Explore the charming town of Pushkar in Rajasthan, noted for its rich cultural legacy, and lively festivals. Dive into our comprehensive overview to learn about this historical location’s top attractions and experiences.
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Pushkar Overview
Pushkar is a small town in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan, known for its significance as a Hindu and Sikh pilgrimage site. Situated on the shores of Pushkar Lake, the town boasts numerous ghats where pilgrims take sacred baths. Among its numerous temples, the most notable is the red-spired Brahma Temple. Additionally, there are Gurudwaras associated with Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh.
Pushkar’s vibrant, hippie vibe is well-known for its lively festival celebrations and bustling bazaars. The annual Pushkar Camel Fair, held in October or November, is one of the town’s most renowned events, attracting national and international visitors.
Legends of Pushkar
Pushkar is notable for having the world’s sole Brahma temple, as mentioned in Hindu scriptures such as the Ramayana, Mahabharata, and Purana. The town’s origins are rooted in a captivating story.
According to legend, Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe, used a lotus flower to defeat a demon. After the battle, the lotus flower fell to the ground and transformed into Pushkar Lake. In Sanskrit, ‘Pushkar’ translates to ‘blue lotus flower’.
Brahma decided to perform a yajna at Pushkar’s main lake and created the hills surrounding the region. He instructed the gods to carry out their duties quietly. Then he married Gayatri to complete the yajna because Goddess Saraswati or Savitri could not attend to perform the vital phase of the ritual. When Savitri arrived and found Gayatri sitting next to Brahma, performing the yajna in her place, she became enraged and cursed that Brahma would only be worshiped in Pushkar.
Savitri moved to Ratnagiri Hill and became a part of Savitri Jharna, a fresh spring. Today, you can visit the temple of Goddess Savitri on the top of Ratnagiri Hill. Pushkar now has two temples located at opposite ends of the two hills: Goddess Savitri’s temple on the upper hill and Goddess Gayatri’s temple on the lower hill. The Brahma temple is located in the center of the town.
Prominent Religious Places to Visit in Pushkar
Brahma Temple
Brahma Temple is a Hindu temple located near Pushkar Lake. It is one of the most prominent temples in India to honor Lord Brahma. The current temple structure dates back to the 14th century, restored by the great scholar Adi Shankaracharya and later rebuilt by Maharaja Jawat Raj of Ratlam. The temple stands on a high platform with marble steps leading up to the entrance. The main sanctum, or Garbhagriha, houses the deities Lord Brahma and his wife Gayatri. The marble idol of Lord Brahma sits in a cross-legged position, symbolizing the creation of the universe. One of the temple’s notable features is its 70-foot-high red Shikhara.
Pushkar Lake
Pushkar Lake, also known as Sarovar in Hindi, is a sacred Hindu lake and one of the five holy Panch-Sarovar lakes. The five lakes are Man Sarovar, Narayan Sarovar, Bindu Sarovar, Pampa Sarovar, and Pushkar Sarovar.
Pushkar Lake is an artificial lake nestled in the folds of the Aravalli range, surrounded by desert and hills on all sides. It features 52 bathing ghats where pilgrims gather to take sacred baths. Folklore says bathing in the lake can cleanse sins and heal skin ailments. These ghats host an aarthi ceremony each evening at sunset, where you can experience divine chanting and witness the sunset. Varah Ghat, Gau Ghat, Brahma Ghat, and Badri Ghat are the most popular spots to attend the aarthi.
Old and New Rangji Temple
The Old Rangji Temple in Pushkar is a well-known Hindu temple. It venerates Lord Ranganath, also called Rangji, a manifestation of Lord Vishnu. This temple, which dates back to the 18th century, is one of the oldest in the town. The temple precinct contains idols of Goddess Lakshmi, Lord Krishna, Shri Ramanujacharya, and Hanuman.
Vaikuntha Venkateshwara is the main deity of the new Rangji temple. This temple is popular for its architectural blend of Rajasthani, Mughal, and South Indian traditions. During our visit to Pushkar in August, we had the opportunity to experience the fair held in the new Rangji temple. Also, as per the local sugarcane juice vendor, a major fair takes place in the temple on the second Saturday of the Shravana month. The temple is bustling with worshippers at this time of year. We were able to receive the gods’ blessings and even swing the Goddess Lakshmi idol and another Lakshmi Vishnu idol on site. Additionally, on the left side of the entryway, there is a sanctum for Narayana Lakshmi where you can also receive blessings and swing the deities.
Gurudwara Sahib
Two great Sikh Gurus, Guru Gobind Singh, and Guru Nanak Dev, visited Pushkar during their journeys through the Rajputana states. The place where Guru Gobind Singh stayed is known as Gobind Ghat, now called Gandhi Ghat. In the early 20th century, a small Gurudwara Sahib was built in Pushkar to honor their visit. The structure comprises white marble.
Things To Do in Pushkar
Temple hopping
The town is home to nearly 500 temples, including the Brahma Temple, the Old and New Rangji Temples, the Varaha Temple, and the Gayatri and Savitri Temples. Along your journey, you can visit other temples to learn more about the gods, their history, and the temple’s interior decorations. Many of these temples were destroyed during the Mughal era but were subsequently rebuilt.
Watching Evening Aarti
While Ganga Aarti in Varanasi is the most renowned aarti in India, the nighttime aarti in Pushkar offers a unique spiritual allure. This ceremony occurs at sunset at all the ghats along Pushkar Lake. It involves lighting oil lamps and incense sticks, chanting hymns rhythmically, and ringing bells to create an atmosphere of serenity and devotion. Additionally, seeing these small oil lamps across all the ghats against the night sky brings a distinctive ambiance to Pushkar Lake.
Shopping for souvenirs at Pushkar Bazaar
Pushkar’s vibrant city center is filled with street shops offering a variety of local handicrafts, textiles, postcards, jewelry, books, and other items. The prices here tend to be lower than in other regions. Moreover, you can negotiate with the vendors if the prices are too high.
Trying local cuisines at Sweet shops and Cafeterias
In Pushkar, you’ll find a wide variety of vegetarian options. Also, as a sacred city, eggs and meat are not permitted. Popular local desserts include malpua, ghevar, rabri, kalakand, and an assortment of milk sweets. You can also try regional snacks kachori, samosa, poha, falafel, and parathas.
Desert Safari and Camping
The Thar Desert is home to several notable cities in Rajasthan, including Pushkar. Pushkar is famous for its annual Camel Fair, which draws thousands of tourists every October or November. If you visit at a different time of year, you can enjoy desert camping or a camel safari. However, I recommend exercising caution with these activities, as animal welfare can sometimes be compromised. Conduct research beforehand to ensure ethical treatment of the animals. Additionally, be aware that the desert area is relatively small and can be dusty.
Other activities
Hike up to the Savitri or Pap Mochani Gayatri temples for panoramic views of Pushkar. These hilltops offer some of the best vantage points in Pushkar for watching the sunrise or sunset. Further, locals recommend engaging in activities such as early morning yoga classes, Rajasthani music sessions, cooking workshops, and sampling bhang lassi(with caution) for those staying longer.
Check out our post on the Jaipur itinerary for nearby tourist attractions here.
How To Reach Pushkar
From Jaipur
By Road
Pushkar is located about 140 kilometers from Jaipur. Several private buses operate between Jaipur and Pushkar, taking approximately 4 hours. Pushkar is also accessible by bus from Ajmer, a journey that takes around 30 min. Alternatively, you can travel from Jaipur to Pushkar by car or motorcycle which will take around 3 hours.
By Rail
The nearest train station to Pushkar connects to major cities in Ajmer. From Jaipur, you can take a train to Ajmer, which takes about 2 hours, and then catch a bus to Pushkar Terminus, which is approximately a 30-minute ride.
By Air
The closest airport to Pushkar is Jaipur International Airport in Sanganer. From there, you can take a cab directly to Pushkar.
Travel Tips To Visit Pushkar
- It is best to visit Pushkar during the winter months from October to February when the temperature is moderate. You can also visit during the rainy season, as the area receives little rain. However, summer temperatures can be exceedingly high, which may make your trip more challenging.
- When visiting Pushkar’s temples or ghats, remember to remove your shoes. Also, regardless of gender, you must wear a headscarf when entering a Gurudwara.
- While I read about donation scams involving flower merchants or priests in several articles, we did not encounter any during our visit. Nevertheless, it’s wise to be cautious and vigilant to avoid such scams.
- Most temples and ghats are within walking distance of each other, allowing you to explore the town easily on foot. Additionally, the main street leading to the Brahma temple is pedestrian-friendly, as only two-wheelers are allowed on it.
- You will need an auto-rickshaw or a bike to reach the hilltop temples located around 3 to 4 kilometers from the town center. Buses run at specific times, which you can confirm at the city center bus stop.
- Pushkar offers many buses to Ajmer, the nearest major town.
- Vegetarians will find no shortage of food options in Pushkar, as all restaurants and cafés serve vegetarian dishes.
- Pushkar provides a variety of accommodation options to fit different budgets. It’s recommended to stay in the city center near the Gurudwara or the Rangji temple, making it easy to access other attractions on foot.
In conclusion, Pushkar offers a unique blend of spirituality, culture, and adventure, making it an outstanding destination in Rajasthan for both experienced and first-time visitors. Plan your trip today to experience the best of this enchanting town!
