Pushkar

Pushkar is one of the oldest cities in India. Located to the northwest of Ajmer, the serene city of Pushkar is a preferred destination for thousands of tourists and devotees flocking to Rajasthan. Situated at a height of 510 metres, Pushkar is surrounded by hillocks on three sides.

This sacred town of Rajasthan is settled around a holy lake. As per Hindu mythology, the lake was formed as a result of the dropping down of a lotus flower by Lord Brahma.  Owing to this, the town of Pushkar is renowned for its world renowned Jagatipa Brahma Mandir close to the Pushkar Lake. With numerous bathing ghats and temples, the holy Pushkar town witnesses a large chunk of tourist population every year.

Pushkar is not just limited to holy places; the place is filled with assortments of things to do, from the camel safari amid the undulating dunes to gazing the scenic beauty of the sacred grounds from the enthralling hot balloon ride all will satiate your adventure appetite.

Best Places to Visit in Pushkar

Pushkar Lake

According to Hindu scriptures, the sacred Pushkar Lake is described as ‘Tirtha Raj’, the king of all pilgrimage sites. No pilgrimage is considered to be complete without a dip in in the holy Pushkar Lake. Semi-circular in shape and about 8-10 metres deep, Pushkar Lake is surrounded by 52 bathing ghats and over 400 temples and is truly a magnificent sight to behold.

Brahma Temple

Nestled in the picturesque Pushkar valley beyond the Nangaparvat and Anasagar Lake, the Brahma temple holds a special place in the hearts of Indians. It is the only temple in the world dedicated to Lord Brahma. The construction of this place began in the 14th century although the origins of this place can be traced back to 2000 years in history. The temple is beautiful in its architecture with white marble steps leading up to the temple and the hamsa motif that reflects spirituality and peace.

Gurudwara Singh Sabha

Gurudwara Singh Sabha, situated in the eastern part of Pushkar, was built in the beginning of the 19th century to commemorate the visits of the first and the tenth gurus- Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Govind Singhji.

Mahadeva Temple

Mahadeva Temple is amongst the famous Pushkar tourist places. Constructed in the 19th century, the Mahadeva Temple in Pushkar is one of the most visited places in the town. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva as its main deity and has a white marble statue of him in the inside. Polished flooring and wonderful wall paintings are a highlight of this temple. Another major highlight of its architecture is the embossed pink pillars.

Varaha Temple

Varaha temple is the largest and the most ancient temple of Pushkar. Constructed by the 12th century ruler, King Anaji Chauhan, this temple is dedicated to the third incarnation of Lord Vishnu as a wild boar. Legend has it that Varaha rescued the earth from depth of the primeval water, where it was dragged down by a demon (Hirnayaksh). It is one of the most visited temples in Pushkar.

Fairs & Festivals

Pushkar Fair

The ancient town of Pushkar is transformed into a spectacular fair ground in the month of Kartik. The fair attracts a great number of tourists from far and wide. The fair-grounds reverberate with festivity, as row of make shift stalls display a bewildering array of items that compete with each other for the visitor's attention. But the highlight of Pushkar fair is the trading in camels. Camels are bought, sold, decked up and paraded on the sand dunes, presenting a picturesque sight. The camel, horses and donkey races are events that draw huge attendance. Body tattooing is yet another favourite activity that attracts a large number of enthusiasts. The Pushkar fair brings together a large number of villagers from different Parts of the state. Some come here to sell. Some come here to buy. Others come here on a pilgrimage. Still others come here just to enjoy the festivities. The days are filled with fun and activities. The evenings are filled with music and dance. Come dusk, and the rich strains of haunting music are carried across the desert sands. The profusion of colours that run riot in the desert sands, the glee and the contagious enthusiasm of the village folk are unique experience for every visitor.

Shopping in Pushkar

The shops lining the market will tempt you with a variety of goods. The Pushkar market offers an array of items from clothes, jewellery, lamp, handicrafts, items, shoes, caps and even utensils. The multifarious items are colourful and are perfect for taking as a souvenir or buying for own personal use.

Food in Pushkar

The food in Pushkar is scrumptious, fresh, authentic and cheaper! Although the main cuisine in Pushkar is Rajasthani, one can find random Kitchen influences here. For example, entire Pushkar serves the authentic European coffee. You can find Israeli food being served here, and the list goes on.

Activities in Pushkar

From camel and horse safari to desert camping, complete with comfortable beddings, authentic meals, colorful folk dance, and starlit sky, Pushkar offers a plethora of extraordinary outdoor experiences that must be tried by every traveller.

Hot air Balloon ride in Pushkar is a beautiful experience that gives a bird’s eye view of the entire Pushkar, the holy presence of Ghats, the temples the holy lake and high places are all depicted in a clairvoyant frame from above the clouds.

Best Time to Visit Pushkar

The best time to visit Pushkar is during the winter months when temperatures range between 8 and 22 degrees Celcius. The summer months from March to June are too hot for most visitors with temperatures rising to a scorching 45 degrees Celcius. The rainy season lasts between July and September and is extremely humid making it unpopular with visitors. The winter months last from November to March and this period is best for sightseeing in Pushkar.

How to Reach Pushkar

By Air

Sanganer Airport in Jaipur is the nearest at a distance of 146 kilometres.

By Road

Pushkar is well connected to the national highways of Rajasthan. Regular buses ply from Pushkar to the major cities of Jaipur, Jodhpur and Ajmer from the Ajmer bus stand.

By Rail

Pushkar Terminus Railway station which is operational since 2012, is connected to Ajmer railway station located at a distance of 14 kilometres.