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
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& 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 ...
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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.
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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
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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",
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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
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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
,,
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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.
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