Pushkar
Pilgrimage | Rajasthan | India
Pushkar is an important pilgrimage spot for the hindus, which has the only temple of Lord Brahma...
Updated On: 9/9/2009
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11-kms from Ajmer (132 kms from Jaipur) on the edge of the desert lies the tiny tranquil town of Pushkar along the bank of the picturesque Pushkar Lake. This is an important pilgrimage spot for the hindus, which has the only temple of Lord Brahma in the country and one of the few in the world. Lord Brahma is known as the creator of the world as per the hindu mythology. It's marked by red spire, and over the entrance gateway is the hans, or goose symbol, of Brahma, who is said to have personally chosen Pushkar as its site.

The lake has a mythological significance associated with it. According to myth, Lord Brahma was on his way to search for a suitable place to perform a "Yagna' (a fire sacrifice) while contemplating, a lotus fell from his hand on the warth and water sprouted from that place. One of them was Pushkar where Lord brahma performed "Yagna".

As indicated by Pushkar's position as the starting point of the grand pilgrimage, the worship of Brahma was considered highly important at the end of the first millenium BC. Pushkar is the only pilgrimage shrine dedicated to Brahma in all of India, and few pilgrims visit the shrine. The function of Brahma - creating the world - has been completed, while Vishnu (the preserver) and Shiva (the destroyer) still have relevance to the continuing order of the universe. Brahma is also a god of the Aryan invaders and during Vedic times his cult temporarily displaced the more ancient indigenous Shiva and Shakti cults. With the passing of the period of major Aryan influence, these deities reemerged more powerful than before.

The 'Nag pahar' or the snake mountain forms a natural boundary between Ajmer and Pushkar. Surrounded by hills on three sides, pushkar abounds in temples. Of these the most famous is the Brahma temple. The holy lake has 52 ghats and pilgrim taking a ritual dip in the lake is a common sight.

Although a serene town, Pushkar bustles with life during the joyous celebration held on Kartik Purnima. Every year thousands of devotees throng the lake around the full moon day of Kartik Purnima in October-November to take a holy dip in the lake. Huge and colourful cattle fair "The Pushkar Fair", is also held during this time. Pushkar fair is well-known for it's Camel trading and other attractive activities. Dance music and colourful shops spring up during this fair. Also on sale are mouth-watering traditional delicacies. Colourfully attired village folk enhance the fun of the occasion.

History
Pushkar the sister city of Ajmer, is only 11 kms away from the city. Accounts of this city can be founded in the 4th century writing of the Chinese traveler Fa-Hien and also in the scripts writing during the era of muslims invasions. Pushkar is famous for its fairs and festivals and for Brahma temple. It is said that in a battle Lord Brahma killed the demon Vajra Nabh with a lotus flower whose petals floated down to earth and landed in three places in and Pushkar where Lakes sprang up. the bath at Pushkar is thought to be more important than at any other place.

The holy dip in this lake on Kartika Purnima is thought to be salvation giving. Pushkar is very dear to Lord Brahma. The place is famous in His name. So it is blessed by him in every way. In olden times the people who took a holy dip at Pushkar were relieved from all the sins and went to heaven after their death by the grace of Lord Brahma. According to another legend back in a legendary time Lord Brahma was flying over the Rajasthan desert on his swan when some petals fell from his hand and drifted down. Miraculously, blue lakes sprang up where the flowers had touched the soft sands. Just then, Lord Brahma realized that this was the auspicious moment to perform a fire sacrifice.

Pushkar Fair, Savitri Temple, Varah Temple, Rangji or Rangnath Temple, Brahma Temple, Main Bazaar, Pushkar Lake, Mahadeva Temple

Pushkar Fair: One of the biggest fairs in India, the cattle fair of Pushkar attracts buyers and sellers from all over the country who travel to Rajasthan to participate in this annual event. Held in October or November on Kartik Purnima, the five-day Pushkar Fair is the ultimate showcase of the culture of Rajasthan. Cultural performances, folk music and dance, camel and horse races, etc light up the festivities during the fair. It is indeed a boon to travel to Pushkar during the peerless Pushkar Fair.

Savitri Temple: The Savitri (Brahma’s desolate wife) temple built in 1687 is perched atop the Ratnagiri hill. The Goddess is believed to have rested on the hill upon arrival and refused to join her husband who had married a local girl Gayatri. Her temple is smack in front of the Brahma temple and is believed to serve as a lookout for the Goddess for her erring husband. The route to the temple is through the hills and takes around an hour. Further, the temple atop the hill and its surroundings provide a breathtaking view of the Pushkar Lake and the surrounding desert.

Varah Temple: Varah temple in Pushkar is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. One of the various incarnations of Lord Vishnu was that of Varah (boar). The temple worships the Varah form of Lord Vishnu. You would find ample references of Vishnu in the hindu myths and legends. In several incarnations which numbers up to as many as 10, Vishnu has appeared on the earth and saved the earth from the hand of the evil.

Rangji or Rangnath Temple: Rangji temple is known for its pleasant south Indian style of architecture. The temple houses a huge image of Lord Vishnu. It has a high growing 'Gopuram' (large gate) and Garuda pillars studded with a legendary bird styled in gold.

Brahma Temple: The Brahma temple is an important pilgrim centre for the hindus. It is nestled in the Pushkar valley which lies beyond Nagaparvat and the Anasagar lake. This place, full of natural beauty, holds a special place in the hearts of Indian for it is believed that Lord Brahma, together with all the gods and goddesses, performed a Yagya here. Legends also has it that the ancient lake sarovar had appeared miraculously, when a lotus fell from the hands of Lord Brahma and dropped into this valley. Brahma temple the most famous temple in Pushkar, this is the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma (the creator of the universe according to Hindu mythology) in the entire country.

Main Bazaar: Main Bazaar, Pushkar is one of the principal marketing areas in the holy land of Pushkar. If you come here for your pilgrim tour, make sure to visit this bazaar. To be inside the main bazaar, Pushkar is indeed a delightful experience. The main bazaar, Pushkar is a great place for shopping buffs. The main bazaar also sells a huge amount of pottery goods.

Pushkar Lake: One of the most sacred sites for hindus, Pushkar Lake is the most famous tourist attraction in the holy town of Pushkar. It's a beautiful semi-circular lake with 52 lovely ghats surrounding it. According to beliefs, a dip in the Pushkar Lake on the auspicious occasion of Karthik Poornima brings salvation to devotees.

Mahadeva Temple: Mahadeva temple in Pushkar is dedicated to Lord Mahadeva. The god is one of the hindu trinity that represents cCreation, sustenance and destruction. According to the hindu puranas, Lord Mahadeva is the god of destruction. The temple of Mahadeva in Pushkar was built in 19th century. The shrine houses a white marble image of lord Mahadeva with five faces. The idol is adorned with intricately designed ornaments.

October to March

By Air
The nearest airport from Pushkar is Jaipur. Jaipur is well connected to all the major cities which includes Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Jodhpur, Udaipur. Recently, flights to Dubai has also started from Pushkar by Indian Airlines.

By Bus
Pushkar is 11 km from main Ajmer bus stand. Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable deluxe buses from Jaipur. There are buses from Jaipur to Ajmer every 15 minutes, some nonstop. The roads are very good, and it takes around 3 hrs from Jaipur. You can also come by hire private cars.

By Train
The nearest railway station for Pushkar is Ajmer, which is on the Broad Gauge and hence connected to all the metro cities of India. There are daily trains from Delhi in morning (Shatabdhi Exp).

Pushkar Palace, Sarovar (Man Mahal), Jagat Singh Palace Hotel, Royal Camp, Royal Camp (Mobile), Royal Desert Camp, Hotel Goyal Inn, Hotel Kasbah Camps, Hotel Teerth Palace

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