The Bikaner Camel Festival is a very lively and colourful one. All the contestants have very long well groomed beards and moustaches which have not been shaved in many years, one for as long as 12 years! The camels also participate in contests, performing remarkable acrobatic feats.
Camel owners urge on their well-trained camel as it balances on its rear legs atop a rather flimsy traditional Indian day bed known as a charpoy, and raises its front legs in an acrobatic move that is very difficult and elegant for such a heavy, large animal. This was one of several contests and definitely a highlight of the annual Bikaner Camel Festival in Bikaner, Rajasthan, India. Patterns are also shaved and dyed on the skin of the camel as part of its beautification process, alongside colourful decorations.
