No Indian state can compare with Rajasthan in the number of magnificent palaces and forts, colorful festivals, and fairs. Every November, an unusual event takes place here in Pushkar – Pushkar Mela. It attracts thousands of tourists from different parts of the world. The world’s largest livestock market brings 25,000+ dromedary camels. During the auction, which lasts 5 days, visitors can expect a lot of entertainment! These include camel racing and beauty contests, performances by dancers, circus performers, and acrobats, competitions for the speed of milking cows and camels, women’s tug of war, and races with huge jugs filled with water on their heads.
Rajasthan is the largest and most colorful state of India. Dunes, green hills and picturesque lakes, colorful palaces and impregnable forts, bustling cities, and quiet villages harmoniously combine here. The state’s capital Jaipur – the famous pink city – will surprise you with its ancient streets and pink terracotta buildings. By the way, Rajasthan Royals, a professional franchise cricket team, is based in Jaipur. It was founded in 2008 as one of the first 8 IPL franchises. The whole world knows about Indians’ passion for cricket! Each event is an exciting fight that attracts millions of fans and bettors. Indians are very gambling – cricket bets are accepted offline and online on sites with top payment methods, bonuses, and fast payouts.
Pushkar: Vivid Colors Of Camel Festival & Brahma’s Lake
Pushkar Mela is a great celebration. The music sounds all day long, fun reigns everywhere, and colorful fabrics and paints delight the eye! Camels that take part in races are decorated with ribbons, capes, and even jewelry. You can ride camels on a long journey to Jaipur (up to 7 days) or take an amazing walk around Pushkar’s outskirts, admiring the rocky and mountainous landscapes.
You can also buy other livestock in Pushkar – horses, donkeys, cows, sheep, and goats. Festival visitors can please themselves with local souvenirs. Besides, one of the popular entertainments among tourists is a hot air balloon ride. By the way, pilgrims also come here. They visit the legendary lake, which arose on the spot where Brahma, according to legend, dropped a lotus flower. Many temples have been built around the lake, and people bathe at dawn on the full moon.
Pushkar Is A Sacred Hindus Town
The main attraction of Pushkar is the temple dedicated to Brahma. It is located on the shore of Brahma Sarovar. The roof of the temple is made of bright red sandstone, and the entrance is decorated with a swan statue. Its interior delights visitors with gilding bright blue tones. In the center of the temple, there is a statue of four-faced Brahma. 52 ghats are approaching the lake from all sides for sacred bathing. The Gandhi Ghat (Gandhi’s cremation place) and the Brahma Ghat, where Brahma took his baths, are also located here. If desired, tourists can swim in the sacred waters. Do not forget that the ghats are a holy place for Hindus, so you should go down the ghats barefoot. Besides, smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking pictures of people are prohibited here.
A local Brahmin encourages both Indian and Western tourists to pray at the lake, that is, to perform the Pushkar Puja ritual. This involves repeating prayers while scattering rose petals into the lake, and then you will be asked to make a donation, which usually goes into the temple funds. To complete the puja, a red thread is taken from the temple and tied around your wrist. You can now enter the ghats. Previously, dozens of crocodiles lived in the lake. They often grabbed unwary pilgrims. However, strict vegetarian principles did not allow the Indians to get rid of them. Eventually, the British intervened! They caught the crocodiles in nets and moved them to another lake.
By the way, in India, they treat all animals very carefully. This applies not only to sacred cows. For example, in Rajasthan, there is one amazing and even shocking place. This is the Karni Mata temple located near the city of Bikaner. There is no such temple anywhere else in the world. It is home to 20,000+ rats – they feel like masters here. The temple servants feed and protect them! It is believed that rats are villagers, followers of the goddess Karni Mata. After death, they are temporarily reincarnated into the rats’ bodies to become humans again in the next life.
Sri Rama Vaikunth temple is the largest temple of Pushkar. Above the central entrance, there are stone statues of 360 deities. Unfortunately, tourists can only admire the temple from the outside. Non-Judaists are strictly prohibited from entering. The oldest temple in the city is Varahi. The temple is decorated with carvings and sculptures – it is dedicated to the incarnation of Vishnu in the form of a boar.
Rajasthan People
The population of Rajasthan is different from other Indians – this is noticeable even externally. They really respect the traditions of their country and region! Men wear curled mustaches, large colored turbans, and earrings. Women prefer colorful skirts, richly decorated long kurtis, and scarves. A Rajputi woman can also be distinguished by the abundance of jewelry on her face, arms, and legs. Jewelry making is an important part of Rajasthan culture. In Jaipur, there are entire dynasties that cut emeralds and diamonds from generation to generation.
So, Rajasthan welcomes you with an Indian fairy tale! It is the homeland of the gypsies, the land of maharajas, legends, strict rules, harsh deserts, and bright colors. Winter is the best time to visit Rajasthan! Pushkar, Jaipur, and Udaipur will certainly amaze tourists with colorful and exciting fairs and festivals. Moreover, in winter Rajasthan has the most 10°C – 30°C mild weather.