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Why is the Pushkar festival both a religious event and a livestock fair?

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Map highlighting the Indian state of Rajasthan in orange, located in the northwest of India with its capital Jaipur marked. Surrounding countries including Pakistan, China, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka are shown, along with major bodies of water such as the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal. — Rajasthan Rajasthan, India.

The Pushkar festival is a unique cultural event in Rajasthan that serves dual purposes by blending spiritual devotion with economic activity.1

The festival functions as a religious event because Pushkar is a significant pilgrimage site, particularly noted for its Pushkar Lake and temples dedicated to the god Brahma. During the celebration, thousands of Hindu pilgrims gather at the lake to bathe at the ghats in search of salvation.21

Simultaneously, the event operates as a major livestock fair, often referred to as the Pushkar Camel Fair. Farmers from across the state travel to the town to showcase and trade their camels, horses, and cattle. This convergence of religious observance and commercial livestock trading makes the festival one of the most prominent and vibrant gatherings in India.21