Pushkar Fair

Experience one of the India's most spectacular festival, the annual Pushkar fair in Rajasthan. It is a unique festival that falls in the month of October - November and is the major attraction for the tourists from all over the world. It is the India's largest and most colorful livestock and religious festival. During the Pushkar Camel Festival, thousands of people from all over the country gather at Pushkar during the fair when approximately 50,000 camels are sold, decorated and raced.

Pushkar, the gem of Rajasthan is the also the famous Hindu pilgrimage site. It is the only place with the Brahma temple is located besides the Pushkar Lake. The place is full of natural beauty and the pilgrims from all over the world come to bathe at the Pushkar lake (which is considered sacred by the Hindus).

During the festival, the whole expanse of desert, dotted with thousand of camels and camping families looks amazing beautiful. The major highlight of the festival is the camel racing, followed by the singing and dancing in the amphitheater. Apart from that camels sporting ornamental saddles and headdresses and decorated with ribbons are sold here. Locals are dressed colorfully during the festival. Men are seen wearing crisp white dhotis and colorful turbans. While women adorn themselves with the bright color cholis, ghagra and beautiful silver jewelery.


This seven day festival at Pushkar paint the town bright with various hues of colors. Each and every day of the festival is full of fun and merriment. Apart from the camel races, its other attractions are traditional Rajasthani dances, puppetry shows, camel beauty contest and Laadoo Oonth. Tourists can explore the local markets for camel saddles, textiles, glass bangles, tie and dye, chains, nose rings, necklaces, waistbands, anklets, toe rings, hairpins and the ivory bangles worn from wrist to shoulder.

Tourists get the chance to take the Camel Safari at the Thar Desert. Above all they share the pleasure of staying in the Maharaja's places, which gives them the opportunity to discover more of the fascinating life of Rajasthan.

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Bhai Dooj

Bhai Dhooj is one of the major festival celebrated on the fifth day of Deepwali. It falls on the second day after Deepwali that is on 'Shukla Paksha Dwitiya' in the Hindu month of 'Kartik'. Also known as Bhaiyya Duj, it is celebrated on large scale among the Hindu families in India. The festival is observed as the symbol of love that glorifies the beloved relationship between the brothers and sisters.

Bhai Dhooj is an age old tradition and the history attached to it quite interesting. According to the legends, the Yamraj (Hindu God of Death), visited his sister Yami on this day. Yami welcomed his brother by applying the tilak on his forehead. Yamraj was so pleased that he declared that anyone who receives teeka from his sister on the day of Bhai Dhooj will not receive the fury of hell. He also said the brothers who will have food with their sisters on this day will have a long and fruitful life.

There is another popular story according to which Lord Krishna, after killing the demon Narakasur, visited his sister Subhadra on the day of Bhai Dhooj. She welcomed Lord Krishna warmly and applied tilak on his forehead. From than custom become famous and was followed by other sisters also. Today it is a big festival celebrated by Hindus all over the world. Bhai Dhooj is celebrated as Bhaiyya Duj in north India, Bhav Bij in south India, Bhai Phota in West Bengal and Bhai Tika in Nepal.

On this day sisters apply sacred tikka on their brother's forehead and pray for the long life and well being of their brothers. They perform special pooja ceremonies for their brothers and offers them gola (coconut). In return brothers present gifts to their sisters and swear to protect them whenever needed. This day is very special for the sisters, when they receive utmost attention from their brothers.

In 2008, Bhai Dhooj or the Bhaiyya Duj will be celebrated on Thursday, 30th October.

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