Pushkar leading Pilgrimage | Lake | fairs & festivals

Pushkar is home to more than 400 temples.Not only a Hindu, but tourists from all over the country and the globe have found a peace and tranquility that is unique to Pushkar.Pushkar holds a special place in the heart of every Hindu. Located about 11 kilometers from Ajmer in the colorful land of Rajasthan.The charm of this sleepy, lakeside settlement so captivated the great Indian poet, Kalidas,that it found a place in his classic, Abhigyan Sakuntalam. The Great Hindu epics of Mahabharat and Ramayana make references to this religious place regarded to be Adi Tiratha.

The legend about the Creator God, Bramha describes the creation of this lake. When the demon Vajra NabhaBramha Tample killed Brahma’s children, he in turn struck him with his weapon, a lotus flower. Vajra Nabha died with the impact, and the petals of the lotus fell at three places. One of them is Pushkar, where a lake sprung into being. Brahma is supposed to have performed sacrifice at this lake on Kartik Purnima (the full moon day of the Kartik month), hallowing the place. Sacred to Brahma, Pushkar boasts of its temple dedicated to him, which is the only one of its kind in the world. A dip in the waters of Pushkar and worship at his temple ensure salvation. So thousands flock to Pushkar to observe the ritual on kartik Purnima, or on any of the four days preceding it. the bath at Pushkar is thought to be more important than at any other place. The holy dip in this lake on Kartika Purnima is thought to be salvation giving.A Pushkar travel is guaranteed to make your trip worthwhile and present you with memories that are bound to last a lifetime.

Temples

Brahma Temple Pushkar
The only temple of its type, the Brahma temple is an important pilgrim centre for the Hindus. The Brahma temple is nestled in the Pushkar valley, which lies beyond Nagaparvat and the Anasagar Lake. This place is considered sacred, as it is believed that Lord Brahma, together with all the gods and goddesses performed a Yagna here. Legends also have it that the ancient lake had appeared miraculously, when a lotus fell from the hands of Lord Brahma and dropped into the valley. The Brahma temple, built with marble, is decorated with silver coins and there is a silver turtle on the floor of the temple.

Savitri Temple Pushkar
The Savitri temple is dedicated to Goddess Savitri, Lord Brahma’s first wife. It is located on the hill behind the Brahma temple. To reach the temple one has to climb a long series of steps. The site of the Savitri temple provides a panoramic view of the lake and surrounding sand dunes.

Rangji Temple Pushkar
The Rangji temple is very gracious. It is considered very conspicuous, due to its south Indian style of architecture. The temple has a high rising ‘Gopuram’, typical of southern India.

Warah Temple Pushkar
The Warah temple is another famous temple of Pushkar. It houses an image of lord Vishnu in the incarnation of the wild boar. The temples of Brahma and Warah are considered equally important. It is believed that king Anaji Chauhan built the Warah temple. According to mythology it is a very important temple and is believed that Vishnu came on the earth in the incarnation of Warah (wild boar) to kill the demon Hirnayaksh and liberate the land from his atrocities.

Apteshwar Temple Pushkar
The Apteshwar temple is another important temple of the Pushkar town. It was built in the 12th century and is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Pushkar Fair

Every year thousands of devotees throng the lake around the full moon day of Kartik Purnima in October-November to take a holy dip in the lake. Huge and colorful cattle fair “The Pushkar Fair”, is also held during this time. Pushkar fair is well-known for it’s Camel trading and other attractive activities.

Activities
Dance music and colorful shops spring up during this fair. Also on sale are mouth-watering traditional delicacies. Colorfully attired village folk enhance the fun of the occasion.

A host of cultural event against the backdrop of this pretty setting is also organized including attractive puppet shows. Cattle auction and camel races are also a part of the festivities.

Pushkar Lake

According to the Hindu mythology, the holy Pushkar Lake was created by the lotus petals, which fell from the hands of Lord Brahma. The lake is considered as one of the most sacred spots. It is called the Tirtharaj, the king of all Tirthas. It is believed that no pilgrimage is complete without a holy dip in the sacred lake at Pushkar. People say that one dip in the Lake on Kartik Purnima corresponds to performing yagnas for several hundred years.

The tranquil and beautiful lake amidst the hills has fifty-two bathing Ghats, built around the lake. The Lake is semi-circular in shape. The water around each Ghat is supposed to have special powers. The Naga Kund is belived to give fertility, Roop Tirth gives beauty and charm, Kapil Vyapi Kund helps in curing leprosy and a dip in the Mrikand Muni Kund endows wisdom.

How to reach Pushkar

Air

The nearest airport is at Jaipur, which is 131 km away.

Rail

Ajmer, situated at a distance of 11 km from Pushkar, is the nearest railhead. Ajmer an important destination on its own right, Ajmer is well connected with major places in Rajasthan.

Road

Pushkar is home to two bus stands. The Marwar bus stand, in the north of town by the post office, has buses to some long distance places including Delhi, Jodhpur and Bikaner while the Ajmer bus stand is located east of the Pushkar town and offers bus services to Ajmer and Jaipur. Pushkar is well connected to Ajmer by bus.