9 reasons to choose Pushkar as your next travel destination
One of the oldest cities in India, Pushkar is located to the northwest of Ajmer. This majestically beautiful destination is visited by thousands of tourist and devotees from all around the world. Situated at the height of 510 meters and encircled by mountains from three sides and sand dunes from the fourth side, this place is a perfect location to enjoy the festivals or indulge in religious activities.
Pushkar is also known as the ‘rose garden of Rajasthan,’ there are around 15 products that are produced with the use of roses, which are exported all over the world. With fascinating mythological history, timeless architecture and beautiful scenery, Pushkar is one of the exciting cities to be in.
As the legend goes, the city of Pushkar was formed when a lotus was dropped to the ground by Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, leading to the creation of the lake. Thereafter, Lord Brahma decided to name the place after the flower, and thus the area got the name Pushkar. The city is home to the only known temple of Lord Brahman in the whole world, and therefore the temple has a great importance in the Hindu religion. Many pilgrims come to this holy city to take a sacred bath and to attain salvation.
Below are the nine reasons why you should pack your bags and book you tickets right away for Pushkar.
#1 PUSHKAR FESTIVAL
The Pushkar Camel Fair or PushkarMela is one of the last great traditional melas in India. The fair is an annual five-day camel and livestock fair that is held in the month of November at the time of the KartikPurnima full moon. Over time, the fair has become more than just buying and selling of livestock; it has become an important tourist attraction. The tourist apart from experiencing the spectacular colors of this festival can take part in various competitions such as the ‘matkaphod,' ‘longest mustache' and ‘bridal competition.' Recently, the fair has also started to organize an exhibition cricket match between the local Pushkar Club and a team of foreign tourist. This year the festival will begin on November 15th and will end on November 23rd.
#2 PUSHKAR LAKE
The famous PushkarLake being described as ‘Tirtha Raj’ in the Hindu scriptures, is the king of all pilgrimage sites. Without a dip in the holy Pushkar Lake, no pilgrimage is considered complete. Semi-circular in shape and about 8-10 meters deep, the lake is surrounded by 52 bathing ghats and 400 blue temples. It is believed that after taking a dip in the holy water of the Pushkar Lake, all the sins get cleansed.
#3 BRAHMA TEMPLE
The Brahma Temple being the only temple in the whole world dedicated to Lord Brahma, holds an extraordinary place in the hearts of all Indians. Build in the 14th century the temple is nestled in the picturesque Pushkar valley beyond the Nangaparvat and Anasagar Lake. From the outside, the temple is constructed from marble and stone and can be easily identified by its red spire and the image of a swan (Lord Brahma's vehicle). Inside is the idol of Lord Brahma with four hands and four faces, each oriented in a different direction. Interestingly, while all the gods are shown bare-footed, Surya is shown wearing ancient warrior's boots.
#4 GURDWARA SINGH SABHA
The famous Sikh pilgrimage site, Gurdwara Singh Sabha is situated in the eastern part of Pushkar. The Gurdwara was built at the beginning of the 19th century to commemorate the visits of the first and the 10th gurus – Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Govind Singh respectively.
#5 VARAHA TEMPLE
Another most visited temple of Pushkar is the Varaha temple. Considered to be the most ancient temple of Pushkar, it is constructed by the 12th-century ruler, King Anaji Chauhan. The temple is dedicated to the third incarnation of Lord Vishnu - a wild boar. As per the legend, Varaha saved the earth from the depth of the primeval water, when it was dragged down by a demon called Hirnayaksh.
#6 SAVITRI TEMPLE
Dedicated to Lord Brahma’s first wife, Goddess Savitri, this temple is located on the Ratnagiri hill right behind the Brahma temple. The visitors can either climb 200 stairs leading to the shrine or take a ride in the cable cars which take passengers to the temple. On the ropeway ride or while climbing the series of steps, one can catch a panoramic view of the Pushkar city.
#7 RANGJI TEMPLE
Rangji temple is one of the most unique temples of Pushkar in the sense that the architecture of the temple is profoundly influenced by three styles, i.e., South Indian style, Rajput style, and Mughal style. The temple is dedicated to Lord Rangji, believed to be an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The high-rising ‘Gopuram,' which is mainly seen in south Indian temples, is the highlight of this temple.
#8 PAP MOCHINI TEMPLE As the name suggests, the Pap Mochini temple is believed to provide respite to followers from their cardinal sins. Presided over by the deity Ekadashi Mata, the temple is located in the northern section of Pushkar. Situated on a hilltop and painted in bright pink, it is effortless to spot the temple from anywhere in the town. #9 MAN MAHAL
Historically, built as a guest house of Raja Man Singh I, this palace has now been converted into a heritage hotel, called the RTDC Hotel Sarovar. The palace is one of the most attractive spots in Pushkar, especially for those tourists who want to experience the beauty of Rajasthani architecture from the royal era. The hotel also provides a breathtaking view of the lake and temples surrounding the lake.
REACHING THERE
The nearest airport to Pushkar is the Sanganer airport in Jaipur, which is 140 km away. The airport is well connected to major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. Pushkar is also well connected to the National Highways of Rajasthan. Regular buses come to Pushkar from the major cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur, and Ajmer.
The nearest railway station is Ajmer Railway Station from where Pushkar is 30 minutes’ drive.