Photography: India

India, the largest democracy in the world, has one of the oldest civilizations, and is the world's second most populated country after China. It is known to overwhelm one’s senses with its size and diversity.

Every year, Pushkar comes alive with the joyous festivities and the cattle market of the Pushkar Fair. This fair is one of the major cultural reflections of the state of Rajasthan and people from different parts of India gather on the fair ground to participate in a number of cultural and sporting events. The variety of folk dances and songs lend vivid splashes of color and music to the atmosphere, that is already charged with the excitement of the camel races and cattle fair.

Varanasi has been the ultimate pilgrimage spot for Hindus, and it is believed to have the power to wash away the sins of mortals. It is the oldest living city in the world. Mark Twain described Varanasi well when he said it “is older than history, older than tradition, older even than legend and looks twice as old as all of them put together.”

Nothing in India is ever quite predictable; the only thing to expect is the unexpected. Pushkar and Varanasi exemplify this well.