Dancing camels amaze tourists at Pushkar fair

Ajmer: Tourists attending the international Pushkar fair Friday were awestruck to see camels, accompanied by Rajasthan Nagara (drums), dancing in tandem and receiving applause.The fair is also a centre of attraction for Rajasthani culture and handicrafts. "It is like a dreamland for me, and I came for the second time to this fair," said Malina of Spain. She added, "The way the camel understands the music and moves its legs in accordance with the drum is fabulous." Anad Benerji, who came with his family from Odisha, was astonished by the camel's dance. "This is something—a harmony of culture, and the camel is a part of it," he said. Hundreds of tourists gathered to see the activities at the Mela ground. "We have organised different programs and competitions, including a football match for foreign and domestic tourists, a Matka (pot race), and a bridal fashion show in which foreign women also participate," said an official.Just near the mela ground, the Kalbaliyas, known for their dance in their traditional wear attracted tourists capturing the event in cameras. "Our community of Kalbaliyas is famous for the Kalbali dance with ornaments and traditional attire, and we come every year to attend this fair from different places," said Sunanad, who was playing the flute.Meanwhile, in response to the large crowd coming to Pushkar, district police installed CCTV cameras and deployed 2,000 police personnel, mostly on the ghats of Sarovar. The administration painted the ghats blue and yellow because this time the Sarovar received a good amount of water during the monsoon. The administration also put curtains on the changing rooms for women who came to dip in the Sarovar. The main religious occasion is on Nov 5, the full moon day.