23rd Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Travel
Straight out of a Dream

Seen from the ground, the camels of Pushkar rise like moving monuments against a desert sky, their long necks weaving together in a rhythm as old as Rajasthan itself. From this low, immersive perspective, the viewer becomes part of the herd — surrounded by textures of sun-baked fur, shifting legs, and curious faces framed beneath drifting clouds. This isn’t just a marketplace; it’s a living landscape shaped by migration, trade, and tradition. The camels, towering yet gentle, carry the stories of nomads, herders, and the desert routes that once connected entire kingdoms. In this frame, travel becomes wonder — a reminder that some of the most powerful experiences come when you change your viewpoint and let the world rise above you.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 10.2025
Date Uploaded: 11.2025
Photo Location: Ajmer, India
Copyright: © Arun Kumar Nalimela