Nagaur is a small town in Rajasthan. Historically it is important because it was a jagir offered to Balban which was captured by Sher Shah Suri in 1542. The great Mughal Emperor had also built a mosque here while a famous shrine of the disciple of Muinuddin Chisti is situated in the town of Nagaur. While touring Nagaur the other places worth visiting is the Badal Mahal, Sheesh Mahal and Hadi Rani Mahal which are intricately designed with 18 th century murals. Nagaur is more known for the Nagaur fair or the cattle fair. Held in the months of January or February every year it is a rare sight to see around 70, 000 bullocks, cows, camels and horses together. Nagaur Fair is the second largest fair in Rajasthan.

Nagaur was a citadel of the Rajputs. Predominated by cattle farmers the lull of the sleepy town is often broken the tinkling of the bells when the sheep and cows walk done the village lanes. The hardworking Nagaur villagers dressed in colorful turbans walk by their cattle.

It is during the Nagaur festival you can spot the traders in their brightly colored clothes flaunting their mustache and selling the brightly dresses herds of cows.

The four-day Nagaur festival has games like camel and horse and bullock races, cockfights, tug of war. Puppeteers, jugglers also put up shows while storytellers sing of the legends of great rulers and their acts of valor. It is enchanting to listen to the popular folk songs reverberating through the chilly nights of the desert.

The Nagaur fair is famous for its red- chilli market. Iron crafts, wooden articles and leather goods are also marketed in the Nagaur Fair.

Location and Transport

Nagaur is located 135 km from Jodhpur Airport and 85 km from Bikaner in Rajasthan, India. Jodhpur lies near the geographic center of Rajasthan state, which makes it a convenient base for travel in a region much frequented by tourists.

Air
The Nearest airport to Nagaur is at Jodhpur (135 km). Jodhpur is well connected to all the major cities which include Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Jaipur and Udaipur of Rajasthan.
 
Bus
Nagaur is 62 km away from Merta and 85 km from Bikaner. Merta is well connected by Road with all major cities and Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable deluxe & air conditioned buses from Delhi (Bikaner House, Nr. India Gate) to Jodhpur and Bikaner of Rajasthan. The roads are very good, and it takes around 8-9 hrs from Jodhpur of Rajasthan. You can also come by taxi. The bus stand is right outside the Rai ka Bagh Station.

Train
The Nearest Railway station to Nagaur is at Merta Road (62 km) or Jodhpur Station is another option. Jodhpur is on the Broad Gauge and hence connected to all the metro cities of India. There are daily trains from Jaipur, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Jodhpur has two railway stations; City and Rai ka Bagh both are outside the walled city.

Distance of important cities from Jodhpur of Rajasthan

Jaipur of Rajasthan: 343 Km
Jaisalmer of Rajasthan: 295 kms
Mount Abu of Rajasthan: 264 kms
Udaipur of Rajasthan: 275 kms
Ajmer of Rajasthan: 205kms
Agra: 577 kms.
Bikaner of Rajasthan: 245kms
Delhi: 602 kms
 
Facts of the Nagaur Fair of Rajasthan in India

Time: Hindu Month of Magh (Jan-Feb)
Venue: Nagaur, Jodhpur of Rajasthan
How to Reach: Buses connect Nagaur to all major cities of Rajasthan while Trains connect it to Jodhpur, Jaipur, Bikaner and Delhi via Merta Road of Rajasthan.
Significance: It is the second largest cattle fair of Rajasthan where bullocks, camels and horses are traded. 
Highlights: The biggest Mirchi (red chili) Bazaar (market) of India is also organized at the fair. Other attractions are tug-of-war, camel races, bullock races, cockfights, etc.