Pushkar Camel Fair 2026: Dates, Events, Travel and Stay Guide
Pushkar Camel Fair 2026 is listed from 17 to 24 November. Here is what happens when, how to get there, where to stay and how to make the most of it.
Pushkar Camel Fair 2026 is listed by Incredible India from Tuesday, 17 November to Tuesday, 24 November 2026, ending on Kartik Purnima, the full moon when pilgrims take a holy dip in Pushkar Sarovar. Livestock trading usually starts a few days earlier on the sand dunes, and the cultural programme (camel races, moustache contests, folk music) fills the main week. This guide gives you the verified dates, what happens on which days, how to reach Pushkar, where to stay, rough budgets and practical tips for a first visit.
Key Takeaways
- Dates: 17 to 24 November 2026 per Incredible India; some travel sites say 17 to 25 November. Rajasthan Tourism publishes the final programme closer to the fair.
- Kartik Purnima falls on Tuesday, 24 November 2026; the Purnima tithi runs from 11:42 PM on 23 November to 8:23 PM on 24 November (New Delhi, Drik Panchang).
- Go early in the week for camels and trading on the dunes; go late in the week for the pilgrimage crowd and the full-moon snan.
- The nearest railway station is Ajmer, about 15 km away; the nearest major airport is Jaipur, roughly 150 km by road.
- Entry to the fairground is free. Pushkar is a holy town: no meat, eggs or alcohol in the main town area.
Updated October 2026. Dates are taken from the official Incredible India event page and the Drik Panchang Purnima calendar. Check the Rajasthan Tourism programme before booking non-refundable travel.
Pushkar Mela 2026: Quick Answer
| Detail | 2026 information |
|---|---|
| Fair dates | 17 to 24 November 2026 (Incredible India listing) |
| Main holy day | Kartik Purnima, Tuesday 24 November 2026 |
| Location | Pushkar, Ajmer district, Rajasthan; mela ground and dunes on the west side of town |
| Entry fee | Free for the fairground and events listed as open; activities like balloon rides and camel safaris are paid |
| Nearest railway station | Ajmer Junction (about 15 km) |
| Nearest airports | Jaipur International Airport (about 150 km); Kishangarh Airport is closer for limited flights |
| Weather | Warm days, cool nights; carry a jacket for evenings and early mornings |
The Incredible India Pushkar Camel Fair page shows the 17 to 24 November window and lists the main events. The fair follows the lunar calendar, so its dates move each year with Kartik Purnima; you can confirm the full-moon timing on the Drik Panchang Purnima calendar for 2026.
What Makes the Pushkar Fair Special
The fair is two events in one. The first is one of the largest livestock fairs in India, where herders from across Rajasthan and neighbouring states bring camels, horses and cattle to trade. The second is a religious gathering: Pushkar is home to one of the very few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma, and bathing in Pushkar Sarovar on Kartik Purnima is considered especially auspicious. Over the decades, the state has added a cultural programme for visitors, which is why you now see competitions, folk performances and hot air balloons alongside the trading.
Events and What to See
The official listing mentions these highlights. Exact days are fixed in the final programme.
| Event | What it is | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Camel trading on the dunes | Herders camp with decorated camels; buying, selling and bargaining | Go at sunrise when the light is soft and the camps are active |
| Camel parades and races | Decorated camels paraded and raced at the mela ground | Arrive early for a spot near the barricades |
| Camel beauty contest and camel dance | Owners show off decorated camels and trained dancing camels | Usually in the afternoon programme |
| Moustache competition | Men with long, styled moustaches compete | Popular with photographers; ask before close-up shots |
| Matka Phod and tug of war | Pot-breaking and team games, sometimes with visitors joining in | Fun for groups |
| Bridal competition | Participants dressed as Rajasthani brides | Check the day in the programme |
| Folk music and dance | Kalbelia, Ghoomar and other Rajasthani performances, puppet shows | Evenings at the mela ground |
| Hot air balloon rides | Balloon flights over the dunes | Book ahead and check the operator’s safety record |
| Kartik Purnima snan and deepdaan | Holy dip at the ghats, lamps floated on the lake | Very crowded; go before sunrise or after the peak |
Day-Wise Plan: When to Go
If you want camels and photographs
Arrive two or three days before 17 November, or on the first days of the fair. The trading camps are at their fullest early on. By the last days, many herders have sold their animals and left.
If you want the religious side
Be in Pushkar on 23 and 24 November. The evening aarti at the ghats, lamps on the lake and the pre-dawn snan on Kartik Purnima are the spiritual peak. Expect very large crowds and road restrictions around the lake.
A sample three-day itinerary
- Day 1: Arrive by noon. Walk the ghats and Brahma temple in the afternoon. Sunset from Savitri Mata temple hill (ropeway available) for a view over the lake and fairground.
- Day 2: Sunrise at the camel camps on the dunes. Morning competitions at the mela ground. Afternoon rest. Evening folk performances.
- Day 3: Early camel cart or short camel safari into the dunes. Shopping in the main bazaar for leather, silver and textiles. Leave after lunch, or stay on for the Purnima if your dates match.
How to Reach Pushkar
| Mode | Route | Time and notes |
|---|---|---|
| Train | To Ajmer Junction, then taxi or bus to Pushkar | About 30 to 45 minutes by road from Ajmer; Ajmer has good connections from Delhi, Jaipur, Ahmedabad and Mumbai |
| Air | Fly to Jaipur, then drive | About 3 hours by road; Kishangarh Airport is closer but has fewer flights |
| Road from Jaipur | Via Ajmer on the national highway | Roughly 3 hours by car |
| Road from Delhi | Via Jaipur and Ajmer | About 7 to 8 hours; break the journey in Jaipur |
| Road from Udaipur or Jodhpur | State highways | About 4 to 5 hours |
The IRCTC booking window is 60 days, so trains to Ajmer for fair week may already be heavily booked. Try Tatkal (opens one day before travel) or travel to Jaipur and continue by road.
Where to Stay
- Tent camps near the mela ground: Rajasthan Tourism and private operators set up camps during the fair, from basic Swiss tents to luxury tents with attached bathrooms. Closest to the action.
- Guest houses and hotels in Pushkar town: Walkable to the ghats and bazaar. Rates rise sharply during fair week; book early.
- Ajmer: More rooms and lower prices, with a 30 to 45 minute drive each way. A good fallback if Pushkar is full.
- Heritage resorts on the outskirts: Quieter, with transport to the fair. Good for families.
Rough Budget for Three Days
Per-person ranges for a three-night trip, excluding travel to Ajmer or Jaipur. Fair-week rates vary a lot, so use these only for planning.
| Item | Budget | Mid-range | Comfort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stay per night | Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,500 | Rs 3,500 to Rs 8,000 | Rs 12,000 and above (luxury tents) |
| Food per day | Rs 400 to Rs 700 | Rs 800 to Rs 1,500 | Rs 2,000 and above |
| Local transport and activities | Rs 500 to Rs 1,000 | Rs 2,000 to Rs 4,000 | Balloon ride extra |
| Approximate total (3 nights) | Rs 6,000 to Rs 12,000 | Rs 15,000 to Rs 35,000 | Rs 50,000 and above |
Practical Tips for First-Time Visitors
Respect the town’s rules
- Pushkar is a pilgrimage town. Meat, eggs and alcohol are not served in the main town area. Do not try to bring them in.
- Remove shoes near the ghats and temples. Do not take photos of people bathing.
- Be wary of anyone at the ghats who hands you flowers and asks you to do a puja, then demands a large “donation”. Politely decline if you did not plan for it.
On the dunes
- Ask herders before photographing them or their camels, and accept a no. A small payment is often expected for posed photos; agree it first.
- Keep a safe distance from camels and horses, especially near races. Animals can kick or bolt.
- Wear closed shoes, a hat and sunglasses; the sand is hot in the afternoon and dusty all day.
- Carry a scarf or mask for dust, and lip balm.
Money and connectivity
- UPI works at most shops, but carry cash for camel rides, small stalls and tips.
- Mobile data slows down in crowds. Download offline maps and save your hotel’s number.
- Book camel safaris and balloon rides through your hotel or a known operator, not touts at the gate.
Health
Drink bottled or filtered water, eat at busy places, and carry basic medicines. Anyone with asthma or dust allergy should carry their inhaler; consult your doctor before travel if you have a health condition.
Photography guide
- Golden hours: The best light on the dunes is in the first hour after sunrise and the last hour before sunset.
- Lens: A mid-range zoom works for both portraits and wide camp scenes. Protect your camera from sand.
- Drones: Drone flying is regulated and often restricted at crowded events. Check rules and get permission before flying.
- Be a guest: Spend time talking before you shoot. The best portraits come after a cup of chai, not a quick click.
Beyond the fair: what else to see nearby
If you have an extra day, Ajmer is close enough for a half-day visit. The Ajmer Sharif Dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti draws pilgrims of every faith, and Ana Sagar lake is pleasant in the evening. Kishangarh, on the way to Jaipur, is known for its miniature painting tradition and marble market. In Pushkar itself, the quieter ghats on the far side of the lake, away from the main Brahma Ghat, are good for a calm morning walk once the fair crowds thin out. Book these as separate half-days rather than squeezing them into fair days, because traffic around Pushkar is slow during the mela.
Who should skip fair week
The fair is loud, dusty and crowded, and prices are at their highest. If you dislike crowds, are travelling with an infant, or have respiratory problems, visit Pushkar in December or January instead. The town, lake and temples are just as beautiful, rooms cost much less, and you can still find camel safaris on the dunes. You will miss the competitions and the scale of the trading camps, but you will see the town at a gentler pace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the Pushkar Camel Fair 2026 dates?
Incredible India lists 17 to 24 November 2026. Some travel sites give 17 to 25 November. The fair ends around Kartik Purnima, which is on Tuesday, 24 November 2026.
Which is the best day to visit the Pushkar fair?
For camels and trading, the first two or three days. For the pilgrimage and holy dip, 23 and 24 November. If you can, spend three days so you see both.
Is there an entry fee for the Pushkar fair?
The official listing shows no ticket for the fair itself. Activities such as camel safaris, balloon rides and some seated events may be paid.
How far is Pushkar from Ajmer and Jaipur?
Pushkar is about 15 km from Ajmer, around 30 to 45 minutes by road, and roughly 150 km from Jaipur, around 3 hours by car.
Can I buy a camel at the fair?
Trading is real and happens between herders and buyers, but buying and transporting animals involves rules and permissions. Visitors usually come to watch, not to buy.
Is the Pushkar fair safe for families and solo women?
Yes, with normal precautions. Stay in central or well-reviewed camps, avoid isolated dunes after dark, keep valuables close in crowds and agree prices before any ride or service.
Book the Dates, Then Pack for Dust
Lock your stay first, since rooms and tents fill quickly, then fix transport to Ajmer or Jaipur. Decide whether you want the camel camps early in the week or the Purnima at the end, and build three days around it. Pack layers, closed shoes and a scarf, keep some cash handy, and give yourself time to simply sit on a dune at sunset and watch the fair go by. Check the final Rajasthan Tourism programme a week before you leave, because competition days and timings are fixed late and can shift.
