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Pushkar is a small quiet town lying
about 11 km from Ajmer on the edge of the desert. Pushkar in
Rajasthan is situated along the bank of the picturesque Pushkar
Lake an important pilgrimage spot for the Hindus. The 'Nag pahar'
or the snake mountain forms a natural boundary between Ajmer and
Pushkar. Surrounded by hills on three sides, pushkar abounds in
temples. Pushkar has as many as 400 temples and 52 ghats, which
includes the only temple that is dedicated to Lord Brahma in
India. Pushkar is famous for Pushkar Fair (the mass trading of
camels), the one and only Lord Brahma Temple, a picturesque lake
and camel fair. Pushkar is a heaven for the religiously
inclined.
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Pushkar Fair
The flow of travelers to Pushkar
increases exceptionally during the time of the Pushkar fair. The
Pushkar fair is the largest camel fair in India. The locals of
Pushkar are very hospitable and they dress up in their best
during the much-awaited Pushkar Camel Fair. The colourful veils,
turbaned heads, and colourfully dyed skirts, with sounds of the
ektara and the soulful tunes of the Rajasthani folk songs make
the nights of the Pushkar fair equally pleasing. Besides, the
Pushkar Bazaar is also famous for shopping options. The best
time for holidays in Pushkar is during the winter months from
October to mid-March.Most people associate the Pushkar Fair with
the world's largest camel fair. But it is much more than
that. It is an occasion for villagers from far and near to
gather together and enjoy a welcome break from their harsh life
of the arid desert. And enjoy they do! In dazzling style and
colors. It is an occasion for Hindu pilgrims to converge for a
holy dip in the sacred Pushkar Lake to "wash away the sins of a
lifetime" and pay obeisance at the ONLY Brahma temple in the
world .
Pushkar Temples
Pushkar has the Famous Brahma
Temple which holds utmost importance to the pilgrims as it
is the only temple in India dedicated to Brahma. It's marked by
a red sphere, and over the entrance gateway is the Hans,
or goose symbol, of Brahma. Inside, floor and walls are engraved
with dedications to the dead.
The one hour trek up to the hill top Saraswati Temple
overlooking the lake is best made early in the morning; the view
is magnificent.
Camel
Safari
There are quite a few people in
Pushkar who offer horse or camel safari. Camel safaris are a
splendid way of taking in the sights and experiencing the rugged
beauty of the desert. The camels may look aloof, but they are
known as the lifeline for the desert people, whose major mode of
transportation depends on camels only, also known as the "Ship
of the desert".
Pushkar Lake
The pious Pushkar Lake, believed to
have been created by the falling of lotus from the hand of Lord
Brahma. It is considered to be as old as the creation. The lake
is considered as one of the most sacred spots, and believed that
one dip in the waters of lake on Kartika Poornima is equivalent
to performing yagnas for several hundred years.
The charming lake amidst the hills has fifty-two bathing ghats,
built around lake. The water around each ghat is supposed to
have special powers. The Naga Kund is belived to give fertility,
Roop Tirth gives beauty and charm, Kapil Vyapi Kund water helps
in curing leprosy and a dip in the Mrikand Muni Kund grants the
boon of wisdom.
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