Pushkar 2025: Tradition in Motion

Welcome to my latest article on travel and cultural photography. I’m Avanish Dureha. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned photographer seeking fresh inspiration, this series is for you. Together, we’ll delve into the art of capturing the world’s cultures through your lens. If you enjoy this piece, consider subscribing on Substack (Dureha.substack.com) for more articles, tips, and exclusive challenges.

Travel and cultural photography offers a powerful way to understand the world. It’s more than scenic landscapes or iconic landmarks—it’s about capturing the heartbeat of a place. Each photograph tells a story: a glimpse into local traditions, the spirit of communities, and the everyday moments that define a culture. A skilled travel photographer doesn’t just take pictures; they listen, observe, and connect. With curiosity and respect, they move with intention, revealing the shared humanity that unites us all—from bustling markets to tranquil villages.

As Steve McCurry says,

“If you wait, people will forget your camera and the soul will drift up into view.”

And in the words of Henri Cartier-Bresson,

“To photograph is to hold one’s breath, when all faculties converge to capture fleeting reality.”

As I left Delhi for Pushkar, I already knew, based on past visits, that the autumn sun would cast its golden glow across the Thar Desert. But each year brings its own surprises, and I felt the familiar anticipation of witnessing something extraordinary. From October 30 to November 5, 2025, I had the privilege of documenting the world’s largest cattle fair once again. What unfolded through my viewfinder was nothing short of magical.

The First Light: Capturing the Convergence

I arrived early, my camera bags heavy but my excitement heavier. As dawn broke, the sandy expanse around Pushkar Lake transformed into an ocean of humanity, over 800,000 tourists and nearly 60,000 international visitors converging on this tiny desert town.

Through my telephoto lens, I watched caravans roll in from Punjab, Haryana, Gujarat, and distant corners of northern India. Some traders arrived in air-conditioned vehicles carrying prized livestock; others followed ancient desert routes on foot.

Crouched low, I captured camel silhouettes moving through pre-dawn mist, their bells chiming softly with each step. The golden morning light seemed crafted for photographers. This year, I was pleasantly surprised to see animal ambulances on standby, an important step toward animal welfare.

The fairgrounds buzzed with such energy that I often wished I could be in several places at once. I navigated through stalls and encampments, capturing traders haggling, families exploring, and the endless layers of scent—incense from temples, food sizzling at stalls, and the earthy aroma of livestock. Each smell pointed me toward a new story.

A Photographer’s Paradise: The Colors of Rajasthan

If I could photograph only one thing at Pushkar, it would be the people.

Men in vibrant turbans, crimson, saffron, and electric pink, posed proudly with their splendid mustaches groomed to perfection for traditional competitions. Their faces, weathered by sun and time, told stories without speaking.

The women, however, stopped me in my tracks. Their mirror-studded ghagras shimmered in the desert light, while odhnis in magenta, emerald, and gold flowed behind them like living banners. I spent hours chasing their movement, adjusting shutter speeds to freeze a swirl of fabric or to transform it into a flowing blur of celebration.

Heavy silver jewelry reflected sunlight unpredictably, challenging me to find the perfect angles to capture nose rings, layered bangles, and ornate necklaces. The rhythmic tinkle of anklets often became my signal to turn around for a candid portrait.

Documenting Change: The Evolving Livestock Trade

The livestock trade, once dominated by camels, is changing rapidly. Camels, the iconic “ships of the desert”, were noticeably fewer this year. Aware of their declining presence, I made it a mission to capture as many as I could.

The horse section, however, has grown tremendously. Breeders from Punjab, Haryana, and Gujarat showcased finely groomed horses transported with care. My M.Zuiko 40–150 mm lens helped isolate them from the surrounding chaos and highlight their powerful stance and gleaming coats.

A surprising addition this year was the puppy trade section. Traders from Punjab displayed various breeds, drawing excited families and children. Documenting puppies at Pushkar, a traditionally rural livestock fair, felt like witnessing a symbolic shift in India’s growing urban pet culture.

---

Through Smoke and Steam: Photographing Rajasthani Cuisine

Food photography at Pushkar is a challenge I welcome each year. Smoke, steam, movement, everything happens at once.

I spent a golden hour capturing dal baati churma, using backlight to illuminate the rising steam. I photographed vendors lifting fresh kachoris from bubbling oil, waiting patiently for that perfect moment when the crust glistens. Malpuas dripping with syrup caught the light like molten gold.

Since Pushkar is a sacred vegetarian town, all stalls honor the tradition, no meat or alcohol. Yet international vendors added a modern twist with falafel wraps and wood-fired pizzas. The fusion made for fascinating photographic contrasts.

My favorite images came from the chai stalls at dusk. Warm light, rising steam, and the graceful arc of tea being poured made for intimate, timeless frames.

The Marketplace: Patterns, Textures, and People

The market was a playground of colors and textures. Cotton kurtas and palazzos hung in bright rows, casting geometric shadows on the sand. Bandhani fabrics demanded careful handling, their intricate tie-dye patterns coming alive only under the right light.

I documented block-printed scarves, each marked by the imperfections that make handicrafts beautiful. Silver jewelry stalls required late-afternoon visits to avoid washed-out highlights. I captured artisans polishing, hammering, and shaping metal with practiced hands, tradition preserved one piece at a time.

Foreigners trying on kurtas and wrapping dupattas provided delightful candid moments—little windows of cultural exchange unfolding in real time.

Sacred Light: Photographing Spiritual Convergence

Pushkar’s spiritual essence is as compelling as its colors.

I photographed rituals from a respectful distance, never intruding. At dawn, Pushkar Lake turned into a stage of devotion as thousands gathered to bathe in the holy water. I chose not to photograph the bathing rituals, some moments are sacred beyond the lens.

Long exposures captured lamps reflecting on still waters, temples silhouetted against the sky, and crowds gathering for the Maha Aarti. The chants, bells, and incense made me feel like a participant rather than an observer.

Those images carry a spiritual weight rare in my work.

The Final Frame: Reflections at Sunset

As I packed my gear on the final evening, I realized Pushkar Cattle Fair 2025 had revealed itself as a living heritage in transition. I had documented shrinking camel populations, expanding horse trades, buffaloes joining the mix, and the surprising rise of puppy stalls.

Yet the essence remained timeless, vibrant attire, aromatic cuisine, spiritual devotion, and the gathering of communities from across India and the world.

I stayed to capture one last sunset. The sky shifted to orange and pink over the Thar Desert, and in that moment I understood what my thousands of photographs truly represented.

Pushkar is not just a fair.It is a celebration of life, where sacred meets secular, where tradition embraces modernity, and where a desert town becomes the cultural heartbeat of Rajasthan.

I arrived as a photographer.I left having witnessed the resilient soul of a people and a place that continues to honor its past while stepping into an uncertain future.I hope my images help others feel the desert dust, hear distant camel bells, and understand why Pushkar remains one of India’s most unforgettable gatherings.