Pushkar is one of the oldest cities in India. Located to the northwest of Ajmer, it is a favoured destination for thousands of tourists and devotees flocking to Rajasthan. Situated at a height of 510 metres, Pushkar is surrounded by hillocks on three sides. The 'Nag Pahar', literally meaning Snake Mountain, forms a natural border between Ajmer and Pushkar. Known as 'the rose garden of Rajasthan', the essence of the famous Pushkar rose is exported all over the world. Along with an interesting mythological history, a legacy of timeless architectural heritage makes Pushkar a fascinating city.
According to legends, Lord Brahma, believed to be the creator of the universe, dropped a lotus to the ground leading to the immediate creation of a lake. He then decided to name the place after the flower, and thus the area got the name Pushkar. The city is home to the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma in the whole world. Hindus consider a journey to Pushkar to be the ultimate pilgrimage that must be undertaken to attain salvation.
According to Hindu scriptures, the sacred Pushkar Lake is described as 'Tirtha Raj', the king of all pilgrimage sites. No pilgrimage is considered complete without a dip in in the holy lake. Semi-circular in shape and about 8-10 metres deep, Pushkar Lake is surrounded by 52 bathing ghats and over 400 temples, and is truly a magnificent sight to behold.
The Pushkar Fair (Pushkar Camel Fair) or Pushkar Mela, as it is locally known as, is an annual five-day camel and livestock fair held in the city between the months of October and November. It is one of the world's largest camel fairs. Apart from the buying and selling of livestock, it has become an important tourist attraction. Competitions such as the 'matka phod', 'longest moustache' and 'bridal competition' are the main draws for this fair which attracts thousands of tourists. In recent years, the fair has also included an exhibition cricket match between the local Pushkar Club and a team of foreign tourists.
A potpourri of history and culture, Pushkar was once just a pilgrimage destination but now with travellers visiting this place from across the world, it has grown into a paradise for food lovers. It has a range of roadside food joints, restaurants, rooftop cafes and eateries serving wide variety of food starting from Indian and Italian to Spanish and Israeli
Nestled in the picturesque Pushkar valley beyond the Nangaparvat and Anasagar Lake, the Brahma temple holds a special place in the hearts of Indians. It is the only temple in the world dedicated to Lord Brahma. Built with marble and decorated with silver coins, this temple can be identified by its red spire and the image of a swan (considered sacred to Lord Brahma). The chaturmukhi (four-faced) idol of Lord Brahma is housed in the inner sanctum. A marble statue of the sun god stands sentinel at the temple. Interestingly, while all the gods are shown bare-footed, Surya is shown wearing ancient warrior's boots.
Dedicated to Lord Brahma's first wife, Goddess Savitri, this temple is situated on a hillock right behind the Brahma temple. While climbing the long series of steps leading to the temple, one can catch a panoramic view of the lake, surrounding temples and sand dunes. The presence of the only Brahma temple in Pushkar is the outcome of Savitri's curse to Brahma for marrying another Goddess, Gayatri, while starting his yagna in Pushkar.
Sanganer Airport in Jaipur is the nearest at a distance of 146 km
Pushkar is well connected to the National Highways of Rajasthan. Regular buses ply from Pushkar to the major cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur and Ajmer
Zostel Pushkar is the town's coolest backpacker hostel where you can chill in our pool, watch sunset from our cafe & gang up with others to explore Pushkar