The heat and dust at the mela ground here do not deter visitors. The annual Pushkar Fair has already seen over three lakh tourists in just three days and the number is expected to cross last year’s 4.5 lakh domestic and 9,000 foreigners.
Even though this traditional animal fair is now known internationally, the number of animals being traded here has been declining over the years.
This year a mere 8,500 animals were brought to the fair. A few hundred more are expected to arrive in the coming days. Last year there were 11,000 and over 14,000 in 2012.
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“This is happening for various reasons. With mechanisation, dependence on animals like camel and horses has reduced,” explains Vikram Singh, Director of Tourism.
Traditionally a religious fair held around the full moon night of Karthik month, the mela became a major trading point for animals because of the sheer number of visitors.
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While the number of animals declined over the years, the count of visitors increased exponentially. “Most of the tourists come here to enjoy the ambience and get a feel of rural life. Then there are nice temples and a lot to shop,” Mr. Singh told The Hindu . Rajasthan is full of colour which attracts people, he added.
The State government took over the mela around 1972 after which competitive events and cultural shows were added and it became a popular event and a photographers’ delight.
Among the camel and horses, horses still find buyers. “People love to breed horses which are also for recreational activities like racing, polo and pulling buggies, unlike the camel,” Mr. Singh said.
In 2013, there was animal trading worth Rs. 8 crore.
The camel was declared the State animal of Rajasthan recently mainly because of its declining numbers due to illicit trading for its meat.