Dr Karni Singh Stadium, Bikaner
Dr Karni Singh Stadium, Bikaner
Dr Karni Singh Stadium, Bikaner
Dr Karni Singh Stadium, Bikaner
Dr Karni Singh Stadium, Bikaner
Dr Karni Singh Stadium, Bikaner
Dr Karni Singh Stadium, Bikaner
Dr Karni Singh Stadium, Bikaner
Katariasar Village
Katariasar Village
The Pushkar Camel Fair is one of the two most important camel trading fairs in the world. So it was with a lot of anticipation that I traveled through Rajasthan, waiting to enjoy the Bikaner Camel Festival. What a disappointment when I ended up at the festival to find out that it is more a tourist showcase than a real fair. Bikaner is famous for its camels, apparently rearing half of the camels sold in Rajasthan. But this camel festival was a 3 day tourist thingy. The good part is that as a foreigner you get to see camels dressed up and their fur cut with cute patterns. The down side is the whole thing is decidedly tacky. Rajasthani men dress up as warriors and enter the Mr Bikaner competition. Couples dress up and have to answer trivia about Rajasthan in another competition. All this is an elaborate show for the foreigners. The first day was held at the Dr Karni Stadium in Bikaner. Over the next two days, the festival continues in Katariasar Village, which I went down to check out. I left when I found out that the wedding ceremony on the schedule was for foreigners participation. With the hordes of local Indians looking at white skinned tourist in wedding clothes, I seriously had no idea who was watching who.
The festival was great for capturing images of the local color and culture, but in a completely plastic manner. Somehow it did not feel like an honest transaction. The nicest part was Katariasar Village though. The people there I suspect have not had much experience with tourist yet. They were curious about tourist and enthusiastic to be photographed, but they did not demand rupees or a pen in return.
As humans we are such romantics at heart and hope for the ideal experiences, but the truth always turns out to be something mixed. But on the bright side, I rather have this mixed-experience than none at all.
No comments:
Post a Comment