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              PUSHKAR TRAVEL GUIDE

Pushkar is a town in the state of Rajasthan . Pushkar means born due to a flower. In
Hindu mythology it is said that the gods released a swan with a lotus in its beak and
let it fall on earth where Brahma would perform a grand yagna. The place where the
lotus fell was called Pushkar. It is situated 14 Km from Ajmer and is one of the five
sacred dhams (pilgrimage sites for devout Hindus.) It is often called "Tirth Raj" - the
king of pilgrimage sites - and has in recent years become a popular destination for
foreign tourists.

Pushkar lies on the shore of Pushkar Lake. It has five principal temples, many
smaller temples and 52 ghats where pilgrims descend to the lake to bathe in the
sacred waters. One of the primary temples is the 14th century temple dedicated to
Brahma, the Hindu god of creation. Very few temples to Lord Brahma exist anywhere
in the world. Other temples of Brahma include those at Besakih in Bali, Bithoor in
Uttar Pradesh, India, and Prambanan in Indonesia.

Pushkar is one of the oldest cities of India. The date of its actual founding is not
known, but legend associates Lord Brahma with its creation.

The Ramayan mentions Pushkar and says that Vishvamitra performed tapa here. It
further says that the Apsara Menaka came to Pushkara to bathe in its sacred waters.

The Mahabharata says that while laying down a programme for Maharaja
Yudhishthara’s travel, “Maharaja after entering the Jungles of Sind and crossing the
small rivers on the way should bathe in Pushkara". And, per Vaman Purana,
Prahlada on his pilgrimage to holy places visited Pushkarayana.

A Pratihara ruler of Mandore, Nahadarava, restored this tirtha in the seventh century.
He got the place cleared and the lake restored by making an embankment on the
side of the river Luni. He rebuilt old palaces and built twelve dhrnashalas (resting
places) and ghats on three sides of the lake.

The sage Parasara is said to have been born here. His descendants, called
Parasara Brahamanas, are found in Pushkar and the surrounding area. The famous
temple of Jeenmata has been cared for by Parasara Brahmans for the last 1000
years. Pushkarana Brahamanas may also have originated here.


GENERAL INFORMATION

Time zone         IST (UTC+5:30)
Elevation           510 m (1,673 ft)
District(s)          Ajmer
Population        14,789 (2001)


PLACE TO VISIT

Brahma temple - situated at Pushkar in Rajasthan in India. The temple is
dedicated to Lord Brahama and is said to be the only existing temple dedicated to
Lord Brahama in India. This temple, built with marble, is decorated with silver coins,
and there is a silver turtle on the floor of the temple. Legend also has it that the
ancient lake Sarovar had appeared miraculously, when a lotus fell from the hands of
Lord Brahma and dropped into the this valley. The image of Brahmaji in Pushkar is
in a seated Palthi position.

Pushkar Lake - is an artificial lake in Rajasthan state of western India. It is
located near the town of Pushkar in Ajmer District. The lake was created in the 12th
century when a dam was built across the headwaters of the Luni River. Legend has
it that the lake was created when a lotus blossom dropped from the hand of God
Brahma into the Pushkar valley. It was also the site where the Sage Vishwamitra
meditating reputedly for thousands of years. Thousands of pilgrims come to bathe in
the waters of the lake during the festival of Kaartika Poornima in November.

Pushkar Fair - or Pushkar ka Mela, is the world's largest camel fair held in the
holy town of Pushkar in the state of Rajasthan, India. The Pushkar fair is indubitably
the world's largest camel fair (and indeed, world's largest cattle fair in general).
Competitions such as the "matka phod", "moustache", and "bridal competition" are
the main draws for this fair which attracts thousands of tourists. The number of
foreign tourists eager to witness this exotic event had shot to a new high of 10,000 in
2004, which started on 19 November.

Varaha temple
Apteshwar Mahadev temple
Savitri temple
Temple of Rangji (New and Old) or Shri Vaikunthnathji
Man Mahal

HOW TO REACH

By air - No airports at Pushkar. Nearest airport is in Jaipur.

By train - From Delhi, regular trains are available till Ajmer. There are direct trains
from Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Chennai & Bangalore.

By bus - Take a taxi or rickshaw from Ajmer. Frequent buses are available from
Ajmer main bus station (rs 8/-)