Pushkar Mela

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Pushkar Mela
The Pushkar Fair, or Pushkar ka Mela, is the world`s
largest camel fair held in the holy town of Pushkar in the
state of Rajasthan of India. Held annually on the banks of
Lake Pushkar in Rajasthan. It is celebrated on Kartika
Purnima during October- November for twelve days.
Pushkar is the only place in India where Brahma is
worshipped in a living shrine.Brahma, the Creator, was
cursed by Shiva not to be worshipped. Though there is no cult of Brahma, he is invoked in all
the major and minor sacred ceremonies.
The Pushkar lake is believed to have had a miraculous origin and Brahma performed a Yajan on
its banks. According to a legend, a demon called Vajra Nabha, living at Pushkar had killed the
children of Brahma. In revenge, Brahma killed him with a lotus stalk. As he did so, petals from
the lotus flower fell at three places in Pushkar where three lakes arose, J yeshtha the main one,
Madhyama the middle one and Kanishtha, the middle one.
Brahma decided to perform the yajna at Pushkar on Kartika Purnima. He invited devas and the
sages. All was set for the worship and the auspicious hour was drawing near but there was no
sign of Brahma`s wife, Savitri. Brahma was growing nervous and repeatedly sent for her but did
not arrive on time. A religious ceremony could not be performed without a wife. Fearing that the
auspicious hour would soon be over, he quickly married a local girl Gayatri, who was grazing her
cattle nearby. The yajna was in full swing when Savitri arrived for the ceremony. Seeing another
woman in her place, Savitri flew into a rage and cursed all the devas and sages present at the
ceremony. She left for her hill-top shrine from where till today she has not come down. To
counteract the effect of the shraap (curse) Brahma, quickly created another goddess called Shraap-
Mohini and asked everyone present to have her darshan, so that they were freed from Savitri`s
curse. Shrap-Mohini has a temple on top of a hill facing that of Savitri.
The festival at Pushkar goes on for a whole week and
attracts great crowds, particularly from Rajasthan. It is
mainly a camel fair and camels are brought from all over
to be sold. The beautifully attired men and women, and
the singing and dancing are an added attraction. The
small sleepy village of Pushkar is suddenly transformed
into fairyland, full of colour and music, which is enhanced
by the brightest full moon night of the year when jal puja
(worship of water) takes place. In memory of deceased
relatives, hundreds of lamps are set afloat after the
evening prayers. On the main day of the fair, people
bathe in the holy Pushkar lake and then worship at the temple of Brahma. Actually, Brahma`s
idol is there, only because of his wife Gayatri. She refused to have a shrine dedicated to her,
unless Brahma also had his shrine there.
Pushkar Mela
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Competitions such as the "matka phod", "moustache", and "bridal competition" are the main draws
for this fair which attracts thousands of tourists. Horse and cattle shows are held and is an
occasion for vigorous trade in camels, bullocks and horses. A bath in the lake and worship at
the temple of Brahma is said to give one salvation.
More...
Gangasagar Mela J walamukhi Mela Kumbha Mela
Kartikai Festival Kurukshetra Mela Magha Mela
Pushkar Mela
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