Beauty Pageants for Camels at the Pushkar Camel Fair, India

In the West, beauty pageants and fashion shows for cats and dogs are a bizarre but increasingly commonplace occurrence. Canine and feline enthusiasts think nothing of sending tiny pooches and kitties down a catwalk (dogwalk?) adorned in designer costumes and glitzy collars. In India, however, they’ve been at it for much longer. Except, rather than miniature mutts, they’ve got camels.

The Pushkar Camel Fair, held in the beautiful town of Pushkar in the northern state of Rajasthan, runs every year in November. Not just a celebration of camels, Pushkar is a sacred site for Hindus. It is said that Lord Brahma slew the demon Vajra Nabh with a lotus flower, and the petals came floating to earth and landed around Pushkar, where the town’s sacred lakes sprung up. Pushkar is the only pilgrimage shrine dedicated to Brahma in the whole of India. Pilgrims come from all over India to bathe in the sacred lakes and to take part in Pushkar ka Mela.

The Camel Fair was developed to encourage cattle and camel traders to Pushkar during the holy festivities. Now, in addition to the dancing, music and markets, not to mention the competition for longest moustache, over fifty thousand camels converge on the tiny desert town. They are shaved, decorated, dressed up and paraded, they are entered into beauty contests, raced and traded. If you like camels, then you will love the Pushkar Camel Fair.

The nearest airport to Pushkar is Jaipur, two and a half hours’ drive away. However, as the Pushkar Camel Fair, and the Pushkar ka Mela celebrations, have become increasingly popular with tourists in the last few years, it is possible to take a minibus or coach transfer from Jaipur airport, or simply hook up with fellow travellers to make your own way there. There are some gorgeous desert camps set up especially for travellers, and booking a tent in advance is a good way to make sure you get the most out of this awesome festival.

In 2013, the dates for the fair are from 9^th to 17^th November. Camel traditions and other activities start on the 9^th, and wind up by the 12^th, with all other festivities continuing until the end. It is one of the oldest, most traditional styles of Indian festival, and a valuable opportunity to experience authentic India in all its ornate, colourful and joyful glory.