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Thousands take holy dip in Pushkar Lake on Kartik Ekadashi
Ajmer, Nov 04: Amidst chanting of Vedic mantras and ringing of temple bells thousands of devotees today took a dip in holy lake to mark the formal beginning of world famous annual Pushkar Fair.
Ajmer, Nov 04: Amidst chanting of Vedic mantras and ringing of temple bells thousands of devotees today took a dip in holy lake to mark the formal beginning of world famous annual Pushkar Fair.
Braving the early morning chill devotees arrived from neighbouring areas in wee hours to have Kartik Ekadashi bath in the sacred pushkar lake, nearly 11 km from here.
The fair, which attracts devotees and tourists from India and abroad, concludes on November 08 with pilgrims taking the Holy Kartik Poornima bath at the lake. Rural markets have sprung up in and around Pushkar town where village artisans displaying several items, including blankets, shawls, durries, garments, bangles, silver ornaments and decoration materials for domestic animals.
The fair is famous for the animal fair, wherein people from various parts of the country like Maharashtra, Punjab and Gujarat come to by and sell animals. Breeders have brought over 20,000 animals, mostly camels, to the fair, official sources said, adding despite last year's drought, animals worth Rs three crore were sold here.
The state industry department has hosted its annual "industry craft fair", but another regular feature the state-organised development exhibition is conspicuous by its absence, in view of the model code of conduct enforced for the forthcoming assembly elections, official sources said. Foreign tourists, keen to have a glimpse of rural life in India, make a beeline for the Pushkar Fair.
Rajasthan State Tourism Development Corporation and private hoteliers have made arrangements to provide accommodation to about 2,000 tourists, the sources said.
Bureau Report
The fair, which attracts devotees and tourists from India and abroad, concludes on November 08 with pilgrims taking the Holy Kartik Poornima bath at the lake. Rural markets have sprung up in and around Pushkar town where village artisans displaying several items, including blankets, shawls, durries, garments, bangles, silver ornaments and decoration materials for domestic animals.
The fair is famous for the animal fair, wherein people from various parts of the country like Maharashtra, Punjab and Gujarat come to by and sell animals. Breeders have brought over 20,000 animals, mostly camels, to the fair, official sources said, adding despite last year's drought, animals worth Rs three crore were sold here.
The state industry department has hosted its annual "industry craft fair", but another regular feature the state-organised development exhibition is conspicuous by its absence, in view of the model code of conduct enforced for the forthcoming assembly elections, official sources said. Foreign tourists, keen to have a glimpse of rural life in India, make a beeline for the Pushkar Fair.
Rajasthan State Tourism Development Corporation and private hoteliers have made arrangements to provide accommodation to about 2,000 tourists, the sources said.
Bureau Report