Pushkar Camel Fair

 


The Pushkar Camel Fair takes place annually this time of year in Rajasthan.

There are camel races as well as beauty contests, with traditional Rajasthani music and dance performances.

There is reference to a Kalbelia folk dance, which is snake charming.  The Ghoomar dance is performed by women, and means "to twirl."  Also performed by women, the Chari dance.


The event initially served as a gathering place for local communities to trade livestock and celebrate their heritage.  Food stalls sell local specialties such as dal baati churma and malpua.

The fair coincides with the Hindu month of Kartik, when believers go to Pushkar Lake for a holy dip.


Camels are part of the cultural identity of the desert, not to mention economically important to the people who live there.  To protect declining populations, Rajasthan declared the camel the official state animal back in 2014.  But apparently legislation in 2015, meant to prohibit slaughter and export, has made it near impossible for the camel market to exist.


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