Pushkar Camel Fair: Dates, What to Expect and How to Plan Around It

The Pushkar Camel Fair turns a small, quiet lake town into one of Rajasthan's most distinctive travel experiences for a short window each year.

Fair dates and significance The fair is timed to the Hindu calendar month of Kartik, typically falling in October or November, culminating around Kartik Purnima with ritual bathing in Pushkar Lake — so the fair combines a genuine religious occasion with a livestock trading event and, in recent years, a cultural festival with competitions and performances.

What actually happens day to day Traders bring in thousands of camels, cattle and horses to buy, sell and show off, alongside a mela ground with rides, stalls and folk performances. Early mornings are best for photographing the camel trading itself, before the day's crowds and heat build up.

Combining with a Rajasthan circuit Pushkar sits close enough to Jaipur, Udaipur and Jaisalmer to fold into a wider Rajasthan trip rather than a standalone visit — most travellers add on 1–2 nights around a longer circuit.

Booking tips for peak dates Accommodation in Pushkar itself sells out well in advance of the fair, and prices rise sharply for the fair week specifically, so lock in stays as early as possible if these exact dates matter to your trip.

We don't run a dedicated Pushkar Fair package, but our Jaisalmer and Udaipur–Mount Abu itineraries cover the wider Rajasthan circuit — get in touch if you'd like a Pushkar stop added around the fair dates.