pushkar mela
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Pushkar MelaTRANSCRIPT
Pushkar Mela
file:///E|/Users/ridit/Desktop/melas/Pushkar%20Mela.htm[4/8/2013 8:33:49 PM]
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Pushkar Mela
The Pushkar Fair, or Pushkar ka Mela, is the world`slargest camel fair held in the holy town of Pushkar in thestate of Rajasthan of India. Held annually on the banks ofLake Pushkar in Rajasthan. It is celebrated on KartikaPurnima during October- November for twelve days.
Pushkar is the only place in India where Brahma isworshipped in a living shrine.Brahma, the Creator, was
cursed by Shiva not to be worshipped. Though there is no cult of Brahma, he is invoked in allthe major and minor sacred ceremonies.
The Pushkar lake is believed to have had a miraculous origin and Brahma performed a Yajan onits banks. According to a legend, a demon called Vajra Nabha, living at Pushkar had killed thechildren of Brahma. In revenge, Brahma killed him with a lotus stalk. As he did so, petals fromthe lotus flower fell at three places in Pushkar where three lakes arose, Jyeshtha the main one,Madhyama the middle one and Kanishtha, the middle one.
Brahma decided to perform the yajna at Pushkar on Kartika Purnima. He invited devas and thesages. All was set for the worship and the auspicious hour was drawing near but there was nosign of Brahma`s wife, Savitri. Brahma was growing nervous and repeatedly sent for her but didnot arrive on time. A religious ceremony could not be performed without a wife. Fearing that theauspicious hour would soon be over, he quickly married a local girl Gayatri, who was grazing hercattle nearby. The yajna was in full swing when Savitri arrived for the ceremony. Seeing anotherwoman in her place, Savitri flew into a rage and cursed all the devas and sages present at theceremony. She left for her hill-top shrine from where till today she has not come down. Tocounteract the effect of the shraap (curse) Brahma, quickly created another goddess called Shraap-Mohini and asked everyone present to have her darshan, so that they were freed from Savitri`scurse. Shrap-Mohini has a temple on top of a hill facing that of Savitri.
The festival at Pushkar goes on for a whole week andattracts great crowds, particularly from Rajasthan. It ismainly a camel fair and camels are brought from all overto be sold. The beautifully attired men and women, andthe singing and dancing are an added attraction. Thesmall sleepy village of Pushkar is suddenly transformedinto fairyland, full of colour and music, which is enhancedby the brightest full moon night of the year when jal puja(worship of water) takes place. In memory of deceasedrelatives, hundreds of lamps are set afloat after theevening prayers. On the main day of the fair, peoplebathe in the holy Pushkar lake and then worship at the temple of Brahma. Actually, Brahma`sidol is there, only because of his wife Gayatri. She refused to have a shrine dedicated to her,unless Brahma also had his shrine there.
Pushkar Mela
file:///E|/Users/ridit/Desktop/melas/Pushkar%20Mela.htm[4/8/2013 8:33:49 PM]
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Competitions such as the "matka phod", "moustache", and "bridal competition" are the main drawsfor this fair which attracts thousands of tourists. Horse and cattle shows are held and is anoccasion for vigorous trade in camels, bullocks and horses. A bath in the lake and worship atthe temple of Brahma is said to give one salvation.
More...• Gangasagar Mela • Jwalamukhi Mela • Kumbha Mela• Kartikai Festival • Kurukshetra Mela • Magha Mela• Pushkar Mela
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