Festivals & Events in Rajasthan

How to choose between the Pushkar Fair and Diwali in Jaipur

The Pushkar Camel Fair trip takes you to a working fair. Rajasthan Tourism describes an annual camel and livestock fair, held between October and November and one of the world's largest camel fairs, that has also become an important attraction for visitors, with contests such as matka phod and the longest moustache. Pilgrims bathe at the lake's ghats at the same time. It suits photographers and anyone at ease with dust, crowds and long days on foot, and most people give it two or three days. The fair's own story is on our Pushkar Camel Fair page.

Diwali in Jaipur asks less of you. Incredible India describes Diwali as a five-day festival of clay lamps and fireworks, with families giving thanks to the goddess Lakshmi on the third day. Our trip pairs a guided walk through the bazaars as the diya and sweet sellers fill them with a booked rooftop or haveli courtyard for the main evening, so you watch the lights and fireworks away from the crowds, and adds a temple visit during Lakshmi puja if you want one. It suits couples, families and first-time visitors to India. For the festival itself, see our Diwali page.

Both fall in October or November and both fit into a wider Rajasthan route. Whether one trip can take in both depends on that year's lunar dates, which we confirm when you enquire.

What to expect

• At Pushkar: we book a hotel or tented camp in or near the town well ahead, as rooms and camps sell out months before fair week. Mornings on the fairground are best, when trading is busiest and the light is softest; your guide takes you to the ghats and explains the rituals without intruding on pilgrims; evenings bring folk music, funfair rides and food stalls, with a quieter vantage point if you would rather watch.
• In Jaipur: the bazaar walk comes in the days before Diwali and the booked rooftop or courtyard on the main evening. Firecrackers go off for several nights, the air quality dips, and many shops close for a day around the main evening, though the bazaars that serve visitors generally stay open.

When to go

Rajasthan Tourism publishes each year's dates in its festival calendar; for the weather month by month, see our best time to visit Rajasthan, and for festivals across India, our festival calendar. The pattern, season by season:

• Winter: the Kite Festival on or around 14 January, at its height in Jaipur; the Bikaner Camel Festival on the second weekend of January; the Nagaur cattle fair and the three-day Desert Festival at Jaisalmer, in January or February; and the Winter Festival at Mount Abu in December.
• Spring: the Braj festival in Phalgun, a few days before Holi, then Gangaur in Chaitra (March to April), with Udaipur's Mewar Festival at the same time.
• Monsoon: Teej, and Kajli Teej at Bundi in the month of Bhadra (July to August).
• Autumn: the two-day Marwar Festival at Jodhpur in Ashwin (September to October); the Pushkar Fair between October and November; the Chandrabhaga Fair at Jhalrapatan and the Bundi Festival, both in Kartik; and the Matsya Festival at Alwar in November.

Practical points

• Pushkar is a pilgrimage town. Rajasthan Tourism notes that it serves vegetarian food only, and our trip asks you to dress modestly, take off your shoes at the ghats and ask before photographing pilgrims at prayer. Our Pushkar travel guide covers the lake and temples beyond fair week.
• The fairground is dusty and you walk a good deal there, so wear comfortable closed shoes.
• Pushkar is busiest around the main lunar dates of the fair; book transport as early as your room.
• Around Diwali, anyone sensitive to noise or smoke, or with a breathing condition, should ask us for a quieter neighbourhood and plan around the fireworks.