Pushkar, Rajasthan

This post is part of a series called Rajasthan - Kutch Nov 2018

Pushkar, Rajasthan
Karni Mata, Bikaner & wedding, Rajasthan
Jodhpur, Rajasthan
Leopards, Bera, Rajasthan
Bhuj, Kutch, Gujarat
More Bhuj

Nov, 2019

On a recent business trip to India, we decide to take a trip and check out some parts of India we had not been to, and that looked interesting, as well as attend a Marwari wedding in Rajasthan.

First stop was Pushkar. We took an early morning flight from Mumbai to Jaipur, where we had arranged for a car and driver to pick us up and take us to Pushkar. We landed in Jaipur, and our driver was waiting for us. As we left the airport, I asked the driver to help us get a local SIM card. He informed us that for foreigners to get a SIM card, it would require going to one of few shops that cater to foreigners, and that they would not open till later.

So instead, he suggested that he would take us to a local shop, and get the SIM card using his own ID, for us. We agreed, and he took us to a really small hole in the wall shop, where he purchase for us a SIM card and service for Rs200; which would give us unlimited talk time for 1 month, and 1GB of data daily. This came to a grand total of $3.00 for us, for a whole month of service. And the carrier was Vodafone, a large international carrier. India is good 🙂

Important Information

India has the cheapest Data Consumption in the World thanks to Jio

We started driving from Jaipur to Pushkar, and I asked the driver to stop in Ajmer, which is on the way, in the Aravalli hills/mountains. Ajmer is famous for Ajmer Sharif Dargah, a shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, a Sufi saint. The Mughal king Akbar and his queen used to come here by foot every year on pilgrimage from Agra in observance of a vow after Akbar had prayed here for a son (& eventually, his wife did conceive his son). We had been here several years earlier to visit the Dargah, and I wanted to take some pictures. Unfortunately, they did not allow camera’s inside the Dargah, and I was loathe to leave my camera with someone I did not know. So I took some pictures outside the very busy Dargah

Pushkar, Rajasthan Entrance gate to the very busy Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Ajmer, Rajasthan — Entrance gate to the very busy Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, Ajmer, Rajasthan

Pushkar, Rajasthan Busy & colorful bazaar leading to the Dargah — Busy & colorful bazaar leading to the Dargah

We then drove off to Pushkar, where we were going to be staying for a few days to check out the annual Camel Fair. We wanted to be comfortable here, so we had booked at the Westin hotel, which was a short distance outside the town of Pushkar, on a dirt road. The Westin itself was very nice and well-kept property as expected, and extremely attentive staff that made the stay a most enjoyable one.

Pushkar is famous for the Lord Brahma temple, the only one in India, and has many ghats on Pushkar Lake, where pilgrims bathe to have their sins forgiven. The most famous event in Pushkar is the Pushkar Camel Fair, held once a year in November, where people come from all over India to buy and sell camels.

We were fortunate enough to be in Pushkar as the Camel Fair was starting. Camel fair is a misleading term, as there are many horses are also bought and sold here. The Camel Fair takes place over several days, and terminates with the annual pilgrimage of Hindu’s to Pushkar Lake and the Brahma Temple. We left before the annual pilgrimage started as it was supposed to get very busy.

Below are some images from Pushkar town

Pushkar, Rajasthan Pushkar Lake and Ghats — Pushkar Lake and Ghats; devotees cleaning and bathing in the lake

Pushkar, Rajasthan Aarti ceremony at dusk, at a local temple on Lake Pushkar, not as impressive and large-scale like aarti ceremonies in Varanasi — Aarti ceremony at dusk, at a local temple on Lake Pushkar, not as impressive and large-scale like aarti ceremonies in Varanasi

Pushkar, Rajasthan Sunset over Lake Pushkar. Note the Savitri temple on the hilltop. Goddess Savitri was the wife of Lord Brahma — Sunset over Lake Pushkar. Note the Savitri temple on the hilltop. Goddess Savitri was the wife of Lord Brahma

Pushkar, Rajasthan Interesting lights over a bridge on Pushkar Lake — Interesting lights over a bridge on Pushkar Lake

Pushkar, Rajasthan Busy entrance to the Brahma Temple during the day. The temple was very simple, small, and no photographs allowed inside — Busy entrance to the Brahma Temple during the day. The temple was very simple, small, and no photographs allowed inside

The Camel Fair, being over several days means that as camels (& horses) are sold, other camel / horse traders come in sell their animals. So there are always hundreds of animals here, with their owners. So the place is busy, bustling, and active with supporting trade like horse and camel paraphernalia, household good, fresh fruits and vegetables etc being sold, food stalls, entertainment, etc. Below are some scenes from the Fair

Pushkar, Rajasthan A typical village camp with the families in makeshift tents, and their camels for sale around them — A typical village camp with the families in makeshift tents, and their camels for sale around them

Pushkar, Rajasthan Adorned camels for sale — Adorned camels for sale

Pushkar, Rajasthan Camels and owners — Camels and owners

Pushkar, Rajasthan Passing the time smoking, while waiting for buyers for their camels — Passing the time smoking, while waiting for buyers for their camels

Pushkar, Rajasthan Or fixing things while waiting — Or fixing things while waiting

Pushkar, Rajasthan Young lady was cutting and preparing vegetables for a meal at their camp. Note how she uses the knife held with her feet — Young lady was cutting and preparing vegetables for a meal at their camp. Note how she uses the knife held with her feet

Pushkar, Rajasthan More camels and owners whiling the time. Love their turbans — More camels and owners whiling the time. Love their turbans

Pushkar, Rajasthan Making baajra roti’s on a campfire behind the yellow flour bag — Making baajra roti’s on a campfire behind the yellow flour bag

Pushkar, Rajasthan Is she sealing a deal on a camel? — Is she sealing a deal on a camel?

Pushkar, Rajasthan Counting the cash after the camel purchase is agreed upon — Counting the cash after the camel purchase is agreed upon

Pushkar, Rajasthan Rajasthani tribal women — Rajasthani tribal women

Pushkar, Rajasthan Prize horses being shown off; complete with sun protection canopy — Prize horses being shown off; complete with sun protection canopy

Pushkar, Rajasthan And many more horses for sale — And many more horses for sale

The area around the fair was the site of many makeshift shops and stalls selling everything from household good, to camel & horse paraphernalia, fruits, vegetables, footstalls etc; to supply the demand from the many people who come to the Camel Fair

Pushkar, Rajasthan Food stall, with ladies making the typical Baati wheat balls, and baajra roti — Food stall, with ladies making the typical Baati wheat balls (bottom right), and baajra roti

Pushkar, Rajasthan Lots of makeshift shops selling colorful paraphernalia for camels and horses — Lots of makeshift shops selling colorful paraphernalia for camels and horses

Pushkar, Rajasthan Interesting fruit that grows in water, is peeled and has nutritious white seeds inside that are eaten. Anyone know the name of this fruit? — Interesting fruit that grows in water, is peeled and has nutritious white seeds inside that are eaten. Anyone know the name of this fruit?

Pushkar, Rajasthan Local women people watching; note how many women cover their faces with their shawls to prevent the evil eye — Local women people watching, after the day’s chores are done; note how many women cover their faces with their shawls to prevent the evil eye

Pushkar, Rajasthan Lots of vegetable stalls — Lots of vegetable stalls

Pushkar, Rajasthan As well as fruit stalls — As well as fruit stalls

Pushkar, Rajasthan This family made plastic flower bouquets to adorn camels and horses with. The kids were having a great time — These kids were having a great time. The family made plastic flower bouquets for sale to adorn camels and horses with.

Pushkar, Rajasthan Traditionally adorned recently married woman; very colorful — Traditionally adorned recently married tribal woman; very colorful

Pushkar, Rajasthan Tribal woman with her baby; interesting way to carry a baby around — Tribal woman with her baby; interesting way to carry a baby around

We took a cable car up to the Savitri Temple (Savitri was the wife of Lord Brahma); which was on a hilltop overlooking Pushkar. You can also walk to this using the step pathway, but we took the lazy way up. We had great views from here of Pushkar, before sunset

Pushkar, Rajasthan Great view of Pushkar Lake and town, as well as the Aravalli hills — Great view of Pushkar Lake and town, as well as the Aravalli hills

Pushkar, Rajasthan View of one part of the area set aside for the Camel Fair trading — View of one part of the area set aside for the Camel Fair trading

Pushkar, Rajasthan View of the horse section of the Camel Fair; note that the horses had more shade from the hot sun than the camels — View of the horse section of the Camel Fair; note that the horses had more shade from the hot sun than the camels

Pushkar, Rajasthan This family adopted us at the Savitri temple — This family adopted us at the Savitri temple

Pushkar, Rajasthan Night view of the lighted pathway down from the Savitri temple, as well as Pushkar Lake and town — Night view of the lighted pathway down from the Savitri temple, as well as Pushkar Lake and town

Dinners were at the Westin; we decided to play it safe, at least in the beginning, by eating at our hotel. We stuck to vegetarian dishes

Pushkar, Rajasthan Vegetarian dinner at the Westin, Rajasthani dishes — Vegetarian dinner at the Westin, Rajasthani dishes

We then left the Camel Fair as it was coming to an end, and before the pilgrimage started.

Some thoughts on Pushkar, Camel Fair etc:

First, the Westin hotel was very nice, and was not expensive; we paid $80 per night. Breakfast was included and dinner cost us about $25 for two of us. Well worth staying here as the staff go out of their way to make the guests feel good, and the property is excellent, with all the amenities.

The Fair is large and colorful, but when you think of these hundreds of camels and horses having to relieve themselves, you can get an idea. Also, there were no public toilet facilities I could see, and I did see people going off into the bushes to relieve themselves. No sure how hygienic all this is, but it is what it is. Definitely worth seeing this spectacle once. Another bucket list item checked off 🙂

We then drove off to Bikaner, Rajasthan, to attend Ankit & Palak’s wedding.

Pushkar, Rajasthan Young ladies off to school with grandma, complete with school uniform, backpack, and a bag of chips — Young ladies off to school with grandma, complete with school uniform, backpack, and a bag of chips

Karni Mata, Bikaner next

This entry was posted in Asia, India, Rajasthan - Kutch Nov 2018

27 thoughts on “Pushkar, Rajasthan”

Pingback: More Bhuj - Ali Karim Travelog Asia
Mohamed March 14, 2019 at 1:06 pm Reply

Absolutely fascinating
You do a swell job describing and detailing
Thankyou so very much for taking us there
- Ali Karim March 14, 2019 at 5:31 pm Reply
  
  Wow; thanks for the nice feedback; really appreciate that.
  Glad you enjoyed it. And you are most welcome 🙂
Pingback: Bikaner, Rajasthan - Ali Karim Travelog Asia
Muslim Harji March 1, 2019 at 3:43 pm Reply

Loved every image…Wonderful.
Did Dilshad end up buying the camel..:)
Love, Light & Cheers
- Ali Karim March 1, 2019 at 3:46 pm Reply
  
  Thanks Muslim, for the feedback; glad you enjoyed.
  Good thing that Dilshad’s deal for the camel fell through 🙂 🙂
Wajidali Alladina February 17, 2019 at 9:58 pm Reply

Very nice. Enjoyed it.
- Ali Karim February 17, 2019 at 9:59 pm Reply
  
  Thanks Wajid; so glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the feedback
Mahamud Jinnah February 17, 2019 at 9:55 pm Reply

Sounds amazing.I need to go to the camel fair next year. I think Dilshad bought that camel-you just dont know.
It looks like a small lake but i guess it is holy as Brahma was born there.
- Ali Karim February 17, 2019 at 9:57 pm Reply
  
  THanks Mahamud, for the feedback. Appreciate that. Definitely worth going there once.
  Now I need to figure out what to do with that camel 🙂
Phil Alibhai February 17, 2019 at 9:52 pm Reply

Thanks for sharing. Obrigados
Zubeda Virani February 17, 2019 at 9:48 pm Reply

Oh I am so envious!
You know how to plan your adventures and provide to your readers a wonderful recap of the trips you make. I was so impressed to read how you find well versed Drivers and even find deals for $3 for a SIM card and Hotels.
Do consider planning a fun trip for some of us ladies which we could handle!

Thank you for sharing this incredible journey with us.. Take care..Zubeda
Keep up this passion
- Ali Karim February 17, 2019 at 9:51 pm Reply
  
  Thanks Zubeda, for the very kind words; it made me so happy to read that you enjoyed the blog.
  Really appreciate your feedback
Mansoor Ladha February 17, 2019 at 9:44 pm Reply

Enjoyed your travel log Ali. Excellent pictures. Who made your web site? Can you share?
Thanks,
Mansoor Ladha
- Ali Karim February 17, 2019 at 9:45 pm Reply
  
  HI Mansoor, Many thanks for the feedback, I appreciate that.
  I have PM’d you the info you were looking for.
Benita Naidu February 17, 2019 at 9:42 pm Reply

Lovely – amazing colors of Rajasthan thanks for taking me down memory lane – was in Pushkar in………..in…………… 1978 !!!
cheers
Benita
- Ali Karim February 17, 2019 at 9:43 pm Reply
  
  Thanks Benita;
  1978 was a loooong time ago; wonder what it was like back then. I was told that over time, the size of the fair has dwindled down, due to better communications and hence easier trading
Zahir Dharsee February 10, 2019 at 8:10 pm Reply

Hi Ali and Dilshad – again I enjoyed reading this blog on Pushkar. I see you had lots of fun. Now the word “Pushkar” in Cutchi means “lot of whatever” one is describing. A literal translation could mean – “Push it or whatever”!! Thanks Zahir
- Ali Karim February 17, 2019 at 9:27 pm Reply
  
  HI Zahir, thanks for the feedback. Something I did not mention in this blog is that when the locals at the camel fair were talking to each other, we could understand snippets of their conversation as they were many Kutchi/Gujarati words sprinkled in their conversations. I am therefore not surprised at your explanations; they may well be those meanings in Rajasthani 🙂
  Thanks again
Sadru jivraj February 10, 2019 at 1:30 am Reply

Looks like wonderful trip
Sadru Jivraj
- Ali Karim February 17, 2019 at 9:32 pm Reply
  
  Hello Sadru, Thanks for reading my blog; I am glad you enjoyed it.
AmirT February 9, 2019 at 5:10 am Reply

Thank you once again Karim for your travelog. Hope someday Noor and I make it to a few of these exotic places you and Dilshad have been to.
With Best Wishes, as alway!
Amir
ps: someday hv to tlk with you abt getting good hotel prices, Indian tourist visas (for ex-Pakistani US Citizens), etc.
- Ali Karim February 17, 2019 at 9:31 pm Reply
  
  HI Amir, Noor,
  Good to hear from you and thanks for the feedback. Always happy to help out where I can 🙂
A j February 8, 2019 at 9:06 pm Reply

Thanks for sharing Ali , Rajasthan is very beautiful state and people are friendly . The fruit that grows under water is called singhara, it is very delicious. Thanks
- Ali Karim February 17, 2019 at 9:30 pm Reply
  
  HI AJ, thanks so much for the feedback on my blog, and for identifying the fruit that grows underwater. I did eat some and it was good.
  Thanks again AJ
Farida & Zool Chatur February 6, 2019 at 11:03 pm Reply

Very interest,, we always love to read your blog. Very well explained in detail.
- Ali Karim February 17, 2019 at 9:24 pm Reply
  
  HI Farida & Zool, Thanks so much for the nice comments; I appreciate them

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27 thoughts on “Pushkar, Rajasthan”

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