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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Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
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.
A camel with a red bow scratches itself on a post at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A camel with a red bow scratches itself on a post 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
Nighttime scene at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Nighttime scene at 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
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 group of girls collect camel dung to be used as fuel at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A group of girls collect camel dung to be used as fuel 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
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.
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
Aarti and Deepdan on the ghats of Pushkar, India on Kartik Purnima
Girl and her sister in the rural village of Kharekhari, Rajasthan, India
Girl and her sister in the rural village of Kharekhari, Rajasthan, India
Staff at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India care for stray and injured puppies
Staff at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India care for stray and injured puppies
A woman relaxes in the sun drenched entranceway to her house in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A woman relaxes in the sun drenched entranceway to her house in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
After the camel fair in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
After the camel fair in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Spools of kite string for sale in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. Kite flying is a national pastime.
Spools of kite string for sale in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. Kite flying is a national pastime.
A boy winces at hot steam from his wok, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A boy winces at hot steam from his wok, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Morning sun on temples in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Morning sun on temples in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Goats play on top of resting cows in the rural village of Kharekhari, Rajasthan, India
Goats play on top of resting cows in the rural village of Kharekhari, Rajasthan, India
Women carrying baskets on their heads on a road in the rural village of Kharekhari, Rajasthan, India
Women carrying baskets on their heads on a road in the rural village of Kharekhari, Rajasthan, India
Children in a rural village near Foy Sagar, near Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
Children in a rural village near Foy Sagar, near Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
Portrait of a dog at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India
Portrait of a dog at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India
Women in saris at a vegetable market in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Women in saris at a vegetable market in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A girl sits in an incredibly crowded shop in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A girl sits in an incredibly crowded shop in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A boy winces at hot steam from his wok, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A boy winces at hot steam from his wok, Pushkar, Rajasthan, 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
Two girls walk the mela ground in early morning, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Two girls walk the mela ground in early morning, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Staff at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India receive a dog from nearby Ajmer that was hit by a train...
Staff at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India receive a dog from nearby Ajmer that was hit by a train, severing its front legs
Injured dog at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India
Injured dog at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India
A three-legged dog sitting on temple steps in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A three-legged dog sitting on temple steps 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
Puppies at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India
Puppies at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India
A stray dog with a severe head wound, recuperates at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India. The yellow...
A stray dog with a severe head wound, recuperates at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India. The yellow is Aryuvedic cream.
A woman warms her hands in a fire on the streets of Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
A woman warms her hands in a fire on the streets of Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Morning sun on temples in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Morning sun on temples in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India
Marigolds on a flower farm in Pushkar, India.
Marigolds on a flower farm in Pushkar, India.
Clowns perform a circus act at a carnival in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Clowns perform a circus act at a carnival in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Workers for the NGO Tree of Life for Animals (tolfa.org.uk) in Pushkar, India release rehabilitated dogs back into the city o...
Workers for the NGO Tree of Life for Animals (tolfa.org.uk) in Pushkar, India release rehabilitated dogs back into the city of Ajmer
Pilgrims visit the Hindu holy city of Pushkar during the full moon Puja (Kartik Purnima) of November 2012, Pushkar, Rajasthan...
Pilgrims visit the Hindu holy city of Pushkar during the full moon Puja (Kartik Purnima) of November 2012, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A dog rests in a plastic bin in its kennel space at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India (tolfa.org.uk)
A dog rests in a plastic bin in its kennel space at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India (tolfa.org.uk)
A langur monkey that was electrocuted is cared for at a rescue center in Pushkar, India
A langur monkey that was electrocuted is cared for at a rescue center in Pushkar, India
A girl rides a ferris wheel at night at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A girl rides a ferris wheel at night at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A desert girl at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A desert girl at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A boy dressed as Spider-Man at a carnival in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A boy dressed as Spider-Man at a carnival in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A puppy at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India (tolfa.org.uk)
A puppy at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India (tolfa.org.uk)
An Indian girl with a large professional camera at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India. She was acting as an assistant to ...
An Indian girl with a large professional camera at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India. She was acting as an assistant to a Japanese photographer.
Portrait of a boy at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Portrait of a boy at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Silhouette of children playing in the desert sand at night in the Pushkar stadium, Pushkar, India.
Silhouette of children playing in the desert sand at night in the Pushkar stadium, Pushkar, India.
Carnival rides at night during the Camel Mela in Pushkar, India.
Carnival rides at night during the Camel Mela in Pushkar, India.
A dog rests in a plastic bin in its kennel space at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India (tolfa.org.uk)
A dog rests in a plastic bin in its kennel space at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India (tolfa.org.uk)
A man breathes fire as part of a circus act in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A man breathes fire as part of a circus act in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Educational activities at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India (tolfa.org.uk)
Educational activities at the Tree of Life for Animals rescue center in Pushkar, India (tolfa.org.uk)
A girl walks on a tightrope during the Camel Mela in Pushkar, India.
A girl walks on a tightrope during the Camel Mela in Pushkar, India.
Aerial view of the Hindu holy city of Pushkar in the state of Rajasthan, India.
Aerial view of the Hindu holy city of Pushkar in the state of Rajasthan, India.
A rescue motorcycle for the NGO Tree of Life for Animals responds to a call about an injured cow in Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
A rescue motorcycle for the NGO Tree of Life for Animals responds to a call about an injured cow in Ajmer, Rajasthan, India
A girl poses for portraits at the Pushkar Camel Fair, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A girl poses for portraits at the Pushkar Camel Fair, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A hotair balloon over the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A hotair balloon over the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A hotair balloon over the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A hotair balloon over the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Portrait of a girl in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Portrait of a girl in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Two children stoke a fire to keep warm in the morning at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Two children stoke a fire to keep warm in the morning at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, 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.
Two camels "kiss" at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. They maintained this enthusiastic embrace for 20 minu...
Two camels "kiss" at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India. They maintained this enthusiastic embrace for 20 minutes.
A camel with a red bow eats fodder at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A camel with a red bow eats fodder at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A camel herder smokes tobacco from a hookah at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A camel herder smokes tobacco from a hookah at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Camel herders and Hindu pilgrims at night in Pushkar, India. Taken during the camel mela and Kartik Purnima.
Camel herders and Hindu pilgrims at night in Pushkar, India. Taken during the camel mela and Kartik Purnima.
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.
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.
Silhouette of camels and camel herders at sunrise, Pushkar, India.
Silhouette of camels and camel herders at sunrise, 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.
Spices and salts for sale at the Pushkar Camel Fair, Pushkar, India.
Spices and salts for sale at the Pushkar Camel Fair, Pushkar, India.
A public school bus passes tourists taking camel rides at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A public school bus passes tourists taking camel rides 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.
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.
Portrait of three police officers in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Portrait of three police officers in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Wonderful scene in a grassy area at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Wonderful scene in a grassy area 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 man carriers flowers past camels at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A man carriers flowers past camels at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A girl collects camel dung to use as fuel for campfires, at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A girl collects camel dung to use as fuel for campfires, at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A man drives a camel cart at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A man drives a camel cart at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A boy sleeps on a cot with his mother at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A boy sleeps on a cot with his mother at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Silhouette of camels and camel herders at sunrise, Pushkar, India.
Silhouette of camels and camel herders at sunrise, Pushkar, India.
Men drink chai tea before sunrise on a street in Pushkar, India.
Men drink chai tea before sunrise on a street in Pushkar, India.
General view of the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India, including Gayatri temple.
General view of the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India, including Gayatri temple.
A girl carries metal pots full of water on her head at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A girl carries metal pots full of water on her head at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
Pre-dawn view of a campsite on a hill at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Pre-dawn view of a campsite on a hill at 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
Spices and salts for sale at the Pushkar Camel Fair, Pushkar, India.
Spices and salts for sale at the Pushkar Camel Fair, Pushkar, India.
Camel herders in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Camel herders in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Nighttime view of a colorful entranceway to a hotel in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Nighttime view of a colorful entranceway to a hotel in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Carnival rides during the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Carnival rides during the Pushkar Camel Mela, 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.
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
Gurudwara Singh Sabha Sikh temple in Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
Gurudwara Singh Sabha Sikh temple in 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.
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.
View of Gayatri temple at night, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
View of Gayatri temple at night, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.
A boy wears an adult-sized turban at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, India.
A boy wears an adult-sized turban at the Pushkar Camel Mela, Pushkar, 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.