Pushkar Fair 2025: Dates, full schedule, key events, and travel details
What is the Pushkar Fair?
The Pushkar Fair (also known as the Pushkar Camel Fair or Pushkar Mela) is an annual event held in the town of Pushkar, in Ajmer district, Rajasthan, India.
Primarily, it is a livestock trading fair — especially camels, horses, and other cattle — but over decades it has evolved into a major cultural and tourist event, combining pilgrimage, folk entertainment, competitions, and local markets.
The fair typically aligns with the Hindu lunar month of Kartik, culminating on Kartik Purnima (the full-moon day of Kartik).
Pushkar Fair 2025 Dates & Key Details
- The 2025 edition of the fair is scheduled from 30 October to 5 November 2025.
- Some sources mention the possibility of trading activity starting slightly earlier and cultural events extending toward 7 days, but for practical planning, the main window is the above period.
- The event attracts thousands of visitors — both domestic and international — and thousands of animals (camels, horses, goats, sheep) brought for trade and display.
Highlights: What to See & Do
Livestock & Trade
- One of the biggest camel and livestock fairs in India: decorated camels, horse shows, and trading of animals.
- Camel beauty contests, camel dances, races, and similar events are central attractions.
- Example: This year (2025) the lifting of a camel-transport ban in Rajasthan has boosted participation — more camels, more trade.
Cultural & Competition Events
- Folk dances, music, turban-tying contests, moustache competitions, matka-phod (pot-breaking) games, and more.
- Evening rituals by the sacred Pushkar Lake: devotees bathing, Maha Aarti (grand prayer ceremony) by the ghats.
- Artisan markets & handicrafts: textiles, leather goods, jewellery, Rajasthani souvenirs.
Visit Experience
- To experience the fair fully: sunrise or sunset camel safaris, hot-air balloon rides, vantage spots overlooking the desert and fairgrounds.
- Since the fair overlaps with a pilgrimage period, visitors are recommended to respect local customs (many parts of Pushkar are vegetarian/temple town oriented).
- Accommodation fills up early; travel via Jaipur airport (or Ajmer/Kishangarh), then road/train to Pushkar.
Why It Matters
- Cultural preservation: The fair holds strong roots in rural Rajasthan culture — livestock trade, traditional sports, folk performance.
- Pilgrimage & spirituality: Pushkar is home to the unique Brahma Temple and the sacred lake — and the fair is tied to religious observances around Kartik Purnima.
- Tourism & economy: The fair has become a significant driver of local tourism, commerce and employment in the region. Recent infrastructure upgrades reflect this.
Practical Tips & Alerts
- Best time: Arrive early in the window (30 October) when trading starts; the last days often see major cultural/spectator events.
- What to pack: Desert climate — cold early mornings, warm afternoons; sturdy shoes for walking; sun-protection; camera.
- Respect local norms: Pushkar is considered a holy town — observe temple rules, dress modestly, follow pilgrimage etiquettes.
- Stay alert for crowds: The fair draws large visitor numbers, so plan your transport/accommodation ahead.
- Transport: No major airport in Pushkar; nearest is Jaipur (~150 km) or Ajmer/Kishangarh; train/bus/taxi options.
- Food & drink: As the town is largely vegetarian/temple-town focused, non-vegetarian and alcohol may be restricted in some areas — check in advance.
History Snapshot
- The fair’s origin lies in the livestock-trading tradition around the full-moon of Kartik month, combined with the pilgrimage to Pushkar Lake and the Brahma Temple.
- Over time it has grown from a regional cattle fair to an international tourism attraction, blending commerce with celebration.
