Pushkar Cattle Fair, Pushkar, Rajasthan India

A massive cattle fair occurs in October and November around the lake which is also famous for its crocodiles – which, simply put, means that if you get in you might not get out! The Pushkar Fair, as the cattle fair is commonly known, attracts thousands of people from all over the country who come to trade and watch cart and camel races. A full moon means its time to take a holy dip in the lake in places where the crocs aren’t around. The `loading of the camel’ is a very popular event in which a camel is made to sit down while as many riders as is possible – plus a few more – happily climb onto the poor animal and go for a ride. Camel polo is another hit with the people, although its technique and expertise would embarass any decent horse polo buff.

Each year during Kartik Purnima around 200,000 people flock to Pushkar for the camel Fair, with 50,000 camels and cattle accompanying them. For livestock traders, this is a pretty serious affair, and many travel hundreds of kilometers with the sole intention of getting a good price for their cattle. While the fair is in progress, a mini tent city springs up near the lake, seemingly appearing out of nowhere and disappearing as soon as the festival ends, only to reappear a year later.

When the fair draws to a close and everyone gets going home, a strange wailing sound fills the orange evening. These are the wails of camel mothers separated from their young ones who have been sold off and who they shall never see again. A truly heart wrenching finalé to one of the most popular fairs in Rajasthan.