Pushkar

Quick Facts
Area:
Languages: Rajasthani, Hindi, Urdu, English, Sindhi
Best Time To Visit :

Pushkar is a very important pilgrim centre of Hindu Pushkar, for one visit to this holy place in a lifetime is highly prescribed. Brahma forms the great Hindu trilogy of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, each symbolising the lifecycle of birth, preservation and destruction. Brahma the creator is depicted as of four bearded heads and four hands each holding a book of Vedas (knowledge).

His vehicle is the swan and his consort is Savitri. According to the legend Pushkar means a pond created by flower, was formed when Brahma dropped a lotus flower on the earth to determine a place for his yagna, a holy sacrifice. The story goes that Brahma wanted to perform the yagna at the most auspicious time but his consort Savitri whose presence at the yagna was vital for its performance kept him waiting.

Irritated by this Brahma married Gayatri, a milkmaid and installed her instead. Savitri on seeing someone else in her place was infuriated and cursed Brahma that he would be forgotten by people on earth and never worshiped. She relented on pleas from other Gods that he could only be worshiped in Pushkar, hence there are no Brahma Temples elsewhere.

Pushkar is a much loved tourist destination, many who visit there just fall in love with the place and overstay. Situated on the edge on the desert it is separated from Ajmer by the Nag Parbat (the snake hill). The town has very distinct tourist excitement with narrow lanes lined with shops selling various accessories and rooftop restaurants. Despite its high tourist profile the town maintains some mystical charm.

What to See:

» Brahma Temple

» Chhatra Mahal

» Sar Bagh

Where to Stay:

» Hotel Pushkar Palace » Hotel Pushkar Resort » Hotel Embassy

» Hotel Sahil » Phool Mahal Palace » Hotel Ambassador

» Roopangarh Fort » Hotel Chitvan

Shopping:
Just like any other city in Rajasthan, Ajmer is also a shopper's paradise. There are numerous items in Ajmer that you will find worth buying. The most famous shopping items of Ajmer includes Antiques, Ornaments, Gold and silver jewelry in contemporary designs, Bandhini (colorful tie-and-dye Saris), Embroidered Jodhpuri Jutis (footwear), Ittar (a special form of local perfume).

Accessibility:
By Air - Jaipur (132 km from Ajmer) is the nearest airport.
By Rail - Regular train services link Ajmer with all major cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad.
by surface - There is a well-connected network of buses that ply to and fro from Ajmer connecting it to major towns and cities in north India.

Suggested Itineraries : Pushkar Fair Tour | Taj With Historical Rajasthan