Pushkar - Hidden gem of Rajasthan

Very close to Ajmer, lies Pushkar, the only Brahma temple in the world, as it is said.

Where is Pushkar ? How to reach there ?

It can be easily reached through Road from Ajmer, Jaipur and Delhi as well. For those who might prefer train then the nearest train head is Ajmer. For those who prefer Air, then the nearest airport is at Jaipur, although Ajmer has an airport, however the flights are irregular. I took the road route when we were going to Jodhpur and halted at Pushkar for a night. One night stay costed us around Rs.3500/-

Pushkar one of the oldest cities in India dating back to various centuries, nestled along the Aravali hills near Ajmer city which is around 15-18 km away and takes anywhere between 30 min to 1 hour depending upon the mode of transport you take. Dont miss the scenic route enroute and the hairpin bends !!

The tranquil city of Pushkar is a favoured destination for thousands of tourists from India and Abroad and devotees flocking to Rajasthan especially the Hindus and the Sikhs.

According to legends, Lord Brahma, believed to be the creator of the Universe was born in Pushkar and also dropped a lotus to the ground which lead to the creation of a lake shaped as a Lotus flower and thus the name, Pushkar. The city of Pushkar 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.

What all not to be missed in Pushkar ?

Pushkar Lake

According to Hindu scriptures, the sacred Pushkar Lake is described as ‘Tirtha Raj’, the king of all pilgrimage sites. Once you take dip in the Pushkar lake all your tirth are said to be complete. 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.

Brahma Temple

Very close to the pushkar lake is the Brahma temple, Built with marble and decorated with silver coins, this temple can be identified by its red spire and the image of a swan. 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. The temple is said to have been built in the 14th century.

Varaha Temple

Said to be the largest temple in Pushkar, it was constructed in the 12th century by King Anaji Chauhan and dedicated to the 3rd incarnation of Lord Vishnu.

Gurudwara

Built to commemorate the visits of the 1st and 10th Sikh Gurus, the Gurudwara attracts Sikh pilgrims from across the world.

Apart from the above there are various other temples one cannot miss.

Pushkar Camel Fair

Pushkar Camel Fair, also known as the Pushkar Mela, is a colorful and vibrant display of unique exhibitions, exciting competitions and fascinating events. Extending to seven days, this annual camel and livestock fair, held in this town between the months of October and November, draws a large number of crowds. Besides, this fair is renowned for being one of the world’s largest cattle fairs.

Dont miss Pushkar, its winter time and the most appropriate time to visit Rajasthan.