The Pushkar Camel Fair 2025 one of India’s most celebrated and colorful festivals is set to return to Rajasthan’s sacred desert town from October 30 to November 5, 2025. Known locally as the Pushkar Mela or Pushkar Cattle Fair, it remains one of the world’s largest gatherings of camels, traders, devotees, and travelers.
With its blend of spirituality, tradition, and spectacle, the fair draws visitors from across India and abroad some for trade, others for photography, and many simply for the experience.
The Spirit of Pushkar Fair 2025
The Pushkar Mela takes place every year during the full moon (Kartik Purnima) of the Hindu lunar month of Kartik. Legend says Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, performed a sacred ritual at Pushkar Lake on this day giving the town its divine aura.
For devotees, bathing in the holy lake during the fair is believed to cleanse sins and grant blessings. For others, the event captures rural Rajasthan at its most vivid thousands of camels and horses, folk dances, fairs, food, and music all unfolding under the desert sky.
What to Expect in 2025
This year’s edition promises a packed mix of religious rituals, camel trading, cultural performances, and rural games. Around 30,000 camels and livestock are expected to gather, turning the sand dunes into a living carnival.
The first four days will focus on cattle trading and traditional competitions, while the remaining days bring spiritual ceremonies, music, and entertainment.
Official Dates: October 30- November 5, 2025
Full Schedule and Key Events
Day 1 – October 30 (Thursday)
- Flag hoisting and Nagada Vadan at the mela ground
- Mandana art competition and school dance performances
- Chak De Rajasthan football match (locals vs. foreigners)
Evening Maha Aarti, Deepdaan, and Voice of Pushkar cultural show
Day 2 – October 31 (Friday)
- Traditional rural games: Langri Taang, Gilli Danda
- Camel Decoration and Camel Dance competitions
- Evening folk performances and cultural troupes
Day 3 – November 1 (Saturday)
- Kabaddi match (locals vs. foreigners)
- Horse Dance competition and rural sports
- Folk and fusion music night featuring bands like Kabir Café
Day 4 – November 2 (Sunday)
- Morning spiritual walk and devotional procession
- Inauguration of the Food & Craft Festival at Shilpgram
- Evening Maha Aarti and “Best of Rajasthan” cultural showcase
Day 5 – November 3 (Monday)
- Lagaan -style cricket match and rural sports finals
- Turban-tying and moustache competitions for visitors
- Bollywood Night featuring Roop Kumar Rathod and Sonali Rathod
Day 6 – November 4 (Tuesday)
- Matka race and musical chair for women participants
- Ramayan stage performance by Shri Baneshwari Kala Kendra
- Kavi Sammelan (poetry evening)
Day 7 – November 5 (Wednesday)
- Closing ceremony and prize distribution
- Camel and horse show finale
- Grand Maha Aarti at Pushkar Lake to mark the conclusion
Travel Tips
- Nearest Airport: Kishangarh (40 km) or Jaipur (150 km)
- Nearest Railway Station: Ajmer (11 km), well-connected to major cities
- Where to Stay: Pushkar offers a range from desert camps to boutique stays; book early as accommodation fills fast during the fair.
- What to Carry: Light cottons for the day, warm layers for the desert night, comfortable footwear, and a good camera sunsets here are spectacular.