Pushkar Mela 2021: Camels, caravans and carnival

FP Staff • November 10, 2021, 12:39:15 IST

The country’s biggest camel trading fair, which will go on till 19 November, was cancelled last year owing to the COVID-19 pandemic

Hundreds of herders have started gathering in the desert city of Pushkar ahead of the country’s biggest camel trading fair. The event, which attracts thousands of traders and tourists was cancelled in 2020 owing to the coronavirus pandemic. Image Courtesy: @airnews_jaipur

The fair in Rajasthan sees communities trekking from faraway distances to trade their animals. The famousnfair began on Monday and will end on 19 November. Acording to Prafull Mathur from Rajasthan’s animal husbandry department, the gathering is about cattle trading as well as religious rituals. AFP

Even though COVID-19 still persists in the country, the fair expects to receive a good turnout. However, it is not certain if the competitions, which are usually held and received positively, will be held this year, as the government hasn’t clarified the rules yet. AFP

The camels are mostly purchased by people from Gujarat, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh. For those who believe that the fair is only about camels, they are mistaken as even horses are bought and sold at the event. AFP