Pushkar Travel Guide
Travel to Pushkar - Whitewashed Streets of Relaxed Lakeside Holy Town
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Pushkar, known as the ‘Pilgrim City', is a picturesque town 14 kms from Ajmer and is world renowned for its stunning lake, temples and the famous Pushkar Camel Fair. Overlooked by low hills the whitewashed buildings have ghats – steps - leading down to the lakeside and over 400 temples. It attracts holy men and secular visitors alike who come to enjoy the quiet streets and tranquillity that can be found here.
Easily accessed from Ajmer, a winding road leads over low hills to Pushkar town. Here a network of narrow, whitewashed streets too small for heavy traffic surround the small lake. The lakeside is dotted with hundreds of temples, ashrams (places of study) and dharamsalas (pilgrim lodges).
The town is one of the most revered places of Hindus - no pilgrimage to Badri Narain (Himalayas), Jagannath (Orissa), Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu) and Dwarka (Gujarat) - the four principal Hindu places of pilgrimage - is complete until the pilgrims bathe in the sacred waters of Pushkar.
According to Padam Puran, the Hindu religious text, Lord Brahma was in search of suitable place for a Vedic yagna. While contemplating, a lotus fell down from his hand on the earth and water spurted from three places one of them was Pushkar and Brahma decided to perform his yagna here.
The beautiful Pushkar Lake is therefore holy and has been a place of pilgrimage since time immemorial. Today it is also the site of the famous Pushkar Camel Fair which takes place at the time of the full moon in the Hindu month of Kartik (around November). At this time a huge tent city is set up for visitors who come to watch the camel trading and subsequent festivities which attract thousands of Rajasthanis all done up in their very best finery. It remains one of the world’s most colourful festivals and is an absolute must-see for anyone in the country at this time.
Attractions in Pushkar
The attraction of Pushkar lies in exploring the town itself and relaxing on the ghats. The spectacular camel fair cannot be missed and the dates for forthcoming years are: 21-24 Nov 2007, 10-13 Nov 2008, 30 Oct-02 Nov 2009, 18-21 Nov 2010.
The Jagat Pita Sri Brahma Temple is the only existing temple dedicated to Lord Brahma. It was constructed in 14th century, and stands on a high plinth with marble steps leading up to it. A beautifully carved silver turtle sits on the floor facing the sanctum and the marble floor around the silver turtle is embedded with hundreds of silver coins.
Activities in Pushkar
Allow at least a couple of days to relax in Pushkar, though those without a fixed itinerary may find this drifts to a week, so pleasant a spot is it.
Relaxing
There are many eateries with a lake view and this is one of the great pleasures of a visit to Pushkar. Note that alcohol is completely banned, as are all meat products and eggs.
Getting Around
The town is best explored on foot.
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