All about the desert cattle fair of Nagaur
Rajasthan is dotted with fort and palaces, fascinating wildlife and stretches of sandy desert. Apart from its majestic forts and tales of love and courage, Rajasthan is also famous for its fairs and festivals. Despite the harsh life, desert people are traditionally tourism-friendly and good hosts. One such festival that catches the spirit of these people is the Nagaur cattle fair.
When and where does the festival happen?
The small town of Nagaur located between the tourism and trade centres of Jodhpur and Bikaner hosts the second-largest cattle fair in India. It will be happening from February 6 to February 9, 2022, between 9 am to 6 pm daily. Stall owners are around early in the morning too, and festivities go on late into the night, so like many stay-at-venue fairs, this one is almost a 24 hour affair.
Why is Nagaur the venue?
The Nagaur Festival is jointly managed by the Departments of Tourism and of Animal Husbandry. Nagaur itself has been a traditional cattle market for centuries though. First time visitors are always stunned at the sight of literally thousands of camels, horses, cows, goats and sheep being traded. Situated in the Thar Desert, the soil of Nagaur was always infertile for agriculture. Resourceful villagers started making their livelihood by breeding camels and selling them to the neighbouring regions, and then to Haryana and Punjab. The camels are meticulously kept, and command high prices. The bullocks are healthy and fit, while goats and sheep are also of good breeds. Nagaur soon became a good cattle market, whose tradition of bargaining continues even now. Around the cattle market, grew up other bazaars. Desert tribes started congregating here. Given this past, Nagaur deserved being the venue of the festival.
What else happens at Nagaur?
Rajasthan has a rich cultural heritage, so folk music and dance performed by the locals dressed in traditional finery is part of the Nagaur cattle fair too. Other popular activities include tug of war, cockfights, camel and bullock races, jugglery show and puppet shows. The state tourism department puts up a tourist village to provide accommodation at the venue itself. Camps, tents and bonfires add to the charm of the desert setting. The Mirchi Bazaar area is a favourite with shoppers for its range of wooden items, leather articles, handicrafts, and traditional jewellery. There’s also a special beauty contest for decorated animals. Camel milk tea stalls and local sweet stalls draw crowd. The night sees a lot of fireworks against the star-studded desert sky.