Highlights
About Pushkar
One of the most visited destination by the tourists, Pushkar is a holy town in Rajasthan. Only 10 kms away from the city of Ajmer, this town has abundance of places to visit. Settled magnificently between hills from three sides and desert on one side, this town has always been a treat for its visitors. One can have a good stroll on the sides of the spell-bounding Pushkar lake. Religious places like the Aptaeshwar Temple, Brahma's Temple, Rangji Temple, Savitri Temple and many more are most visited by the tourists. One will definitely enjoy the camel safari amidst the golden sands of the desert. Para-gliding is also one activity which is thoroughly enjoyed by the tourists.
Places To See
The Brahma TempleLocated on the banks of the Pushkar Lake, the Brahma temple is one of the few temples in India, which is dedicated to the Hindu God, Lord Brahma. Hindu folklore has it that Lord Brahma was determined to perform a yajnya (fire-worship) at Pushkar. However, since his wife Savitri was not present during the time, he married a local milkmaid Gayatri and performed the yagna with her. The act did not go too well with his Savitri, who cursed Lord Brahma and said that he would never be worshiped anywhere else other than Pushkar.
The Aptaeshwar TempleThe temple is considered to be one of the three most sacred and popular temples in Pushkar. Built during the 10th century AD, the temple is dedicated to the Hindu God, Lord Shiva. There is a magnificent Shivling in the main hall of the temple. The temple was demolished by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb; the temple was rebuilt later.
Man MahalThe palace was originally built by Raja Man Singh I of Amber. It is located on the eastern part of the sacred Pushkar Lake. One can enjoy a full view of the lake and the surrounding temples from the Mahal. Man Mahal has now been converted into a hotel and is under the administration of the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC).
The Rangji TempleThe temple was built in 1823 by Seth Puran Mal Ganeriwal. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu's incarnation, Rangji, it has been built in the Dravidian architectural style. At the same time, it also showcases some of the Rajput and the Mughal architectural traits.
The Ramavaikunth TempleThis is one of the most fascinating temples in Pushkar. Built in the 1920's, the temple has 361 images of different deities. It is said that masons were brought in from South India built this temple. This temple is dedicated to Lord Bramha's wife, Savitri.
The Varaha TempleThis temple was originally built in the 12th century but was destroyed by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. It was rebuilt in the year 1727 by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur. The temple is beautifully decorated with invaluable ornaments.
The Savitri TempleThe temple, which was built in 1687, on the top of the Ratnagiri Hill, is dedicated to Savitri, the wife of Lord Brahma. A scenic route through the hills takes you to the temple. From here, you can enjoy the magnificent view of the lake which is surrounded by picturesque villages.
Things To Do
The Pushkar LakeThis semi-circular shaped lake is a sacred water body for the Hindus. It is also known as 'TirthaRaj’. According to Hindu mythology, the lake was created from one of the petals that fell from the lotus flower with which Lord Bramha killed the demon Vajra Nabh. The lake is about 10 m deep. It is surrounded by more than 300 temples and has 52 ghats. The area is especially crowded during Kartik Purnima, when people come to take a holy dip and achieve salvation.
The Pushkar BazaarWitness the rich cultural heritage of Rajasthan and the Pushkar Bazaar. The bazaar is especially resplendent during the Pushkar Fair. You can shop for a variety of items such as Rajasthani costumes and puppets, embroidery items, bangles and beads, brass utensils and many more Rajasthani handicrafts.
Camel SafariThere is no better way to experience the unique desert landscape than a camel safari. The camel ride takes you through sand dunes, along with the option of camping in the open desert. The safaris may stretch anywhere between two days to a month. Experienced travel escorts accompany tourists on such trips.
PushkarPushkar is known for its world-famous cattle fair. Every year, the fair is held during Kartik Purnima, in the month of November. The fair attracts millions of devotees who come here to take a holy dip in the sacred Pushkar Lake. One can witness the trade of domestic animals and camels at the fair. It also hosts a series of cultural events that include puppet shows and camel races.
