Last updated on: November 28, 2012 11:08 IST

The famous Pushkar fair, which attracts lakhs of people including foreign tourists, has begun in Ajmer, Rajasthan, with a number of cultural programmes, group dance and camel race attracting lakhs of visitors.

The state government has for the first time allocated an additional budget of Rs two crore for the arrangements in the fair. Lakhs of visitors are likely to visit the fair in Pushkar, some 15 kms from Ajmer, officials said.

Many international and domestic tourists throng to Pushkar to witness one of the most colourful and popular fairs in India. Thousands of animals, mainly camels, are brought to the fair to be sold and traded.

A camel herder kisses the nose of one of his camels as he waits for customers at the Pushkar fair.

All photographs: Danish Siddiqui/Reuters

A woman carrying a metal container walks past camel herders waiting for customers at the Pushkar fair.

Camel herders try to attach a nose ring on a camel at the Pushkar fair.

A camel herder walks his camels at the Pushkar fair.

Camel herders sit in a group at the Pushkar fair.

A camel herder attempts to control one of his camels.

A camel herder lights a cigarette near a camel.

A camel herder sits on a bed in a field during the early morning at the Pushkar fair.

A camel herder stands among his camels as he waits for customers at the Pushkar fair.

A camel herder lights a fire to cook on at the Pushkar fair.

Tourists sit on a camel as it takes a drink of water at the Pushkar fair.

Camel herders count money at the Pushkar fair after a sale.

Camels walk as their herders lead them to an area to wait for customers at the Pushkar fair.

Camel herders warm themselves by a fire at the end of the day the Pushkar fair.