The
Pushkar Fair & Festival Tours
Duration : 10Nights/11Days
DESTINATIONS:
Delhi – Agra - Jaipur – Ajmer
– Pushkar – Ajmer – Delhi
HIGHTLIGHTS: 
Pushkar
Fair About 14 Kms drive from Ajmer, famous for a Hindu temple
dedicated to Lord Brahma, the creator, here, every year, on the full
moon of November, thousands of pilgrims gather to bathe in the
sacred lake. This Occasion is also well – known for one of
the largest cattle fair in Rajasthan – a riot of color, tradition,
dance and costumes unparallel any where in India. People all
over Rajasthan camp here with their cattle, mostly camels, horses
for selling purpose, thus adding beauty to the fair, in addition to
the many cultural shows and games held.
Day 01 Arrive Delhi
Arrive Delhi, meet upon
arrival and Transfer to pre booked hotel.
Overnight at hotel
Day 02 Delhi
Morning leave for the
sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. Overnight at hotel.
Day 03 Delhi – Ajmer –
Pushkar
Morning transfer to railway
station for train to Ajmer, upon arrival, drive to Pushkar, check in
at tented camp. Overnight at hotel.
Day 04 & 05
Pushkar
Day free to attend the
Pushkar fair. Overnight at tented camp.
Day 06 Pushkar -
Jaipur
Morning free, afternoon drive
to Jaipur. Check in at hotel upon arrival.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 07 Jaipur
Morning excursion to Amer
fort. Afternoon city tour.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 08 Jaipur
- Agra
Morning drive to Agra, visit
Fatehpur Sikri enroute, the deserted sandstone city. Continue
drive to towards Agra. Check in at hotel.
Day 09 Agra
Day for the tour of Agra
city, visit Taj Mahal, the impressive Agra fort and Local Bazaar.
Overnight at hotel
Day 10,
Agra – Delhi
Morning drive to Delhi, visit
Mathura the birth place of Lord Krishna enroute.
Check in at hotel upon arrival. Rest of the day at leisure.
Overnight at hotel.
Day 11 Departure
Transfer to international
airport for flight to onward destination
Pushkar
along the bank of the picturesque Pushkar Lake, which is an
important pilgrimage for the Hindus 
One
of the most sacred lakers in india is that of pushkar, which is only
rivalled by the lake of Mansourwar, in Tibet. It is situated in a
narrow valley surrounded by immense mounds of shifting sand; and a
few isolated peaks stand out on its borders with great effect. Its
form is nearly a perfect oval, and at its southern extremity it
empties itself by a narrow canal into an immense marsh. The origin
of this lake is attributed to Lord Brahma.
The
story goes that the god, wishing to celebrate sacrifice of Yug,
stopped for that purpose in the valley, having first placed genii at
the entrance of all passes to keep off the evil spirits. Just as he
was going to perform the cermony, he perceived that his wife
Saraswati had not accompanied him; and, as the presence of a woman
is necessary, he employed one of the Apsaras. Saraswati was so
grieved at this infidelity that she hid herself in the mountains to
weep, and was transformed into a fountain. Several centuries after,
one of the Purihara Kings of Mundore lost his way while hunting,
and, feeling healed of a disease previously incurable, and
recognised the miraculous property of the spring. Shortly afterwards
he returned, and had a basin dug out to receive the waters, which
now from the lake of pushkar.
This lake soon become a favourite resort of pilgrims, and during the
midlle Ages temples and cenotaphs. Gradually quite a town of
relegious buildings sprang up, peopled by Brahmins. The wealthy
pilgrims from all parts of India brought untold riches to Pushkar,
and the princes spared no expense to enrich the holy inhabitations
of the sacred town.
People consider the water of the Pushkar lake to be very
sacred and the ritual of taking dips in the holy water is believed
to bestow salvation. The holy dip is most auspicious on Kartik
purnima. Even before sunrise, people descend the ghats, aided by the
pandas [Brahmin priests] to take the sacred bath. Offerings of
coconut, flowers, and cash are made to the lake and the priests.
Padma Purana,
elaborately describes the origin and importance of this lake. It
says that Brahma, the Creator of the Universe, was once
contemplating to locate a suitable spot on earth to perform a 'Yajna'
(sacrificial ritual), the lotus fell from his hand and rebounding,
struck the earth at three places within a circuit of kms. Water
issued forth, from all the three places and the Creator called all
the three as Pushkar (lotus) distinguishing them as 'Jyeshtha'
(elder), 'Madhya' (central) and 'Kanishtha' (younger).
Camel Fair
Tours
The
world-famous Fair is held in the sacred and peaceful town of
Pushkar, 11 kms. north-west of Ajmer. It transforms into a
spectacular fair ground for twelve days during the month of Kartik
(Oct-Nov).
The
Pushkar Fair, a major tourist attraction draws people from all
over the globe to the ancient and secluded environment of Pushkar
town. Pushkar Fair is perhaps the largest cattle fair in the
world. Rajasthan which is enriched by cattle wealth is the home to
many recognized breeds of cattle.
A
large number of cattle converge here and brisk trading takes
place. The fair is predominantly a rural gathering and is
overwhelming in its magnitude and visual impact. Vendors peddle
their dazzling range of wares at hundreds of roadside stalls.
Evenings
at the fair have their own charm. Folk Dramas, Music and Dances
are organized for the entertainment of the tourists. The camels,
horse and donkey races are great crowd pullers and enthrall the
tourists
A
unique blend of color, rhythm and melody. The Camel Festival begins
with a colourful procession of bedecked camels, Ships-Of-The-Desert,
in the red sandstone backdrop of the Junagarh Fort.
The
festivity advances to the open sandspreads of the Polo Grounds,
followed by camel races, camel milking, fur cutting design, the best
breed competition, camel acrobatics, camel bands and watching all
this, are the gaping spectators. The camel display amazing
foot-work, dancing gracefully to the slightest direction of their
riders.
Colourful
bridles, bejeweled necks, jingling anklets and long, lanky camel
shadows on dusky sands, cast a magic spell. The jubilant,
skirt-swirling Gair dancers, the awe inspiring Fire dance, and
dazzling fire-works light up the fortified desert city of Bikaner.
According to mythology, he performed the 'Yajna' at Jyeshtha Pushkar
from Kartik Shukla Ekadashi to Purnima. Lakhs of devotees assemble
and bathe in the holy waters during this period of the year; but
bathing on the last day which is the full moon (Purnima) day,
confers special blessings.
One of the major attractions in Pushkar is the Pushkar Fair the
cattle fair is held here on this occasion, where other animals like
camels and horses are also bought and sold. It is attended by people
from far and wide.
In recent years, an exclusive accommodation-Tourist Village, has
also been erected for foreign tourists. Competitions are organized
for them and cultural programmes are held acquainting them with the
Rajasthani way of life and culture.
Pushkar has 52 bathing ghats and many temples, big and small; the
most celebrated one being that of Brahma, the Creator of the
Universe.
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