From the archive record
Stall selling traditional Rajasthani weapons during Pushkar mela. Rajasthan was once a major centre for the making of swords, shields, daggers and knives, which were then ornamented by jewellers. The Pushkar Fair (Pushkar Camel Fair) or locally Pushkar ka Mela, is the annual five-day camel and livestock fair, held in the town of Pushkar in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is one of the world's largest camel fairs, and apart from buying and selling of livestock it has become an important tourist attraction and its highlights have become competitions such as the "matka phod", "longest moustache", and "bridal competition" are the main draws for this fair which attracts thousands of tourists. In recent years the fair has also included an exhibition cricket match between the local Pushkar club