Travel Incredible India
Rajasthan
Cities Pushkar City
Pushkar City Guide
If Rajasthan is synonymous with forts and palaces, it is also synonymous
with fairs and festivals. Few things can match the effervescence, vigor
and brightness of traditional fair like the world famous Pushkar. The picturesque
lake of Pushkar is surrounded by hills on three sides and sand dunes on
the fourth-a perfect site for the annual religious and cattle fair, held
in the month of October-November.
Pushkar is a sacred place for Hindus and has a staggering 400 temples, of
which the most important is dedicated to Lord Brahma. According to legend,
for five days in a year, all the gods visit Pushkar and bless the devout-hence
the unbelievable number of devotees who flock to the lake to wash away their
sins. These five crucial days also coincide with the biggest cattle fair
of the country. Virtual armies of camels, cleaned, washed, and adorned,
descend on Pushkar and villagers do brisk business. A visit to the Pushkar
fair is truly the experience of a lifetime.
Tourist Attractions in Pushkar
Pushkar Fair
The most important reason of Pushkar being on the international travel map
is Pushkar Fair. The fair is held every year in the month of November during
the Kartik Purnima (day of full moon) when hundreds of thousands of people
take a holy dip in the sacred Pushkar Lake. This is also an occasion to
organize the largest camel fair in the world.
Brahma Temple in Pushkar
This is the only temple in the world where Lord Brahma is worshiped and
the main attraction of Pushkar. The temple has a special position in Hindu
pantheons. There is life-size four-armed idol of Lord Brahma - the creator
in the vestibule. The temple has marble floors and stairs and coins have
been put by the devotees to mark the birth or deaths of the loved ones.
Pushkar Lake
Pushkar Lake is another important attraction of Pushkar and it has immense
significance for the followers of Hinduism. According to the legends, the
lake was dedicated to Lord Brahma after a lotus fell from his hands and
dropped into this picturesque valley. A lake sprang up on the same spot
latter on which is considered holy. The entire lake is supposed to be surrounded
by 500 temples, 52 palaces, and 52 ghats. On the occasion of Kartik Purnima
in November every year, devotees take holy bath in the lake and a fair is
organized, known world over as the Pushkar Fair.
Savitri Temple, Pushkar
The temple is dedicated to Savitri, the wife of Lord Brahma and located
on the top of the Ratnagiri Hill. According to the legends when Lord Brahma
performed a Yagna (holy fire devoted to gods) along with Gayatri, a local
milkmaid, furious Savitri cursed her husband that he would never be worshipped
anywhere except in Pushkar and that too only once a year. Savitri left for
the Ratnagiri Hill after cursing her husband and immolated herself there.
There is beautiful statue of Goddess Savitri inside the temple.
Other Important Temples of Pushkar
Other important temples in Pushkar are 19th century Mahadeva Temple is dedicated
to Lord Shiva - The Destroyer, with five faces. It is known for the elegance
of its structure and ornamentation. Rangaji Temple is dedicated to Lord
Vishnu - the preserver and built in the South Indian architectural style.
There are two massive dwarpals (gatekeepers) structure in front of the main
gate and an image of Garuda inside. Another important temple is of Varaha
- an incarnation of Lord Vishnu and built in 12th century.
Pushkar Bazaar
A bustling bazaar, the Pushkar local market offers tourist as well pilgrimage
related products. A range of souvenirs could be purchased including the
Rajasthani costumes, jewellery, embroidered fabrics, decorative pieces and
groovy accessories. The bazaar becomes a hub of activity during the annual
Pushkar Fair.