Pushkar is a city 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.
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/-)
