Pushkar Travel

One of the most ancient cities of India, and an important centre of pilgrimage for Hindus, Pushkar has a magnetic appeal to it. Located in Rajasthan’s Ajmer district in midst of Aravali range, Pushkar with its magnificent temples and number of bathing ghats takes you closer to the divine power. The place is among the five pilgrim sites or dhams for people following Hinduism. Resounding with chanting prayers and religious songs, Pushkar is a happy tourist attraction with a dash of commercialism.

Attractions
Boasting of innumerable attractions, one of the major attractions here is the Pushkar Lake, which is considered as the holiest lake in India. According to popular beliefs, this lake was created by the fallen petals of Lord Brahma’s lotus when he was destroying the demon Vajra Nabha. The mention of Pushkar Lake can be found in some old books like Abhigyan Sakuntalam, Mahabharat and Ramayana.

Another popular attraction here is the Jagtpati Brahma Mandir, dedicated to the creator God, Brahma. It is one of the most prominent shrines of Pushkar. Made of stone stabs and marble, one of the distinguished features of the temple is its red coloured shikara. The outdoor hall of the temple is known as the mandapa and the interior of the temple is called the garbha griha. The walls of the temple are decorated with images of peacock and the Sarasvati’s mount.

Another major attraction here is the Varaha Temple which was originally built in the 12th century. The temple was destroyed by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb, and was then rebuilt in the 18th century by Raja Sawai Man Singh II.
Located on top of a hill called Ratnagiri, another popular attraction resides, the Savitri temple. The temple is dedicated to Brahma’s wife Savitri. Situated at an elevation of about 750 ft, one can trek up the hill to catch the beautiful view of the Pushkar Lake. The temple has three idols; Goddess Savitri in the middle, goddess Sharda on the right side and goddess Saraswati on the left.

Man Mahal is another major attraction of Pushkar. Built to serves as Raja Man Singh I’s guest house, it is among the grandest palaces of Pushkar. With its magnificent Rajasthani architecture, the Mahal is a visual treat. Now converted into a heritage hotel, the Mahal still retains its old world charm. The palace not only gives you a peek into the bygone era but offers you a stunning view of the lake and surrounding regions.

Best time to visit Pushkar
While the weather and festivities in Pushkar stay alive all year long, the best time to visit the holy town is between November and March. During this time, the weather is pleasant, and the desert is a whole lot friendlier for those day-long safaris.

How to reach Pushkar
By Air - Jaipur airport is the nearest airport to Pushkar with a distance of 131 kilometers.
By Rail - Ajmer is the nearest railway station to Pushkar. There are a number of trains that connects Pushkar with other parts of the country.
By Road - There is a wide network of roads that connects Pushkar with other parts of the country. It is very well connected to major cities like Delhi (392 kms), Bikaner (233 kms), Jaipur (138 kms), Jaisalmer (490 kms) etc.