The Most Exciting Way To See Pushkar Is On A Rs.15000 Hot Air Balloon Ride

That explains why my shots are all from the ground.

The Pushkar Fair is one of India's last great traditional melas. Held every year in November, it’s renowned for its animal trade. But that's during the day. At night, Pushkar Mela is something else all together. It’s when the mela of Pushkar comes alive. 

From Pushkar Lake to the mela grounds, the night sky lights up with colour. Tired camel traders settle down for some rest and relaxation on the sand dunes. Pilgrims come together at the Pushkar lake to light lamps and set them afloat on the lake as a form of worship. Every evening an, 'Aarti' (prayer) is offered to the lake. 

As the night progresses, so do the activities: performances by different entertainers and musicians are scheduled through the night. The most exhilarating way, and probably the only way to capture all of the above in one snapshot, one sighting is by taking a hot air balloon ride over Pushkar. The sights you'll see are one-in-a-lifetime. It explains the Rs.15000 per person, per hour cost for the tickets. And why yours truly didn’t partake of it. 

These are my snapshots of Pushkar by night. Ground level of course.

Camel herders settle down after a hard days work

Priest offering aarti at the Pushkar lake

Everyone becomes a pilgrim

Lake is dressed like a bride

Adapting to customs

Giant wheels offer a view from the top

A camel gets ready for a night ride

Rs.15000 per person per hour

Stage set for performances

Performers start young

There’s music to suit all ages

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are independent views solely of the author(s) expressed in their private capacity and do not in any way represent or reflect the views of 101India.com
 
By Vijayaraj PS
Photographs by Vijayaraj PS