Camel fairs and celebrations in northern India

The state of Rajasthan in the northern India is home to stunning desert landscapes, palaces and majestic cities.

It is also the site of one of northern India's most interesting events - the Pushkar Camel Fair.

The annual event is set to take place from November 21st to 24th 2007 - making it a perfect stop for adventurous travellers looking for some winter sun this season.

The event takes places by the town's sacred lake in the local stadium and sees more than 25,000 camels change hands.

However, the fair is more than just a camel market, offering a fascinating insight into how important the animals are to the people of the region.

Among the more intriguing events during the fair is a camel beauty contest, and there is even a chance to see the latest fashions when it comes to jewellery for camels.

Other events take place over the five days of the fair include racing on horses, donkeys and camels.

There are also music, dancing, film and theatrical performances, as well as stalls selling jewellery, pottery, textiles and other craftwork from cities such as Jaipur, Ajmer, Jodhpur and Nagaur.

The origins of the fair have been linked to Hindu mythology, which states for five days a year Hindu gods bless the people of Pushkar and absolve them of the sins.

Surrounded by hills on three sides, the town is separated from the city of Ajmer by Nag Pahar (snake mountain), and is known as a Hindu pilgrimage site.

As well as the sacred lake, Pushkar has around 400 temples and strong ties to the Hindu god of creation, Lord Brahma.

Among the tour operators with breaks visiting the Pushkar camel fair is Explore, which has a 16-day tour of Rajasthan that also includes stops at Old Delhi and Udaipur. The trip departs on November 11th and 18th and starts at £1,567 per person including flights and bed and breakfast accommodation.

Other tour operators with holidays to Pushkar include Intrepid Travel, Exodus and The Adventure Company.

For more information on visiting Pushkar see the official Rajasthan tourism website.