Pushkar Tour

Pushkar Tour is one of the oldest cities in India. Located to the northwest of Ajmer, the tranquil city of Pushkar is a favoured destination for thousands of tourists and devotees flocking to Rajasthan. Situated at a height of 510 metres, Pushkar is surrounded by hillocks on three sides. The ‘Nag Pahar’, literally meaning Snake Mountain forms a natural border between Ajmer and Pushkar. Known as ‘the rose garden of Rajasthan’, the essence of the famous Pushkar rose is exported all over the world. Along with an interesting mythological history, a legacy of timeless architectural heritage makes Pushkar a fascinating city.
According to legends, Lord Brahma, believed to be the creator of the Universe dropped a lotus to the ground leading to the immediate creation of a lake. He then decided to name the place after the flower, and thus the name, Pushkar. The city of Pushkar is home to the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma in the whole world. Hindus consider a journey to Pushkar to be the ultimate pilgrimage that must be undertaken to attain salvation.

Sightseeing Places in Pushkar
Brahma Temple - A pilgrimage to the holy town of Pushkar with us is an unforgettable experience. The place abounds with many temples, which are must-visits for any devout Hindu. Apart from the Brahma Temple, other shrines of importance are Savitri Temple, Rangji Temple, Warah Temple and Apteshwar Temple. Thanks to the extreme sacredness of the place, it is advisable for those who travel to Pushkar, to respect the town’s holy status and not to eat meat or consume alcohol. In fact it is an earnest desire for every pious Hindu to make a Pushkar pilgrimage.

Pushkar Lake - Anything even remotely related to Pushkar Lake has a halo of sacredness and divinity. Legend has it that a dip in its waters cleanses all the sins and is the surest way to achieve salvation from the cycles of life. Circled by some five hundred odd temples, the lake has 52 ghats, which connect the temples to the water. These ghats were constructed by the rulers of the different erstwhile princely states of Rajasthan and some of them are aptly named after the states.

Pushkar Fair - 11km northwest of Ajmer is located the small town of Pushkar, one of the holiest sites in India. Every year on the day of auspicious Kartik Purnima, the full-moon phase of October/November, Pushkar brings in thousands of pilgrims from all over the country to take a holy dip in the waters of the lake, which are believed to cleanse the soul of all sins. Alongside this annual religious festival, a camel fair, hailed as the largest camel market in the world, is held where people buy and sell livestock when more than 200,000 traders, dealers and tourists throng here to the west of the lake. The magical color of the camel fair, added by the mesmerizing desert landscape and legendary religious atmosphere, has made Pushkar one of Rajasthan tourist destinations in Rajasthan.

Pushkar - Location
Nestled in a valley, 14 kms from Ajmer is the beautiful Pushkar town. It is a pretty little town surrounded by hills on three sides in the state of Rajasthan in Western India.

Pushkar - When To Visit
The days in Pushkar are extremely hot and nights are just as cold. The temperature in summers can go as high as 45°C and in the winters it can go as low as 10°C. The best time to visit Pushkar is in winters, between October and March. You can also attend the cattle fair that is world-famous and is held every year in November.

While you are on a tour of Pushkar, you can visit the Brahma temple, which is possibly the only temple dedicated to Brahma in India. On the entrance of this temple is the sculpture of Hans or goose, which is the vehicle of Brahma. Another temple you can visit, is the Savitri temple. This temple dedicated to the wife of Lord Brahma, is located on the hilltop. It takes about an hour to reach the temple on foot, but it is really worth a visit, for the temple site offers a breathtaking view of the Pushkar Lake. Many say the best time to visit the temple is dawn, since then one can see the sun rising which adds more beauty to the view. You can also visit the various ghats by the lake, which are considered sacred.

Pushkar - Excursions
While you are on a tour to Pushkar, you can also travel to Kishangarh, which is famous for its miniature paintings and local crafts.
Pushkar is close to Ajmer, so you can also visit the Dargah at Ajmer and check out all the tourist attractions there, including the Adhai-din-ka-jhonpra and Taragarh Fort.

The closest airport is at Jaipur, Rajasthan's capital, which is at a distance of 145 kms from Pushkar. The airport has frequent flights to Delhi and Mumbai.
The nearest railway station is at Ajmer, from where one can take a train to major places in Rajasthan and other cities in India. You can take a Shatabdi Express for Delhi, from this railway station, which not only saves time but also is a very comfortable way to travel. Jaipur-Bandra is perfect for those, who wish to go to Mumbai.
Pushkar can also be reached by road. One can take a bus or hire a cab or taxi from Ajmer, to reach Pushkar.

Pushkar - Events
There is hardly anyone who has not heard of the Pushkar festival. It is held annually on the 11th day of the bright half of the moon. It is held in the month of October/November.

People and Hindu devotees flock to Pushkar when all the gods visit this sacred place. People wash off their sins in the Pushkar Lake, which is considered very sacred. During this time, there are thousands of devotees and holy men who come from far off places. The whole atmosphere during this time is so devotional and pious that people find themselves in a strange trance and many claim that it is the time they feel most close to God. As for the cattle fair, it is a colorful and beautiful celebration of rural way of life. Villagers come to this fair with their cattle and animals from all over the state for trading. An interesting event that takes place during this time is the camel's beauty contest! Here tourists also get a chance to interact with the villagers dressed in their traditional turbans and colorful clothes.

Pushkar - Accommodation
Since Pushkar has now become a major attraction for Indian tourists as well as foreign tourists, there has been a rise in the number of hotels available in the town. There are many hotels, so guests can easily find a suitable accommodation according to their budget and the luxuries they are looking for.

Pushkar is a very religious place so one has to be careful as to not do anything that might hurt the sentiments of the devotees.
Remember not to wear shoes on the Ghats and drinking, smoking and non-vegetarian food is not allowed.
One useful tip for you is that the State bank of Bikaner and Jaipur accept Traveler's Cheques. Besides, Pushkar also has communication facilities such as Internet facilities and long distance calling services.