Pushkar camel fair

Pushkar is normally a sleepy little town of 13 000 inhabitants. But once a year, depending on the lunar calender, the town suddenly swells to engulf 200.000 tourists, pilgrims, livestock traders and the un-avoidable crazies and hippies, who have all come to witness and celebrate the Camel fair, an event not found anywhere else in the world.

An estimate of 50 000 camels take camp in the desert outside the city, rulefully chewing their cud and ignoring the commotion they create, whilst their owners haggle and barter and socialise, selling and displaying their best livestock. Some camels have even been shaved and decorated in elaborate patterns.


During the week, the camels gradually disappear back into the desert, and the Pushkar fair transforms into a "normal" festival, attracting religious hindus and pilgrims who come here to bathe in the holy waters of the (almost un-existing) lake, culminating in the celebration of the full moon.

The fair doesn't officially commence until Monday, but already today the desert outside of the town was full with camels and serious looking Rajasthani men in their turbans, not to mention tourists who's camera lenses tried to capture the scenery through all the dust. Naturally, I was one of them. I know that there are supposed to be at least 2 free veterinary clinics present at the fair, but I failed to find any of them. And as this is India, I seriously doubt that there is a "tourist office" present anywhere around.