Pushkar, a town in Ajmer District has an atmosphere of an ancient religious town and is famous for Brahma Temple, thousands of pilgrims come to the bathe in the holy waters of the Pushkar Lake. According to legends, the lake appeared miraculously on the spot, where petals of a lotus blossom fell from the hands of the Lord Brahma, the creator.
For 12 days in the month of Kartik, it is transformed into a spectacular fair ground. The fair is overwhelming in its magnitude and in its visual impact. Beautiful camels raced and paraded are also brought and sold. Gaily canopied booths selling snacks, sweetmeats, ice crushes, bangles, brassware, cloth and camel saddles and halters are a photographer’s delight.
In the evening, the entire atmosphere reverberates with the ringing of bells. At night, hundreds of small oil lamps placed on green leaves set the lake alight. Floated by worshippers after the aarti puja, this act is called 'deepdan'.
Visitors Profile
Foot fall
Rural
Urban
5 Lacs
79%
21%
Pushkar Fair
State
Location
Dates
Duration
Rajasthan
Pushkar
1st to 5th Nov
5Days
Kota Mela
The two-week long festival starts from the day of Dusshera. This festival is famous in Rajasthan for enjoyment and shopping. This festival is organized by the local administration and draws huge crowd from all over Rajasthan. Around 500 stalls are fabricated in a huge ground dedicated to the Dusshera festival. Giant wheels, Merry go rounds are a part of this festival. A Handicraft and cattle fair run parallel to the festival.
Kota Mela
State
Location
Dates
Duration
Rajasthan
Kota
9th- 19th Oct
11Days
Visitors Profile
Foot fall
Rural
Urban
8 Lacs
68%
32%
Sonepur Mela
“Sonepur Mela”- Asia’s fantastic and largest cattle fair is held at Sonepur, on the banks of the River Ganga. The month long fair is held on the full moon day of Kartik and all manners of domestic and farm animals, decorated for the occasion swarm the venue are bought and sold. It is one of the most ancient fairs in India and also steeped in mythology and folklore. During this month long festival, over 10 million people from all over Bihar and neighboring states visit this festival. The mammoth size of the festival makes it marketing heaven for diverse brands.
Sonpur Mela
State
Location
Dates
Duration
Bihar
Sonpur
1st Nov to 30 Nov
30Days
Visitors Profile
Foot fall
Rural
Urban
50Lacs
85%
15%
Kullu Dusshera
Dussehra’s 9 days of festivities begin on the first day of the Hindu month of Ashwin. This is held in honor of Raghunath ji, whose image resides at the Raghunathpura mountain temple. Surrounded by about 200 other important gods hung with elaborate garlands, he looks absolutely splendid. Brahmin and VIP’s take him in a Rath that is first circled. Next there’s a mad scramble as everyone tries to help pull it, since this privilege is considered a symbol of good fortune.
Men, women young and old flock to Kullu from surrounding hilltops and states to Kullu Valley to celebrate the festival. Parallel to the festival Distt. Administration celebrates the festival by organising cultural activities. National and International Celebrities perform in this cultural show.
Kullu Mela
State
Location
Dates
Duration
Himachal Pradesh
Kullu
17 -25 Oct
9Days
Visitors Profile
Foot fall
Rural
Urban
5Lacs
60%
40%
Bali Yatra
Kartik Purnima is the day when the famous Baliyatra (voyage to Bali) is celebrated. Ancient Orissa had a glorious maritime tradition in which merchants from Kalinga sailed to distant lands like Java, Sumatra, Indonesia and Srilanka. The merchants, known as Sadhabas, were said to have set out on their voyages after a ritual worship and offerings and prayers by their womenfolk for their safe journey. Therefore, for the Oriyas, this day is a nostalgic remembrance of their seafaring ancestors. To recapitulate this ancient tradition, most port towns observe the elaborate Boita Bandana (worship of boats) ceremony. Invariably fairs and exhibitions are also a part of these celebrations. The most colorful and grand fair is of course held in the silver city of Cuttack. Traders from all over the State flock to Cuttack to participate in the Baliyatra held near the ancient Barabati Fort. This 7 - 9 day event has now become a largest trade fair in Orissa.
