Quick facts
- Dates
- 17 – 24 Nov 2026
- Place
- Pushkar, Ajmer district, Rajasthan
- Main day
- Kartik Purnima, 24 Nov 2026
- Highlights
- Camel and livestock trading, competitions, holy dip
- Nearest railway station
- Ajmer Junction
- Nearest airports
- Kishangarh (Ajmer) and Jaipur
Pushkar Camel Fair: key dates
- Fair begins
- Kartik Purnima: holy dip in Pushkar SarovarMain day
Livestock trading usually starts a few days before the official programme, and the biggest crowds come on the last days, around Kartik Purnima. To be announced, please check the official source closer to the date.
Source: dates as announced by the Rajasthan government, reported by Zostel: Guide to Pushkar Mela 2026 (quotes the Rajasthan Tourism calendar), Golden India Travels: Pushkar Fair 2026 dates, Hindutone: Kartik Purnima 2026 (24 November). Always confirm with the official mela website before travelling.
How to reach Pushkar
By train
Ajmer Junction is the nearest major railway station, with direct trains from Delhi, Jaipur, Mumbai and many other cities. From Ajmer, take a bus or taxi to Pushkar: about 15 km, around 40 minutes by road.
Pushkar also has a small station of its own with only a few trains. Check IRCTC for current services.
By air
The nearest airport is Kishangarh Airport near Ajmer, with a small number of flights. Jaipur International Airport has many more flights; from Jaipur, travel on by road or by train to Ajmer. Kishangarh Airport is about 27 km from Ajmer, and Jaipur airport is about 130 km from Pushkar.
By road
Pushkar is reached by road through Ajmer. Rajasthan State Road Transport (RSRTC) and private buses run from Jaipur, Delhi and other cities.
During the fair, traffic around Pushkar is controlled and private vehicles may be stopped at parking areas outside town. To be announced, please check the official source closer to the date.
Inside the fair
The town and fair ground are best explored on foot. Expect sand, uneven ground and narrow, crowded lanes near the lake. To be announced, please check the official source closer to the date.
Trains and flights at a glance
Main railway stations
- Ajmer Junction (AII) · about 15 km from Pushkar
Main direct trains
- 12015 Ajmer Shatabdi Express · from New Delhi (NDLS)
- 12958 Swarna Jayanti Rajdhani Express · from New Delhi (NDLS)
- 12916 Ashram Express · from Delhi (DLI)
- 14702 Aravali Express · from Mumbai Bandra Terminus (BDTS)
- 12216 Garib Rath Express · from Mumbai Bandra Terminus (BDTS)
Airports
- Kishangarh Airport (KQH) · flights from Delhi, Ahmedabad, Hindon (Ghaziabad), Lucknow, Nagpur, Pune
- Jaipur International Airport (JAI) · about 130 km from Pushkar
Lists checked on 9 Nov 2026. Timings, running days and routes change, so confirm on IRCTC or NTES, or with the airline, before you book. Sources: ixigo: New Delhi to Ajmer trains, ixigo: Mumbai to Ajmer trains, Holidify: How to reach Pushkar, HappyFares: Kishangarh Airport guide.
Where to stay for Pushkar Camel Fair
Desert tent camps
Tent camps are set up near the fair ground for the mela, from simple tents to cottages with attached bathrooms and meals.
Good for: Experiencing the fair up close
Price guide: ₹5,000 – ₹15,000 per night
Range seen in 2025, as a guide only. Prices change every year. (WanderOn: Pushkar Mela guide) Ask us for current prices
Hotels and guest houses
Pushkar has hotels, heritage havelis and guest houses for every budget. They fill up early for the fair and prices rise near Kartik Purnima, so book well ahead.
Good for: Families and travellers who want comfort
Price guide: ₹800 – ₹3,500 per night
Range seen in 2025, as a guide only. Prices change every year. (WanderOn: Pushkar Mela guide) Ask us for current prices
Dharamshalas
Dharamshalas near the ghats and temples offer simple rooms at low cost. Many have house rules such as fixed gate timings.
Good for: Budget and pilgrim stays
Price guide: Ask us for current prices
Stay in Ajmer
If Pushkar is full, Ajmer is a short drive away and has many more rooms. Allow extra travel time on the last days of the fair.
Good for: Last-minute bookings
Price guide: Ask us for current prices
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Tips & safety
Weather and health
- Days are warm and sunny, but nights and early mornings in the desert can be cold. Carry a light jacket or shawl.
- Wear a cap and sunglasses, and drink plenty of water. Carry a scarf or mask against dust and sand.
- Elderly travellers should avoid the busiest hours on Kartik Purnima, and rest during the hottest part of the day.
- Carry regular medicines for a few extra days, plus a copy of prescriptions.
Respect and etiquette
- Remove footwear at the ghats and in temples, including the Brahma temple. Follow local rules on photography inside temples.
- Pushkar is a holy town: alcohol, meat and eggs are not allowed in the town area.
- Ask before photographing people, and respect the answer. Some may ask for a small payment.
- Keep a safe distance from camels and horses, and do not feed or touch animals without the owner’s permission.
Safety
- Carry a photo ID for every traveller, and keep cash in small notes.
- Fix one easy-to-find meeting point in case anyone gets separated in the crowd.
- Be careful of people offering puja or "blessings" at the ghats and then asking for money. Agree any offering before a ritual starts.
- All emergencies (police, fire, ambulance): 112