Nagaur Festival in Rajasthan

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Nagaur Festival in Rajasthan

(Note:Unlike similar events held in the West, No killing or torturing of animals

allowed)

Nagaur, a town in Rajasthan is located in between Bikaner and

Jodhpur. The place is mainly noteworthy for the rustic rural charm

and colorful life seen on the way. The Nagaur fair is mainly a cattle

fair held every year between late January and early February. This is

one of the largest fair in the country. The Nagaur festival in the

year 2002 is from 19 Feb - 22 Feb 2002.

The Nagaur Fair is renowned for trading in cows, bullocks, camels and

horses. The owners of the animals from all over Rajasthan come and

camp around the outskirts of Nagaur while they buy and sell animals.

The place looks all the more bright with the colourful turbans worn

by them. The bullocks of Nagaur are renowned for their fitness and

attract a large number of buyers. Both the owners and buyers bargain

to their heart's content until they decide upon a price.

 

Even the hides of animals(died of natural causes) are cut into different

patterns and

shapes and are sold to the customers. One of the major attraction is

also the mirchi bazaar (Red Chilly Market). Wooden items, iron crafts

and leather accessories are available in abundance during the fair.

Many exciting games are organised during this four-day festival. Tug-

of-war, camel races, cock fights, bull fights etc. provide

entertainment to the tourists and visitors. The evenings are filled

with a joyous atmosphere which is created by the folk musicians,

whose voices echo far and wide across the desert sand. The fair is

organized by the Animal Husbandry Department and the Rajasthan

Tourism Department also participates in it. Animal Husbandry

Department controls the trading of this huge cattle market were as

many as 2,00,000 livestock are brought and sold by some 80,000

farmers coming from as far as Punjab, Haryana.