Pushkar, Ajmer

Land Of Brahma

Pushkar is a quiet Rajasthani town, 11 km from Ajmer and 2 hours from Jaipur, the Holy City of Pushkar is really one of a amongst when it involves traveller places in Rajasthan. It’s one amongst India’s holiest and oldest cities with the sole temple dedicated to Lord Brahma within the country, from among handful within the world. Lord Brahma, according to Hindu mythology, is said to be the creator of this universe. It’s a city sleepily curled round the Pushkar Lake, the holiest lake in Asian nation, said to have been created once Lord Brahma accidentally born some lotus petals here, from that a lake with miraculous qualities up.
Pushkar is additionally one amongst the revered 5 – dhaam or pilgrim’s journey sites, with the title of tirth raja or the King of all Holy Sites in Asian nation. With 52 bathing ghats, the Pushkar lake and over four hundred baby-blue temples designed over completely different eras and palaces, this town is nearly forever ringing hymns, chants, drums and gongs.

Pushkar Lake
The life in Pushkar city is centred around Pushkar Lake. It’s a synthetic lake created within the 12th century by building a dam across the tributary of the Luni water course. Many temples together with the illustrious Brahma temple square measure settled around this holy lake. 
There square measure 52 ghats on Pushkar Lake. It’s believed that taking a dip within the holy lake of Pushkar helps to scrub away sins. Taking a holy dip on Kartik Purnima (based on Hindu calendar) that falls within the month of Gregorian calendar month is extremely revered as per Hindu customs and attracts thousands of devotees to the holy city. Pushkar honest additionally concludes on lately.

Brahma Temple
Many people claim that this is oftenthe sole Brahma temple or the Jagatpita Brahma Mandir within the world. I can’t vouch for constant. It’s the highest attraction of the Holy City excluding the lake. It’s visited by pilgrims, holy men and sages when taking a dip within the holy lake. The temple holds pictures of Brahman, Gayatri, Brahma’s image of the goose and also the floors and walls area unit graven with dedications to the dead. The temple authorities claim it’s 2000 years recent however this structure was in-built the 14th century. The king of Ratlam provided aid to repair the prevailing temple. There area unit references that this temple was destroyed throughout the Mughal ruler, Aurangzeb’s rule and after remodeled. There was an enormous uproar earlier this year once one among the monks died and an officer was appointed by the state authorities to manage the affairs of the temple. Photography isn’t permissible within the temple premises and there area unit instances once the unknowing tourists got vexed as a result of their “photographic adventures”.

Pushkar Ghats
There are measure 52 Ghats on Pushkar and every of those have a history. These ghats circle the lake. None of them were designed quickly however over many years. What’s vitalis that the history behind every of those. A number of these Ghats have totally different names or were modified in due course of your time. Like Man Gaht designed by prince Man Singh, of Jaipur was later renamed to Jaipur stairway. Similarly, Gau stairway was renamed to Gandhi stairway. There are measure data stones at every stairway describing its name and history.
The most necessary steps in Pushkar is Varah steps. It’s a hotbed of activities. Evening Aarti or prayer is performed at Varaha steps. With the exception of this Brahma steps and Gau steps square measure the foremost standard Ghats. The Brahmin Pandits square measure allotted to their several Ghats. Shoes aren’t permissible on Ghats, you’ll realize markings for removing shoe on every steps, It’s best to accommodates the rules. Photography on Ghats may be a strict no-no, particularly throughout the Pushkar honest. There square measure times after you will click footage howeverit’s best to hunt permission before doing thus.

Near By Attraction

• Savitri Temple
• Old Rang Ji Temple
• New Rang Ji Temple(Shree Ram Vaikunth Temple)
• Paap Mochani Temple
• Xcapades
• Gurudwara Singh Sahib
• Rose Garden

Things To Do

• Camel Cart Ride
• Shopping
• Sunset
• Camping
• Eat Indian special food
• Desert tour
• Pushkar Bazaar
• Cattle fair( It happens every year in the month of October or November)
• Watch sunset
• Climb at Savitri
• Holi festival
• Visit the Temples
• Walk around the lake
• Evening Aarti at lake
• Night vision of Pushkar

Where To Stay

• Seventh Heaven (This is the most popular guesthouses for travelers & Budget place)
• Hotel Everest (Another budget place that is very popular with travelers)
• Jagat Palace (If you are on a budget but are okay with giving a few extra rupees for a cuter more boutique style place to stay)
• Zostel Hostel (has a great reputation in India and the hostel in Pushkar is no different with modern facilities, air-conditioning and of course a swimming pool)
• The Country Side Resort (has beautiful architecture and amazing facilities with a big swimming pool)
• Ananta Resort (one of the first resorts of Pushkar and it still is a popular choice)
• Taj Gateway (offer swiss and luxury tent stay option in Pushkar)
• Aaram Bagh & Green House Resort (offers more economical option)
• Pushkar Resort (one of the oldest resort)
• Moustache & Pink Elephant Hotel (most popular hotels)

What To Eat

• Lassi (Laxmi Misthan Bhandar)
• Malpua (Sarwadiya Misthan Bhandar & Sri Sarveshwar Sweets)
• Samosa with Chatany
• Lemon-Mint Drink (Out of the Blue Cafe)
• Kulhad Chai/Tea

“Do not miss the Malpua’s of here”

Where To Eat

• Sunset cafe (for a beautiful view on sunset over the lake)
• The sixth sense (For a roof top experience & best for vegetarian food)
• Blue Frog (have some really good food)
• Ganga Laffa and Falafel (Masala Chai & Shakes)
• Pawan Restaurant
• La Pizzeria (famed for its pizza and ambiance)
• Honey & Spice (One of the popular place for breakfast)
• The Laughing Buddha cafe (who love to sit out in the balcony with the street view will love this place)
• Om Baba Restaurant (food quality is average. But except central location & 2nd Floor)
• Nirvana Cafe (top floor)
• Blue Star (it offers seats in the garden. It is popular among travelers because it offers the authentic Mediterranean and Israeli food in Pushkar. Most Popular cafes in Pushkar)
• Funky Monkey Cafe (One of the popular cafe)
• Om Shiva or Il Fornaio (also a rooftop cafe on the main Pushkar market street)

How to reach Pushkar

Though it is only 11 kilometers away from Ajmer, the Naag Pathhar or the Snake Mountain divides it from the easily reachable city. You can reach Pushkar by air, train and road.

• By Air: Sanganer airport which is 146 km from Pushkar is the nearest airport. It connects Pushkar to the rest of India and the world.
• By Train: Ajmer junction railway station, at a distance of just 11 km from Pushkar, is the closest railway station. Ajmer is connected with the major cities of Rajasthan and India. Pink City Express and Shatabdi Express are the best trains to opt for while traveling to Ajmer from Delhi and Jaipur.
• By Road: Pushkar is easily connected to the major roadways and national highways of Rajasthan and India. The Marwar bus stand is linked to places like Delhi, Jodhpur and Bikaner. The other stand is Ajmer bus stand, at a distance of 11 km in the east of Pushkar. Regular buses ply from Pushkar to Ajmer, Jaipur, Indore and Nagda every 15 minutes.

Best Time To Visit

Located at the fringe of the desert of Rajasthan, Pushkar sees intense summers and chilly winters. Temperatures fluctuate from 6 degrees in the winters to a maximum of 31 degrees in the summer. Pushkar enjoys topography of a distinct, varied kind: it has a lake, hills, sand, rock and vegetation to surround it.

The best time to visit Pushkar is between the months of October-March, when the afternoons are pleasant with a slight nip in the air, and the nights cold.

“November is also the time when the famous Pushkar Camel Fair (Pushkar mela) takes place, the world’s largest cattle fair.”
“One of the biggest and grandest events of Pushkar is Holi(March) going to be like a storm that hits you when you least expect it. If you have never been to Pushkar during the festival of colours than you are seriously missing out on some of the best memories of your entire life.“

Tourist Scam

It involves tricking unsuspecting tourists into offering a religious ritual or a process to pay homage to your deceased ascendants. Some call it earning good karma! This ends with asking for money or donation. Once you have paid money, they tie a Moli Dhaga (red thread) on your wrist which will ward off rest of scammers.
People may approach and asks you to hold a flower or petal. This is a “sales” pitch for a scam. It may look harmless; it’s best to ignore and move on.

How To Avoid Scam

• Buy a Moli Dhaga from the market before heading towards the lake and tie it around your wrist. You can seek help from your local hotel staff for procuring one. This thread will send the scammers a signal that you have already been “scammed”.
• You don’t have to pay any charges for visiting any temple or ghats so don’t fall for any pressure techniques.
• You can walk around ghats barefoot; there is no prohibition if you take off your shoes and socks.
• Choose early hours of the morning when visiting Pushkar Ghats.
• Don’t respond to offers for accepting flowers/ petals or performing religious ceremonies.