Pushkar : The City of the Blue Lotus
- How to Get There
- The Pushkar Fair
- Brahma Temple
- Savitri Temple
- Pushkar Lake
- Saraswati Temple
Pushkar : The City of the Blue Lotus
This settlement beside the Pushkar Lake has a strong charm which was powerful enough to have mesmerized even Kalidas, the great Indian poet who mentioned it in his classic, Abhigyan Shakuntalam. Pushkar is home to 52 bathing ghats and more than 400 temples whose milky blue colors can be a stunning sight. The sound of the temples enjoined in regular pujas is a soundtrack of enchantment as the music of the chants, drums, gongs and songs mix together in a heavenly harmony of the purest nature.
How to Get There
By Air :
Jaipur, is the nearest airport connecting Pushkar to the rest of India and abroad. Located at a distance of 145 km from Pushkar.
By Rail :
Nearest Railway Station is Ajmer, situated at a distance of 11 km from Pushkar
By Road :
Pushkar is well connected to the major roadways and national highways of Rajasthan and India. Pushkar is home to two bus stands. The Marwar bus stand and Ajmer bus stand.
The Pushkar Fair
Held every year in the months of October to November, the Pushkar fair cannot be missed. This seemingly small town bursts into a flurry of activity and animals as thousands of horses and camels are brought from across the length and breadth of Rajasthan. During this week, hundreds of thousands of visitors, sellers and buyers descend into the fair to participate in the activities.
The Pushkar Fair is a festival and a trade fair simultaneously. People barter and trade livestock, mainly camels and participate in various competitions which have become popular in recent years.
Brahma Temple
Part of the holy appeal of Pushkar is due to the Brahma Temple which one of the few of its kind left remaining in the world. The Brahma Temple is associated with many Hindu myths including the reason for the religious significance of Pushkar. Nonetheless, the temple is a sight to behold.
Muktidham
The beautiful walls of white marble of Muktidham hide a grand sight inside. Muktidham is an enchanting complex of temples dedicated to many of the popular gods and goddesses. There are even replicas of the 12 holy jyotirlingas here. Each temple and idol has been crafted finely showcasing the dedication of the craftsman.
Savitri Temple
The story of the creation of the Brahma Temple is closely associated with the Savitri Temple as well. The marble construction and architecture of the temple is similar to the Brahma Temple. Pilgrims to the Brahma Temple also visit this temple located at the top of a hill. The location also provides an excellent vantage point for taking in the holy beauty of Pushkar.
Pushkar Lake
The holiness of the town extends to the lake which gave its name. Surrounded by 52 bathing ghats, the lake attracts thousands of pilgrims wishing to cleanse their souls in the holy water.
Parvati Hill and Temple
Climb up the 108 steps of the Parvati Hill to get a spectacular panorama of the city of Pune. The top of the hill is adorned with five Hindu temples which are the Devdeveshwar Temple, Kartikeya Temple, Vishnu Temple, Shri Vitthal Temple and the Ramana Temple. The hill is also important historically due to its association with the Peshwa kings. A museum is also present here which contains an array of interesting artifacts, manuscripts and paintings from the Peshwa dynasty.
Saraswati Temple
The goddess Saraswati is one of the most revered in the Hindu
religion which makes it unsurprising to find the huge crowd of pilgrims that throng the temple every day.