Quick Answer
The Pushkar Camel Fair 2027 runs November 6 to 14, an eight-day livestock and cultural fair in the small Rajasthani town of Pushkar. It climaxes on Kartik Purnima, the Hindu lunar calendar's full-moon day, which falls on Sunday, November 14, 2027, when pilgrims bathe in the sacred Pushkar Lake at dawn.
When
Nov 6–14, 2027
Where
Pushkar, Rajasthan, India — the Mela Ground on the town's edge and the lake ghats at its center
Est. Daily Budget
$60–$130 (mid-range)
When to Book
Pushkar is a small town that briefly hosts far more visitors than its normal capacity during the fair. Book accommodation — including tented camps set up specifically for the fair — as early as possible.
The Pushkar Camel Fair is Rajasthan's largest livestock and cultural fair, drawing tens of thousands of camels, horses and cattle traders — along with pilgrims, tourists and photographers — to the small desert town of Pushkar. In 2027 it runs November 6 to 14, an eight-day event that climaxes on Kartik Purnima, the full-moon day of the Hindu month of Kartik, which falls on Sunday, November 14.
The fair's origins are tied directly to Pushkar's religious significance. According to Hindu tradition, Pushkar Lake was created when Lord Brahma dropped a lotus flower to the earth, and the town is home to one of the few temples in India dedicated to Brahma himself. What began centuries ago as a gathering of pilgrims and livestock traders timed around the Kartik Purnima pilgrimage bathing ritual grew into the large-scale trading and cultural fair it is today, now drawing international visitors as much as traders.
The fair's two halves run side by side. On the Mela Ground at the town's edge, camel and cattle trading continues much as it always has, alongside competitions for the best-decorated camel, camel races and camel polo. At the lake itself, the religious side of the fair peaks on Kartik Purnima, when pilgrims bathe in the 52 ghats surrounding Pushkar Lake at dawn to wash away sins — a ritual believed to be especially auspicious on the full-moon day.
What to See
The Mela Ground
Tens of thousands of camels, horses and cattle are brought in from across Rajasthan for trading, alongside folk music, turban-tying competitions and a genuinely striking sea of decorated camels — many adorned with elaborate embroidered blankets, jewelry and dyed fur patterns.
Pushkar Lake at dawn
The ghats around the lake are at their most crowded and atmospheric at sunrise on Kartik Purnima, when pilgrims bathe and float diyas (oil lamps) on the water — a striking, deeply religious scene distinct from the trading fair a short walk away.
Hot-air balloon rides
Pushkar's desert setting and the fair's dense, colorful crowds have made sunrise hot-air balloon flights over the fairgrounds a popular (and genuinely spectacular) way to see the whole event from above, offered by several operators during the fair week.
How Much Does a Trip Cost?
| Budget Tier | Daily Cost (USD) | Accommodation | Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Budget | $20 – $45 | Guesthouse or budget tented camp | Free fairgrounds and lake ghat access |
| Mid-Range | $60 – $130 | Mid-range hotel or comfortable camp | Local guide, restaurant meals |
| Luxury | $200 – $450+ | Premium desert camp near Pushkar | Private driver, hot-air balloon ride |
Getting There & Around
Logistics
- Jaipur International Airport (JAI) is the nearest major gateway, roughly 2.5-3 hours from Pushkar by road.
- Pushkar itself is small and walkable; the Mela Ground sits at the edge of town, a short walk or auto-rickshaw ride from the lake and main market.
- Tented camps set up specifically for fair week are a popular, atmospheric way to stay close to the Mela Ground — book these well ahead, as capacity is limited.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
When exactly is the Pushkar Camel Fair 2027?
November 6 to 14, 2027, with the religious climax — the Kartik Purnima holy bathing at Pushkar Lake — falling on Sunday, November 14.
Is the fair mainly about camel trading or religious pilgrimage?
Both, running side by side — livestock trading and cultural competitions happen on the Mela Ground throughout the fair, while the religious pilgrimage and lake-bathing rituals peak specifically on Kartik Purnima.
Why does the date change every year?
The fair is timed to the Hindu lunar calendar, climaxing on Kartik Purnima (the full moon of the month of Kartik) — a date that shifts each year against the Gregorian calendar, similar to Diwali or Holi.
Fact-Checking & Sources
Status: CONFIRMED · Last verified against the sources below on 2026-09-20. Event dates, venues, and pricing can change — always confirm critical details on the official event website before booking non-refundable travel.
- Authoritative SourcePushkar Fair — Official Dates 2026–2028
- Secondary SourcePublicHolidays.in — Karthika Purnima 2026–2028
