Pushkar ka Mela is many things to visitors: a pilgrimage for the faithful, a sporting event and dance competition for the camels, a market for the farmers and an explosion of colour and culture for the fans. If it’s camels trading you’re after, then turn up before the festival begins, as this is when most of the bartering, haggling and deal-making takes place, proceeding this expect to be drawn into the sandy dunes by bright colours, from face paints to turbans, traditional dresses to the ostentatious and beguiling camel outfits (which also include face paint).

Dancing Camels + Ferris Wheel

This Kartik Purnima full moon affair kicks off with a camel race and is followed by music performances, camel dance competitions (where the camels do the dancing), hot air balloon rides for a full view of the camels in the surrounding dunes, a bazaar with an array of everything colourful and traditional in clothes and textiles for humans or camels, plus a go on the Ferris wheel.

Turban-Tying Contest

Visitors should expect to be treated as both friends and competition, with fair football matches, tug of war and turban tying competitions, which pit locals and guests against one another.

Moustache Madness

Westerners may be sceptical about the merits of this particular event, but the facial hair on show here, and the crowds that it draws should be enough of a cultural appeal for anyone even those not interested in whiskers. Participants boast crumb catchers, which could double as skipping ropes, meters long and tied in a bun on their face when they’re not being exhibited.

Pushkar Fair is a camel-run-sport-dance-off + Ferris wheel + whisker contests in Thar Desert!