Camels at Rajasthan Pushkar Fair

Pushkar (Rajasthan): The Pushkar Fair, or Pushkar ka Mela, is the annual five-day camel and livestock fair, held in the town of Pushkar in the state of Rajasthan, India.It is one of the world's largest camel fairs, and apart from buying and selling of livestock it has become an important tourist attraction and its highlights have become competitions such as the "matka phod", "longest moustache", and "bridal competition" are the main draws for this fair which attracts thousands of tourists.Thousands of people go to the banks of the Pushkar Lake where the fair takes place. Men buy and sell their livestock, which includes camels, cows, sheep and goats.In the photo above, A camel herder stands amongst his herd at the annual Pushkar Fair in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. The annual camel and livestock fair attracts thousands of livestock dealers who bring thousands of camels, horses, and cattle.It is celebrated for five days from the Kartik ekadashi to Kartik Poornima, the full moon day (the 15th) of Kartik (October–November) in Hindu calendar. The full moon day is the main day and the day, according to legend, when the Hindu god Brahma sprung up the Pushkar Lake, thus numerous people swim in its sacred waters.In the photo above, Indian camel traders arrive with their livestock for the annual Pushkar fair in Pushkar, Rajasthan state, India, Monday, Nov. 19, 2012. The weeklong cattle fair attracts a large number of tourists from different parts of the world.A camel herder arrives with his livestock for the annual Pushkar Fair in Pushkar, India, Tuesday, Nov. 20, 2012. The annual camel and livestock fair attracts thousands of livestock dealers who bring tens of thousands of camels, horses, and cattle.An Indian man rides a camel as he pursues another during a camel race at the annual Pushkar Fair in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012. The annual camel and livestock fair attracts thousands of livestock dealers who bring thousands of camels, horses, and cattle.An Indian camel herder leads his herd as he arrives to sell his camels at the annual Pushkar Fair in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012. The annual camel and livestock fair attracts thousands of livestock dealers who bring thousands of camels, horses, and cattle. Indian herders and their camels gather at the annual Pushkar Fair in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012. The annual camel and livestock fair attracts thousands of livestock dealers who bring thousands of camels, horses, and cattle. Indian camel herders walk with their herd as they arrive to sell their camels at the annual Pushkar Fair in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012. The annual camel and livestock fair attracts thousands of livestock dealers who bring thousands of camels, horses, and cattle.Indian camel herders walk with their herd as they arrive to sell their camels at the annual Pushkar Fair in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India, Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012. The annual camel and livestock fair attracts thousands of livestock dealers who bring thousands of camels, horses, and cattle.In this picture taken Wednesday, Nov. 21, 2012, an Indian camel herder feeds his camels at the annual Pushkar Fair in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. The annual camel and livestock fair attracts thousands of livestock dealers who bring thousands of camels, horses, and cattle.A Camel herder trims the hair on a camel at the annual Pushkar Fair in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. The annual camel and livestock fair attracts thousands of livestock dealers who bring thousands of camels, horses, and cattle.Indian camel herders struggle to control a young camel as they prepare to pierce its nose at the annual Pushkar Fair in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012. The annual camel and livestock fair attracts thousands of livestock dealers who bring thousands of camels, horses, and cattle. A herd of camels are lead to the annual Pushkar Fair in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India, Thursday, Nov. 22, 2012. The annual camel and livestock fair attracts thousands of livestock dealers who bring thousands of camels, horses, and cattle.