Situated in Rajasthan Pushkar is famous for its exhibitions and fairs. It is well known for its Pushkar Camel Festival where more than 50,000 camels are gathered for parade and many other cattle are also part of this fair. It is a five-day festival where a variety of culture is showcased and tourists from different countries travel to this city, especially for the Pushkar Camel Fair. Since multiple Gurudwaras are situated here, Pushkar is also considered as a sacred pilgrimage site for the Sikhs across the country. These gurudwaras are dedicated to Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh.
Apart from Gurudwaras, there are many temples in this city. For example, Brahma Temple is very famous in the city. This temple is considered as the holy trinity Hinduism. Savitri Temple, Sri Sawaj Bhoj Temple, Gautama Maharishi Temple, Paap Mochani Gayatri, Atpateshvar Mahadev Temple, Varsha Temple and other temples are located in this city. According to the legends and history, Pushkar was mentioned in both Ramayana and Mahabharat, which is why this city is considered as a sacred pilgrimage city. As Savitri Temple is situated on the top of a mountain, many people hike towards the temple apart from taking ropeways. Hot air balloon rides are also organised throughout the year.
Pushkar fair & festivals
Pushkar Fair (Oct.-Nov.) :- A colourful and lively fair, it is one of the largest cattle fair in the country held every year at Pushkar on Kartik Poornima (full moon, October - November) . The 9 day event is considered to be the most striking animal fair in the world. As the fair has religious significance too, pilgrims and tradesmen come in thousands from far and near. Hundreds of horses, camels, cows and bulls are brought here to be sold. The spectacular fair is irresistible. Vendor displays their attractive goods and the villagers go on a shopping spree. Colourfully filled by turbaned men and odhni-wearing women, the entire atmosphere is electric and the otherwise serene temple town comes to life.
The Camel & Horse races, parades and other cultural events are organized, which are full of fun and gaiety. After an eventful day, as the sun sets down, the entire atmosphere reverbrates with the ringing bells and prayers in the temples. At night, hundreds of small oil lamps are lit and placed on green leaves and floated on the lake after the Arti Puja (prayers). the act of worship is called 'deepdan', and the entire lake is illuminated. The view is simply mesmerizing and is to be seen to be believed.
Places to See in Pushkar
Pushkar Lake : One of the most sacred sites for Hindus, Pushkar Lake is the most famous tourist attraction in the holy town of Pushkar. It’s a beautiful semi-circular lake with 52 lovely ghats surrounding it. According to beliefs, a dip in the Pushkar Lake on the auspicious occasion of Karthik Poornima brings salvation to devotees.
Brahma Temple : It’s the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe according to Hindu mythology, in all over India. The beautiful marble temple is famous for its four-headed idol of lord Brahma. It’s decorated with silver coins and a silver turtle on its black and white chequered floor.
Savitri Temple : Dedicated to goddess Savitri, the first wife of Lord Brahma, it’s the second most important temple in Pushkar. Located just behind the Brahma Temple on a hilltop, it provides a panoramic view of the scenic Pushkar Lake and exotic sand dunes nearby
Rangji or Rangnath Temple : Rangji Temple is known for its gracious south Indian style of architecture. The temple houses a huge image of Lord Vishnu. It has a high rising ‘Gopuram’ (large gate) and Garuda pillars studded with a mythical bird styled in gold.
Varah Temple : One of the most sacred temples in Pushkar, Varah Temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. It has an image of Vishnu in the incarnation of wild boar. According to a legend, Lord Vishnu visited the earth in the incarnation of a Varah (Wild boar) to kill an atrocious demon Hirnayaksh.
Apteshwar Temple : Another important temple in Pushkar, this 12th century temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva.
Shopping in Pushkar
A large number of traders gather at the Pushkar Fair and set up shops. They sell a host of products like bead necklaces of Nagaur, woollen blankets of Merta, textiles printed in Ajmer and Jodhpur, brassware of Jodhpur and Jaipur etc. Also on sale are saddles, ropes, and assorted household items. During the fair, cultural shows and exhibitions are organised to enliven the event. Movies are shown and competitions are arranged. Bards and poets recite and sing tales of valour and heroism of bygone days. Animal races and other competitions add to the attraction.
Best Time to Visit Pushkar
Pushkar has an extreme environment with hot days as well as chilly evenings in the summer. The optimum temperature level throughout the summer seasons can increase to (45 ° C) while in the winters it can be listed below (10 ° C). There is not much rainfall throughout the monsoon. The most effective season to visit this location is in the winter’s months Oct to mid-Mar.
Weather of Pushkar
Climate of Pushkar is of an extreme desert type. Pushkar weather witnesses wide differences in the day and night temperatures. In the summer time, the days are hot, with the blazing with its full strength. The nighttime is a complete contrast. The nights in Pushkar are pretty cold, even in summers. The average temperature in the summers ranges from 45° C (max) to 25° C (min), approximately. The climatic conditions of Pushkar, Rajasthan in the winter season are quite pleasant.
How to Reach Pushkar
Pushkar Tourism – Tourist can without problems reach Pushkar from any country of the world. The Sanganer Airport Terminal, Jaipur is the nearby airbase to Pushkar, while Ajmer train station is the closest train terminal. Ajmer has superb road connectivity to various other leading cities of the state, such as Jaipur, Jaisalmer as well as Udaipur.