Pushkar
Pushkar is a small holy town in Rajasthan located at about 135 km from Jaipur and 10 km from Ajmer. The Pushkar Lake situated in the middle of the town is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in India and the place probably houses the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma in all over India. The town is visited by thousands of devotees who come to pray and take a holy dip in the sacred waters of the Pushkar Lake during Karthik Poornima, which falls generally in the month of October and November every year. According to a legend this lake was formed where Lord Brahma, the lord of creation, dropped a lotus on the day of the full moon.
Places To See In Pushkar
The sacred place Pushkar attracts pilgrims from all over India for its famous Pushkar Lake encircled by 52 ghats where pilgrims take traditional dip in its water. Besides, the city has around 400 temples including the famous Brahma Temple which are worth visiting.
1. Pushkar Lake & Ghats
This holy lake is surrounded by many ghats(flights of steps) and temples that attracts a large number of Hindu pilgrims from all parts of India to take a holy bath at this lake. There are around 52 ghats and the Brahma Ghat, Gau Ghat, Varaha Ghat, Narsimha Ghat are some of the major ones. According to Hindu mythology, the lake is dedicated to Lord Brahma, after a lotus fell from his hand and dropped in this lake and then considered holy.
2. Temples
The city is home to around 400 temples and few of them are very old and are important pilgrimage sites. The most important of them is the Brahma Temple and is the only temple in the world dedicated to Lord Brahma. There is a huge statue of Lord Brahma inside the temple complex. Another important temple is the Savatri temple, dedicated to goddess Savitri, the wife of Lord Brahma. It is located on the top of the Ratnagiri hill.
3. Pushkars Markets
The colourful markets of Pushkar offers a range of handicraft products including Rajasthani textiles, jewellery, embroidery fabrics, Rajasthani puppets and traditional music instruments.
4. Shopping In Pushkar
Pushkar has developed itself into a good shopping centre. There is almost everything to suit the preferences of different guests. Handicraft items, books, traditional, contemporary and fusion music, clothes are all available.Quality shopping can be done from Bhagwan Barmeri Handicraft Shack in Badi Basti. There is also the Sarweshwar Kala Mandir where Rajasthani miniature paintings , brass work and wood work can be purchased. Dhabai Shop offers old items that once adorned havelis and forts.
Getting There
Pushkar is situated on the middle of Rajasthan and is just 11km from Ajmer. Its is also easily accessible from major cities of Rajasthan and India by all three means of transportation.
By Air
The Sanganer Airport(131km) of Jaipur is the nearest one and well connected with daily flights to Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore and Chennai.
By Rail
Ajmer Junction is the nearset railhead and is well connected to Delhi by the Ajmer Shatabdi and to Mumbai by the Aravali Express.
By Road
The NH8 connects Pushkar with Delhi, Mumbai via Jaipur and Ahmedabad. There are regular bus services from Ajmer to Pushkar.
