Just before leaving Tara pointed out that a gentleman we
saw on our way out of the fort was the 26th generation owner of the
fort…direct descendant of the person who was given the fort by the
maharaja.
We then were off on our long bumpy drive to Pushkar.
Not long after arrival we boarded camel carts for our ride down to the camel and horse fair.
The Pushkar Fair is a five day camel and livestock fair, one of the largest in the world. It has been in existence for 100 years. About 200,000 people attend every year. Men buy and sell their livestock, which includes camels, cows, sheep and goats.
The women go to the stalls, full of bracelets, clothes, textiles and fabrics.
Not long after arrival we boarded camel carts for our ride down to the camel and horse fair.
The Pushkar Fair is a five day camel and livestock fair, one of the largest in the world. It has been in existence for 100 years. About 200,000 people attend every year. Men buy and sell their livestock, which includes camels, cows, sheep and goats.
The women go to the stalls, full of bracelets, clothes, textiles and fabrics.
While walking though the markets Tara took time to hand out more goodies to the women and young children.
In addition to thousands (reported to be about 50,000) of camels we saw many of the Marwari horses, an Indian breed of horses. They were lovely horses but what made them very interesting was that the ears tended to turn inward at the tip. From some angles the ears look like the form a heart. We were all enamored with them.
In fact, so enamored, as most of us were looking at the three horses below, Jessica noticed a herd of camels passing right behind us.
In addition to thousands (reported to be about 50,000) of camels we saw many of the Marwari horses, an Indian breed of horses. They were lovely horses but what made them very interesting was that the ears tended to turn inward at the tip. From some angles the ears look like the form a heart. We were all enamored with them.
In fact, so enamored, as most of us were looking at the three horses below, Jessica noticed a herd of camels passing right behind us.
After seeing more than enough camels we walked through
the fair and part of Pushkar before ending up at the Brahma Temple. There are very few temples anywhere in the
world to Lord Brahma, the Creator of the World in Hinduism. Looked much like most of the other Hindu
temples we have seen. We decided to pass on this temple since we had seen so many throughout the trip and had some ice cream instead.
Then it was on to Pushkar Lake in time for celebration of
Kartik Poornima (also called Deva Deepawali).
While waiting for the ceremonies to start some pilgrims decided that they wanted to have their picture taken with the group of Americans. Paul was singled out to hold the little one.
It is a festival of lights celebrated on 15th lunar day of
Kartika (November/December) of the lunar calendar. It was possible to see lights (oil lamps and
braziers) all around the lake.
 |
| Pushkar Lake |
We had very good seats (again thanks to persistent Tara) with a view of much of the ceremony. In the pool directly in front of us one gentleman was in the water setting up some lily pads with marigold petals...
And another group was setting out a lot of food offerings.
And they were lighting up oil lamps and braziers in the area directly in front of us.
The festivities started in earnest after dark with songs and candle lighting.
Mary spied one person carrying a sword and clad only in a saffron shawl draped across his shoulders and over strategic body parts. His role in the ceremony was unclear but Mary thinks he was a participant.
The festivities started in earnest after dark with songs and candle lighting.
Mary spied one person carrying a sword and clad only in a saffron shawl draped across his shoulders and over strategic body parts. His role in the ceremony was unclear but Mary thinks he was a participant.
After the festivals we stopped in a silver shop for a
bathroom break and Karen bought some earrings.
Shopping never ends.
Previous
Next
No comments:
Post a Comment