Photographing The Pushkar Camel Fair: what to expect?

Camels in the desert surrounding Pushkar at Sunset

The classic shot that everyone tries to achieve in Pushkar: a herd of camels backlit by the setting sun with beams of light shining through the dust in the air. Walking around the campground at the beginning and end of the day is one of the joys of being at Pushkar.

Giant funfair in the desert at the Pushkar Mela

As well sea of camels stretched across the desert, you will be able to wander through a sprawling fun fair that is set up to amuse all of the pilgrims. This boasts some eclectic rides, including ancient ferris wheels and even an old fashioned Wall of Death.

Join camel drovers for morning chai at the Pushkar Mela

Wandering through the sprawling campground that stretches across the desert in the early morning you will see countless groups of people crouching around a fire, brewing their morning chai. This milky, sweet brew becomes addictive on even a short trip to India.

Join camel drovers for morning chai at the Pushkar Mela

Wandering through the sprawling campground that stretches across the desert in the early morning you will see countless groups of people crouching around a fire, brewing their morning chai. This milky, sweet brew becomes addictive on even a short trip to India,

Camels, camels everywhere, but not a drop to drink

Although there are many dimensions to Pushkar, for most visitors, and indeed many of the locals, it is all about camels. In this predominantly desert state, camels are vital to survival and are taken very seriously. At the mela you will be able to see many people interacting with their camels.

People will go to any lengths to look after their camels

At the Pushkar mela, the camel really is King, and the camel traders who come to the livestock bazaar will go to any lengths to look after their animals and to try to get the best price when they sell. This can even include giving your favourite camel a hump massage!

A decorated camel is an auspicious camel

In the drive to make their camels look as saleable as possible, many of the owners will decorate them with patterns and religious images: including the swastika - which is an ancient Buddhist and Hindu religious symbol which amongst other things signifies may goodness prevail.

A camels got to eat: and will eat a lot

With all of those camels spread out across the desert, there is a whole industry in gathering and transporting fodder for them. People can be seen carrying vast loads to cash in on the once a year opportunity of the festival.

People will go to any lengths to look good themselves

As well as a religious occasion, the Pushkar Mela is a social opportunity and people – including nomadic and semi-nomadic people – will congregate from all over the region. For some this might be the only time they see each other in the whole year and many will wear their best clothes and jewellery.

Rajasthan is the land of the turban

Many men in the desert regions of Rajasthan will wear turbans, which are a symbol of honour, social class, and regional identity. You will see many styles of turban – usually accompanied by extravagant facial hair; making it a fantastic place for portraits.

Cleaning up after camels - where there's muck there's brass

With all those camels, there is going to be a lot of camel poo, but as with anything in India, there is always someone who will be on hand to exploit any natural resource. In this case a young girl in her best dress collecting camel dung to sell for fires.

Ash-covered sadhu sitting in a lakeside ashram

As well as pilgrims, the Pushkar Mela will attract sadhus, or Indian Holy Men, to come and bathe at the auspicious full moon and to bestow blessing on the faithful in return for small donations.

Sadhus are an ancient tradition in a modern world

Although they should eschew all material possessions, many of the sadhus will have mobile phones, which have often been donated to them by followers, and they are often just as attached to their phones as modern teenagers.

Naked sadhus, covered only in the ash from sacred fires

Many of the sadhus at Pushkar are naga, or naked sadhus, who will walk around without any clothing – covered only in the ash from their ashram fires. Some more extreme sadhus – the aghori – will use the ash from cremation grounds.

Some of the sadhus will perform interesting tricks

Some of the sadhus at Puskhar will display interesting tricks to show off their yogic prowess, including picking weights up with their genitals and even wrapping them around sticks. This is a way to show how good they are as sadhus, and raise donations from the pilgrims and tourists.

Not all of the sadhus are naked – or Indian

Pushkar attracts all sorts of sadhus, including those who originate from the West. Over many years, people have been drawn to India's spirituality and religious practices.

Nightly evening aarti prayers by Lake Pushkar

In a colourful ceremony, evening aarti prayers are carried out on the shore of Lake Pushkar every night, with flaming torches, chanting and music.

Pushkar - an entrancing mix of the sacred and the profane

Indian festivals seem to attract almost as many traders as they do pilgrims. Sometimes it is locals, making the most of their one yearly opportunity, other times it will be professional traders and businesses coming to town.

Everyone will find interesting ways to make some money

At the Pushkar Mela you will find a number of people dressed up as religious figures, including children painted blue dressed as Shiva, in order to collect donations from pilgrims. Some are just local children, but others might be part of organised gangs.

Five-legged cows: one of the strange sights of Pushkar

In Pushkar you will see people with 'lucky' five-legged cows that are considered auspicious and used to tout for donations. This is said to be the result of a condition called polymelia, and cows with extra limbs are traded for vast amounts of money as they promise a lucrative income/

Musicians and dancers to entertain the pilgrims

You will see a large number of entertainers all around Pushkar: attracted by the huge number of pilgrims. Some will be playing traditional instruments others will be more contemporary. It all adds to the excitement of vibrancy of being at an Indian festival.

Photographing The Pushkar Camel Fair: what to expect?

A photographers guide to the Pushkar Mela

When is the Pushkar Mela?

Camels in the desert surrounding Pushkar at Sunset

Giant funfair in the desert at the Pushkar Mela

Join camel drovers for morning chai at the Pushkar Mela

Join camel drovers for morning chai at the Pushkar Mela

Camels, camels everywhere, but not a drop to drink

People will go to any lengths to look after their camels

A decorated camel is an auspicious camel

A camels got to eat: and will eat a lot

People will go to any lengths to look good themselves

Rajasthan is the land of the turban

Cleaning up after camels - where there's muck there's brass

Ash-covered sadhu sitting in a lakeside ashram

Sadhus are an ancient tradition in a modern world

Naked sadhus, covered only in the ash from sacred fires

Some of the sadhus will perform interesting tricks

Not all of the sadhus are naked – or Indian

Nightly evening aarti prayers by Lake Pushkar

Pushkar - an entrancing mix of the sacred and the profane

Everyone will find interesting ways to make some money

Five-legged cows: one of the strange sights of Pushkar

Musicians and dancers to entertain the pilgrims

Ultimate Rajasthan Pushkar festival photo tour

Impressions of Rajasthan

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