Pushkar Fair Trip from Delhi: 2026 Dates, Route and Travel Tips

Pushkar Fair 2026 (Pushkar Mela) is scheduled for November 17 to 24, 2026, ending on Kartik Purnima. Pushkar is about 410–430 km from Delhi by road, a 7 to 8-hour drive via Jaipur and Ajmer on NH48. For a group, a 3-day trip timed around the last days of the fair gives you the camels, the cultural events and the holy dip at Pushkar Lake.

The Pushkar Camel Fair is one of the most photographed festivals in India. Thousands of decorated camels, horses and cattle gather on the dunes, folk musicians play through the night, and pilgrims arrive for a holy dip on the full moon of Kartik. Because Pushkar is an easy drive from Delhi, it is also one of the best winter road trips for families and friend groups. Here is everything you need to plan it.

Pushkar Fair 2026 at a glance

When is Pushkar Mela 2026?

Pushkar Mela 2026 is expected from November 17 to 24, 2026, according to Incredible India. The fair follows the Hindu calendar, running through the month of Kartik and ending on Kartik Purnima, the full moon day.

The fair has two overlapping sides. The livestock trading starts first, often a few days before the official cultural programme. Camel herders arrive with their animals and trading is at its busiest in the early days. The cultural programme, organised by Rajasthan Tourism (RTDC), follows with competitions, performances and the famous Mela ground events. The fair builds up to Kartik Purnima, when the largest number of pilgrims bathe in Pushkar Lake.

The official RTDC schedule is usually released close to the event, so check it once it is out and plan your dates around the events your group wants to see.

Which days should you visit?

• For camels and trading: go in the first half of the fair, when the dunes are full of herders and animals.
• For competitions and cultural shows: the middle days usually have the most organised events.
• For the spiritual side: the last two days, leading up to Kartik Purnima, bring the holy dip and the evening aarti at the lake. Expect the biggest crowds then.

For most groups, arriving two or three days before Kartik Purnima gives a good balance of all three.

How to reach Pushkar from Delhi by road

The most practical way to reach Pushkar from Delhi is by road via NH48: Delhi → Gurugram → Neemrana → Jaipur → Kishangarh → Ajmer → Pushkar. The distance is about 410–430 km, and a group should allow 7 to 8 hours with breaks.

The route is a straightforward highway drive. After Jaipur, the road continues past Kishangarh (known for its marble market) to Ajmer. From Ajmer, it is a short 14–15 km drive over the hills to Pushkar. Many groups stop at Ajmer Sharif Dargah on the way in or out.

Pushkar has no railway station or airport. The nearest railheads are Ajmer and Jaipur, and the nearest airport is Kishangarh, with Jaipur airport offering more flights. For a group, this means that even if you take a train, you will still need local transport. Driving from Delhi in one vehicle avoids those transfers entirely.

Road trip tips for the Delhi–Pushkar route

• Leave Delhi by 6 AM. You clear city traffic early and reach Pushkar by mid-afternoon.
• Plan a breakfast stop around Neemrana or Behror, where several highway dhabas and food courts serve large groups quickly.
• Consider a Jaipur halt. If your group has an extra day, break the journey in Jaipur and cover Amber Fort and Hawa Mahal. You can also book Urbania on rent in Jaipur for a Jaipur–Pushkar extension.
• Expect traffic near the fair. During the mela, roads into Pushkar get congested and some areas near the fairground are closed to vehicles. Your driver will drop you at the nearest allowed point.

Things to do at the Pushkar Camel Fair

The fair is part livestock market, part village carnival and part pilgrimage. Highlights include:

• Camel trading on the dunes: walk the fairground early morning, when the light is soft and the herders are preparing their animals.
• Camel decoration and camel dance competitions: camels dressed in mirrored saddles, anklets and embroidered cloth.
• Fun competitions: longest moustache, turban tying, matka phod and tug-of-war between locals and visitors.
• Folk music and dance: Rajasthani performers, Kalbelia dancers and evening cultural shows at the Mela ground.
• Hot air balloon rides: offered by private operators during the fair; book early and check safety standards.
• Shopping: leather juttis, silver jewellery, bandhani fabrics, camel accessories and local handicrafts.
• Kartik Purnima snan and deepdaan: thousands of pilgrims bathe at the 52 ghats of Pushkar Lake and float diyas in the evening.

Places to visit in Pushkar beyond the fair

• Brahma Temple: one of the very few temples in India dedicated to Lord Brahma, the creator.
• Pushkar Lake and its ghats: Varaha Ghat, Brahma Ghat and Gau Ghat are the most visited. Evening aarti at the lake is a must.
• Savitri Mata Temple: on a hilltop above the town, reachable by ropeway or a steep trek. The sunset view over the dunes and lake is excellent.
• Pap Mochani Temple: a smaller hilltop temple with good sunrise views.
• Ajmer Sharif Dargah: the shrine of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti, about 15 km away in Ajmer.

Suggested 3-day Pushkar Fair itinerary from Delhi

Day 1 – Delhi to Pushkar. Leave Delhi early, stop for breakfast on NH48 and reach Pushkar by afternoon. Check in, rest, then walk to the lake for the evening aarti and a first look at the mela.

Day 2 – Full day at the fair. Sunrise walk through the camel grounds, breakfast, then the Mela ground events and competitions. Visit Brahma Temple in the afternoon, ride the ropeway to Savitri Temple for sunset and end with the evening cultural programme.

Day 3 – Ajmer and return. Morning holy dip or a last walk through the market, then drive to Ajmer Sharif Dargah. Leave for Delhi after lunch and arrive by late evening.

Have an extra day? Add Jaipur on the way back or head to Chittorgarh and Udaipur for a longer Rajasthan loop.

Where to stay during Pushkar Mela

Accommodation fills fast and prices rise sharply during the fair, so book 2–3 months in advance. The main options are:

• Luxury and Swiss tent camps near the fairground, including RTDC and private camps, which give you the full desert-festival feel.
• Heritage hotels and havelis near the lake, walkable to the ghats and Brahma Temple.
• Resorts on the Ajmer–Pushkar road or in Ajmer itself, which are cheaper and easier for parking a group vehicle.

For groups, a camp or resort with its own parking is often more convenient than a small hotel inside the town’s narrow lanes.

Pushkar Fair travel tips for groups

• Pushkar is a holy town. Meat, eggs and alcohol are not permitted within the town, so plan meals accordingly.
• Pack for cold nights. November days are pleasant, but nights on the dunes get chilly.
• Ask before photographing people. Many herders and performers are happy to be photographed, but always ask first.
• Carry cash. Many stalls and small vendors prefer cash, and ATMs run out during peak days.
• Watch for “flower offerings” at the ghats. Politely decline anyone asking for large donations in exchange for a puja you did not request.
• Keep one meeting point. Crowds on the fairground are huge; agree on a landmark so no one gets lost.
• Book your vehicle early. November is also wedding season in North India, and group vehicles get booked out.

Why a Force Urbania is ideal for a Pushkar Fair trip

A Pushkar trip means a long highway drive, short hops between Pushkar and Ajmer, and a group that wants to stay together through crowded festival days. A Force Urbania on rent in Delhi handles all of it, with reclining seats, strong AC and room for luggage and shopping. Pick a 9, 12, 13, 16 or 17-seater based on your group and check the Urbania van rental rate for a Delhi–Pushkar package.

Frequently asked questions

What are the Pushkar Mela 2026 dates?
Pushkar Mela 2026 is scheduled from November 17 to 24, 2026, ending on Kartik Purnima. Check the official RTDC programme for event-wise dates.

How far is Pushkar from Delhi?
Pushkar is about 410–430 km from Delhi by road. The drive via Jaipur and Ajmer on NH48 takes 7 to 8 hours.

What is the best day to visit Pushkar Fair?
Visit in the first half for camels and trading, the middle for competitions, and the last two days for the Kartik Purnima holy dip. Two to three days before the full moon is a good balance.

Is there a direct train from Delhi to Pushkar?
Pushkar has no railway station of its own. Take a train to Ajmer, then drive about 14–15 km to Pushkar.

How many days are needed for a Pushkar Fair trip from Delhi?
Three days is ideal: one day each way for travel and one full day at the fair. Add a day for Jaipur or Ajmer if you want to see more.

Is Pushkar Fair good for families and senior citizens?
Yes, as long as you plan for crowds. Stay close to the fairground, visit the camel grounds early in the morning and keep your vehicle nearby for rest breaks.

Plan your Pushkar Fair road trip

See the camels, the colours and the full moon over Pushkar Lake without splitting your group across trains and taxis. Share your dates and group size to get a quote for a Force Urbania on rent in Delhi for Pushkar Mela 2026.