India

Pushkar

Intro

Pushkar is one of the holy cities in Hindu tradition. Quiet and pleasant, this city is perfectly suited for a spiritual retreat. In November, the city becomes lively at the time of camel fair, a national event which makes Rajasthan famous.

History

The creation of the city of Pushkar is a fascinating legend. According to it, a swan carrying a lotus in his beak would have been let loose by gods in the region. It has been said that where the sacred flower would fall, Brahma would perform a Hindu ritual. Fate has caused lotus to fall in that region. And at the same time, the city was blessed with the construction of one of the only Hindu temples dedicated to Brahma. Although according to the legend, Shiva would have punished Brahma after he had lied to him, although for some devotees, the sanction was addressed to his wife. By its history, Pushkar is one of the highest spiritual site for Hindus. Etymologically, Pushkar means “blue lotus” in Hindi language. In 60s and 70s, Pushkar became little by little known to hippies. It must be admitted that the city has a unique charm. Since the dawn of 21st century, tourism has grown strongly with the arrival of backpackers from around the world. The city has been frequented by a large number of Israeli boaters. So, don’t be surprised to see information displays translated into Hebrew.

Today

Beyond its saturated and overcrowded side, India has many tourist attractions which are yet to be discovered. In the heart of Rajasthan is nestled an urban oasis seemingly covered with a veil of serenity: Pushkar. Situated between Jaipur and Jodhpur, the city invites you to discover many facets of the Sub-continent. Blessed with god, this is the holy city where Brahma has performed sacrifices with fire. Moreover, it is the only city where Brahma has honored his divinity throughout the country. Being a holy city, Pushkar recieves thousands of Hindu devotees each year. They usually gather at the edge of the lake, created by Brahma, who according to the legend has killed a demon with lotus. The three petals of the sacred flower fallen during the confrontation would be at origin of this body of water. The month of November is the perfect time to observe the Indian religious fervor in Pushkar. During this period marked by the full moon of Kartik, the city witnessed a mass arrival of devotees and camels. The devotees serenely gather on the shores of the lake while the rest of the city is livened up to the rhythm of a great camel fair. Pushkar is a preferred destination for tourists in search of good karma. The serenity and spirituality of the places are especially conducive to the practice of yoga and meditation. In the morning or in the evening, let yourself be tempted by a pause at the edge of the sacred lake of Pushkar and soak up all the positive energy emanating from the site. Immortalize the moment by photographing the ghats at sunset. On the spot, it is possible that devotees approach you to give you a small flower which is supposed to bring you joy and happiness. Although the gesture seems charming, beware, because it's not necessarily free. Indeed, once the flower is thrown into the lake, some will tell you to pay for the flower and prayer, so be careful. Architecturally, Pushkar does not have much monuments and prestigious palaces; however, the city still has some formidable temples worthy of a detour. Amongst them is the famous Savitri Temple. Because of its mountain location, access to the sanctuary is via a small hike for the adventurous and by a cable car for the less reckless. On place, let yourself be seduced by the authenticity of the place and the panorama of 180°C of the city of Pushkar. As mentioned above, Pushkar has the privilege of sheltering some Hindu temples dedicated to god Brahma. The latter is located in the city center, served by busy streets where shops of all kinds follow each other. Once entered, you need to remove your shoes, as you are entering into a holy place. Also note that you need to pay in order to enter Brahma Temple and cameras are also not allowed inside the temple.

Climate

Pushkar experiences a humid subtropical climate with a dry winter. Over the years, precipitation and temperature averaged 653.9 mm and 25.4 ° C respectively.

How to get there

The closest airport to Pushkar is in Jaipur, approximately 146 km. This is Sanganer Airport which is well connected to all major Indian cities. By road, Pushkar is served by a road crossing the Aravalli range and connecting it to Ajmer. The two cities are also well connected by a railway line.

How to get around

Pushkar can be visited by rickshaw, bus, taxi, rental vehicle or on foot.

What to do in Pushkar

• Relax on the shores of the sacred lake
• Participate in camel fair in November
• Enjoy hiking in the surrounding valleys
• Visit temples
• Introduce yourself to yoga and meditation