Nupur AgrawalColors, Camels, dust and lots of tourists…that’s what I felt I was about to witness when I began my journey towards Pushkar. On reaching the hotel, which was located right in front of the stadium where “Pushkar Fair” was happening, I did not waste even a second, picked up my camera and ran towards the venue with a mind full of curiosity and heart full of excitement.
I might sound like an NRI tourist but the truth is that I felt like one. Despite living in Rajasthan for as many years as I have existed on this planet, I had never seen so many camels, men with turbans and beautiful village ladies clad in the most neon combinations together under one sky, looking like a lively painting. What I had heard as a joke was actually true, there were more DSLRs in that fair than the camels, but I don’t blame them, no one will like to miss such a blissful flee from the hustle bustle of the city life and mundane routines.
I wasn’t breathing air, I was breathing dust…and through those hazy clouds of dust I could look at something beyond camels, the spark in the eyes of all those villagers. Whenever we go out for a holiday, the people there are the ones working for us; it’s definitely not a break for them. But at Pushkar fair, things are surely different. More than the visitors, it’s the locals and the villagers who await this time of the year desperately and enthusiastically. Midst the difficult lives of these villagers, this fair comes as a magic carpet and sweeps them away to a perfect world of unconditional happiness and profound peace. But this peace does not come alone. It comes with a hope that hides behind the mysterious smiles of these villagers, the hope which drives them away from their homes, the hope that they will be able sell their camels, horses and go back with a content heart.
Where a little kid could be seen dressing up his camel innocently, a busy lady was preparing fodder for the cattle. A group of villagers were sitting by their tents and asked me if I knew Hindi 🙂 I don’t think I had ever been so proud and happy to state that yes I know it very well. Along with posing for some really adorable pictures, they also invited us to have dinner with them. It was definitely tempting as they were making chapattis on the primitive stoves which were the only thing illuminating the stadium as the sun had started to set. At this moment, I put my camera down and just looked around to soak everything. The fresh air, the noises, mitti ki khushboo, the setting sun, and there was just one irony in my mind, that how can a place be so crowded and yet feel so serene.
In this so called ‘perfect’ scenario, where all the photographers were getting their rare frames, what went unnoticed was the sadness on the most precious faces of this fair, the camels. Among all the picturesque moments and beautiful sceneries, these free spirited camels were the ones who were not even allowed to move at their will. Tied to the ground and exhausted to the core, when against the falling rays of sun they raised their heads to scream in pain, what we saw was a picture perfect moment to ‘capture’ them, yet again.
The sky changed its palette from orange, red and yellow to the deep blues and the reflections of the fiery red on camel skins started to vanish while they started looking comfortable in their own skin.
As they were finally made to rest after a long hard day, our ears were filled with the melodious folk music being played by the classical artists. Sitting at the thadi sipping the world best masala chai and watching the gorgeous dancers moving to the tunes of Rajasthan, was like a perfect end to the day’s fairy tale. But the day didn’t end yet. Right before midnight, we decided to explore the streets of Pushkar through a drive. Witnessing the moonlit night lighting up the Pushkar lake and the delicious aroma of freshly baked Malpue were enough to send us to a slumber full of sweet dreams.
This fairy tale had a beautiful morning as well. We left for the sunrise which is said to be extremely special at Pushkar. In the backdrop of hills and the fresh morning faces of romancing camels, when the sound of a child playing flute filled my ears, it was supposed to be nothing but breathtaking.
When so many men with all types of fascinating turbans were roaming around with their own flocks, when the camels came running through layers of dust, when the pretty women looked so enticing in their carefree cackles and bright colors, I knew why this place is like an irresistible magnet to the whole world. It’s not just the bath at ghats or a dip in Pushkar lake, it’s the sweet scent of solace, freedom in numerous eyes and the purity in breeze that makes this experience so special, and lets us find peace within.
