Pushkar.
I can’t remember exactly how Pushkar got imprinted on my mind. Of course, it was a usual quiz question in early years about being the town that featured a Brahma temple ( though I found the story and theory behind why there are generally no Brahma temples to be more fascinating ).
Somewhere along the way, I heard about the annual camel fair and that too stayed in mind.
A camel fair ! Wow.
For a kid growing up near a city, the thought itself was intoxicating. The few images that I saw clearly told a story of a riot of colour, a storm of dust to go with imagined heated tempers and magnificently quivering moustaches as herders negotiate over transactions or tell stories huddled over campfires.
Maybe, that’s how Pushkar came up on my wish list.
Who knows.
Anyway, this year, I signed up. ( With https://www.exposuresop.com - highly recommend it, Apratim Saha is a gem of a guy to go with !)
To give you a brief summary of the place – in the days leading to the full moon ( Karthik Poornima ), camel traders from far and near, flock into this small town to buy and sell camels and, I guess, to meet old friends and catch up on news and gossip.
There were four distinct attractions at Pushkar during this time to which people from the nearby areas throng. First, the ghats and the temple. Second, the fair, complete with ferris wheel and other attractions. Third, the horse fair and lastly, the camel fair.
We spent a little time at the ghats, walked past the horses ( some of them were gorgeous ! ) and spent most of the time at the camel fair.
Here are the first set of images of a typical day at the camel fair at Pushkar.
Days begin rather early and predictably with a chat over a warm fire
As the sun rises, more fires get lit and more people join in
Next, the cooking pots are spluttering with energy and the young struggling to
Soon, the sprawling camp is up and about
The camel feed arrives mid morning, the day's rates are called out to predictable cries of annoyance
They figured from this camel's dung that it had a stomach ailment and the best cure was giving it milk. (Clearly, it's a bit like getting your kid to have their milk ) Everyone willingly lends a helping hand
This guy needed some lessons too which were promptly handed over -
love the way that everyone jumps into help each other
Amidst all this, there is always time to talk...
And, talk some more...
Amidst camels, camel dung and sand ( tho it might have been far more disconcerting for them
to have me flat on the ground in front of them !! )
Sometimes, its the camels whispering into their ears ( loved that wisp of smoke there ! )
Camels, camel herders and ...camerapersons...doesn't that gap look like an artistic eye ? :)
In the middle of all this, a few camels need to be taught a lesson too
I never really figured out why the camel was on a charpoy but could be some form of training
And then the sun sets and its time to light those fires again
And, for stories to be told and retold again
Wishing you a very happy 2024 ! Hope the year brings you all that you have dreamt of and wished for and that the world becomes a better place for everyone.
Lastly, thanks a lot. Your reading my stories, your support and encouragement means a lot more to me than you would know :) - thanks !