Fairs and festivals are closely associated with the Culture of Rajasthan. While some are of religious value others are simple village affairs. The Nagaur Fair is the second biggest fair in India. It is popularly known as the Cattle fair of Nagaur. This is because the Nagaur Fair is mainly all about trading of animals. Around 70,000 camels, bullocks and horses are bought and sold every year in the Nagaur Fair. The venue for this fair is at Nagaur, Jodhpur. The fair goes on for eight days and is held every year during the month of January-February i.e. the Hindu month of Magha.
The small town of Nagaur comes alive with bustling activities and people come here in massive numbers to take part in trading of livestock. The livestock includes not just cows but also, camels, goats and sheep. The Nagaur bulls are renowned for their fleet footedness and attract buyers from all over. The animals are lavishly decorated and even their owners dress up wearing colourful turbans and long moustaches to make them eye-catching. The cattle are bought either for agricultural purposes or to be used in the households. The better the health of the cattle the better price it fetches.
Besides the cattle trading, the one event that attracts numerous people is the Mirchi Bazaar or the Chilly Market. It is the largest chilly market of India and one can see carpets of dried red chillies here and there. Leather goods, wooden souvenirs, iron-crafts and camel leather accessories are also sold in Nagaur Fair. The fair grounds are filled with people and cattle from all over Rajasthan and nearby states.
A highlight of the fair is performances by folk dancers and musicians for further entertainment. The folk music of Jodhpur echoes throughout the fair. The presence of musicians and dancers makes this event a very lively and enjoyable one.
For sport lovers too this fair ground is perfect. Camel races, cockfights, bullock races and tug-of-war are common to Nagaur Fair in Rajasthan. Jugglers, musicians and puppeteers also participate in the fair and entertain the crowd.
How to Reach: The nearest airport is at Jodhpur at a distance of 138kms. Nagaur has its own railway station and trains from all major cities like Jaipur and Kolkata stop over here. Nagaur is also connected to all nearby places by a wide network of roads.
