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Pushkar

Photographs of Pushkar in Rajasthan, India. Pushkar is a magical oasis, the antidote to all that is heavy and gloomy about India, a place of wide smiles, gorgeous landscapes, and irrepressible spirit. It’s a land of flower farms, oxcarts, ladies carrying pots on their heads, schoolkids with huge smiles walking alongside water buffalo, past wheat fields full of peacocks and monkeys. Pushkar itself is a tiny town of about 20,000 people, sometimes cynically dismissed as nothing but a tourist bazaar, for most people Pushkar is nothing more than the annual camel fair (Pushkar Mela). This is a woefully ignorant perspective though. Pushkar is an ecosystem, a collection of dozens of villages, carved out of the Thar desert and the ancient Aravali mountains, with deep traditions and a distinct, beautiful, and engaging culture. It’s one of the most important of Hindu holy places and pilgrimage sites, where Brahma dropped a flower from heaven to form Pushkar Lake. It is quintessentially Rajasthani, with a strong distinct culture of dress, dance, song, art, music, agriculture, and food.

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All the wonderful forms of life in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
All the wonderful forms of life in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Long exposure astro photo with the lens zoomed during exposure, Ajaypal, near Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Long exposure astro photo with the lens zoomed during exposure, Ajaypal, near Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Sisters working on their wheat farm in Doomara village, Rajasthan, India
Sisters working on their wheat farm in Doomara village, Rajasthan, India
Motorcycle with metal water pots on a wheat farm, Tabeeji village, Rajasthan, India
Motorcycle with metal water pots on a wheat farm, Tabeeji village, Rajasthan, India
Sheep herders graze their animals in the desert near a massive ancient fig  near Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
Sheep herders graze their animals in the desert near a massive ancient fig near Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
That's India for you! Marble idol of Saraswati among mustard oil cans, Budha Pushkar temple, Rajasthan, India
That's India for you! Marble idol of Saraswati among mustard oil cans, Budha Pushkar temple, Rajasthan, India
A woman from the Cheeta caste prepares Chapati bread from wheat grown only five minutes away, Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, ...
A woman from the Cheeta caste prepares Chapati bread from wheat grown only five minutes away, Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
Looking out onto Pushkar lake from a temple, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Looking out onto Pushkar lake from a temple, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Weathered wall in Taragarh, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
Weathered wall in Taragarh, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
Troop of langur monkeys in the rocky Aravali Mountains, Ajaypal, Rajasthan, India
Troop of langur monkeys in the rocky Aravali Mountains, Ajaypal, Rajasthan, India
Street dog missing one leg, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. The dog was likely hit by a vehicle and had its leg amputated at a res...
Street dog missing one leg, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. The dog was likely hit by a vehicle and had its leg amputated at a rescue center.
Folk art on a door in Khori village, Rajasthan, India
Folk art on a door in Khori village, Rajasthan, India
Children on a flower farm, Amba village, Rajasthan, India
Children on a flower farm, Amba village, Rajasthan, India
Beautiful people from the farming village of Kharekhari, Rajasthan, India. These are all good friends of mine.
Beautiful people from the farming village of Kharekhari, Rajasthan, India. These are all good friends of mine.
Ajmer city from Taragarh Fort, Rajasthan, India
Ajmer city from Taragarh Fort, Rajasthan, India
A mobile clinic provides medical care to camels at the Pushkar Camel Fair, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. The famous fair is ofte...
A mobile clinic provides medical care to camels at the Pushkar Camel Fair, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. The famous fair is often criticized for abuse and poor care of camels. I've seen many dead camels there and many instances of abusive treatment.
Desert plants in Rajgarh village, Rajasthan, India
Desert plants in Rajgarh village, Rajasthan, India
Peacocks perch on a huge rock in the desert ar sunrise, near the Ajaypal Shiva Temple, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Peacocks perch on a huge rock in the desert ar sunrise, near the Ajaypal Shiva Temple, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Morning over sacred Pushkar Lake and whitewashed Hindu temples, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Morning over sacred Pushkar Lake and whitewashed Hindu temples, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Langur monkey mother and baby in a magnificent ancient fig tree at the Ajaypal Shiva Temple, Rajasthan, India
Langur monkey mother and baby in a magnificent ancient fig tree at the Ajaypal Shiva Temple, Rajasthan, India
Boy in Picholiya village, Rajasthan, India
Boy in Picholiya village, Rajasthan, India
A farm girl carries a metal bowl on her head, Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
A farm girl carries a metal bowl on her head, Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
A handsome family of Nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus) in a remote stretch of desert near Kishanpura Goyla, Rajasthan...
A handsome family of Nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus) in a remote stretch of desert near Kishanpura Goyla, Rajasthan, India. Nilgai are the largest antelope in Asia and require sizeable areas of undisturbed habitat to flourish. These were in an area several kilometers from any farms or villages.
Mutter (peas) fresh from the farm, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Mutter (peas) fresh from the farm, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Ladies walk past the Pushkar municipal dumping ground (landfill), Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Ladies walk past the Pushkar municipal dumping ground (landfill), Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Sunset over the Thar Desert from a temple above Tilora village, Rajasthan, India
Sunset over the Thar Desert from a temple above Tilora village, Rajasthan, India
Early morning fog in desert woodlands near Savitri temple, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Early morning fog in desert woodlands near Savitri temple, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Boys take a break herding their goats in the middle of nowhere to strike a pose that they came up with (and nice work!), Ajay...
Boys take a break herding their goats in the middle of nowhere to strike a pose that they came up with (and nice work!), Ajaypal, Rajasthan, India
Langur monkeys on large desert boulders in the Aravali mountains, Ajaypal, Rajasthan, India
Langur monkeys on large desert boulders in the Aravali mountains, Ajaypal, Rajasthan, India
Nighttime view of rock formations at a mine near Tilora village, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Nighttime view of rock formations at a mine near Tilora village, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Cute little yellow bus in Nedaliya, Rajasthan, India
Cute little yellow bus in Nedaliya, Rajasthan, India
Night view of the 7th century Ajaypal Shiva Temple site, near Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Night view of the 7th century Ajaypal Shiva Temple site, near Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Women sweep up and burn garbage on a dusty desert road after the Pushkar Camel Fair, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. Air pollution...
Women sweep up and burn garbage on a dusty desert road after the Pushkar Camel Fair, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. Air pollution is an epidemic health crisis across India. India has the worst air pollution in the world, worse even than China, with Delhi the #1 worst city in the world.
Boys in a parade go past a ferris wheel at a carnival during the Pushkar Camel Fair, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Boys in a parade go past a ferris wheel at a carnival during the Pushkar Camel Fair, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Wheat and mutter (pea) farms, near Bhagwanpura village, Rajasthan, India
Wheat and mutter (pea) farms, near Bhagwanpura village, Rajasthan, India
A man and his son circumambulate a small temple in the mountains near Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
A man and his son circumambulate a small temple in the mountains near Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
Elaborately carved archways and columns at the Nareli Jain temple, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
Elaborately carved archways and columns at the Nareli Jain temple, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
Sunrise over the Aravali Range and the Thar Desert from the Pachmantha Mataji temple, Majhewla Village, Rajasthan, India
Sunrise over the Aravali Range and the Thar Desert from the Pachmantha Mataji temple, Majhewla Village, Rajasthan, India
A girl dresses up to make money from tourists taking her photo at the Pushkar Camel Fair, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A girl dresses up to make money from tourists taking her photo at the Pushkar Camel Fair, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A boy carries a metal water pot on his head, Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
A boy carries a metal water pot on his head, Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
Temple interior, Hokaran village, Rajasthan, India
Temple interior, Hokaran village, Rajasthan, India
Adorable kids from the Cheeta caste, Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
Adorable kids from the Cheeta caste, Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
Nareli Jain temple, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
Nareli Jain temple, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
Indian Pariah stray dog in the Aravali mountains, Ajaypal, Rajasthan, India
Indian Pariah stray dog in the Aravali mountains, Ajaypal, Rajasthan, India
Gayatri temple, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Gayatri temple, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A wild male peacock displays for nearby females in the Aravali mountains, Ajaypal, Rajasthan, India
A wild male peacock displays for nearby females in the Aravali mountains, Ajaypal, Rajasthan, India
Carved metal door in the Nareli Jain temple, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
Carved metal door in the Nareli Jain temple, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
Cow skeleton near a watering hole in the desert, Ajaypal, Rajasthan, India
Cow skeleton near a watering hole in the desert, Ajaypal, Rajasthan, India
Barbed wire in the desert, Budha Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Barbed wire in the desert, Budha Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Muslim visitors to Taragarh Fort cast shadows on a teal wall, a common color in Islam, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
Muslim visitors to Taragarh Fort cast shadows on a teal wall, a common color in Islam, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
Weathered cement at a temple in the desert, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Weathered cement at a temple in the desert, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Indian Pariah stray dog in the Aravali mountains, Ajaypal, Rajasthan, India
Indian Pariah stray dog in the Aravali mountains, Ajaypal, Rajasthan, India
Mother and son of the Cheeta caste in Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
Mother and son of the Cheeta caste in Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
A family of seven albinos living near Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. They're panhandling during the Pushkar Camel Fair.
A family of seven albinos living near Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. They're panhandling during the Pushkar Camel Fair.
Rock mine near Tilora village, Rajasthan, India
Rock mine near Tilora village, Rajasthan, India
Trucks ply the country road through the desert near Ajaypal, Rajasthan, India
Trucks ply the country road through the desert near Ajaypal, Rajasthan, India
Rice growing in irrigated fields in Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
Rice growing in irrigated fields in Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
Stairway leading to Nand Temple, Nand village, Rajasthan, India
Stairway leading to Nand Temple, Nand village, Rajasthan, India
Flower farmers drive their tractor across a bridge over a lake in Maseena village, Rajasthan, India
Flower farmers drive their tractor across a bridge over a lake in Maseena village, Rajasthan, India
Small temple near an elementary school in the Aravali mountains, Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
Small temple near an elementary school in the Aravali mountains, Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
Red satchel used to collect flowers on a flower farm, Banseli village, Rajasthan, India
Red satchel used to collect flowers on a flower farm, Banseli village, Rajasthan, India
A handsome family of Nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus) in a remote stretch of desert near Kishanpura Goyla, Rajasthan...
A handsome family of Nilgai antelope (Boselaphus tragocamelus) in a remote stretch of desert near Kishanpura Goyla, Rajasthan, India. Nilgai are the largest antelope in Asia and require sizeable areas of undisturbed habitat to flourish. These were in an area several kilometers from any farms or villages.
A man poses proudly on his motorcycle in the Thar Desert, near Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
A man poses proudly on his motorcycle in the Thar Desert, near Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
Resident Nepalese swami, Bedhnath temple area, Rajasthan, India
Resident Nepalese swami, Bedhnath temple area, Rajasthan, India
Sheep herder in the Aravali mountains, Ajaypal, Rajasthan, India
Sheep herder in the Aravali mountains, Ajaypal, Rajasthan, India
A boy tends two very skinny cows in the desert, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A boy tends two very skinny cows in the desert, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Wide view of the Pushkar camel fair at sunset, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Wide view of the Pushkar camel fair at sunset, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Temple overlooking wheat fields near Nand village, Rajasthan, India
Temple overlooking wheat fields near Nand village, Rajasthan, India
Hazy winter morning over farmland and rural village of Hokaran, from the Bedhnath temple area, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Hazy winter morning over farmland and rural village of Hokaran, from the Bedhnath temple area, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Aravali mountains and Thar desert seen through a window in an old abandoned fort above Budha Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Aravali mountains and Thar desert seen through a window in an old abandoned fort above Budha Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Chapati wheat fields with old Rajgarh fort on a distant hilltop, Rajgarh village, Rajasthan, India
Chapati wheat fields with old Rajgarh fort on a distant hilltop, Rajgarh village, Rajasthan, India
Goat inside Nand temple, Rajasthan, India
Goat inside Nand temple, Rajasthan, India
Children of the Cheeta caste in Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
Children of the Cheeta caste in Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
Man dressed for a parade marking Katrik Purnima, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Man dressed for a parade marking Katrik Purnima, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Disheveled straw and ceramic figure at the Budha Pushkar temple, Rajasthan, India
Disheveled straw and ceramic figure at the Budha Pushkar temple, Rajasthan, India
Elaborately carved archways and columns at the Nareli Jain temple, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
Elaborately carved archways and columns at the Nareli Jain temple, Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
Yellow flowers (sp.) growing in desert dunes, Chawandiya village, Rajasthan, India
Yellow flowers (sp.) growing in desert dunes, Chawandiya village, Rajasthan, India
Still life of wall and windows, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Still life of wall and windows, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A boy collects donations for having his photo taken during the Pushkar camel fair, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. I photographed ...
A boy collects donations for having his photo taken during the Pushkar camel fair, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. I photographed this same boy doing the same thing over three years.
Crushing traffic in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. Pushkar is a major pilgrimage destination for Hindus.
Crushing traffic in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. Pushkar is a major pilgrimage destination for Hindus.
A cabbage farm on a misty winter morning at sunrise, Banseli village, Rajasthan, India
A cabbage farm on a misty winter morning at sunrise, Banseli village, Rajasthan, India
View of workers in wheat fields from inside of a small 300 year old temple, Bhagwanpura village, Rajasthan, India
View of workers in wheat fields from inside of a small 300 year old temple, Bhagwanpura village, Rajasthan, India
Detail of a flower farm in idyllic Bhagwanpura village, Rajasthan, India
Detail of a flower farm in idyllic Bhagwanpura village, Rajasthan, India
Small shrine in the desert near the Gayatri temple, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Small shrine in the desert near the Gayatri temple, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Lone tree and small muddy pond in the desert, Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
Lone tree and small muddy pond in the desert, Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
Local doctor with an image of hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur on his jacket, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Local doctor with an image of hip-hop legend Tupac Shakur on his jacket, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A low income boy with a charming suit and crossed-eyes (medical, not playing), Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A low income boy with a charming suit and crossed-eyes (medical, not playing), Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Farming family growing chapati wheat, Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
Farming family growing chapati wheat, Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
Wonderful family in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. Good friends of mine.
Wonderful family in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. Good friends of mine.
Albino girl plays with a toy doll I gave her as a gift, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. The family of ten albinos is panhandling d...
Albino girl plays with a toy doll I gave her as a gift, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. The family of ten albinos is panhandling during the Pushkar Camel Fair.
Children play video games on an old makeshift setup in a general store in a remote area of Ajaysar village, Rajasthan, India
Children play video games on an old makeshift setup in a general store in a remote area of Ajaysar village, Rajasthan, India
Rocks in the mountains near Bedhnath temple area, Rajasthan, India
Rocks in the mountains near Bedhnath temple area, Rajasthan, India
Goat herding girl in a striking pink outfit, Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
Goat herding girl in a striking pink outfit, Kharekhari village, Rajasthan, India
Cow with leg injuries recovering at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center (tolfa.org.uk) near Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Cow with leg injuries recovering at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center (tolfa.org.uk) near Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Pujari performing morning prayers, Majhewla, Rajasthan, India
Pujari performing morning prayers, Majhewla, Rajasthan, India
Abandoned fort above Banwal village, Rajasthan, India
Abandoned fort above Banwal village, Rajasthan, India
Elevated view of Banwal village and the Aravali Range, Rajasthan, India
Elevated view of Banwal village and the Aravali Range, Rajasthan, India
Abandoned fort above Banwal village, Rajasthan, India
Abandoned fort above Banwal village, Rajasthan, India
Sunset over the Thar Desert from a temple above Tilora village, Rajasthan, India
Sunset over the Thar Desert from a temple above Tilora village, Rajasthan, India
A candle illuminates an icon of Parvati and Ganesh on a window sill, Badi Basti, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A candle illuminates an icon of Parvati and Ganesh on a window sill, Badi Basti, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
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