Once in a year the small town of Nagaur near Jodhpur stirs to life with its annual cattle fair popularly known as the Nagaur fair. Nagaur Cattle Fair, the second largest cattle fair in India is held every year during the Hindu month of Magh that corresponds to January-February according to Gregorian calendar.
Nagaur Cattle Fair 2015 Date: When is Nagaur Cattle Fair?
In 2013 the Nagaur Fair will be held from 17 February- 20 February
In 2014 the Nagaur Fair will be held from 6 February -9 February
In 2015 the Nagaur fair will be held from 26 January -29 January
The Nagaur Festival is organised by the Department of Animal Husbandry in co-operation with the Department of Tourism, Government of Rajasthan.
The main focus of the fair that is held for a period of four days is on trading of cattle, bullocks, camels and horses. Farmers from all over the state as well as neighbouring states visit this fair every year to trade cattle, horses, and camels. This mass event marks the trading of cattle on a huge scale and more than 70,000 exchanges take place each year at this fair. The animals are lavishly decorated with fascinating accessories in an extravagant manner. Especially the bullocks of Nagaur are renowned for their fitness and attract a large number of buyers. Even the owners of the cattle dress up wearing ethnic Rajasthani clothes, colourful turbans and flaunt their long moustaches.
Some of the other attractions of the fair include fun-filled traditional games like tug-of-war, camel races, cock fighting and buffalo races which are enjoyed by both the local people and the tourists. Street artists like juggler’s storytellers and puppeteers also contribute to the charm of the fair. Visitors can also visit the Mirchi bazaar and buy the red chilli powder made from red hot Nagauri chilli. The mirchi bazar that is exclusively set up at the festival premises is the largest red-chilly market of India and is the chief attraction here apart from the cattle. Other items traded at the fair include wooden items, iron-crafts, camel leather accessories, decorative head gears, Jodhpuri brassware, Jaipuri fabrics, innumerable trinket stalls etc. Dancing and singing is an integral part of the culture of Rajasthan and in the evenings mesmerising folk dances and music performances are organised that entertain the visitors throughout the fair.
How to Reach Nagaur
Nagaur is one of the most picturesque Rajput townships in the state. It is well connected by road and is located around 135 km from Jodhpur and 293 km from the city of Jaipur. The Nagaur Railway Station is well connected to major cities like Jaipur, Jodhpur, Bikaner and Delhi. Jodhpur airport is located around 140 km from Nagaur and it is the closest domestic airport. There are regular flights from here to cities such as Mumbai, Delhi, Jaipur etc.