News & Updates
Pushkar Mela 2026: Goat Competitions Return for Sirohi and Sojat Breeds on 20 November
Goat keepers from Rajasthan have a new reason to go to the Pushkar animal fair this year. Rajasthan’s Animal Husbandry Department is bringing back goat competitions, for Sirohi and Sojat breeds, for the first time since 1998, according to the department’s fair officer, Dr Naveen Parihar, as reported by Hindusthan Samachar and ETV Bharat.
Dates for goat keepers
| What | When and where |
|---|---|
| Registration of animals (horses, camels, goats, buffaloes and Nagauri bullocks) | 19 November 2026, 8 am to 6 pm, at the help desk on the new fair ground, Motisar Road |
| Goat competitions (Sirohi and Sojat) | 20 November 2026, new fair ground |
| Prize distribution and horse show | 24 November 2026, 9:30 am, old fair stadium |
| Closing ceremony | 26 November 2026, 5 pm, old fair stadium |
A team of veterinarians will check each animal’s health before the competitions. ETV Bharat reports eight goat categories, with separate competitions for males and females.
Why it matters
According to the department, the competitions are meant to encourage goat rearing, help keepers get better prices and attract buyers from further away. Sirohi and Sojat are both registered Rajasthan breeds; see our guides to the Sirohi goat and the Sojat goat, and Sojat vs Sirohi.
Before you travel
- Confirm the registration time and rules at the fair’s help desk or with your district Animal Husbandry office. Reports differ on the fair’s overall opening date, so rely on the department’s event dates above.
- Take only healthy animals; they will be examined by vets before the contests.
- Carry your animals’ identification and your own ID.
Sources
- Hindusthan Samachar, 7 November 2026: Pushkar animal fair poster released (quoting the fair officer)
- ETV Bharat, 28 October 2026: goat competitions return to Pushkar after 1998
Checked against the official sources above on 11 November 2026. GoatIndia.com is an independent website, not a government portal. Dates, fees and rules can change, so always confirm on the official website before you apply or pay.