Chapter VIII·

Cll.l'iiEI. SAND I>UNE

l:O=m "] Jat Oharams'1ala

CATTL.E:S

·PUSHKARFAIR

PUSttKfiR NAME OF IMPORTANT GHATS

1. JAIPURGHAT 16.YEGHGHAT 2. GURUGOVIND 17.BRAHMAGHAT '

SINGHGHAT 18.KARNIGHAT BANGLAGHAT 19.1NDRAGHAT GWALIOR GHAT 20.CHORI PEDI GHAT CHANDRA GHAT 21. TANTUVAGHKES-SURYAGHAT VAGHAT 108 MATA DEN 22.1<0TAH GHAT

·GHAT .

10. NURSINGH GHA 1 1. BADAl GHAT 12.GANGORGHAT 13.CHEERGHAT 14.GAUGHAT 15.8HARATPURGHA

. I I

/I \"'""o.;:..--=--- /:)' ..... . II

~('~ .,_ '-, c:::o::J I I

0

Cafe Vatika

·1'.-tl ~''' · Hotel' / 1 V4f"'' ' N I I [D] . VA';,'' . Q~ ~ I I

- •fiT.qj; '..._ 3, I I

Hotel Peacock •rG'' ,' , //

& CULTURE DEPARTMENT OF TOURISM GOVT. OF

Source: Pushkar Mela Smarika 2002 (Govt. Of Rajasthan) . . . .. . ~

MANDIR, MARKET AND MASSES

AN ANALYSIS OF PUSHKAR MELA

The most explicit exposition of its monetary hues- undercurrents pertaining to money

transaction can be found embedded in the world fame "animal f(l.ir" of the Pushkar ,

which invariably starts on the Kartik Shukla Ekadashi coinciding with the first holy dip in

the sacred Pushkar Lake.

Unfailingly, since time immemorial, man has domesticated animals and has been

exchanging them for their varied uses- for their products like milk, wool, leather etc., for

the purpose of transportation, means for farming and so on and so forth. While earlier,

the exchange was based either On barter system where the exchange was a trade in

commodities (or may be one animal for another), without the use of money, or on "Balanced

Reciprocity" which involved either an immediate exchange of goods or services or an

agreed upon exchange over a limited period oftime. Today the b~er system is a rarity.

An apparent indicator is the age old Pushkar fair, where owing to the overpowering and

overgrowing presence of money and the administrative procedures to be followed in the

sale and purchase of animals of any kind, barter exchange are a solitary affair. The state

has a imposing presence in forms of its Mela Magistrates (lAS) rank, officials of animal

husbandry department, tehsildars and patwaris etc. during the mela.

An examination ofRajasthan's past reveals that the state has always been a site for

animal fair, and till date, through out the year many animal fairs are held across its length

and breadth. The approximate duration of these fairs are from ten to fifteen days. The major

animal and cattle fairs, which are supported by Rajasthan governmept are as follows ...

312

State Cattle Fairs Of Rajasthan Year - 2002

S. No. Name of the Cattle Fairs Tehasil Place with period '(Vikram Year Date) 1 Sri. Ramdeo Cattle Fair, Nagour Magh Shukla 01 to 13.02.2002 to

Nagour Magh Shukla 15 27.02.2002 2 Sri. Shivratri Cattle Fairs, Karauli Phalgun Krishna 7 to 05.03.2002 to

Karauli Phalgun Krishna 14 12.03.2002

3 Sri. Mallinath Cattle Fair, Panchpadra Chaitra Krishna 11 to 08.04.2002 to Tilwara (Barmer) Chaitra Shukla 11 23.04.2002

4 Sr. Baldeo Cattle Fair, Mertacity Chaitra Shukla 1 to 15 13.04.2002 to Merta city I(Nagour) 27.04.2002

5 Sri. Gomatisagar Cattle Fair, Jhalrapatan Baisakh Shukla 13 to 24.05.2002 to Jhalrapatan I<Jhalawar) Jaisth Krishna 05 31.05.2002

6 Sri. Gogameri Cattle Fair, Nohar Shavan Shukla 15 to 22.08.2002 to Gogameri (Hanumangarh) Bhadva Shukla 15 21.09.2002

7 Sri. Tejaji Cattle Fair, Parbatsar Shavan Shukla 15 to 22.08.2002 to Parbatsar (Nagour) Bhadva Krishna 30 07.09.2002

8 Sri. Jaswant Exhibition Cattle Bharatpur Aswani Shukla 5 to 14 10.10.2002 to Fair, Bharatpur 20.10.2002

9 Sri. Pushkar Cattle Fair, Pushkar Kartik Shukla 08 to 12.11 .2002 to Pushkar I<Aimer) Mangsir Krishna 02 22.11.2002

10 Sri. Chandra Bhaga Cattle Jhalrapatan Kartik Shukla 11 to 15.11.2002 to Fair, Jhalarapatan (Jhalawar) Mangsir Krishna 05 25.11.2002

Calendar of Events' - Fairs & Festivals

Fair & Festival Place Vik. Sam. 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 Camel Festival Bikaner Paush- 17-18 Jan. 6-7 Jan. 24-25 Jan. 13-14 Jan.

Shukla Alwar Festival Alwar 7-9 Feb. 13-15 Feb. 11-13 Feb. 10-12 Feb. Nagaur Fair Ramdeoji Nagaur Magh-S 8-11 Feb. 28-31 Jan. 15-18 Feb. 4-7 Feb. Cattle Fair (7-10)

Desert Festival Jaisalmer Magh-S 14-16 Feb. 4-6 Feb. 21-23 Feb. 10-12 Feb. (13-15)

Baneshwar Fair Baneshwar Magh-S 12~16 Feb. 1-5 Feb. 19-23 Feb. 8-12 Feb. (Dungarpur) (11-15)

Elephant Festival Jaipur Phalgun 17 March 6 March 25 March 14 March S-15

Brij Festival Bharatpur Phalg-S 25-27 March 14-16 March 2-4 March 21-23 March 10-12 March (11-13)

Shitala Festival Chaksu (Jaipur) Chaitra 4 April 24 March 13 March 1 April 23 March K-8

Gangaur Festival Jaipur Chaitra 15-16 April 4-5 April 23-24 March 11-12 April 1-2 April S-(3-4)

Mewar Festival Udaipur Chaitra 15-16 April 4-5 April 23-24 March 11-12April 1-2 April S-(3-4)

Keladevi Festival Karauli Chaitra 37720 29 March 18 March 6 April 26 March (S.Madhopur) K-(12)

Mahaveerji Festival Mahaveerji Chaitra 21-27 April 10-16 April 30 March- 18-24 April 7-13 April S-(9-15) 5 April

Summer Festival Mt. Abu Fixed Date 24-26 May 14-16 May 2-4 May 21-23 April 11-13 May Teej Festival Jaipur Shavan- 11-12Aug. 1-2 Aug. 19-20 Aug. 8-9 Aug. 28-29 July

S-(3-4) Kajli Teej Bundi Bhadra- 25-26 Aug. 14-15 Aug. 31 Aug. 20-21 Aug. 11-12Aug.

K-(2-3) 1 Sept. Ramdeora Fair Pokaran Bhadra- 15-16 Sept. 4-5 Sept. 22-23 Sept. 12-13 Sept. 2-3 Sept.

(Jaisalmer) S-(9-1 0) Marwar Fastival Jodhpur Ashwin- 19-20 Oct. 8-9 Oct. 26-27 Oct. 16-17 Oct. 6-7 Oct.

S-(14-15) Dussehra Festival Kota Ashwin- 13-15 Ovt. 3-5 Oct. 20-22 Oct. 10-12 Oct. 30 Sept. -

S-(8-10) 2 Oct. Pushkar Fair Pushkar (Ajmer) Kartik- 11-20 Nov. 31 Oct- 18-26 Nov. 8-15 Nov. 29 Oct.-

S-(7-15) 8 Nov 5 Nov. Chandrabhaga Fair Jhalawar Kartik-S-14 18-20 Nov. 7-9 Nov. 25-27 Nov. 14-16 Nov. 4-6 Nov.

Magh-K-1

Kolayat Fair Kolayat Kartik-S-11 15-24 Nov. 4-13 Nov. 22 Nov- 12-21 Nov. 1-19 Nov. (Bikaner) Magh-K-5 1 Dec.

Among all the ten state supported (Rajasthan Government supported), ie. an active

involvement of Zila Parishad, Gram Panchayat, Municipal Corporation, Revenue

Department and Animal Husbandry Department in the organization of the mela; it is the

Pushkar Fair which attracts the largest number of buyer and seller of the innumerable

breeds of buffaloes, cattle, camel and horses and other animals. The local populace from

nearby villages of all castes are in one way or the other directly involved with the mela in

various capacities. The mela attracts, artisans and handicrafts from Kashmir to Gujrat.

Each district of Rajasthan in form of co-operative endeavour (S<ilikari Sangthan) has

something to showcase at the mela grounds.

Either as buyer or seller, themselves or as providing a support system to the buyers

and sellers coming from nearby districts of Rajasthan, or those who come from such far

flung areas as Gujrat (form Western India), Haryana, Uttar Pradesh (from Northern India)

and Chattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh from Central India, the participation is all

encompassing. According to the local lore, the animal fair has been held since time

immemorial and invariably starts on Kartik Ekadashi year after year, coinciding with the

holy dip undertaken by pilgrims. Initially the fair was also known as "Horses fair", but

since last twenty years (as per the local information, Pushkar w~s initially a hunting

ground, for the most rarest of rare and finest horses, among horse lovers) the selling and

buying of horses has been on decline, and it is the good breeds of cattle, buffaloes and

camels that attract the largest transaction. For many old people, as evident from their

nostalgic reminiscenes, it was the advent of mass transport system especially the buses

run by Rajasthan State Road Transport Corporation, to every nook and comer of Rajasthan,

that saw a decline in demand for the horses. The cheap availability of two wheeler, primarily

3 1 3

'Luna' (a small sturdy two wheeler) and 'Rajdoot motorcycles' and 'Bullet' among the ,,

more efficient farmers, further did away the need for horses as a means of transport. In

the interface between technology and tradition, change was inevitable. Horses now cater,

primarily to tourist demands and are used in tonga for ferrying along with camelcart and

bullockcart, tourist across vast stretches of sand dune spread in and around Pushkar. In

addition to this horse is used to ferry the bridegroom over short distance, during marriage

season. A survey of the animal fair reveals that the actual trading takes place in the

following breeds of animals.

(A) CATTLE BREEDS (Indigenous Cattle Breeds of Rajasthan)

1. Gir :- Tl~e native tracts of this breeds are the Gir hills and forests in the south of the

Kathiawar peninsula (Gujrat) on the west coast of India. In an impure form Gir

cattle can be seen over a wide area of western Rajasthan, northern part of

Maharashtra and over a wide area including North Gujrat to Kutch. Outside India,

this breed has got an excellent reputation as beef animals and large numbers of

them have been exported to Brazil from where they have been introduced to some

other Latin American countries. The Gir bullocks are heavy and powerful drought

animals and work at low speed. The cows have good yield capacity and the milk

yield in a well maintained herd is 1590 Kgs. in 300 days. The average of first ':

calving is 51 months and subsequent calving occurs at 14 to 16 months intervals.

Gir bulls have been extensively used in Western India for grading the importance of

local cattles. Gir has contributed to the development of other breed like Mewati,

Deoni and Nimari.

314

2. Nagauri :-This breed is famous for its walking speed (it almost trotts). They are

primarily used for the purpose of transportation and thus famous as draft animals.

The bullocks are mainly priced for their fast road work. They are primarily prevalent

in the district of Jodhpur in Rajasthan and are native to some cirea of Ajmer district

like Narwar, Babaicha, Karkeri villages. The breed is supposed to have evolved

from Haryana _and Kankej breed. In the Barmer district of Rajasthan there are good

specimens of milk cows ofthis breed with yield as high as 900 Kgs. per lactation.

The body measurement ofNagauri male and female cattle are 408 and 340 Kgs.

body weight, 1.5 mts and 2.0 mts and 1.9 mts girth respectively.

3. , Ratlri :-These are medium sized powerful cattle found in various parts of Rajasthan.

The body of the animals is well built, and thus is used for carrying loads. The face

is straight, forehead flat, eyes white and large, ears short and pendulous , horns are

small and emerge laterally, hump is moderately developed, whereas1 fore limbs and

quarters are well developed and the tail is short. The animal are white with dark

grey marking on head. The body measurement ofRathi cattle- male and female is

385.5 Kg., 336.6 Kg. body weight, 1.5 mts. body length and 2.0 mts and 1.5 mts

girth, respectively.

4. Tharparkar (Tirari) :- This breed is a native of Tharparkar district of Hyderabad

(Pakistan). Cattle are now distributed in their purest form in the vicinity of Amarkot,

Nauket etc. The area extends upto Kutch district of Western Ihdia; Marwar in east

and Palampur area to the north of Bombay. The body coat colour varies from white

315

to grey. This is a medium sized and a compact breed. The males are also good draft

animal with average body weight of 544.3 Kg. ; height 1.3 mts. ; body length 1.4

mts, and girth 1.5 mts. with average milk yield ranging from 1800 to 2600 kg. per

lactation. However on well maintained farm, maximum yield range upto 4 763 kg.

has been recorded.

5. Kankrej :-The breed originated in the South East ofRann of Kutch in Gujrat and

today is spread over in the area encompassing from the south west comer of the

Tharparkar district in Pakistan to Ahmedabad in Gujrat. This breed is generally

silver grey to iron grey or steel black in appearance. These animals are agile and are

considered powerful draft cattle. This breed is exported widely and in Brazil is

known as 'Guzerat'. Cows are average milk givers and the yield is Rs. 1400 Kg.

per lactation with average body weight, height, body length and girth is 430.9 kg.,

1.3 mts., 1.4mts. and 1.8 mts respectively. While the Kankrej male weights around

589.6 Kg. with a height of 1.6 mts., body length 1.6 mts. and girth 2.0 mts.

(B) BUFFALO BREED:-

Murrah :-Murrah is the main buffalo breed which is available in the fair. The

breeding tract of this important buffalo breed is in and around Rohtak, Hissar and

Jind district ofHaryana; Nabha and Patiala district of Punjab. The animals have jet

black body colour with white markings on tail, face and extremities. The important

characteristics of this breed are massive body, neck and head. Horns are

comparatively shorts and tightly curved. Hind quarters are drooping and under

316 ,,

well developed. The average milk per lactation (of 305 days) is about 1500 - 2500

Kg .. Murrah male weights 567 kg. approximately with body measurement of 1.5

mts., 1.5 mts and 2.3 mts of height, body length and girth respectively. The female

is having 431 Kg. body weight with 1.4 mts. 1.4 mts. and 2.2 mts. height, length

and girth respectively.

(C) BREEDS OF CAMELS :-

Bikaneri :-This breed of camel is bred in an area of about 160 km. around Bikaner

city. It is a multipurpose camel but as it advances in age it becO'mes heavy and slow.

They have a symmetrical body and a slightly dome shaped head. The forehead has

well marked depression above the eyes. Some animals have a luxuriant growth of

black hairs on their eyebrows, eyelids and ears, they are known as "Jheepras". The

head is of medium sized and heavy looking with well marked "Stop" - a hokro

above the eyes causing the nose to tilt upwards with the forehead.

THE PUSHKAR CATTLE FAIR

The other animals in which trading is involved, though at a miniscule level when

compared with the trading involved in cattles and camels, is the ubiquitous donkey which

is used as a pack animal and the omnipresent goat which is used as milch animal. It is the

ubiquity of these animals, that makes them an inseparable part of the Indian rural scenario.

The above information and description, it needs to be admitted, is based on the

popular notion as shared by buyers and sellers themselves, the "floating buyers" who

bargain for every "anna" and "paisa" that is possible, but seldom buy, the "serious buyer",

317

who is an old hand at ascertaining the weakness and strengths of a particular breed, and

has already set up his mind, on a particular breed or an animal, the "seasonal buyer" who . ~

would weighs his 'pros' and 'cons' (many a times, they are on a shoestring budget) very

carefully, before going for a buy, and onlookers who are innumerable in numbers as well

as in their opinions, and officials of Animal Husbandry department, who with their

bureaucratic air, are waiting for the mela to be over, and the 'official' brochure, full of

grammatical and spelling mistakes. The importance ofPushkar Mela can be gauged from

the fact that the administrative overtune is overzealous and overwhelming, its involvement

is complete in the sense that it overlooks each and every detail pertaining to the animal

fair. The following description is an ethnographic account, of the "objective" impression

that gathered during my field work from the me las of 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002. The facts ,,

have been gathered and verified from the newspaper reportings (especially Dainik Bhaskar,

a local daily published from Ajmer), casual conversations carried on with innumerable

visitors, and unstructured interviews conducted on and off during the mela period with

government officials of various departments and mela officers, over a period of five

years, slowly and steadily the following impression was gleaned off, which would be the

basis for many generalizations.

There is no denying of the fact, that it is only because of the assiduous efforts, put

in by the Animal Husbandry Department Programmes and plans (Y ojanas ), that the animal

owners have in particular, and the rural populace in general, have for sure benefitted. The 'I

major ten animals fairs held across the state have an engaging presence of the administrative

set up in the form of 'Nagar Palika', 'Nagar Parishad', 'Tehsil', 'Panchayat' and 'Gram

Panchayat'. The major aim that is apparent, voiceferous and forthcoming across the various

3 1 8

SHOPS IN REVENUE LAND OF PUSHKAR TEHSIL DURING MELA

! t

'

I ~I+I+H 8 HwH 12 1141 ------------------------- ----------------------

29 28 27 26 25 24 23 2 21 20 19 18 17 16 15

I

30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 I

40 :40A I I

------------------------- ----------------------I I I

51 50 49 48 47 46 45 44 13 I 42 41 I I I I

I I I

' ' I I I

' I I I 68 ' I 52A I I

' I I I

' I I r---------I 67 I

53 I I L, _________

I 66 54 I I

52 I

--------r---65 ___ I

~----~----------55 64 56 57 63 58 59 62

-------------------------------------------

60 61 I

r---------------------------------------I I

I I I I I I I I I I I

I

)) I I

\ \

I I

' ' I

' I

' I I

' ' I I

' ' I

I

' ' I

I

' ' -- / ' ' ' ' ------ ,_ ----,,_ ----------- I

/// I

I I

I

View of the Animal Fair

governmental agencies is to get the animal owners a correct and justified price for their

animals. Though it should be pointed out that gerrymandering does exist in view of the

subtle political overtones, involved, in form of participation of members from many

erstwhile "royal" families, the pre-eminent players in the local religion political set up,

and those from the upper echelon of the two major dominant party-the Congress and the

BJP (Bhartiya Janta Party). All vying for a bigger share in the pie, and in the process

asserting their clout and consolidating their presence.

As per the official brochure 'Pushkar Mela Smarika, 2002- 12 November to 20

November', the various state level animal fairs garner an income from Rs. 25 - 30 crore

for the animal owners, and an income as a revenue to the state government from Rs. 25

- 30 lakh per year. Tb.e animal fair has many other roles to play too. Apart from being a

site for animal transaction, it is a site for rural education development. The various

exhibitions put on by government departments, showcase the latest technical know- how

for the rural populace. The animal owners and farmers are seen thrdnging to these stalls. ;

The government also organises various competitions, involving different breeds of animals.

These competitions attract a big cheering crowd, and are keenly contested. Apart from

generating a sense of fun and frolic, essentially these competitions are meant to showcase

the correct way and means for the upkeep of the animals, and to encourage the audience

(the animal owners), to adopt them. The basic aims of organizing the animal fair are as

followings :

(a) To facilitate, the process of buying and selling of animals, and in the process

establishing a marketing infrastructure for the same.

(b) To attract the animal owner's attention towards ways and mea'hs to further enhance

319

Pushkar Mela Area

Source: Pushkar Mela Smarika 2002 (Govt. Of Rajasthan)

Animal Water Arrangement

,,

I

fiil--J

Source: P1_1<:hkar Mela Smarika 2002 (Govt. Of Rajasthan)

the quality and thus value of thier livestock.

(c) To make animal rearing, especially for the youth, an attractive business proposition,

by advertising the latest plans offered by various governmental agencies.

(d) To organise and encourage at governmental and non-governmental level, exhibitions

pertaining to latest scientific knowhow, so that those engaged in animal rearing and

other allied areas can benefit from them.

(e) To hold competitions for animals, so as to encourage the animal rearers to improve

their breed and the yield.

The general support provided by Animal Husbandry Department and other

Government Department to the animal rearers during the animal fair time at Pushkar is

along the following lines:-

(a) During the animal fair, the various departments ensures adequate amount of water,

light and mepical care for the animal rearers and their animals.

(b) At administrative level, to establish temporary police post to maintain law, order

and security for the animal rearers and other.

(c) To organize with the help of various regional artistes, Nehru Yuva Kendra, Regional

Advertising Corporation and Rajasthan Tourist Development Corporation (R TDC),

entertaining and educative cultural programmes for the visitors and the general

rearers, visiting the mela. Moreover, keeping in mind, the educational needs for

animal rearers, attractive exhibitions and film shows too are organized.

(d) A special cell is established during the mela time, to look into the specific problems

of animal rearers and suggest them ways and means to solve them.

320

(e) To make available during the mela time, adequate amount of food and other items,

'fair price' shops are opened.

(f) To carry to and fro the animals, owners and their livestock from their place of

destination to mela ground and back, additional services of buses, trucks and train

wagons are arranged.

(g) During the fair, the post and telegraph department, too makes its services available

for the people visiting the mela.

The other adiminstrative matters which are important to animal rearers are:

(a) Before entering the mela ground, the animal owner should get from the various

established booths 'Chowki' of animal husbandry department 'Lal Chitti' (red letter).

(This lal chitti registers, the legitimate presence of the animal and its owner in the

mela ground.

(b) After buying any animal, a 'safed chitti' (white letter), must be requistioned by the

buyer. The safed chitti has various details like seller's name, seller's address and the

selling price of the animal. This is an imperative procedure to be followed by one

and all.

(c) The animal owners to take their newly procured animals from the mela grounds to

any other place, must on the basis of the 'white chitti' get their 'rawanna' cut. (The

rawanna is in a way like a bus ticket, or a railway ticket which allows the animal

and its owners to exit from the mela ground.)

The rawanna rate for year 2002 for various state level animal fair per animal animal was

like this:

321

Ox Rs. 5.00 per animal

Buffalo Rs. 2.50 per animal

Ass Rs. 2.50 per animal

Donkey Rs. 2.00 per animal ,,

Sheep I Goat Rs. 0.50 per animal

Camel Rs. 8.00 per. animal

Horse Rs. 6.00 per animal

Apart from these rates, the animals who are taken to be outside the state of Rajasthan,

are also required to pay sales tax to the commerce department of Rajasthan, and

the arrangement for collecting these are done at the mela ground itself.

(d) Those who would not get their 'rawanila cut' alongwith the 'white chitti and if the

same is found out by the flying squad while attempting to leave the mela premises;

would be liable for punishment.

(e) It is important to ascertain that the 'rawanna' issued by the department has full

information regarding the transaction that has occured for a particular breed of

animal, only after doing so, the animal should be taken outside the fair ground.

(f) It is also desired, that the various animals before leaving the mela ground should be

immunized against Galghotu, Fadsujan, Khurpaka, Muhpaka and for Camels Sarra.

(g) It is also the responsibility of a seller or a buyer to seek out if any, new directives

issued by the government, from the government officials deputed at the mela.

It should be pointed out, that above procedure is to be strictly followed and very

,, few animal buyer or sellers were perturbed on this account and felt the procedure to be

necessary.

322

Prior to 1970 the arrangements of the meal where overseen by Gram Panchayat

and then for some time, Panchayat Samiti, Pisanganj. It was the year 1970 and onward

that the responsibility for organising the ever growing mela fell on the Animal Husbandry

department. The state government to facilitate and overlook the daily operation of the

mela, set up a "Pushkar Pashu Mela Salahakar Samiti" (Pushkar Animal Fair Advisory

Committee) under the chairmanship of District Collector. A sample study would be given

for the year 2002, firstly because it happened to be my last mel a, for the research purpose,

and secondly after the 'Akshardham temple terrosit strike', Pushkar was the next major

target, and in this context, detailed examination of the administrative set up became more

necessary.

The Advisory Committee underithe chairmanship ofShri Niranjan Arya (I. A. S.)

met on 1.10.2002 and formed 9· sub-committees, and vested them with various

responsibilities. It is these nine sub-committee which overlooks the day to day happenings

of the Pushkar mela. To oversee the smooth functioning of the mela and to maintain law

and order situation, the following officers were deputed for a period from 12.11.2002 to

22.11.2002 ie. for the mela duration.

1. Smt. Mugdha Sinha Sub Divisional Magistrate, Ajmer

(I.A.S.) Mela Magistrate, Pushkar

2. Shri K. K. Pathak Additional Collector, Ajmer

(I.A.S. Probationer) Additonal Mela Magistrate, Pushkar

3. Dr. S. K. Srivastava Deputy Director Animal Husbandry Department

Ajmer and Mela Officer, Pushkar.

The nine sub-committees which are formed, are essentially meant to overlook the

323

mela arrangements, more so, in the context of basic amenities being made available to

pilgrims I foreigners I animal rearers. These committees are :

1. Co-ordination (Samnvay) Committee (which overlook the functioning of other sub­

committees).

2. Water, Electricity and Telephone Vyavastha Upsamiti (Arrrangement sub­

committee), this sub-committee in a way ensures that the most basic and necessary

requirements for pilgrims I foreigners are met.

3. Vikas Pradarshini Upsamiti (Development Exhibition sub-committee)- basically

oversees the arrangement of various exhibitions pertaining,, to the development

schemes or envisaged by and under various government schemes.

4. Swasthya and Swachch<lta Upsamiti (Health and Hygiene sub-committee) This sub­

committee essential1y ensures that no epidemic of any kind break among the

population in the mela area, and sees to it that amount of waste generated every

day is disposed off in an unobstrusive manner.

5. Rasad Upsamiti (Edible Goods sub-committee) sees that adequate arrangement

for foodgrains, vegetables and kerosine oil for visitors are available at economical

rates.

6. Law and transportation sub committee oversees the variol.lli aspects concerned

within its jurisdiction.

7. Cultural Programmes and Sports Competition sub-committee which oversees the

various cultural activities and sports competition to held I organised during the

Pushkar fair.

8. Finance and Tax Collection Department it ensure that the state gets it due share in

324

the form of tax and keeps a vigil on the money transations occuring at various

levels.

'I 9. Inaugration and Closing Ceremony sub-committee oversees the arrangement and

scheduling ofthe inaugral function and the closing ceremony. Both these functions

are a brureaucratic jamboree, and it's a gathering of who's and who's of Rajasthan.

In addition, to the following subcommittee the various government department engaged

in the smooth functioning of the mela are following:

1. A11imal Husha11dry Departme11t: the department arranges for tent accomodation

for the animal owners. Medical care for animals is available 24 hours. Apart from

the animal dispensary run at Pushkar, on mela grounds two other medical units are

. 'I

set up so as to avail immediate medical facilities in case of an emergency or otherwise.

The department also overlooks the barricading of mela grounds, during prize

distbribution ceremony to control the1crowd. The Mela Magistrate Camp, Police

Control Room and Animal Fair Officer office have temporary communication lines

(phone lines) established.

2. P.H.E.D. :To make the availability of drinking water in the mela area and the

municipal limits ofPushkar. To cross check the water connections and the network

of pipeline distribution from 10.11.2002, to supply water to the tanks from where

'I . the animals drink water. The tanks for retaining the drinking potable water has

undergone the process of chlorination by 5.11.2002.

325

3. Electricity Arrangement: There is a complete arrangement to meet the electricity

requirement in the municipal limit as well as in the mela area. To meet emergency

situation, a 63 kilowatt generator is kept ready.

4. Public Construction Department: To make drinking water available for the animals,

36 tanks have been made functional. The tanks which were completely damaged

has been repaired by 5.11.2002. The construction and repair works ofthe roads

like Pushkar - byepass, Pushkar Parikrama marg and the Ghat area have been

completed by 10.11.2002. The roads have been levelled near the temporary bus

stand and administrative camp.

5. Ration Department: To meet the ration demand of the mela, the government has

opened up 15 fair price shops for animals rearers and people visiting the animal fair.

The fair price shop from 10.11.02 would sell kerosine oil.

6. Dairy : The dairy overlooks the arrangement of fodder for animals. Ajmer dairy

has opened up 14 milk booths, selling its milk and milk products.

7. Nagar Palika, Pusflkar: All along the fifty-two ghats and the area limit of animal

fair, there are 118 points where public address system has been installed. These

points serve as a juncture for information dissemination. Food packets are being

procured and distributed under their supervision. Three temporary parking spot

for private vehicles have been identified. During mela time, along the ghats, there

326

are divers to meet any emergency situation. There are 150 people engaged in cleaning

work.

8. Roadways: To make Pushkar easily accessible for pilgrims, and foreigners, one

hundred and fifty extra buses ply on the Chaturdashi and Purnima days. No permit

is given to private operators in view of the rash and negligent driving undertaken

by them in the past. There is also a mobile unit in operation overseeing and ensuring.

The smooth flow of the traffic. On both sides ofNag hillock, i.e., at Ajmer side and

on Pushkar, one crane each is ready, in case of a traffic jam, due to vehicular

breakdown. From 19.11.2002 the traffic would be one way traffic, the exit and the

entry route will not run into each other.

9. Health Department : Apart from regular medical facilities available of Pushkar,

six other centers have been opened along with a mobile unit which would be open

for twenty four hours a day, moreover, four dispensaries by Ayurveda department

too has been opened up, all these facilities will be available round the clock.

10. Movement restriction :For those walking on foot (pedestrian traffic, especially along

parikrama route) in Pushkar, on the day of 15.11.2002 and from twelve noon from

1711112002 to midnight of20/1112002, the movement will be only along one direction.

11. Facilities and Comforts for Foreigners by Tourist Department: To make available

all possible facilities needed by foreigners in Tourist Village. To arrange for these

327

foreigners and showcase the best of Indian art and culture, following places are

earmarked to provide information and tourist brochure to the tourists :

a. Tourist Welcome Centre, Hotel Khadim, Ajmer.

(Morning 8:00am to Evening 6:00pm)

b. Tourist Information Centre, Railway Station, Ajmer

(Morning 10:00 am to Evening 5:00pm)

c. Tourist Information Centre, Hotel Sarovar, Pushkar

(Morning 8:00am to Evening 6:00pm) ,,

d. Tourist Information Cell (Temporary), Mela Grounds, Pushkar

(Morning 7:00am to Evening 7:00pm)

e. Tourist Information Cell (Temporary) Tourist Village, Pushkar

(Morning 7:00am to Evening 7:00pm)

Further directives are also issued:

0 It is the duty of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) to arrange

for healthy entertainment based on folk culture, for tourists and pilgrims. Essentially

the programmes showcase the folk music and folk songs of Rajasthan. ':

0 To generate an interest among the tourists towards various animal competitions

and informal rural games. In addition to this all wings of the administration must be

seriously involved during the opening and closing ceremony.

0 To overlook and ensure adequate lightening arrangement, especially along the Ghats

with the help of floodlights.

0 To prepare attractive and multicolored brochure and to distribute them (especially

328

among foreigners) so as to advertise the fair, and thus in turn attracting more

foreigners/tourists.

0 Cultural Programmes and Sports Competition: The education department has been

entrusted to prepare cultural programmes with the involvement of middle school

children, and the Panchayat Samitis would be responsible for various sports

competition.

0 For the y~ar 2002 along with administrative arrangement, the cultural programmes,

too would be held in the Mela grounds from the very first day itself i.e., from the

day of flag hoisting ( 12.11.2002) this would increase the attraction for the foreigners

and for pilgrims too.

0 The animal husbandry department provides free of cost land for setting up of stalls

for exhibition to central government, state government, semi-government and self­

help group's endeavours. The exhibition was inaugurated on 15.11.2002 in evening.

During the exhibition, care should be taken to disseminate proper information

regarding various government plans and new products especially among the rural

populace.

The Animal Fair-2002 Advisory Committee in its meeting on 1.1 0.2002, fixed the schedule

of fair as following.

1.

2.

3.

4.

Mela Duration

Chowkiyan (booths) to be set up

Flag hoisting ceremony

White Letter

5. Rawanna (The animals with their owners

329

12.11.2002 to 22.11.2002

1 0.11.2·oo2

12.11.2002

14.11.2002

Sporting activities during Cattle Fair

can leave the fair grould) 15.11.2002

6. Development Exhibition and inauguration of

Sank.ar (mixed breed)Animal Exhibition 15.11.2002

7. Animal Competition 16.11.2002 to 19.11.2002 ':

8. Cultural Programme 12.11.2002 to 19.11.2002

9. Prize Distribution Ceremony 20.11.2002

10. Closing Ceremony 22.11.2002

According to the official schedule, the proposed cultural programmes are as follows:

S.No. Date Time Name of the Programme

1 10.11.02 10.00 am Establishment of the Control Room

Establishment of Booths (Chowkiyon)

2 12.11.02 8.00 am Rangoli Competition

10.00 am Flag hoisting

10.30 am Releasing the "Official brochure-Samarika-2002"

and dedicating it to the people

S.NO. Date Time Name of the Programme

11.00am Lagan cricket match I(Film Stars V s District

Administration)

12.00 am Lagan Cricket match II(Indians Vs Foreigners)

5.00pm Deepdan in Pushkar Sarovar, Cultural Evening

Rajasthani Folk dance and pupeetering show by ':

Sohanlal.

330

View of the Cultural Programmes in Pushkar Fair

6.00pm By Song and Drama Division, Jodhpur

7.00pm Shenai-Nagara Tejaji Dance (By Tourist

Department)

8.00pm A late night Musical Soiree

3 13.11.02 11.00am Informal Games Satoliya Indian Women against

Foreigners Women

12.00 noon Breaking the earthen vessel (Matka) by forming a

pyramid

l.OOpm TyreRace

5.00 pm Rajasthani Kalbeliya dance

6.00pm Song and Drama Division, Jodhpur

7.00pm Rajasthan Kavi Sammelan

9.00pm Lakhbir Singh Lakha (Bhajan Sandhya)

S.NO. Date Time Name of the Programilie .

4 14.11.02 11.00 am Chota Dhari (Indian V/s Foreigners)

12.00 noon Musical Chair ,,

1.00 pm Matka race

6.00pm Inter Panchayat Samiti Music and Dance

Competition.

5 15.11.02 10.00am Rawanna (the animal owners with their animals

can leave the fair ground)

10.00 am lnter..:Panchayat Samiti Sports Competition

11.00 am Ladies Matka (filled with water) Race

331

,,

Camel and their owners in best of their fineries

'I

11.30 am Street play (by Shankar Singh Rawat)

12.00 noon Camel Decoration Competition

1.00 pm Camel Saddle Decoration Competition

6.00 pm Gir animal Exhibition, District Industries

Exhibition Inauguration

7.00pm Development Exhibition Inauguration

8.00pm Oddisi Dance Evening (by Shrimati Kumkum

Mohanty)

6 16.11.02 10.00am Inter Panchayat Samiti Animal Competition, Kho-

Kho, Kabaddi

11.00 am Rajasthan Bridal Competition

12.00 noon Horse Dance Competion

1.00 pm Camel Dance Competition

S.NO. Date Time Name of the Programme

2.00pm Gir Animal Competition

6.00pm Milk Competition, Cultural Evening presented by

Song and Drama Division Jodhpur

7.00pm Fire Dance (by artistes from Bikaner)

7 17.11.02 6.00am Milk competition

10.00 am Volleyball and Rope-Tug war

11.00 am Tilak and Turban Competition (for foreigners)

2.00 pm · Nagouri and Haryanvi Animal Competion

6.00 pm Milk Competition

332

7.00pm Cultural Dance by Kathak Kala Kandra, Jaipur

8 18.11.02 6.00 am Milk Competition

10.00 am Inter Panchayat Samiti Competition ':

11.00am Kissa Kursi ka

7.00pm Fire work Programme

8.00 pm "Punjabi Bhajan Sandhya" (Vinod Chaddha and

troupe from Delhi)

9 19.11.02 10.00 am Cattle show championship competition Inter

Panchayat Samiti Sports final.

Closing Ceremony 7.00pm Msk, Chakri, Gair, Swang, Bamarliya, Ghoomar,

Kalebeliya, Kacchi Ghodi Khartaal.

S.NO. Date Time Name of the Programme ,,

9.00 pm Bhajan Sandhya (by junior An up Jalota, and Junior

Narendra Chanchal.

10 20.11.02 11.00am Closing Ceremony

11 21.11.02 5.00 pm MelaCloses

Apart from the above, there are various street plays, programs by Rajasthani artistes

and Vishnu Puran exhibition.

To conduct the above functions in an effectual manner and to maintain administrative

efficaciousness, more so, to maintain law and order, the following orders were issued by ,,

the government. A brief description of the orders:

1. Order No. 152 dt 28.10.02 To maintain the administrative efficacy and law

333

situation during Pushkar mela, The District

Magistrate, Ajmer, has appointed following

magistrates on duty. Shrimati Mugdha Sinha (Mela

Magistrate) lAS, Subdivisional Magistrate, Ajmer

Shri K.K. Pathak (Additional Mela Magistrate I.A.S

(Probationer)

2 Order No.153dt 28.10.02 By orders of Zilla Magistrate, to maintain law and

order, during the Pushkar mela, the Deputy collector ·

Ajmer has been appointed as officiating Magistrate

3 Order No. 152 dt 28.10.02 By the orders of Zilla Magistrate Ajmer, Two

4 Order No.75 dt.2.11.02

5 Order No.74dt.2.11.02

officiating magistrate to be in reserve. Shri Shankar

Lal, Sahayak Bhu Prabandh Adhikari, (Deputy Land

Acquisition, Officer) Ajmer. Shri Ganpat Singh,

Tehsildar, Nagar Sudhar Nyas, Ajmer

By the orders ofMela Magistrates, so as to maintain

the cleanliness of holy sarovar, a ban on selling any

other item other than those required for prasad and

puJa.

By the order ofmela magistrates, the Nagar Palika

area of Pushkar and 8.00 km from its boundaries

under Indian Penal code act of 144 from midnight of

10.11.02 to the midnight of 24.11.02 on the use of

the following items restrictions (ban) have been

334

imposed: use of drugs, to buy or sell non-vegetarian

food, razor sharp arms, inflammatory speeches,

distribution of literature or pamphlets having

communal overtone, photography on the ghats, to

keep edible food items uncovered, to erect tent like

or temporary shop on government land without

permission, to stick posters and boards, sound

amplifier, run films on V .C.R and to leave animals

\·

untethered in the Nagar Palika area.

6 Letter No. 6273 dt 18.10.02 The administration by the orders ofUpkhand Adikari

and Mel a Magistrate for the comfort of the travellers,

tourists have opened up milk booths at following

places. a) Near Mela ground b) Rajasthan Tourism

Development Corporation (R. T.D.C) c) Near Brahma

temple d) Old Bus Stand e) Mahadev Chowk f) Holi

kaChowk

7 Order No 73 dt. 2.11.02 By the orders of Mela Magistrates in Pushkar from ..,

12.11.02 to the end of the mela for travellers and

foreign tourists, a special administrative control room

has been set up to help them, which will be operating

round the clock.

To smoothen the flow of vehicular traffic and for the purpose of parking, the vehicles

would be issued vehicular pass. The passes are Red/Green/White in color. Both private

335

and government vehicles should only travel on the routes as indicated on the pass and

park accordingly.

The vehicles which are without any passes should park at following places :

1. In front of Bangar School For two Wheelers

2. On both sides of Ajmer Bus Stand For Two Wheelers

3. Old Chungi Chowki For Private vehicles

(In front of Ajmer road in (Like car, jeep and mini bus)

Nagar Palika Colony)

It is apparent, that a major administrative juggernaut is on the roll, not only

for the duration of the Pushkar fair, but also before and afterWards. What needs to be ,,

pointed out, is that there is no singular defining concern, but the interest are enmeshed in

to each other. The economic-political implications underlines the apparent religio-social

congregation.

From a daily study of a local newspaper, (Dainik Bhaskar), (content analysis) from

1998-2002 there is not much difference, in the administrative input. In fact a survey of

the reportage from 24th October 1998 to 6th November 1998 ofDainik Bhaskar reveals

the following.

The Dainik Bhaskar (Dt. 24.10.1998) reports of a 'sound and light' programme

titled "Manzilen aur bhi hain" to be held during Pushkar Mela. The programme of one

" and half hour duration would show-case the cultural heritage oflndia, tracing its historical

moorings from King Ashoka's reign till the traumatic partition and the much cherished

independence. The programme will be held under the aegis of Ministry of Information

336

and Broadcasting, Government of India. It had 125 artistes participating from all over

India. In addition to this, the Regional Advertising office from 28th Oct to 3rd November,

on video projector would showcase documentary films on Voter's rights, AIDS, Health

and Family Welfare, Rural Development Programmes, and National Solidarity.

" The 'Dainik Bhaskar' dt 24 Oct. 1998 report that the local Thana Incharge ofPushkar

convered a meeting of hotel and tourist house owners and apprised them of the Do's and

Do not's issued by the administration. The foreigners are to be made welcome and they

should not be misguided, and should be warned of pickpockteers and shop lifters during

the mela premises(From 2002, Smarika) but care should be taken to make the foreigners

sensitive towards local religious customs and feelings and photography on ghats is to be

strictly prohibited.

According to Shri Laduram Sharma, the President of 'Shri Tirth Guru Purohiton

Sangh Trust', each purohit will get an identity card, which would have the purohit's

" photograph, purohit's name, father's name and address. This has been done, sb that the

pilgrims can recognize their purohits, even in the overcrowded ghats.

From the above three excerpts, the following can be concluded that by organizing

a mela, the administration's main area of gains are economic, religious and socio-p.olitical.

To elaborate on the economic gains, the following table would be necessary.Showcasing

the total transaction involved in selling and buying of animals.

A further analysis of everyday record of" lal chitti" (red letter) and "safed chitti" (white

letter) issued to animal owners on entering the mela ground and for transaction as

respectively as per the reportings in Dainik Bhaskar, would show the vibrant economy at

work.

337

Pushkar Animal Fair Details From 1996 to 2001

S. No. Animal 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 Income Sale Income Sale Income Sale Income Sale Income Sale

1 Cow 4905 2829 4426 3234 5954 2185 4676 2087 4249 2813 2 Buffalo 1284 420 1019 338 954 869 975 612 1149 773 3 Horse 1167 768 1655 806 1227 828 2242 2104 2030 1084 4 Camel 13981 6822 13502 7045 13139 5424 13053 4556 11735 4413 5 Sheep - - - - - - 1 - - -6 Goat 2 - 4 - - - 15 - 8 -7 Donkey 4 - - - - - 5 - 1 -8 Others - - - - 6 6 - - - -

Total 21343 10839 20606 11423 21280 9312 20967 9359 19217 9083 .

Income Of Animal 467.04 Lac 454.48 Lac 457.91 Lac 749.51 Lac 561.83 Lac Rearer's

Income of Animal Husbandary 173843/- 245284/- 235034/- 251521/- 255809/-Department

The 'Dainik Bhaskar' dated 25.10.98 reports that there are ten chowkis (booth) at

different entry points at Pushkar through which the animals can enter after their owners

have procured 'safed chitti' (white letter). The total number of animals that have entered

is 5,000 and the maximum among them is the camel. From the above arrival, the buying

and selling records were as follows as: (as per table on the next page)

By 29th Oct (as per Dainik Bhaskar dt 29th Oct, 1998), business transaction worth

Rs. 81 Lakh have been conducted, the selling price range of the anin;1als were as follows:

Bullocks

Small Calf -

Camel

Horse

Rs. 10,000 - Rs. 200 (depending on the breed)

Rs. 4,500 - Rs. 500

Rs. 1600 - Rs. 300

Rs. 40;000 - Rs. 2,000

The price variation is essentially keeping in mind the breed of the animal. According

to the reporting total 716 animal had left the fair ground and the total revenue earned

from them was'Rs. 10,256.

By 30th October (as per Dainik Bhaskar dt 29th Oct, 1998), transaction involved a

total of3358 ani~als and it generated a business of rupees 951akh, 2.1 thousand and 303.

The highest price till date paid for different categories of animals were as follows:

A pair of Ox

Buffaloe

Camel

Horse

Rs. 12,000

Rs. 8,000

Rs. 23,000

Rs. 44,000

The total business for each species was as following:

Cow Rs. 7,77,000

338

Buffalo Rs. 1,19,798

Camel Rs. 67,30,000

Horses Rs. 18,97,536

This involved buying and selling of 441 cows, 111 buffaloes, 2637 camels, 169

horses.

By 31st October (Dainik Bhaskar dt 31.1 0.98) as business worth Rs. 3 crores, 18

lakh and 47 thousands has been transacted, and according to Dainik Bhaskar dt 1.11.98,

out of the 20,870 animals "rawanna" for 6,958 animals has been cut resulting in an earning

of Rs. 48,887. The rawanna earning for last year for 10262 animals was Rs. 8536.

What is apparent is that the continuous drought like situation, and the weak condition of

economy, has brought down the demand for animals.

The 'Dainik Bhaskar' dated 2.11. 98 reported that the total sale has resulted in business

transaction ofRs. 3,96,30,689. The highest cost fetched by animals were as follows:

Horse Rs. 1,51,000

Camel Rs. 23,000

Ox Rs. 72,000

The general mood was that rates for horses have come down by thousand rupees that of

camel Rs. 500, Ox Rs.100 and Buffalo Rs.700.

The 'Dainik Bhaskar' dt 6.11.98 reports that the total business transaction was for 4.5

crores. The Animal Husbandry department has earned revenue ofRs. Sixty Five Thousand

only, and this earning is Rs. Twenty Thousand less than last year. According to Roshan

Lal Dev, an ofticial from Animal Husbandry department, for the duration between 28.1 0. 98

to 6.11.98 the total animal arrival was 21,280, the number of animals sold was 9345 and

339

Tourist Arrival Figures in PUSHKAR During Last Twenty Year PUSHKAR

Year Indian Foreigner 1982 287995 8244 1983 325940 9611 1984 346678 7902 1985 356393 8820 1986 367566 9988 1987 378153 11187 1988 381655 11889 1989 395069 14104 1990 382999 12695 1991 421299 13964 1992 481102 14876 1993 654827 18863 1994 505357 14710 1995 .662699 39325 1996 702604 48993 1997 700515 50198 1998 679303 38150 1999 731124 49279 2000 951000 52011 2001 865000 46182 2002(Up to Sept) 446672 16599

Tourist Arrival Figures in AJMER During Last Twenty Year AJMER

Year Indian Foreigner 1982 428228 5740 1983 434586 8840 1984 438464 6127 1985 442000 6238 1986 460598 6678 1987 478887 6657 1988 488338 7553 1989 496893 8097 1990 427264 7167 1991 467512 10477 1992 537325 14828 1993 478977 10326 1994 423912 46024 1995 501476 47651 1996 527008 56126 1997 493596 60066 1998 783782 48808 1999 766497 45202 2000 1088000 51344 2001 1269309 54040 2002(Up to Sept) 1016604 47162

Foreigners participation in Pushkar Fair

Tourists enjoying the different games in Pushkar Fair

the total transaction amounted to Rs. 4 crores 60 lakhs. The other source of earning was

from the various stalls put by the department, which aggregated toRs. llakh 57 thousand.

The total coming to Rs. 2 lakh 15 thousand

Another indirect though profitable involvement of the government is through bus

transportation and 'special fair buses' which comes from as far as Delhi, Uttar Pradesh,

Madhya Pradesh, and so on, which are run by the government as well as by private bus

owners to facilitate transportation.

The other source of income which is eagerly awaited is the much valued presence

of the 'foreigners'. The foreigners essentially visit the fair for many reasons. While talking

to many of them what was evident was that tourists from England, Holland, Israel, France,

Germany and Sweden come es~entially for a camel ride, photographing the sunset on

sand dunes, colorful Rajasth~i dresses, cultural dances. They gen~rally stay in tourists

huts either private or owned by Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC).

The huts are Swiss type or of a simple pattern, done up on a Rajasthani theme and

culture, but with all the modern amenities. According to the estimate given by various

tour operators, every year five thousand foreigners do come to Pushkar, but this year the

attendatJ.ce has thinned down. Generally the booking for these tourists huts are done six

months in advance and the rates vary from rupees three thousand to rupees ten thousand

per night during the peak mela time. That the earning is a lucrative proposition out here

is evident from the fact that an intense competition is on to lure the 'firangi' -the foreigner.

The R TDC whereas has a fixed tarrif and has a cumbersome bureal.Jfracy to make things

difficult for itself, the private resort owners, do not have a fixed tariff rate, as they increase

and decrease the tariff rates as per the supply and demand. Thus in the process, they lure

340

up many floating tourists who happen to be in Pushkar mela.

What was most striking is that how modem means of communication has in era of

globalisation and liberalisation, established far and wide linkages. The downswing in the

Pushkar's economy could not be plainly attributed to the existing famine conditions. Even

a small trader could pinpoint, in a simple fashion, minus the financial jargons, that the

World Cup 1998, and the Pokhran nuclear blast had kept foreigners" away from Pushkar.

Many tour operators and private resort owners, have a one liner 'Blame it on Pokhran'.

According to them, the health conscious Europeans are scared of the radioactive fallout,

as Pokran like Pushkar is in Rajasthan and that is serving as a strong deterrent. The

second reason is that for many tourists, an annual 'foreign' outing , is desirable, keeping in

mind their budgetary constraints, and for the current year, instead of'Destination India'

their destination has been the World Cup. Thus the Pokhran nuclear blast has served as a

deterrent for dollars coming in and the World Cup has turned away the prospective

customers.

The loser are not only the exclusive 'tour operators' and 'resoit owners', but loss is

felt across all the strata of the society. From the camel owners, who arrange the moonlight

camel safari across the sand dunes, to the shopkeepers selling their 'ethnic lehnga-choli',

'Salwar-Kurta' Rajasthani 'Pagadi', to the sweet shopowners selling the local delicacy

' Malpuwa', to the beggars who get a chance to be photographed on asking, for a price

(few dollar more), the traditional puppeteer selling the indigenously built Kathputli (pupet

which can be controlled by nimble fingers), the innumerable stalls selling imported brands

of cigars, cigrattes, mineral water bottle, mouth freshner etc, the music shops (which

excels in showcasing, both the Carnatic and the Northern styles, also pre recorded cassettes

341

and CD's of many Indian musical mastero like Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Ustad Vilayat Khan,

Shri Hariprasad Chaursia, Shri Amjad Ali Khan, Ustad Allaha Rakha, Zakhir Hussain,

the fact that Sufi music especially that sung by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, and Abida Parveen

is in great demand among foreigners and the 'psychodaelic music' of flower power

generation mostly the bands on the lines of Pink Floyd and Company. Even the priests

feel the pinch, because it is the 'Dollar Dakshina' that makes their prayers come true.

What needs to be answered is that from where does the organizational money

comes for this purpose. Well every year the business set up do make contributions, though \•

voluntarily as claimed by the government, but there are voices of dissent.

Amount received in Pushkar Mela Vikas Samiti, Year 2002~

. S.No. Name Amount

1. Rajpurohit Dairy 6000.00

2. M/s Adinath Stone, Palra 6000.00

3. M/s Nitin Abhushan Bhandar i 6000.00

Shri Niwas Didwania Sarraf

Kuber Jewellars, Shivam

4. Relan Motors Pvt. Ltd., Ajmer 3000.00

5. Udai Guest House, Ajmer 3000.00

6. Chandak Hospital, Ajmer 3000.00

7. Jumar Singh Jeetmal Ajmera 3000.00

8. Naseeruddin Alias Lala Bhai 3000.00

Roshni Poultry Farm, Rasulpura

9. Laxmi Engineering 3000.00

342

10. Raghu Pareek, Lake View Hotel 3000.00

11. Rajendra Prasad Rajoria 3000.00"

Hotel Peacock

12. Jagdish Chaudhary 3000.00

13. Sunil Sethi 3000.00

14. Radheshyam Rajguru 3000.00

15. Laxmi Misthan Bhandar 3000.00

16. Hotel Aaram, Ajmer 3000.00

. 17. , Leela Shyam Exports 3000.00

18. Manoj Sharda, Shri Karan 1000.00

19. General Secratary, 3000.00"

Shri Rajpurohit Panchyat Bhavan, Pushkar

20. Shri Radheshyam Nagaura 3000.00

21. Shri Madan Singh Rawat 500.00

22. Shri Rammani Ashram, Udasin 1100.00

23. Ashutosh and Company 3000.00

24. Shri Hemsingh Rawat 1000.00

25. Shri Bhairon Singh Bhati 1000.00

26. Shri Darshan Batra 500.00

27. Shri Sunderlal Khatri 500.00 ,,

28. Shri Mohan Singh, Up Pradhan 1000.00

29. Shri Ishwar Parashar 3000.00

30. Shri Samundar Singh Rawat 1000.00

343

31. Shri Madan Lal Mali 500.00

32. Shri Ram Narayan Chaudhari 500.00

33. Shri Abhay Chaddha 60,000.00

Word Vision, Mumbai ,,

34. Shri Radhika Art Palace, Kishangarh 3000.00

35. M/s Maya Mandir, Ajmer 3000.00

36. Shrenik Marbles Ltd., Kishangarh 6000.00

37. Shriram Picture Palace, Kishangarh 3000.00

38. Shri Ganesh Stone Crushers, Ajmer 3000.00

39. N .K. Holimex Hotel, Kishangarh 6000.00

40. Shyam Cement and Stone Works, Ajmer 3000.00

41. Azad Sweets, Ajmer 3000.00

42. Mahant Shri Narmadapuri Advaita Ashram 3000.00

\•

43. Shri Hanuman Das, Kadel 1000.00

44. Shri Trilok Chand Bhati 500.00

45. Shri Yadav, Lesava 1100.00

46. Shri Jangid Brahman Samaj, Lesava 1000.00

47. Shri Shanta Jodha, Devnagar 1000.00

48. Shri Gheesu Lal Tanwar, Banseli 1000.00

49. Shri Vasudev Manghani 1500.00

50. Shri Govind Ram Vaishnav, Pushkar 1100.00

51. Shri Kishanlal Chavandia 1000.00

" 52. Shri S.K.Properties, Ganaheda 3000.00

344

53. Hotel Shivam, Shiv Kumar, Tonk 1000.00

54. Rajasthan Petroleum Dealers Association 6000.00

55. Royal Resort Camp, Pushkar 12,000.00

56. Life Insurance Corporation ofindia 18,000.00

Source : Pushkar Mela Smarika, 2002

The fair elicits varied responses from the administrative staff. The elected officials

such as Nagar Palika and from Panchyat level, present themselves as servants of Gods. \·

However, implicit in the involvement of'these elected officials is their desire to gain

socio-political prestige above and beyond religious gains. These leaders used the 'name

of religion' as the most effective defence and justification for negotiating and specifying

conflicts of group and individual interests.

For the government servants, primarily, the fair is an assignment duty for the

maintenance of law and order, but it did have religious overtones. Many of them, due to

their well defined position in the politico-bureaucracy nexus, do provide some concessions

to their relatives and friends, like the best spot for having bath, puja and archana, good

living accomodation at nominal cost or at times no cost. This is an increase in their status ':

symbol among their own kinsmen.

Finally, what needs to be mentioned is that whatever might be the motive of the

individual present in Pushkar, he is a cog in economic wheel, money at times may be

represented as subversive of the most valued social relations, it can be viewed money as

an instrument for their maintenance. In Pushk:ar what money means is not only situationally

defined but also constantly re-negotiated.

345