Pushkar fair

Arrive Delhi

Arrive Delhi and transfer to your hotel.

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New Delhi, India’s capital city, with a thousand years of history is a city of contrasts that combines a unique ambience of the ancient and the modern. An orderly plan of wide roads lined with sturdy colonial buildings, which was established soon after the Imperial capital of British India moved here from Calcutta in 1911.

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Overnight at Hotel

In Delhi

After breakfast full day sightseeing tour of Old and New Delhi. In Old Delhi drive past Chandni Chowk- the crowded bazaar (silver street ) of old Delhi and the Red Fort- Built in 1648, this sprawling fort of red sand stones along the river Yamuna is surrounded by a wall of about 2.4 km in circumference. It was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. This will be followed by rickshaw ride in the lanes and by lanes of old Delhi which also takes you through the spice market. An interesting ride is an eye opener to many. It was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan. Later visit Jama Masjid (Mosque),Built by the Mughal Emperor Shahjahan, the Jama Masjid is the largest and one of the most magnificent mosques in India. After this visit Raj Ghat, memorial of Mahatma Gandhi (Father of the Nation).

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Lunch at a city restaurant / hotel on direct payment basis After lunch, sightseeing of New Delhi. Visit Qutab Minar, a soaring 73 m-high tower of victory, built in 1193 by Qutab-ud-din Aibak immediately after the defeat of Delhi's last Hindu kingdom. The tower has five distinct storey’s, each marked by a projecting balcony and tapers from a 15 m diameter at the base to just 2.5 m at the top and Sikh temple (Bangla Sahib), Humanyun’s Tomb and drive past Parliament House, India Gate, President Estate.

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Overnight at Hotel

Delhi to Ajmer (Train)

In time transfer to board train from New Delhi railway station.

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Depart New Delhi - 0605 hrs Arrive Ajmer - 1245 hrs

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Ajmer, situated in the green oasis wrapped in the barren hills; it has been a witness to an interesting past. The city was founded by Raja Ajay Pal Chauhan in the 7th Century AD & continued to be a major center of the Chauhan power till 1193 A.D. when Prithviraj Chauhan lost it to Mohammed Ghauri. Since then, Ajmer became home to many dynasties which came & left leaving behind indelible marks of their culture & traditions on the city's history, converting it to an amalgam of various cultures & blend of Hinduism & Islam. We arrive Ajmer just around lunch time, then we drive to Pushkar to our hotel.

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Pushkar, is an enchanting small town located exactly on the edge of the desert but is separated from it by Nag Pahar, the Snake Mountain. The town frequently visited by devotees lies to the side of the small Pushkar Lake with its multitude of bathing ghats & temples. It also holds the most unique fairs of its kind in the world. It is a combination of an animal fair & the religious fair. Both the fairs are enchanting & have their own unique aspects & quality. As per the Indian calendar, the fair is held in the first lunar cycle in the month of Kartik culminating on the Kartik Poornima (Full moon).

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Overnight at Hotel

Pushkar Fair

Whole day visit of Pushkar Fair.

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Pushkar Fair The pulsating beats of vivid images of the Sacred Brahma land, Pushkar brings alive the rich tradition of Rajasthan enhancing the glory of the golden sand on the Spectacular Fair Ground in the month of Kartik (November month), with bedecked Camels, decorated cattle, adventure competitions, breathtaking events, jostling rustic crowds, meditating sadhus, holy dips, vivid stalls, exotic fair, colorful desert, so typical, so obvious that it can be nothing else but the Pushkar Fair. An amalgamation of a marvelous juxtaposition of commerce and devotion, Pushkar Fair is a lifetime experience in this Holy Land. Most people associate the Pushkar Fair with the world's largest camel fair. But it is much more than that. It is an occasion for villagers from far and near to gather together and enjoy a welcome break from their harsh life of the arid desert. And enjoy they do in dazzling style and colors.

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It is an occasion for Hindu pilgrims to converge for a holy dip in the sacred Pushkar Lake to "wash away the sins of a lifetime" and pay obeisance at the only Brahma temple in the world. The function of Brahma - creating the world - has been completed while Vishnu (the preserver) and Shiva (the destroyer) still have relevance to the continuing order of the universe. Brahma is also a God of the Aryan invaders and during Vedic times, his cult temporarily displaced the more ancient indigenous Shiva and Shakti cults. With the passing of the period of major Aryan influence, these deities reemerged in a more powerful manner than before.

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Cattle Trading

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Pushkar fair is synonymous to the cattle fair. So there are camels, horses, cows, goats, and sheep; all decked up to be sold and purchased. The proud cattle owners throng Pushkar, traveling across the golden sands of the various places in Rajasthan. There is bargaining, presence of several popular breeds and the parading of the well bred, highly decorated cattle. As is believed about Pushkar Fair, it is the world's largest camel fair.

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Competitions

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Talking about Pushkar Fair, the most striking feature is the cattle competition. Imagine the entire limelight on beautifully decorated cattle when they race their ways into the audiences' heart or the manner in which they play musical chairs. The Pushkar Fair watches the best-bedecked camel in parade winning the beauty contest. But the most hilarious competition of all makes large numbers of people sit on the camels back and usually fall down, of course! The camel that accommodates the maximum number of people on its back wins the competition.

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Stalls and Shopping

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During the Pushkar Fair, numerous make shift stalls offer a variety of items for the cattle and humans. For cattle, there are items ranging from saddles, saddle-straps and beads to strings of cowries. With so many women around at the Pushkar Fair can the jewellery and the garment stalls be far! Check out the colorfully clad women buying silver ornaments, bead necklaces from Nagaur and garments of patchwork, printed textiles from Ajmer and tie 'n' die fabric. That is not the end of fashion at the Pushkar Fair; there are beautiful body tattoos that you can get made as per your choice!

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Recreation

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The colorful culture of Rajasthan comes alive in the form of the folklores, music and dance performances besides the captivating turbans of the men. The bards and the poets enchant the

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audiences with the tales of gallantry. Cultural shows, exhibitions and movies add to the fun at the Pushkar Fair. Besides the celebrations of the Pushkar Fair, the town of Pushkar offers several places of tourist interest too like its temples, Pushkar Lake and ghats.

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Temples

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Pushkar boasts of the only temple in the world dedicated to Lord Brahma. Thus a visit to the Jagat Pita Shri Brahma Mandir is a must. Then there is the Savitri temple on the hilltop that you must take the hour-long trek to for the spectacular view of the Pushkar Lake that it offers. The Varah temple, Mahadeva temple and the Ramavaikunth temple are the other must visits in Pushkar. Here it is noteworthy that all the gods are believed to revisit Pushkar during the fair and bless their devotees.

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Lake and Ghats

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The sacred Pushkar Lake is believed to wash away the sins of a lifetime, cure several diseases and even bestow salvation! No doubt pilgrims travel from far to take a dip in the magical waters of the Pushkar Lake. There are as many as fifty-two bathing ghats that run down the Pushkar Lake that sees the devotees offering coconuts, flowers and cash to the lake and the priests.

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In the evenings the Pushkar lake, flooded with lighted earthen lamps that float on the holy waters like twinkling stars, offers a spectacular sight. The most auspicious day to be at Pushkar is considered to be the Kartik Purnima.

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Overnight at Hotel.

Pushkar to Jaipur (Surface)

Afternoon drive to Jaipur (150 Km / approx. 3 hours). On arrival check into your hotel.

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Evening at leisure or you can visit sound & light show at amber fort.

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Jaipur,the rose pink capital of rajasthan is surrounded on all sides by rugged hills, crowned with forts. Enclosed by battle scarred walls, the city was built early in the eighteenth century. Jaipur is aptly called the “pink city of india”. It takes its name from the famous maharaja sawai jai singh, who founded the city in 1728. Jaipur is noted for its craftsmen skilled in the art of cutting precious stones and is famed for its garnets and rubies. It is equally well known for brass inlay work, lacquer work and the printing of muslin.

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Overnight at the hotel

In Jaipur

After an early breakfast proceed for half day sightseeing . Visit the Amer Fort, the former capital of the Kachhwaha Rajputs on a hillside overlooking Maothalake, 11 km from Jaipur on the Delhi - Jaipur road. Also have the unique experience of traveling on elephant back to and from the top of the hill on which the fort is situated.

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Afternoon, proceed for sightseeing of City Palace. This is in the heart of the old city and is the former royal residence built in a blend of the Rajasthani and Mughal styles. Even today The City Palace is the principal residence of the ruling family. Also Visit JantarMantar A stone observatory. Largest of Jai Singh’s five remarkable observatories. Its complex instruments, whose setting and shapes. Also drive past the local bazaar.

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Enroute to City, photo stop at Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds. The monument was originally conceived with the aim of enabling ladies of the royal household to watch the everyday life and royal processions of the city.

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Overnight at the hotel

Jaipur to Agra via Fatehpur Sikri (Surface)

Morning drive to Agra (270Km / 6-7 Hrs), en route we will visit Fatehpur Sikri (Ghost Capital), the political capital of India's Mughal Empire under Akbar's reign, from 1571 until 1585, when it was abandoned, ostensibly due to lack of water.

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Further, we continue our drive to Agra, beautifully situated on the banks of river Yamuna. It achieved prominence as the capital of the Mughal Emperors from 1526 to 1628 and it remains a major tourist destination because of its many splendid Mughal-era monuments, most notably the Taj Mahal, Agra Fort & Fatehpur Sikri, all three of which are UNESCO World Heritage sites.

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Overnight at Hotel

In Agra

Today we visit Taj Mahal, symbol of eternal love, which stands on the banks of river Yamuna. It was built by the 5th Mughal emperor, Shah Jehan in the year 1631in memory of his wife, Mumtaz Mahal. It was completed in 22 years. Further, we visit Agra Fort, taken over from the Lodhis by the Mughal Emperor Akbar in the late 16th century. The Fort can be more accurately described as a walled palatial city. It was built from red sandstone, often inlaid with white marble & intricate decorations.

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We will also visit Itmad-Ud-Daulah's Tomb, built by Nur Jahan between 1622 and 1628. It belongs to the father of Nur Jahan, Ghiyas-ud-Din Beg. He was the Wazir (Chief Minister of Emperor Jehangir). This tomb was the first complete white marble Mughal structure.

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Overnight at the hotel

Agra to Delhi (Surface)

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Morning at leisure.

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Afternoon drive to Delhi (220Km / 4.5 Hrs) and transfer to international airport to board the flight for home.