Every year in the Indian state of Rajasthan, thousands of people and camels make a trip to the small town of Pushkar for the annual Pushkar Mela, or Pushkar Camel Fair. One of the oldest and largest camel fairs in the world, Pushkar has grown to become an important attraction for foreign tourists in recent years. Aside from the trading of livestock, the fair includes music, sports, and other events such as the "longest mustache" and "Indian bride dress-up" competitions. Collected here are a few scenes from this year's fair in India's northern desert.
The 2012 Pushkar Camel Fair
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A hot air balloon carrying tourists flies over camels for sale at Pushkar Fair in the Indian state of Rajasthan, on November 22, 2012. Many international and domestic tourists throng to Pushkar to witness one of the most colorful and popular fairs in India. Thousands of animals, mainly camels, are brought to the fair to be sold and traded. #
Reuters/Danish Siddiqui -
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An Indian herder with his camels on a sandy path as they near the camel fairgrounds on the outskirts of the small town of Pushkar, on November 23, 2012. This annual five-day camel and livestock fair is one of the world's largest camel fairs. #
Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images -
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A young Indian woman dressed in traditional Rajasthani clothing waits for the start of a traditional dance presentation on the outskirts of Pushkar, on November 21, 2012. #
Roberto Schmidt/AFP/Getty Images -
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