed in colorful Rajasthani attires worshipped idols of Isar Maharaj & Gangaur Mata at the Shahpura Haveli. It was a spectacle to see the idols being gloriously taken to Rawla Moti Mahal, where the great Gangaur Mahotsav was organised. The major attractions of Shahpura Gangaur Festival were the cultural performances of local artists & folk musicians of Rajasthan, several kinds of regional nritya (dances) like Mayur, Nritya, Masak Nritya, Behpang Nritya, magician performance, horse show, and other traditional games & competitions. Artists from various parts of the country namely Udaipur, Deeg, Jodhpur, Haryana, Punjab performed magnificently oozing talent with their euphonic tunes and twinkle toes. The royal family of Shahpura also participated in the festival. The Rani Ratna Kumari Foundation Trust, which works for the upliftment of the downtrodden sections of this small village of Shahpura also felicitated the local artisans in a ceremony.

Pic courtesy- Anudeep Mathur

The grand procession of Isar Maharaj & Gangaur Mata began with all its regal pomp and pageantry at 5 p.m. from Rawla Moti Mahal. Both men & women could be seen beaming in colors of Rajasthan.  The procession passing through the vivid markets of the town, encompassed horses, camels, traditional folk dancers, brass bands from Punjab, lancers etc. along with the pious deities of Gangaur Mata ji and Bhagwan Isar ji Maharaj, finally converging at the newly restored Gopinath Temple. The town was seen teeming with both foreign nationals and domestic tourists rejoicing the festivities.

Pic courtesy: Anudeep Mathur

Celebrated with great pomp and show, Shahpura Gangaur Festival gave visitors and tourists a spectacular opportunity to observe Rajasthan’s magnificent culture from close quarters. We are already waiting for next year to witness such a splendid event in a all its royal glamour. Are you?