The Pushkar Camel Fair is held in Rajasthan, India in November each year. It coincides with the Kartik Purnima full moon celebrations. Many travel books tell you it is a must-do life experience, and I can confirm this from my last visit.

We check into an obscure hotel where I am greeted with a list of things I cannot do in the hotel including no drinking and no spitting. No spitting is not a problem but no drinking! The hotel pool looks like it has not seen water in a decade or two. However, swimming is not on my agenda. My exercise will be in the form of walking for eight hours a day.

The Whinging Pome Random Rule No.320,  "Walking is the best way to see and enjoy a city“.

There are 52 ghats, where people bathe prior to visiting the many temples around the Lake. The Brahma Temple is the only one in the world dedicated to Lord Brahma. The crowds, the atmosphere and the excitement all co-exist in disorganized chaos with the kaleidoscope of colour. 

In the midst of all these are the hippie dropout types from around the world, enjoying a cheap chilled living. 

Shahnawaz my friend and travel buddy is on his eighth visit to the fair. He tells me all about the temples and historic buildings, We head off to join the camels and the sunset passing the massive fairground full of big wheels, rollercoasters, waltzing chairs, a circus, stalls, shooting galleries and more. It is one of the biggest fairgrounds I've ever seen, but I am not however into fairgrounds. We pass food stalls, indulging in more bites and nibbles and street food. Women in amazing saris, holy cows, children dressed like mini gods, and kids walking on tight ropes.

The largest Camel gathering in India. Sadly their legs are tied up to stop them from wandering off when “off duty”, a practice that has been going on for centuries but looks cruel. They get cranky and agitated, especially by the masses of big balloons carrying tourists above the fair. 

Back at my luxury hotel, I open the padlock on my door, check there are no unwanted visitors in my room, and switch off the fan which I have left on to keep the room cool. I am blessed, as there is hot water. What a treat I think to myself, but I am quickly unblessed, as I cannot use the towel. It’s as stiff as a board.

In the evening we walk through the town again, delighting in an outdoor concert, which gives us three hours of Indian dance and music.

This town and event attracts a lot of foreign tourists. So get your diary out, November 8 to 15th, is the fair. I may see you there.