Pushkar Travel Guide
History of Pushkar
Pushkar is a fantastic interplay of history and mythology that makes it worthwhile to travel to this holy destination of Rajasthan.
According to lore, the city of Pushkar came into being After a battle between Lord Brahma and a demon named Vajra Nabh. After the demon was killed by Brahma with the help of a lotus flower, three petals floated down to Earth and landed in Pushkar leading to the creation of the three lakes of Pushkar.
Recorded history shoes that Pushkar was a favorite retreat of the Mughal rulers, which was later taken over by the Scindias after the eventual decline of the Mughal rule. The
Scindias handed over the city to the British thus making Pushkar one of the few places in Rajasthan to be under direct British control, until Independence.
Monuments
TARAGARH FORT
The giant fort stands guarding the city. It has six gates. The fort also has Miran Saheb ki Dargah who was the governor of the fort and laid down his life in an encounter. It gives a panoramic view of the city situated in Nagpahari of Aravalli ranges, this fort has immense archaeological and historical importance.
ADHAI - DIN KA- JHONPRA
This is a masterpiece of Indo - Islamic architecture. As legend goes its was constructed in two and a-half days (Adhai-Din). It is a relic of an old mosque consisting of a quadrangle with a front screen wall of seven pointed arches. The distinct pillars and arched screen with its ruined minarets make it a splendid architectural masterpiece.
Pushkar Lake
Pushkar is a small town located at a distance of 11 km from Ajmer in Rajasthan. It is famous all over the country as the most important pilgrimage visited by people all round the year. The Pushkar lake and the Brahma temple are the major attractions here.
The sacred Pushkar Lake is said to have been created by the falling of lotus from the hand of Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe. It is believed to be as old as the creation. The lake is one of the most holy spots in the town, and it is said that a single dip in the waters of lake on Kartika Poornima is same as performing yagnas for several hundred years.
This enigmatic lake has fifty-two bathing ghats, built around it. The water around each ghat is supposed to have special powers. The Naga Kund is considered to give fertility, Roop Tirth bestows beauty and charm, the water of Kapil Vyapi Kund is said to have powers to cure leprosy and a dip in the Mrikand Muni Kund gives the blessing of wisdom.
The Pushkar Lake is encompassed by hills on three sides and desert on the other side. It is saaid that the cave of Saint Agasthya was located on the snake mountain here. It is also believed that Kalidasa, the great poet of the ancient times, chose this place as his locale for his Sanskrit drama, Shakuntalam.
Brahma Temple
This is the most revered shrine in Pushkar, which happens t be the only temple devoted to The Lord Brahma, worshipped as the Creator of the Universe in the known Hindu Trinity. According to legend, Brahma performed a Yagya here.
Varah Temple
The Varah Temple is devoted to the Lord Vishnu, the preserver in the Hindu Trinity of Gods. The temple is houses an image of Vishnu in his fifth incarnation of wild boar and was built by the King Anaji Chouhan (1123-1150) and is equal in importance to the more well known, Brahma Temple. As per the legend, the Lord Vishnu came to earth to kill the demon Hirnayaksh who had stolen the Vedas and then took the shape of Varah (wild boar) and killed the demon thereby liberating the world from his atrocities.
Savitri Temple
This temple is devoted to the Godess Savitri, one of Brahma's wives, and is located on the highest hill above the Pushkar town. One can climb a long series of steps to reach the shrine which offers a panoramic view of the Pushkar Lake and surrounding sand dunes.
Festivals
Pushkar Camel fair
Pushkar, an important religious place for Hindus, is located only 11 kms from Ajmer in Rajasthan . This little town is hugely known for the "Pushkar Fair' (where the mass trading of camels takes place), "the Lord Brahma Temple", a "picturesque lake' and "camel fair". Pushkar houses as many as 400 temples and 52 ghats, which includes the Brahma temple, the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma in the country. Pushkar is amongst the important pilgrimages in the country visited by devotees from all over the country.
According to the legend, the Pushkar lake was formed where Lord Brahma - the lord of creation - dropped a lotus on the day of the full moon. Every November, the famous Pushkar Fair is held for 7 days which begins on Naomi ( the ninth day of the month of Kartik, Oct- Nov, of the Hindu calendar) and finishes on Kartik Poornima (Full Moon). The Fair is marked by a gathering of thousands of camels, cattle and horses for trade, with added attractions of games, races, local folk dances, song and entertainment.
Pushkar is internationally known for its colorful cattle fair when thousands of devotees from all faiths assemble to take a dip in the holy lake. Dance, music, gaily-attired folks and various cultural events add to the fun and chrisma of the occasion. The phenomenal camel races are the most interesting part of the fair augmented by cattle
auction and colorful shops exhibiting beautiful handicrafts.
How to reach?
Pushkar lies at a distance of 11 km from Ajmer, which serves as the base for the most of the long-distance journeys to and from Pushkar
By Air: The nearest airport from Pushkar is located in Jaipur.
By Rail: Ajmer which is situated at a distance of 11 km from Pushkar, is the nearest railway station. Ajmer in turn is well connected with major destinations in Rajasthan.
By Road: Pushkar has to two bus stands. The Marwar bus stand is situated to the north of the town by the post office and has buses to some long distance places including Delhi, Jodhpur and Bikaner. The Ajmer bus stand is located east of the Pushkar town and offers bus services to Ajmer and Jaipur.
Hotels in Pushkar
Heritage Hotel in Pushkar
Hotel Pushkar Palace, Pushkar
Hotel Jagat Singh Palace, Pushkar
Budget Hotel Pushkar
Hotel Master Paradise, Pushkar
Hotel Seventh Heven, Pushkar
Resort in Pushkar
Hotel Pushkar Bagh, Pushkar
Hotel Pushkar Fort, Pushkar
Hotel Peacock Holiday Resort, Pushkar