Famous religious Pushkar Fair begins

The world renowned annual Pushkar fair began here today amid the traditional Pooja and flag hoisting at Mela ground in Pushkar town of Ajmer district.
After the traditional opening ceremony, several activities were organised for tourist, including football match, sand art display and adventure activities, Sanjay Johri, Deputy Director Tourism department-Ajmer said.
During the festival from November 8-14, the touristwill get to witness the largest cattlefairof the country as well as cultural and musical events in thefair for which the tourism department has lined up a number of activities and events.
Traditional games like Sitoliya, Langdi Tang and others are also the highlights of the festival.

Other activities like camel dance, camel decoration, spiritual walk, kite flying demonstration, moustache competition, turban tying, musical and cultural performance are also the part of the noted festival.
During thefair, lakhs of people from rural parts of the country flock to the holy town ofPushkar, along with camel and cattle for several days of livestock trading, horse dealing and pilgrimage.

According to the Hindu chronology, thefairtakes place in the month of Kartika beginning on 'ashtmi' - 8th day of Lunar Calendar and continues till full moon ('Poornima').
The cattle trading is at its peak during the first half of festival period.

During the latter half, religious activities dominate the scenario. Devotees take dips in the holySarovarlake, as the sacred water is known to bestow salvation.