Pushkar is one of the top tourist destinations in Rajasthan. The ancient town is known for century-old temples and colourful festivals. The Pushkar Camel Fair and the Hot Air Balloon Festival are widely popular among national and international tourists. The numerous temples found in this small town also make it a must-visit for religious devotes.
Pushkar is located amidst the scenic backdrop of Aravalli Hills and large part of the town is built around a grand majestic lake. This natural scenery adds to the appeal of this picturesque temple town.
The main attractions to see in Pushkar are:
Brahma Temple
Originally built in the 14th Century, the Jagatpita Brahma Temple in Pushkar is believed to be about 2000 years old. This is one of the few temples dedicated to Lord Brahma, the Hindu God regarded as the Creator of Universe. Built on the banks of the sacred Pushkar Lake, this is easily the most famous Brahma Temple in the country. Tons of pilgrims visit here annually. The temple has an idol of Lord Brahma sitting in a cross-legged position with four hands and four faces looking in four different directions. Brahma is seen accompanied by his two wives, with Savitri sitting on his right and Gayatri sitting on the left side. The temple is made of white marble and stone slabs, with the spire built in a distinct shade of red. The entry gate features a bird motif of a swan design. Jagatpita Brahma Temple is seen as one of the finest examples of the Hindu architecture.
Pushkar Lake
The Pushkar Lake, also known as Pushkar Sarovar, is located right in the middle of this quiet town. It is believed to be one of the most sacred lakes in Hindu mythology, and founds mentions in religious scriptures as old as 2nd century BC. The holy lake is calm and peaceful, giving the town its serene vibe. There are more than 500 temples and 52 bathing ghats surrounding the sacred Pushkar Lake. Rituals and offerings happen throughout the day. Some of the popular ghats among visitors include Brahma Ghat, Gau Ghat, Varaha Ghat, Badri Ghat, Gangaur Ghat, Saptarishi Ghat, and Yajna Ghat. Every day, millions of devotees take a dip in the holy waters of Pushkar Lake. It is believed that that taking a bath at the scared lake absolves a person of all sins, purifying their body, mind and soul.
Savitri Temple
The Savitri Mata Temple is located on top of the Ratnagiri Hill, overlooking the entire town of Pushkar and all surrounding valleys. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Savitri, the first wife of Lord Brahma. Situated on a higher elevation, this temple can be seen as far away from the Pushkar Lake. To reach the temple, one has to hike up the Ratnagiri Hill. A well-built path has been laden with steps, but the steep incline makes the climb very difficult. A ropeway service is also available here, run by Damodar Ropeways & Infra Ltd. [DRIL], one of the leading ropeway construction companies in India. The ropeway makes this strenuous climb so easy, covering the distance in less than 6 minutes. The temple is an abode to idols of both Savitri and Gayatri, the two wives of Lord Brahma. As tradition goes, Goddess Savitri is always worshipped first. Taking the ride on this DRIL ropeway, you can enjoy stunning aerials views of the entire town of Pushkar.
Pushkar Camel Fair
The Pushkar Camel Fair is one of the largest camel fairs in the world. It is a world-renowned festival and attracts large number of tourists. It is an annual cattle and livestock fair, that takes place every November around the time of Kartik Purnima (full moon). More than 50,000 camels are shaved, dressed up, paraded, entered into beauty contests and races, and traded here. The fair is also known for its display of rich cultural heritage. It is attended by many classical singers, folk singers and dancers, acrobats, magicians, snake charmers, and more. One of the biggest highlights of the Pushkar Fair is the highly anticipated Camel Race. Annually, the fair attracts about 200,000 local and international visitors. The festival is held in November, when the weather is quite pleasant. This is one of the best times to visit Pushkar.
