Pushkar Travel Guide

Pushkar 11 kms. from Ajmer lies the tiny tranquil town  of pushkar along the bank of the picturesque  Pushkar Lake. This town is right on the edge of the desert and is only 11 kms. from Ajmer but separated from it by Nag Pahar, the Snake Mountain. The once peaceful lakeside village is an important pilgrimage spot for the Hindus. According to the myths, Lord Brahma  was on his way  for a suitable place to perform a ‘Yagna’ ( a fire sacrifice). While contemplating, a lotus  fell from  his hand on the earth and water sprouted  from three places. One of them was Pushkar  Lake.

Pushkar  abounds in temples. The Savitri Temple and Brahma  Temple is the most famous. Since it is the only temple dedicated  to Lord Brahma  in the country. Every  year, thousands of devotees throng  the lake around the full moon day of Kartik Purnima  in October-November to take a holy dip in the lake. A huge and colourful cattle fair, the Pushkar  Fair, is also held during this time.

Local Festivals

Pushkar is perhaps  best known for its Camel Fair, which is one of India’s grand epics. It takes place on the full moon of Kartik  Purnima. This massive congregation of camels, cattle, livestock traders, pilgrims, tourists and filmmakers  is a most incredible event. Pilgrims  bathe in the lake, the night of the full moon being the most auspicious time, and float ‘boats’ of marigold and rose petals in the moonlight.

Places to eat

Moon Dance, run by Nepalese, just by turning to Pushkar  Palace. Om Shiva  at VK tourist Palace, good breakfasts, fresh buffets. Sunset Café,  by Pushkar Palace, overlooking  lake, for breakfast and excellent cakes. Venus, famous for good sizzlers. Sun-n-Moon, not far from the Brahma temple, it offers a variety of Western  and Indian food.

Shopping

Shops selling clothes and handcrafted items cater for young foreigners. There are a number of bookshops  in the main bazaar selling a tremendous range of second-hand novels in various languages. Essar, shop no.6 Sadar Bazaar, opp. Narad Kunj, excellent tailoring .

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