Pushkar Fair Traditions vs Modernity

The old traditions and customs can go beyond our mental horizon. Especially when it has its own streak of colours, the not-so-in-things for enjoyment, and where the deep-rooted cultures are so much cherished they can create in you the respect for the same. And it is so much in conflict with the today’s contemporary world of fashion and gala event. But then the challengers are always on your door, never underestimate the ‘old is gold’ theory.

And certainly the traditional dresses and jewellery in this era of suiting and shirting can be somewhat out of fashion, but if you fathom this folklore, you can find such finery at its most elaborate and flamboyant. Every year in the month of Karthik, during the full – moon phase Pushkar celebrates a big assembly of villagers with their animals at the corners of Thar Desert. This also tails another belief of taking a dip in the sacred Pushkar Lake, which is said to have all the purifying effect during a full moon day. And while witnessing this redemptive property of the Pushkar Lake, you can also have a great opportunity to indulge in livestock trading, religious ‘pujas’ (worship), arranging marriages and all kind of jovial stuff.

Women and men wearing kilos of chunky silver jewellery, girls wearing colorful skirts with veil on their head with intricate embroidery and from head to toe they are clad in silver chunks, no makeup but a streak of kajal (khol) in their already big eyes, they are beautiful damsels. Men are all in white kurta and dhoti and breaking this monochromatic theme of white are their colorful turbans of ‘Bandhej’ (tie and dye art of Rajasthan) that simply make them big head and also showcasing their pointed handle bar moustaches.

With one and only Brahma Temple in the entire world, Pushkar is a proud city to be. Lord Brahma, is the supreme god in Hindu mythology, who created this world and to get the full view of this, get up before dawn, when conch-blowing and bell ringing starts at the temples, locate yourself on one of the rooftop looking towards the Pushkar lake. When the first rays of the sun hits the ‘Nag Pahar’ to the east, a burst of color emits as thousands of pilgrims collect to summon Brahma their god, by filling miniature brass pots with the water of the lake and pouring it back into the lake. It’s the unique scene and has changed very little in hundreds and thousands of years and is unlikely to be changed in future.

This trading the livestock affair is also too old, but now revamped by the Rajasthan Tourism department it has now given it more glow and gleam. Held each year during the first half of November, special tents are erected to accommodate thousands of pilgrims and tourists and here you can do all the sightseeing and enjoying all the various competitions held in the fair, like camel ride, cricket match etc.

One thing you cannot miss are the sweets and savories- ‘Malpua’~ they are fried thin pancakes fully immersed in sugar syrup and they are the most graciously delicious sweet I ever had.

Well, Pushkar Fair is organized on the brim of Thar Desert, but if you plan to have a spree in the Pushkar city and its market you will come across local people speaking fluent Hebrew, French, German, and of course English, contrary to their local language Hindi. The local goods sold in the cramped streets of the city vary from old silver jewellery, gorgeous paper-mashie stuff, embroidered skirts, pouches, wallets, and they are the best buys for the shopaholics. 

The flip side of the city is that doping is common and the hippie culture prevails, which is not so popular here, considering the religious backdrop of the place and has some legal issues too. The local cops can be harsh on such issues, but then every time traveling to any new place comes with a warning.

It is a great fun to join the local Pushkar fair, I have been to Pushkar many time during this auspicious fair and otherwise and will give this place a high-five for the cultural contrast it poses.

To visit the Pushkar fair in Rajasthan India, book a package tour to Rajasthan or a Jaisalmer holiday package along with Pushkar fair tour and enjoy the fun and frolic of the fair.

Source: http://www.festivesearch.com/blogs/aroundtheworld/events/2010/pushkar-fair-traditions-vs-modernity/