Pushkar Mela 2026 runs from Tuesday, 10 November to Thursday, 26 November 2026, and the main tourist programme (camel and horse competitions, folk performances and the evening Maha Aarti on the ghats) runs from Tuesday 17 to Tuesday 24 November. Ajmer District Collector Lokbandhu released the official day-wise schedule and poster on Wednesday, 7 October 2026. The religious fair runs from Dev Uthani Ekadashi on 20 November to Kartik Purnima on 24 November, the day of the main holy dip in Pushkar Lake. Entry to the fair is free.
The schedule was late this year. Pushkar hoteliers told ETV Bharat on 6 October that foreign guests were holding back bookings until the programme came out. Now that it is out, rooms around the fair ground and the lake will fill quickly, so if you have been waiting, this is the week to book.
Pushkar Mela 2026 dates at a glance
| What | Date (2026) |
|---|---|
| Animal fair begins (camel and cattle trading) | Tuesday, 10 November |
| Official opening and flag hoisting | Tuesday, 17 November, 10 am |
| Tourism Department cultural programme and competitions | 17 to 24 November |
| Dev Uthani Ekadashi: religious fair begins | Friday, 20 November |
| Food & Craft Festival opens at Shilpgram | Friday, 20 November, 4 pm |
| Kartik Purnima: main holy dip, closing ceremony | Tuesday, 24 November |
| Animal fair officially closes | Thursday, 26 November |
Incredible India, the Ministry of Tourism’s site, also lists the fair for 17 to 24 November 2026. The longer 10 to 26 November window covers the livestock fair run by the Animal Husbandry Department.
Official day-wise schedule, 17 to 24 November 2026
This is the programme the Tourism Department and the Ajmer district administration released on 7 October. Competitions are held in the mornings at the Mela Ground. Evenings move to the lake ghats for the Maha Aarti, followed by folk performances.
Day 1: Tuesday, 17 November
- 10 am: puja, flag hoisting and a nagada drum performance at the Mela Ground
- Mandana folk-art competition, school group dances, and a “Chak De Rajasthan” football match between locals and foreign tourists
- Evening: deepdan, rangoli and Maha Aarti at the ghats, then “Voice of Pushkar” and Rajasthani folk artists
Day 2: Wednesday, 18 November
- Langdi Tang, Satoliya and Gilli Danda: traditional games, locals versus foreigners
- Camel decoration competition and camel dance
Day 3: Thursday, 19 November
- Kabaddi match between locals and foreign tourists
- Horse dance competition
- Village sports (tug-of-war, volleyball, kabaddi) between panchayat samiti teams
Day 4: Friday, 20 November (Dev Uthani Ekadashi)
- 9 am: spiritual padyatra (walk) from the Gurudwara to the Mela Ground
- 4 pm: Food & Craft Festival and Shilpgram open
- Evening: Maha Aarti at the Jaipur, Brahma and Varaha ghats
Day 5: Saturday, 21 November
- Moustache competition, plus turban-tying and tilak competitions for foreign tourists
- Finals of the village sports
Day 6: Sunday, 22 November
- Musical chairs and matka (pot) race for Indian and foreign women
- Food & Craft Festival continues; evening aarti and cultural programme
Day 7: Monday, 23 November
- 11 am: a “Lagaan”-style cricket match at the Mela Ground
- Evening aarti and cultural programme
Day 8: Tuesday, 24 November (Kartik Purnima)
- 10:30 am: closing ceremony with group dances, a kala jattha yatra, pot race, tug-of-war and prize distribution
- 6 pm: Pushkar Raj Maha Aarti across the 52 ghats
Two things are still open as of 10 October 2026. A Bollywood night is planned, but the performers have not been finalised. Local reports also say the Mumal competition, a long-time favourite, will not be held this year.
What this means for your trip
Every year we see the same mistake: travellers pick Kartik Purnima for its fame, then spend the day in crowds so thick they cannot reach the ghats. Pick your dates by what you actually want to see.
- For camels and the trading fair: go early, between about 12 and 18 November. The herders arrive from 10 November, and the trading is at its most authentic before the crowds build. By Purnima, the focus shifts from trading to the pilgrimage.
- For the competitions and the festival atmosphere: 18 to 21 November covers camel decoration, the horse dance, the moustache contest and the Food & Craft Festival opening. Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November make the most of a weekend, but they will also be the busiest tourist days.
- For the pilgrimage: the holy dip is on 24 November, and the religious crowd builds from Ekadashi on 20 November. Expect the lake area to be packed, roads to be controlled and vehicle movement to be restricted. The district has said it will set up 12 checkpoints on all routes into Pushkar from 12 November.
- How long to stay: two nights in Pushkar is enough for most people. Pair it with Jaipur (Amer and the old city) and Ajmer Sharif, or go on to Udaipur, for a five- to seven-day Rajasthan trip.
Getting there
Ajmer Junction is the nearest major railway station, and the last stretch to Pushkar is by road over the hills. Kishangarh has the nearest airport, and Jaipur is the nearest international airport. Many travellers fly into Jaipur and drive. During the fair, private vehicles may be stopped short of the town centre, so ask your hotel or operator where your car can actually drop you.
Where to stay
Pushkar has more than 500 hotels and resorts, according to the local hotel association, but the rooms closest to the Mela Ground and the lake go first. During the fair, temporary tented camps open on the edge of town, alongside the usual guesthouses. For a family or a group, book a place with confirmed vehicle access, not just one with a good view. If you would rather not deal with the crowds at all, stay in Ajmer and come in for the day.
We arrange Pushkar fair stays as part of our Rajasthan tour packages, usually tied into a Jaipur–Pushkar–Udaipur circuit like the Royal Rajasthan tour. Travel agents who need fair-week inventory for their clients can see how we work in our Rajasthan DMC guide for travel agents. For dates, rooms or a quote, call or WhatsApp us on 7087488961.
Practical tips for fair week
- Weather: late November in Pushkar means warm days and cold desert nights. Bring a warm layer for the evening aarti.
- Temple etiquette: Pushkar is a holy town. Alcohol and meat are not served around the lake, and you remove your shoes at the ghats.
- “Puja” approaches: people at the ghats often offer flowers and a blessing, then ask for a large donation. Agree on any amount before the ritual starts, or politely decline.
- Cash: carry some. Queues at ATMs near the fair get long, and not every fairground stall takes UPI.
- Photography: ask camel herders before photographing them up close. Many expect a small payment.
Pushkar Mela 2026: frequently asked questions
When is Pushkar Mela 2026?
The fair runs from 10 to 26 November 2026. The main tourist events are from 17 to 24 November, and the holy dip on Kartik Purnima falls on Tuesday, 24 November 2026.
Is there an entry fee for the Pushkar camel fair?
No. Entry to the fair and the Mela Ground events is free. You pay only for things like camel rides, balloon rides, tent stays and food.
What is the best day to visit Pushkar Mela 2026?
For the camel fair itself, go from 12 to 18 November. For the competitions, 18 to 21 November. Go on 24 November only if the pilgrimage is the reason for your visit, because that is the most crowded day by far.
Has the official Pushkar Mela 2026 schedule been released?
Yes. Ajmer District Collector Lokbandhu released the day-wise programme poster and booklet on 7 October 2026. The performers for the Bollywood night had not been announced as of 10 October.
How many days do I need for Pushkar Mela?
Two nights is ideal: one day at the Mela Ground for the competitions and camels, and one at the lake and the Brahma temple. Most people combine it with Jaipur or Udaipur.
Is Pushkar Mela good for families and foreign tourists?
Yes. Several of the competitions are open specifically to foreign tourists, including turban-tying, the moustache contest and the local-versus-foreigner matches. For families, the mornings at the Mela Ground are the easiest. Avoid the lake on Purnima with small children.
Sources
- ETV Bharat: Pushkar fair 2026 schedule released (7 October 2026)
- Sabguru News: Ajmer Collector unveils Pushkar fair 2026 poster (7 October 2026)
- ETV Bharat: Pushkar animal fair from 10 November, hoteliers await schedule (6 October 2026)
- ETV Bharat: Pushkar animal fair 2026 dates and checkpoints (1 October 2026)
- Incredible India (Ministry of Tourism): Pushkar Camel Fair, 17–24 November 2026 (accessed 10 October 2026)
Last updated 11 October 2026. Event timings can change at the district administration’s discretion; check with the Ajmer district administration or Rajasthan Tourism before you travel.
