The camel fair at Pushkar

Posted by Harsh Nevatia Nov 3, 2006

The annual camel fair is currently on at Pushkar, the holy town of Brahma. It is the world’s largest camel fair and one of the largest livestock fairs. According to legend the Brahma was searching for a place to hold a sacrifice. He dropped a lotus and the Pushkar Lake was formed where it fell. The sacrifice was conducted on the shore of the lake, where the Brahma temple stands. It is the only temple in the world dedicated to Brahma. The fair ends on the full moon night of the Hindu month of Kartik. The pilgrims take a dip in the holy lake, whose holy water washes away the sins. At night oil wick lamps are released on the waters of the lake creating a beautiful spectacle.

Livestock trading is the main purpose of the fair. The camels, in particular, are decked up and paraded on the sand dunes. While the men go about their business, the women go shopping. The camel races and the merrymaking are enjoyed by everyone. The competition for the longest moustache and body tattooing are much sought after. The religious-cum-business-cum-pleasure nature of the fair is a testimony to the holistic nature of Hinduism.

Pushkar was once the holiest pilgrimage center and definitely dates back to the Vedic age. Later its relative importance declined, corresponding to the decline in the worship of Brahma. Brahma is the Hindu God of Creation. Or to put it more correctly he is that manifestation of the Supreme God that is responsible for Creation. He was very popular in the Vedic period but later during the Epic period Vishnu and Shiva became more popular. There are some interesting mythological tales as to why there is only one temple dedicated to Brahma.

A temple to Brahma’s consort Savitri stands on a hill overlooking the town of Pushkar. Another interesting temple is one devoted to Varaha (Boar), the third of the ten incarnations of Vishnu. The demon Hiranyaksha had dragged the earth to the bottom of the cosmic ocean. Varaha killed the demon with his tusks and freed the earth. The last Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh chose this holy site for reciting the sacred Guru Granth Sahib, demonstrating the integrative nature of religions in India.

The number of foreign tourists coming to this fair is increasing. The ancient town of Pushkar is ready to welcome the world. Keeping in mind the conservative and sacred nature of Pushkar foreigners should be careful not to offend the sensibilities of the Indian pilgrims and local population. Public nudity is illegal. Also photographing women taking the ritual dip in the lake is not acceptable. The isolated cases of such behavior are making foreigners unpopular.