The Cattle Fair
This is the biggest cattle fair in India, held in the month of Kartik on the full moon day in Pushkar in Rajasthan. It is marked by taking a holy dip in the lake and is also one of the only two places where Brahma is worshipped.
Pushkar Mela, the biggest cattle fair in the country, falls in the month of Kartik. It commences two days before the full moon of the month and ends a day after it.
Men and women congregate from all over Rajasthan and other nearby places with their horses, camels and cattle to buy and sell. The venue for this spectacular display of colour and vigour is Pushkar, a small sleepy town in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan. However, for the duration of the fair, the town is transformed into a glittering display of activity, with a variety of colourful stalls and vendors. In addition to its commercial importance, the fairis also a window to the cultural richness of Rajasthan. Days before it begins, tradesmen, craftsmen, troupes of dancers and singers, all gather here.
Pushkar, literally meaning `a lotus that blooms in mud`, is also home to one of the only two temples dedicated to Brahma, the other being at Khedbrahma in Kerala. It is one of the innumerable temples skirting the large Pushkar Lake. This lake, with 52 ghats, is the focal point of all devotional activities and is the main reason for the confluence of a mass of people from all parts of the country. The fair itself centres around the event of taking a dip in the Pushkar Lake on the full moon night.
Not much is known about the origin of the fair. Scholars suggest that the cattle fair was an extension of the religious event of taking a dip in the lake. In fact, Pushkar has been known as the centre of Brahma worship since 1250 AD.
According to the Padma Purana, once Brahma was looking for a suitable place on earth to be his abode. Shiva suggested that he claim the spot where his lotus falls. When Brahma was passing over Pushkar on his vehicle, the swan, a lotus fell from his hand and struck at three places, forming 3 lakes called Jayeshtha, Madhya and Kanishtha Pushkar. Brahma descended beside the largest one, Jayeshtha, and meditated. After his meditation, the gods requested him to perform a sacrifice to consecrate the spot. Brahma agreed and preparations for a celestial sacrifice began.? Jayeshtha Pushkar was chosen as the site for the great sacrifice. Several gods were invited to witness this event. Because no sacrifice can be performed without one`s wife, Brahma dispatched Sage Narada to his celestial abode to call Sarasvati. Not realising the urgency of the situation, Sarasvati did not hurry. As the auspicious hour was drawing near and there was no sign of her, Brahma asked Indra to find someone else who could perform the role of his spouse. Indra found a milkmaid and purified her by putting her head into a cow`s mouth, from which she derived her name, Gayatri. Brahma accepted her as his spouse amidst the celestial gathering and the sacrifice began.
After some time, Savitri arrived there, accompanied by Lakshmi, Indrani and the wives of the other gods. Incensed that another woman had been asked to take her place, she cursed Brahma that he would not be worshipped anywhere on earth exceptat Pushkar, and that too only on one particular day in the year. In a rage, she went to the Ratnagiri hill nearby and settled there. Today a temple stands there dedicated to her, probably the only one in the world. Due to its association with Brahma, Pushkar is considered to be the tirtharaja, the king of all pilgrimagesites. It is believed that the lake at Pushkar was blessed by Brahma and anyone who takes a dip in the lake would go to heaven. According to thePuranas, a pilgrimage to Pushkar destroys all evil and gives the dead access to the three worlds. One who has bathed at the lake there and worshipped Brahma achieves salvation. For this reason, thousands of people gather here for this great annual pilgrimage.
Though blessed with meritorious qualities all the year round, the waters of the lake are specially auspicious on the full moon day of Kartik. According to a legend, a king came on a hunting spree to Pushkar from a nearby kingdom. He paused by the waters of the lake to wash himself and quench his thirst. The moment he put his handin to the lake, he was cured of a nasty skin disease he had been cursed with. As this news spread, more and more people came to bathe in the lake. They were cured of illnesses, relieved from misfortune, and assured a place in heaven. This resulted in the overcrowding of heaven. The gods appealed to Brahma to moderate the blessings he had best owed on the lake. Brahma then dictated that certain powers of the waters would be reduced, to hold good only on the four days preceeding the annual full moon called Kartik Purnima.
Till today, people visit the lake on the full moon day of Kartik with the hope of attaining salvation. Taking a holy dip in the most meritorious place, at the most auspicious hour, absolves them of any sins they might have committed. Ancestor worship is also an important aspect of this pilgrimage. People offer pindas to their ancestors, employing the services of one of the many priests available at the ghats forthis. Oblations to Agni, heaven, earth, and Yama are also offered.
The near by temple of Savitri also attracts many married women, especially from Bengal, who worship the goddess and seek the boon of eternal company with their spouse.