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Camel force assemble: Pushkar mela begins in Rajasthan
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The Pushkar Camel Fair or Pushkar Mela, is the annual five-day camel and livestock fair, held in the town of Pushkar in the state of Rajasthan. (Deepak Sharma/HT Photo)
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It is one of the world's largest camel fairs, and has become an important tourist site. (Deepak Sharma/HT Photo)
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For visitors, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness the colour, spectacle and carnival of one of the last great traditional melas, which brings livestock, farmers, traders and villagers from all over Rajasthan. (Deepak Sharma/HT Photo)
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Drawing in more than 50,000 camels and 200,000 people, the fair is ostensibly a time when farmers gather to buy and sell their camels, cattle and horses. (Deepak Sharma/HT Photo)
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Outside the mela ground, there’s a fair with a market selling camels and human decorations along with fun rides such as the Ferris wheel. (Deepak Sharma/HT Photo)
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The visitors include gypsy women, sadhus and snake charmers. (Deepak Sharma/HT Photo)
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There are little kiosks selling accessories for the ship of the desert, just in case you’d like to dress your camel to impress! (Deepak Sharma/HT Photo)
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For the camels, the fair proves to be a time for lounging about the dunes, riding visitors through the grounds and participating in races and dance (yes, dance) competitions. (Deepak Sharma/HT Photo)
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Competitions such as the “matka phod”, “longest moustache”, and “bridal competition” are also one of the key components of this fair. (Deepak Sharma/HT Photo)
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Artists perform Kalbeliya dance during a procession to celebrate the occasion. (Deepak Sharma/HT Photo)
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The festival attracts visitors from all over the world. (Deepak Sharma/HT Photo)
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