| Pushkar |
| Population 14,789 (in 2001) Altitude 510m Area 16.3 square km Languages Rajasthani, Hindi and English |
| Pushkar stands on the shore of Pushkar Lake and is one of the oldest cities of India. The date of its actual founding is not known but legend associates the Lord Brahma with its creation. When the demon Vajra Nabha killed Brahma's children he in turn struck him with his weapon, a lotus flower. Vajra Nabha was killed and the petals of the lotus fell at three places. One of them is Pushkar, where a lake sprung into being. The Great Hindu epics of Mahabharat and Ramayana also make references to this religious place. Evidence points to its having existed during the fourth century BC. Pushkar is one of the five sacred pilgrimage sites for devout Hindus. 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. Pushkar is also famous for its annual Pushkar Camel Fair. The natural environment of Pushkar and the sacred lake has become increasingly degraded in the last few decades. The problems stem mainly from overdevelopment of tourist facilities and the deforestation of the surrounding area. Sights There are about 400 temples in Pushkar of which the most famous is the Jagat Pita Shri Brahma Mandir. It is one of the only temples in the world dedicated to Brahma, the Hindu God of creation. His idol is four headed and faces all four directions signifying that the Lord’s presence is everywhere. This temple has floors and stairs made of marble and devotees put coins in this temple to mark the birth and death of their loved ones. Pushkar becomes a bustling and colorful fairground in the month of Kartik (October-November) when the annual Pushkar Fair is held. Hindu pilgrims come for a holy dip in Pushkar Lake. There are many ghats which run down to the lake whose waters are said to wash away the sins of a lifetime. The most famous part of this event is the Camel Fair. Camels are bought, sold, decked up and paraded on the sand dunes. The camel, horse and donkey races are events that are hugely popular with the tourists. The Pushkar Fair has become a major cultural event in the state of Rajasthan bringing together a large number of villagers from different parts of the state who display their traditional wares and also make the evenings colorful and festive with music and dance. Accommodation There are dozens of budget hotels and guesthouses in Pushkar, mostly on the northern side of the lake. During the Camel Fair prices can increase tenfold and you will probably need to book in advance. Atithi Guesthouse Tel: (0145) 305022 Rooms have private bathroom. There is also a rooftop restaurant. Room: Rs 250-450 Banks and Internet There are plenty of places to change money and travelers cheques in Pushkar. There are also numerous internet cafes. |
| Trains The nearest train station to Pushkar is at Ajmer. Frequent buses travel between Pushkar and Ajmer for around Rs 10. Ajmer (AII) to Jaipur (JP) Train numbers 2016, 2413, 2966, 9655A, 2915, 9105 Ajmer to Jodhpur (JU) Train numbers 2JA Ajmer to Udaipur (UDZ) Train numbers 2965, 2992 Ajmer to Abu Road (ABR) (For Mount Abu) Train numbers 170, 2916, 9106, 9708 Buses Most long distance buses also leave from Ajmer. Ajmer to Jaipur Rs 100, 131 km Departs appriximately every hour Journey time 4 hours Ajmer to Jodhpur Rs 110, 210 km Departs several times daily Journey time 5 hours Ajmer to Udaipur Rs 200, 274 km Departs a few times daily Journey time 8 hours Ajmer - Beawar - Nathdwara - Udaipur |