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Held every year in the month
of November, Pushkar fair is the ideal occasion to witness the
charisma of Rajasthan in full bloom. Every ingredient that makes
Rajasthan a distinct place can be spotted in the fair including
men dressed in colorful traditional clothes, women in mirrored
skirts and vivid shawls, embroidered clothes, exquisitely
designed jewelry, pots and ornaments. This four-day long fair
full of fun and frolic falls on the full moon of Kartik Purnima
and offers an unique opportunity for a shopping spree while
giving an edge to the consumer product marketing in rural
Rajasthan. Improved accommodation facilities have made it an
International event A large camel fair in which traders from all
over Rajasthan participate to parade, race and trade their
camels, horses and cattle give it a fascinating touch. The
acrobats, jugglers, snake charmers and fire-eaters will leave you
mesmerized with their skilled performances. Cruise on a camel
safari and get the real flavor of the fair.
This festival associated
with Lord Krishnas birthday and is a combination of religion and
celebration together. This festival is celebrated all over India
especially among Hindus. Mathura, the ancient north Indian town,
is Krishnas birthplace, and it is one of the most sacred places
in the entire country. People celebrate this festival with fun,
frolic, and merrymaking. The raasleelas, bhajan, kirtan, and
various local functions are the special attractions of the place.
The festival of Janmashtami is celebrated during the month of
August or September depending on the Indian calendar. The
celebration of this festival is followed according to the Indian
calendar and hence the month in the English calendar varies every
year. This day also falls on the day of Shravan Poornima when the
monsoon season is at its high in most of the part of India.
Karni Mata Fair is held
twice a year at Deshnok, a small town near Nokha in Bikaner
district. The first and larger fair is held in March-April during
the Navratras from Chaitra Shukla Ekam to Chaitra Shukla Dashmi.
The second fair is held in September-October, also during the
Navratras, from Ashvin Shukla to Ashwin Shukla Dashmi.
Karni Mata was an ascetic who led a righteous life dedicated to
the service and uplifting of the poor and downtrodden of all
communities. It is believed that she possessed supernatural
powers. The foundation of Deshnok was laid by her and she has
been worshipped as a goddess by her principal followers, Charans,
as well as the rulers of Bikaner, who regarded her as the patron
deity. The Karni Mata Fair is held in her honour.
The Karni Mata temple at Deshnok is a stone and marble structure
and is also known as Madh. Inside the shrine, a 75 cms. image of
Kami Mata adorned with a mukut (tiara) and garlands is installed.
Her image is accompanied by the images of her sisters and the
sisters of Avad Mata. The Rajputs bring their children on Jadula
(their first hair cut) and place them at the deity's feet for
blessing.
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