Pushkar Fair Festival Mela 2017 just got bigger and better

Diwali, the festival of lights has just come to an end and you must be wondering what to do next. Well, Pushkar Fair/Mela 2017 is about to start from 28th October and you must not skip it at any cost. Rajasthan tourism organizes a series of events during the festival which can be attended for free of cost. The Cattle fair held at Pushkar has its own fame all over the world. You can participate in more than 10 competitions including Photography Contest, Matka Race, Musical Chairs etc. Exciting, isn't it?

So let's find out in detail about the Pushkar Fair and don't forget to see the most exciting festival pictures in the end.

My Experience

I attended this festival last year with a bunch of old and new friends and it was a memorable experience altogether. We walked around the hippie streets of Pushkar city, posed and clicked colorful pictures, danced at the music concert, ate the most delicious kachoris & jalebis, stayed in a royal tent and sang songs at the lakeside. This year the festival will be held for 8 days unlike its usual period of 5 days. Woohoo! Extra days means more probability of you attending it. Isn't it?

Why Only Pushkar?

Now you must be wondering why is this small town festival so popular and why tourists from across the world visit it. Don't worry, I have got you covered.

Pushkar is located on the edge of the Thar Desert in Rajasthan and is in close proximity of Ajmer. This small town has its own charm. The temples along the Pushkar Lake are the visitor's delight. The Bramha Temple is the only one of it's kind. It has grown into a paradise of food lovers with the most charming rooftop cafes and roadside food joints.

How To Reach?

I started my train journey from Delhi and did a night stay in Jaipur at my cousin's place. Next day we drove for 2 hours to reach Pushkar Fair venue. But the closest railway station is Ajmer and from there you can reach Pushkar in just half an hour or little more by either bus (Rs.20) or taxi (Rs.400-600). Also, there is news that about 40 km northeast of Ajmer a new airport named Kishangarh was inaugurated on 11th of October 2017. To add the cherry on the top there are daily flights from Delhi, Bangalore and Mumbai. Wow! Do let me know if you are travelling by flight.

Where To Stay?

Accommodations include simple guesthouses, luxury tented camps set up in the desert especially for the festival, heritage hotels, and farm stays. We stayed in tents at a very reasonable (trust me) price of approx Rs.1500 per person including dinner & breakfast. Leave your comments if you wish to have the direct contact number of this property owner( the chill guy). He will also help you to explore the local places and food joints. And if you are travelling solo then Zostel is one must place to spend some time.

Must Try Activities

1. Look for colourful handicrafts, Jewelry stores and Leather bags. Do buy one leather cover notebook and gift it to me

2. Visit these 3 cafes if you have limited time. Pink Floyd | Out of the Blue | La Pizzeria

3. Try Museli shake at Sonu Juice Corner

4. Eat Daal Kachori and Jalebi at one of those roadside thellas

5. Try Malpuas at famous Radhey Ji Restaurant

6. Ride on a Camel and click pictures with the moustache guys out there.

7. Dance to the beats of local music and culture

8. Hot Air Balloon ride with SkyWaltz

Scams To Be Aware Of-

Yes, you read it right.If you go to the lake at Pushkar, it's likely that you'll be approached by babas who will give you a blessing (even if you don't want it or agree to it) and ask for a small donation in return. They will pressurise you to pay up. Avoid them if you can and be firm when dealing with them. Also, carry your sunglasses and caps to avoid the sunrays in the afternoon. Though it gets a little cold at night.

Event Details-

Dates: 28th October to 4th November 2017

Timings: 6:30 AM to 9:00 PM

Visit the official site to know in detail of each day event- https://www.pushkarmela.org/program

If you have read this article so far I am sure you must be hell excited to visit Pushkar Fair this year and share the most wonderful experiences with your friends and family. You can click amazing pictures in Pushkar to fill up your social media accounts for weeks and months.

Worried about the accommodation? Leave your comments or ping me directly. Happy to Help!

I hope you loved reading this article. Do share it and leave in your comments below. Tag your friends and make sure they come along with you to Pushkar Mela.

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