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Pushkar Camel Fair
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Fairs &
Festivals |
Place |
Tithi |
2007 |
2008 |
2009 |
2010 |
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Pushkar Fair |
Pushkar (Ajmer) |
Kartik-s(8-15) |
17-24 Nov. |
5-13 Nov. |
25 Oct. 02 Nov. |
13-21 Nov. |
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The Pushkar Fair, or Pushkar ka Mela, is the world's
largest camel fair held in the holy town of Pushkar
in the state of Rajasthan, India. The Pushkar fair
is indubitably the world's largest camel fair (and
indeed, world's largest cattle fair in general).
Competitions such as the "matka phod", "moustache",
and "bridal competition" are the main draws for this
fair which attracts thousands of tourists.
Pushkar is a town in the state of Rajasthan in
India. Pushkar means born due to flower. In Hindu
mythology, It is said that gods released a swan with
lotus in it's beak and let it fall on earth where
Brahma would perform a grand yagna. The place where
lotus fell was so called Pushkar. It is situated 14
Km from Ajmer and is one of the five sacred dhams,
pilgrimage sites for devout Hindus; it is often
called "Tirth Raj" (the king of pilgrimage sites).
In recent years it has become a popular destination
for foreign tourists.
Thousands of people go to the banks of the Pushkar
Lake where the fair takes place. Men buy and sell
their livestock, which includes camels, cows, sheep
and goats. The women go to the stalls, full of
bracelets, clothes, textiles and fabrics. A camel
race starts off the festival, with music, songs and
exhibitions to follow. Between these events, the
most waited for is the test of how the camel is able
to bring the items. In order to demonstrate, the men
go up on the group of camels one after another.
It is celebrated on the day Kartik Purnima (night of
the full moon), the day, according to legend, which
the Hindu god Brahma sprung up the lake, thus
numerous people swim in the sacred water.
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Day 01: Delhi |
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Arrival.
Company representatives will receive you on arrival
at the international airport in Delhi. Transfer to
your hotel. DELHI, the capital of kingdoms and
empires is now a sprawling metropolis with a
fascinating blend of the past and the present. It is
a perfect introduction to the composite culture of
an ancient land. A window to the kaleidoscope - that
is India. Overnight stay at Delhi.
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Day 02: Delhi - Agra |
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Delhi :
Start a full-day tour of Old and New Delhi after
breakfast.
OLD DELHI- A sightseeing tour of Old Delhi
would entail visiting the Raj Ghat - the memorial
site where
Mahatma Gandhi was cremated; Jama Masjid - the
largest mosque in India and the Red Fort - once the
most opulent fort and palace of the Moghul Empire.
Enjoy a Cycle rickshaw ride from Jama Masjid to
Chandni Chowk.
NEW DELHI- An extensive sightseeing tour of
New Delhi would include a visit to the Humayun’s
Tomb, the Qutub Minar and a drive along the
ceremonial avenue - Rajpath, past the imposing India
Gate, Parliament House, the President’s Residence
and the Lotus Temple and would end with a drive
through the Diplomatic Enclave.
After sightseeing drive to Agra.By road 201 km in 6
hr. Arrive Agra & check-in at Hotel. Overnight stay
at Agra.
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Day 03: Agra |
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Two great
Mughal monarchs, Akbar and Shah Jahan, transformed
the little village of Agra into a befitting second
capital of the Mughal Empire - giving it the name
Dar-ul-Khilafat {seat of the Emperor}. Today a
visitor to Agra is caught up in a world of
contrasting edifices, of red sandstone and white
marble, narrow galleys and quaint buggies, and that
irresistible charm that this favorite city of the
Mughals still retains. It is not surprising, that
modern Agra still reflects its Mughal heritage most
conspicuously. Overnight stay at Agra.
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Day 04: Jaipur |
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Proceed
for a morning excursion to Amber Fort after
breakfast. Elephant ride ascent to the fort.
AMBER FORT PALACE - Amber is the classic
romantic Rajasthani fort palace. Its construction
was started by Man Singh I in 1592, and completed by
his descendent Jai Singh I. Its forbidding exterior
belies an inner paradise where a beautiful fusion of
Mughal and Hindu styles finds its ultimate
_expression. Continue sightseeing.
CITY PALACE - A delightful blend of Mughal
and traditional Rajasthani architecture, the City
Palace sprawls over one-seventh of the area in the
walled city. It houses the Chandra Mahal, Shri
Govind Dev Temple and the City Palace Museum.
JANTAR MANTAR - This is the largest and the
best preserved of the five observatories built by
Jai Singh II in different parts of the country. This
observatory consisting of outsized astronomical
instruments is still in use.
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Day 05: Jaipur - Pushkar
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By Road, 150km/03hrs.
Breakfast will be at hotel. Proceed to Pushkar.
PUSHKAR– Amongst the grandeur of Rajasthan,
discover a unique gem - Pushkar. Lord Brahma - The
creator of the world in a search for his abode on
earth, performed the supremely spiritual VEDIC YAGNA
at Pushkar. Overnight will be at Pushkar.
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Day 06: Pushkar |
By
Road, 140km/03hrs. Start driving for Deogarh after
breakfast. Deogarh lies on the borders of Mewar,
Marwar and Merwara, about 80 miles north-east of
Udaipur. Its chieftain known as 'The Rawat' was one
of sixteen umraos (feudal barons) privileged to wait
upon the Maharana of Udaipur, the capital of Mewar.
Such feudal estates, called thikanas were granted by
the ruling Maharana to a nobleman either due to
blood relationship or for an act of bravery. Deogarh
is also renowned as a school of miniature painting.
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Day 07: Pushkar - Deogarh
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Full day sight seeing of
Dilwara Temples and Arbuda Devi Temple. Of the five
temples - Vimal Vasahi, Lun Vasahi, Shri Rishabhhdeo,
Shri Parshvanath and Shri Mahavir Swami, the first
two are the most famous. One estimate states that a
sum of Rs. 1.2 billion was spent on the building of
Lun Vasahi alone. This temple was built by two
brothers - Vastupal and Tejpal, ministers in the
court of Raja Varadnawarkar, a ruler of Gujarat.
They are dedicated to Neminath Bhagwan, the 22nd
Tirthankara of Jain religion. Outside the main doors
of this temple, there are two statues called
Devrani's and Jethani's goklas respectively. There
are legendary stories of competitive jealousy
between the wives of these two brothers. Another
striking feature of the temple is the marble dome in
the porch, which is made up of a cluster of half
open lotuses, which appear to be almost transparent.
The Vimal Vasahi temple is older and is also known
to be the first Jain temple in Mount Abu and is
dedicated to the first Jain Tirthankara, Adi Nath
Bhagwan. Built in 1031, by Bhim Deva, the first
Solanki ruler of Gujarat, the temple is constructed
in pure marble, with plain exteriors. However, its
interiors are richly sculpted and house some fine
examples of the workmanship of marble sculptors of
those times. Mount Abu is named after the goddess
Arbuda. Her temple is in a series of caves about 200
higher than Dilwara Temples. Along with Arbuda Devi
are the statues of her three attendants. Overnight
stay at Mount abu.
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Day 08: Udaipur |
 Breakfast
will be at hotel. Proceed for sightseeing tour of
Udaipur, stopping first at City Palace. Here you
will marvel at rooms with mirrored walls and ivory
doors, colored glass windows and inlaid marble
balconies and the Peacock Courtyard. Also visit the
lovely Sahelion-ki-Bari Gardens, the Jagdish Temple
and the local folk Museum. Overnight will be at
Udaipur.
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Day 09: Udaipur -
Jodhpur
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By Road, 260km/06hrs. After
breakfast drive to Jodhpur. En-route, visit the
RANAKPUR TEMPLES, dating back to the 15th century.
200 pillars, none of which are alike, support its 29
halls. The Temple abounds with intricate friezes and
sculptures. Includes visits to two more Jain temples
and the Temple of the Sun God with its erotic
sculptures. Reach by afternoon and check in at the
hotel. Set at the edge of the Thar Desert, the
imperial city of Jodhpur echoes with tales of
antiquity in the emptiness of the desert.Overnight
will be in Jodhpur.
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Day 10: Jodhpur
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Breakfast will be at the
hotel. Proceed for morning sightseeing tour of
Jodhpur - gateway to the desert beyond, home of the
Rathors of Marwar, visit the Mehrangarh Fort, rising
up a hilly scarp, built on the advice of a hermit,
overlooking the city in the image of a long
sentinel. Inside the Fort are a number of palaces
added by successive rulers.Overnight will be at
Jodhpur.
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Day 11: Jodhpur- Jaisalmer
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By Road, 300 km/5 hr.
Breakfast will be at the hotel. Proceed for
Jaisalmer. Enroute stop at the OSIYAN TEMPLES.
Osiyan was a religious and trading center between
the 8th and 12th centuries. Sixteen Hindu and Jain
temples dating from this period are located here.
Dominated by the Jains during this period, the town
has special significance for Jains because it is
associated with the origin of the Oswal Jain
community of merchants who became very wealthy
through trade. This wealth enabled them to build the
beautiful temples. Built from local sandstone, the
buildings have withstood time and are in excellent
condition. Rising from the heart of the Thar Desert
like a golden mirage is the city of Jaisalmer. A
commanding fort etched in yellow sandstone stands,
with its awesome splendor, dominating the amber-hued
city. The city has an interesting legend associated
with it, according to which, Lord Krishna-the head
of the Yadav Clan, foretold Arjuna that a remote
descendent of the Yadav Clan would build his kingdom
atop the Trikuta Hill. His prophecy was fulfilled in
1156 AD when Rawal Jaisal, a descendent of the Yadav
Clan and a Bhatti Rajput, abandoned his fort at
Lodurva and founded a new capital - Jaisalmer,
perched on the Trikuta Hill. Arrive and check in at
hotel. Overnight will be at Jaisalmer.
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Day 12-13: Jaisalmer
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After a relaxed breakfast
proceed for full day sightseeing tour of The Golden
City - Jaisalmer. It is in the heart of the Great
Indian Desert. Its temple, fort and palaces are all
built of yellow stone. The city is a mass of
intricately carved buildings, facades and elaborate
balconies. Visit the JAISALMER FORT – The oldest
living Fort in the world. (This is the highlight of
the tour) See the Patwon-Ki-Havelies,
Salim-Singh-Ki-Haveli and Gandhi Sagar Tank. Also
visit Barabagh Hill. Stay overnight at Jaisalmer.
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Day 14: Jaisalmer -
Bikaner
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By Road, 330 km/5 hr.
Breakfast will be at the camp. Continue with the
safari and reach Jaisalmer by noon. Freshen up at
hotel and have lunch. Proceed to Bikaner. Check in
at hotel. BIKANER – The royal fortified city with a
timeless appeal. Lying in the north of the Desert
State, the city is dotted with many sand dunes.
Bikaner retains the medieval splendor that pervades
the city’s lifestyle. Overnight will be at Bikaner
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Day 15-16: Bikaner -
Mandawa
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By Road, 140 km/3 hr. Proceed
for sightseeing tour of Bikaner after breakfast. Rao
Bikaji, a descendant of Jodhaji - the founder of
Jodhpur, founded this desert town in the North of
the state in 1488. Visit the Junagarh Fort,
constructed between 1588 and 1593 by Raja Jai Singh,
a general in the Moghul Emperor Akbar's army. The
city is also called the “Camel Country”. Visit the
camel-breeding farm – the only one in Asia. Visit
the KARNI MATA TEMPLE. Proceed for Mandawa. The
medieval Fort of Mandawa gradually rises on the
horizon like a mirage.Overnight will be at Mandawa.
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Day 17-18: Mandawa - Delhi
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By Road, 260 km/5 hr.
Breakfast will be at hotel. Take a walking tour of
the painted 'havelis' of some of the leading
business families of the country. Though they no
longer live here, the local caretakers are happy to
show the visitors around. Chowkhani Haveli, Gulab
Rai Ladia Haveli, Lakshminarayan Ladia Haveli,
Mohahanlal Saraf Haveli and Bhagchandika Haveli are
of special interest. Spend the major part of the day
looking into frescoes. drive for Delhi airport.
reaching the airport and catch the flight for home
with sweet memories of India.
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