Pushkar Camel Fair, Pushkar
The biggest of Rajasthani’s numerous fairs, Pushkar takes its name from the Pushkar lake near Ajmer where it is held annually. A dip in the holy waters of the lake is considered auspicious. The journey to the lake begins days in advance through the sandy wastes of Rajhasthan. The vehicles are myriad as the participants themselves - horses, bullock carts, camels, cars and jeeps.

A huge cattle market is Pushkar’s biggest draw where farmers and breeders buy and sell cattle, camels and horses in spirited bidding. A township of colourful tents transforms the arid landscape. Leather sales in whips, bits, shoes, embroidered animal covers and inlaid leather saddles predominate.

For the women, it is a chance to bargain over bangles, cloths, pots, pans and other utensils. Necklaces of glass beads from Nagaur, Ivory work from Merta, printed cloth from Jodhpur and Ajmer, prized goods from far and near are bought avidly. Th Pushkar Mela ends as it begins, in an endless stream of bullock carts, camels and jeeps.


Teej Fair, Jaipur
Teej marks the advent of monsoon. It is celebrated on the third day of bright lunar half of the month of Shrav and according to the Hindu calendar. Goddess Parvati is involved to bless her worshipers with conjugal harmony and bliss.

Gangaur Festival, Jaipur
Ishar and Gangaur are the divine male and female who embody marital love. Dedicated to Goddess Gauri (Parvati), the festival commences on Holi. Young girls pray for grooms of their choice while married women seek a long life for their husbands. Primarily a festival for women, the celebrations include flower gathering and drawing water from selected wells. The women do these while chanting hymns to the Goddess. Festivities continue for 18 days culminating with the arrival of Lord Shiva to escort his bride home. A grand procession, with the idol of Gauri in beautifully decorated gold and silver palanquin, caparisoned elephants, camels, horses, dancers, drummers and joyous children goes through the city street.

Elephant Festival, Jaipur
A magnificent spectacle, it unveils the majesty and grandeur of elephants celebrated around Holi. A royal procession of sixty decorated elephants, a match of elephant polo, an elephant race and playing Holi on elephants are main events.

Dates of Festivals	2002	2003
Camel Festival, Bikaner	28 - 29 Jan.	17 - 18 Jan.
Nagaur Fair, Nagaur	19 - 22 Feb.	08 - 12 Feb.
Desert Festival, Jaisalmer	25 - 27 Feb	15 - 16 Feb
Gangaur Festival, Jaipur	15 - 16 April	04 - 05 April
Mewar Festival, Udaipur	15 - 16 April	04 - 05 April
Summer Festival, Mt. Abu	01 - 03 June	01 - 03 June
Teej Festival, Jaipur	11 - 12 Aug.	01 - 02 Aug.
Dussehra Mela, Kota	13 - 15 Oct.	03 - 05 Oct.
Marwar Festival, Jodhpur	19 - 20 Oct.	08 - 09 Oct.
Pushkar Fair, Pushkar	16 - 19 Nov.	05 - 08 Nov.
Chandrabhaga, Jhalwar	19 - 21 Nov.	08 - 10 Nov.