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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Mural in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Mural in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Early morning scene on the mela grounds in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Early morning scene on the mela grounds in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Injured cow and dog resting together at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India
Injured cow and dog resting together at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India
A dog waking up for the day in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A dog waking up for the day in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Portrait of a puppy at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India
Portrait of a puppy at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India
A puppy at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India that has just had its leg amputated after being run o...
A puppy at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India that has just had its leg amputated after being run over by a car
A dog at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India that was hit by a train in nearby Ajmer, severing its f...
A dog at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India that was hit by a train in nearby Ajmer, severing its front legs
A boy warms himself by a fire in the streets of Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A boy warms himself by a fire in the streets of Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A rack of shoes for sale in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A rack of shoes for sale in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Parakeet at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India
Parakeet at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India
Emaciated dog with mange receiving treatment at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India
Emaciated dog with mange receiving treatment at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India
A boy and his grandmother, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A boy and his grandmother, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A boy transports goat fodder by bicycle in the rural village of Kharekhari, Rajasthan, India
A boy transports goat fodder by bicycle in the rural village of Kharekhari, Rajasthan, India
Two girls and their mother walk the mela ground in early morning, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Two girls and their mother walk the mela ground in early morning, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A dog sits in a stone wall on a farm in the rural village of Kharekhari, near Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A dog sits in a stone wall on a farm in the rural village of Kharekhari, near Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Two boys pretending to be sadhus (holy men) to get money from tourists, playing Grand Theft Auto video game, Pushkar, Rajasth...
Two boys pretending to be sadhus (holy men) to get money from tourists, playing Grand Theft Auto video game, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Night scene along the main road through Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Night scene along the main road through Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Colorful gulal powders on a street vendor's cart, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Colorful gulal powders on a street vendor's cart, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A boy in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A boy in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Langur monkeys (Semnopithecus sp.) on a rooftop in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Langur monkeys (Semnopithecus sp.) on a rooftop in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Distant view of rock mining near the rural village of Kharekhari, Rajasthan, India
Distant view of rock mining near the rural village of Kharekhari, Rajasthan, India
Boy walking in the rain in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Boy walking in the rain in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Ganesh statue on the mela grounds in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Ganesh statue on the mela grounds in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A dog at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India
A dog at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India
A boy in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A boy in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Lone puppy in a desert field in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Lone puppy in a desert field in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Boy from the rural village of Kharekhari, Rajasthan, India
Boy from the rural village of Kharekhari, Rajasthan, India
Girls from the rural village of Kharekhari, Rajasthan, India
Girls from the rural village of Kharekhari, Rajasthan, India
Boy in the rural village of Kharekhari, Rajasthan, India
Boy in the rural village of Kharekhari, Rajasthan, India
Girl and her goat from the rural village of Kharekhari, Rajasthan, India
Girl and her goat from the rural village of Kharekhari, Rajasthan, India
Boy on the mela grounds in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Boy on the mela grounds in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Dogs resting in the warmth of an alley full of sweets shops and ovens, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Dogs resting in the warmth of an alley full of sweets shops and ovens, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Mojo, a stray dog with a severe head wound, recuperates at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India
Mojo, a stray dog with a severe head wound, recuperates at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India
Intricate carvings of gods on a temple in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Intricate carvings of gods on a temple in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Rural scenery near the village of Kharekhari, near Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Rural scenery near the village of Kharekhari, near Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Colorful gulal powders on a street vendor's cart, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Colorful gulal powders on a street vendor's cart, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Early morning nature along the rural road from Pushkar to the village of Kharekhari, Rajasthan, India
Early morning nature along the rural road from Pushkar to the village of Kharekhari, Rajasthan, India
Plastic bottled drinks for sale in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. Plastic waste is a huge problem in India.
Plastic bottled drinks for sale in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. Plastic waste is a huge problem in India.
Children play on a rooftop in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Children play on a rooftop in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Woman sleeping next to graffiti reading Aids is Cured, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Woman sleeping next to graffiti reading Aids is Cured, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A puppy at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India with lame hind legs after being run over by a car
A puppy at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India with lame hind legs after being run over by a car
Dog next to a cow skeleton in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Dog next to a cow skeleton in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Dog at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India
Dog at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
Camels stampede through dusty desert at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Camels stampede through dusty desert at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Children dressed for a parade at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Children dressed for a parade at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Marigolds on a flower farm in Pushkar, India. They'll be used in garlands and religious ceremonies.
Marigolds on a flower farm in Pushkar, India. They'll be used in garlands and religious ceremonies.
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
Girls in brightly colored costumes dance during the opening of the 2013 Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Girls in brightly colored costumes dance during the opening of the 2013 Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Yellow flower on thistle (sp.) growing in desert sand, Pushkar, India.
Yellow flower on thistle (sp.) growing in desert sand, Pushkar, India.
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
Dusk scene at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Dusk scene at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A camel lies dead in the desert sand during the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A camel lies dead in the desert sand during the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Camel herders chat around a campfire at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Camel herders chat around a campfire at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Camel herders chat around a campfire at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Camel herders chat around a campfire at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Tourist hot air balloons float past the Gulab Niwas hotel in Pushkar, India.
Tourist hot air balloons float past the Gulab Niwas hotel in Pushkar, India.
Women in saris at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Women in saris at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A camel lies dead in the desert sand during the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A camel lies dead in the desert sand during the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A group of women carry camel dung they've collected to be used as fuel at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A group of women carry camel dung they've collected to be used as fuel at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Girls in brightly colored costumes dance during the opening of the 2013 Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Girls in brightly colored costumes dance during the opening of the 2013 Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A stray dog walks in front of a group of oncoming camels at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A stray dog walks in front of a group of oncoming camels at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A girl helps her mother wash her hands at a water spigot in the desert, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A girl helps her mother wash her hands at a water spigot in the desert, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
Desert hills reflect in a small lake near Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Desert hills reflect in a small lake near Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A horse lies dead at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A horse lies dead at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Nighttime view of camels and a wooden cart at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Nighttime view of camels and a wooden cart at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
A camel lies dead in the desert sand during the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A camel lies dead in the desert sand during the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
A beautiful sunset with cumulus clouds and visible sunrays, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A beautiful sunset with cumulus clouds and visible sunrays, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A camel herder tends to a camel at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A camel herder tends to a camel at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Camels and herders are silhouetted at sunrise at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Camels and herders are silhouetted at sunrise at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A fire illuminates a campsite at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A fire illuminates a campsite at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Camels and stray dogs are silhouetted at sunrise at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Camels and stray dogs are silhouetted at sunrise at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Dancing girls in the stadium at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Dancing girls in the stadium at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Portrait of a girl at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Portrait of a girl at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Captive, performing monkeys clean each other at a carnival in Pushkar, India.
Captive, performing monkeys clean each other at a carnival in Pushkar, India.
Sunset over the Thar Desert in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Sunset over the Thar Desert in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
A woman harvests marigold flowers at a small farm near the Hindu holy city of Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A woman harvests marigold flowers at a small farm near the Hindu holy city of Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Temples reflecting in Pushkar Lake, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Temples reflecting in Pushkar Lake, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Garbage litters the banks of a small creek on the mela (fair) grounds, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Garbage litters the banks of a small creek on the mela (fair) grounds, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A boy peers over a fence to see a carnival ride in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A boy peers over a fence to see a carnival ride in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Workers make adjustments to a ferris wheel at a carnival, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Workers make adjustments to a ferris wheel at a carnival, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Sunrise over the lake and ghats of Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. Pushkar is an important Hindu pilgrimage site.
Sunrise over the lake and ghats of Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. Pushkar is an important Hindu pilgrimage site.
A woman sells shopping bags with a picture of US President Obama on them at a market in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A woman sells shopping bags with a picture of US President Obama on them at a market in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Camels and stray dogs are silhouetted at sunrise at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Camels and stray dogs are silhouetted at sunrise at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Nighttime portrait of carnival goers at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Nighttime portrait of carnival goers at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A hot air balloon over Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A hot air balloon over Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Stray dogs sit on a ledge in a street filled with sweets-making shops, keeping warm near the ovens, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Stray dogs sit on a ledge in a street filled with sweets-making shops, keeping warm near the ovens, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A woman tends to a stall selling clay pots at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A woman tends to a stall selling clay pots at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Men huddle next to a fire in the early morning at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Men huddle next to a fire in the early morning at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A rider performs on a galloping horse at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A rider performs on a galloping horse at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
Inflateable toy guitars for sale at a tourist market in Pushkar, India.
Inflateable toy guitars for sale at a tourist market in Pushkar, India.
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
Sunrays fall on a camel herder at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Sunrays fall on a camel herder at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Cases of Coca-Cola glass bottles at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Cases of Coca-Cola glass bottles at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
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