The holy town of Pushkar does not need any introduction. The name finds its way into some of our oldest religious scriptures. Home to several ancient Hindu temples, Pushkar attracts a fair bit of tourists every year. The town is built around a large tranquil lake and nestled against the scenic backdrop of the Aravalli Range. The beautiful landscape, the many temples and the annual cattle fair – all of it makes Pushkar one of the famous destinations in Rajasthan.
Some of the top tourist attractions are:
Jagatpita Brahma Temple
Among Hindu pilgrims, Pushkar is famous for being the only place in India where Lord Brahma is worshipped. The Jagatpita Brahma Temple is located on the banks of the Pushkar Lake. Originally built in the 14th century, it is constructed of marble and stone with a one of a kind architecture alongside the superb red pinnacle. Inside the temple, Lord Brahma is accompanied by his two wives, with Savitri sitting on his right and Gayatri sitting on the left side. Every year, more than a few thousand pilgrims visit the temple.
Pushkar Lake
Surrounded by over 400 temples, the Pushkar Lake has 52 bathing ghats designed especially for taking baths and offering prayers. It is believed that a taking a dip in this scared lake can bring you Moksha or ultimate salvation. The presence of the Pushkar Lake can be found in some of our oldest holy scriptures. The lake lies in the midst of the green slopes of the Aravallis and paints a pretty serene picture. During the annual Pushkar Fair, a great many tourists visit the spot for taking a holy dip or just to take in the scenery.
Savitri Temple
Situated on top of the Ratnagiri Hill, the Savitri Temple is dedicated to Goddess Savitri, the first wife of Lord Brahma. As per local legend, a visit to the Brahma Temple is not complete without a visit to the Savitri Temple. So, it holds a lot of religious significance. The path leading to the temple is a steep climb meandering through the slopes. It takes about an hour to climb more than 1100 steps to reach the temple site. A ropeway facility is run here by Damodar Ropeways & Infra Ltd. [DRIL], one of the leading ropeway construction companies in India, to help the disabled and elderly devotees. The distance is covered less than 6 minutes, and the view from the ropeway is a beautiful sight to see. Once you reach the top of the hill, you can enjoy a 360 degree view of the scenic surroundings.
Man Mahal
A magnificent palace built by Raja Man Singh of Amber, the Man Mahal is the biggest royal residence in Pushkar. It has been recorded that Raja Man Singh would use Man Mahal as a place for rest and vacation. Located very close to the Pushkar Lake, the view from the palace is breathtaking to see. It offers some mesmerizing sunset views of the lakes and temples around. The palace is used by the state tourism board as a tourist bungalow now. The interiors of the palace are a visual treat for all guests who come to stay here.
Merta
Almost 400 years old, Merta is the birthplace of Meera Bai, the faithful Krishna devotee. The Meera Bai Smarak is the must-visit place here. It is a beautiful structure and houses a museum where you can explore more about the life and times of Meera Bai. There are also various works of art showing her in different postures exhibited in the museum. The Dadhimati Temple and Charbhuja Temple are also located in Merta, and thus attracts a lot of devotees.