Humped Back Beauty Pageant -- 7 Reasons To Check Out India’s Pushkar Camel Fair

Each November on the full moon, the Pushkar Camel Fair in Rajasthan, India bursts into action and draws camels and rural people from the region and tourists from around the globe. Here are a few reasons why you should drop by at this time.

1. It’s a Camel Fair. Have you ever been to one before?

As one of the most incredible festivals in the world, drawing over a quarter-million visitors and 25,000 camels each year, the Pushkar Camel Fair is host to the most dynamic camel and livestock trading you’ll ever see.

2. It’s easy to get to.

The fair falls during the Hindu month of Kartik and Pushkar is one of the holiest sites in India. To get to this Northwestern area of India, fly in to Jaipur, just a few hours south of Delhi. From there, select one of the many trains or buses that criss-cross the region.

3. The camels get dolled up.

Camels are groomed, shaved and decorated with intricate saddles, harnesses and other camel jewelry. Thousands of stalls pop up to deliver silver jewelry, ringing bells and fabric balls made from beautiful fabrics.

4. You can get awesome Indian swag.

However, those thousands of stalls also cater to the decoration of humans who peruse the miles of tented shops. The locals will be dressed in colorful turbans for the men and luxiourious and festive Gagra. Every inch of bare flesh, from arms to feet to ears is piled on with silver and gold jewelry. To dress and impress like the locals, you can pick up your own colored and embroidered fabrics, shining jewelry and even original artwork.

5. There are camel beauty pageants.

Once you’re all dressed to celebrate, consider taking in the camel, horse and donkey races as well as the decorated camel beauty pageants. If you want to explore outside of the madness of the city, book a camel safari, take a hot air balloon over the area or visit a few of the many local temples.

6. There are holy temples and a beautiful lake.

Along Lake Pushkar, there are beautiful temples and 52 bathing ghats, which are steps that lead down into the lake, where thousands of locals and visitors enter the water for a holy cleansing rituals.

7. You can join in on a fabulous local custom.

Be sure to attend the gorgeous Deepdaan night ceremony, you can float a leaf boat with a candle lit on the lake along with hundreds of others to light up the water in a haunting and incredibly memorable way.

Insider Tip:

Two things you won’t find in Pushkar, because it is a strict religious area, are meat and alcohol. Be sure to get your fill before or after your visit.

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