Things To Do In Pushkar

Things To Do In Pushkar charm lies in the dichotomy of religious devotion and hippie appeal. With close to 400 temples, Pushkar is an important Hindu pilgrimage town but it also attracts a large number of travellers who want to simply soak in the laid-back atmosphere. The things to do in Pushkar range from exploring its temple architecture to simply immersing yourself in the annual camel fair. As an eager traveller out to discover Rajasthan, the town of Pushkar epitomizes the religious nature that binds a lot of the country together. Pushkar is just 40 minutes away from Ajmer, on the banks of a sacred lake. At any time in Pushkar you will hear the sound of devotional songs, temple bells, and other religious sounds. There is a sense of peace that permeates this town, though exploration of the main bazaars can get hectic, in a good way. The town itself is a maze of winding streets, hole-in-the-wall shops, and temples. The lack of serious motorized traffic makes it an ideal place to stroll about and get a feel of the place.

Explore the chaos of Pushkar Mela (Pushkar Fair)
This one easily had to be on the top of our list, as it is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Pushkar. If you’re keen on experiencing the real essence of the rich Rajasthani culture, you should probably head out to the Pushkar fair! Locally known as the “Kartik Mela”, this fair is held in the “Kartik” month of Hindu calendar. Camel trading is the flagship occurrence of this marvellous fair. People from different villages of Rajasthan gather and participate in this cattle trading fest. This fair, extended to seven days, hosts a number of other events such as “Matka-Phod”, moustache competition, and other diverse exhibitions. The Pushkar Mela attracts around 2 Lakh tourists every year. Owing to its magnificent popularity, it is considered as one of the largest livestock fairs of the world.

Enjoy the Camel Safari
Riding through the vast desert is an experience best enjoyed on the back of a camel! The camel safari at Pushkar is something you should not miss. The sight of the desert and the conversation with the camel men will surely enchant you. Some hotels can arrange camels, or you can also hire camels directly at the site. For the people who cannot handle the bumpy ride, there is a service of camel cart, which is an easy substitute to the camel ride. The perfect time for a camel ride is during sunset.

Bow down to Lord Brahma
Pushkar houses the most famous temple of the god of creation, Lord Brahma. It is rumoured to be the only Lord Brahma temple in the world. The temple, famously called as “Jagatpita Brahma Mandir” is a place which holds paramount importance in Hinduism. The architecture of the temple consists of shining marbles, intricately placed stone slabs, and images of the almighty Brahma and Mata Gayatri. This temple is one of the main attractions of Pushkar, due to its architectural finesse and religious importance.

Visit the Pushkar Yoga Garden
If you are person who loves serenity and calm, Pushkar Yoga Garden is the place for you. The garden is actually an ashram, which is located on the Vamadev Road in Pushkar. Near the ashram, there is a pleasing view of the hills, a beautiful lake, and rose plantations. Numerous tourists, especially foreigners, visit this place to refresh their minds and bodies, and take a break from the hustling routine. If you want to go deeper in the ancient Yoga techniques, and Indian therapeutic methods, you can stay here longer.

Explore the beauty of the Ghats
The desert town of Pushkar has a beautiful lake (Pushkar lake) which has over 52 ghats, and about 400 temples on its perimeter. In the vastness of places to explore, the first thing to do would be to take a dip in the lake, and make one’s self pure from all sins (ss per popular belief). On the ghats, you’ll see tourists, pilgrims, ascetics, and all kinds of people. The ghats are vibrant with the constant bell ringing, chanting by priests, and the lamps lit near the ghat. Some of the popular ghats are Pachdevri ghat, Gau ghat, Badri ghat, Saptrishi Ghat, Varah ghat, Swarup ghat, Gurjar ghat, etc. On your visit to Pushkar, don’t forget to explore the beauty of these ghats. The evening Aarti at Varah ghat is highly recommended.

Unleash your inner Shopping Maniac at the market
If you are a shopaholic, you simply can not miss going to the Sharafa Bazaar in Pushkar. The Pushkar market has a blend of ethnic and modern cultures. Your bargaining skills can be tested at the market, where there is a lot to shop for. For photography lovers, this colourful place is heaven. You can buy ethnic jewellery, silver jewellery, traditional clothes, sarees, handicrafts, leather products, and also T-shirts, pants, caps, funky accessories and much more from this market.

Kalbelia Dance
After a long day of walking around, you should definitely unwind with a magnificent Kalbelia dance performance. It is the most exciting dance form of Rajasthan, performed by the indigenous Kalbelia tribe. This nomadic tribe was originally a community of snake charmers. With their fascinating moves and flexible motion, in the typical black attire, these dancers will surely enthral you. Quite a few hotels arrange these dance performances for their guests. If not the hotel, you can arrange a performance for yourself by contacting the dancer in the market.

Pushkar International Balloon Festival
Rajasthan is a beautiful place from the ground up. But imagine having a view of this mesmerizing place from the air. The experience of capturing breathtaking sights of the town through a hot air balloon is a memory to be cherished for a lifetime. The Balloon festival runs during the same days as the Camel Festival and it's a delight. You are definitely in for a treat.

Take blessings at the Savitri Temple
The famous Savitri Temple sits on a hill, from where the view is exhilarating. This temple is associated with popular Hindu mythology, and is dedicated to Goddess Savitri, wife of Lord Brahma. The temple is popular for its architecture and the sacred aarti. The view simply adds to the beauty of the place.

Worship Lord Vishnu at the Varah Temple
This temple is dedicated to the Varah Avatar of lord Vishnu. The stories of his incarnation in the form of half-man, half-boar are depicted here. The temple has architecture that goes back to the 12th century. In spite of being ancient, the temple has solid foundation. It was demolished by Aurangzeb at one point, but still stands tall today, enduring as a rustic but incredible place.