Pushkar fair programmes

The Pushkar Fair is no less than an encyclopedia on the tradition and culture of the state of Rajasthan. It is the event when a better population of the state can be found at one place and at one time. It seems as if the whole state has come alive at Pushkar to stand witness to its pulsating cultural heritage. Villagers gather from all around the state to enjoy and make merry, breaking all the barriers of hectic schedules of their lives. Colourful sights at the fair can touch and move even the sternest heart. Hindu pilgrims can be seen flocking the place to take a holy dip in the Pushkar Lake, washing away all the sins of the past. Devotees and worshippers can be seen surrendering themselves at the only Brahma Temple.

Pushkar fair Programmes
As part of the great gathering which takes place for the mela, an official programme of events is arranged by Pushkar Mela Vikas Samiti and Rajasthan Tourism over a period of about eight days. People arrive from all over Rajasthan to make the pilgrimage, visit the temples and attend the fair; it's the year's biggest festival for rural or tribal communities from the local villages, and everyone enjoys the event.

Most of the official events take place at the Mela Ground, a large stadium. There are horse and camel races, Tug-of-War, traditional rural sports, wrestling,bridal competetion, horse and camel decorarion, turban and moustache competitions and displays. Ladies create colourful traditional wall paintings in a mandana competition. In the evening there are cultural programmes.

It’s worth visiting the Mela Ground at different times of day; when there are no official events taking place, you'll see Marwari horses being exercised and put through their paces for potential purchasers. There is a grand finale at the Mela Ground on the last day. Agricultural events take place at the nearby Cattle Exhibition Ground. This is an important part of the mela, and towards the end of the week there are milking and Champion Cattle competitions in which the local farmers take a keen interest.

Around the Mela Ground and the fairground, it's a sea of colour with ladies in colourful saris shopping for household items and jewellery, street vendors and stalls selling local refreshments, milk, lassi, chaach, nimbu pani, paan and ice creams, and festive decorations, toys and colourful novelties for the children; the men gather at chai (tea) stalls which spring up along the roads. More and more people arrive during the week, and the fair is at its most crowded during the last three days.

As this is an important religious festival, the programme also includes spiritual events; Deep Dan is celebrated a few days before the full moon, with candles and diyas floated on the lake; there is a spiritual walk (parikrama) around the lake and an evening performance of devotional songs (Bhajan Sandhya) by a celebrated artist. The official Programme of Events for 2015, published by Rajasthan Tourism, will be available throughout the period of the fair, either at the heritage campsite or at the fair.

Glimpse of the programmes -
Flag Hosting
Mandana Competition
Cricket Match (Local V/S Visitors)
Football Match (Local V/S Visitors)
Satolia Match
Bullock Decoration Competition by Rajasthan tourism
Safed chitti
Classical music & devotional song
Horse dance competition by Rajasthan tourism
Camel race competition
Camel dance Competition by Rajasthan tourism
Inter panchayat samiti rural sports competition
Opening of Shilpgram art & craft bazaar
Nagara & shehnai vadan by rama kishan
Folk song/devotional dance
Inter panchayat samiti cultural programme
Rajasthani kavi samelan
Spritual Walk (Pushakr Parikarma)
Classical Music & Devotional Song
Turban tying & tilak competition (for visitors) by Rajshtan tourism
Animal competition (camel,horse & nagauri bullock)
Shilpgram Art & Craft Bazar
Moustache’s competition by Rajasthan tourism
Inetr panchayat samiti rural sports competition
Inaugration of gir & cross breed cattle exhibition
Milk (stripping) competition
Inaugration of vikas pradarshini
Indian bride competition (for visitors) by Rajasthan tourism
Folk song/Devotional dance
Folk dance & music by Rajasthan tourism