"Pushkar - A pond created by a flower" Top 5 Page for this destination Pushkar by Willettsworld

Pushkar Travel Guide: 187 reviews and 765 photos

Pushkar as seen from Ratnagiri Hill - Pushkar

Pushkar is located in the middle of Rajasthan, 14km (9 miles) from Ajmer. I came here from Jaipur via Ajmer before heading on a rather arduous 5 hour bus trip to Jodhpur. I spent a couple of days here and enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere and great western food. Some visitors spend months here at a time and I can see why!

Pushkar means 'A pond created by a flower' and is regarded to be the abode of Lord Brahma, one of the three Hindu Gods forming the great Hindu trilogy. According to the text, Pushkar came into being when Lord Brahma, Creator in the Hindu Trinity, dropped petals of lotus flower (pushpa) to earth from his hand (kar) to kill a demon. This resulted in the formation of three lakes in the desert land. The largest of these lakes is today revered as one of India's most sacred sites and bounded by temples and 52 bathing ghats. The lake was actually created in the 12th century when a dam was built across the headwaters of the Luni River. To bathe at Pushkar is thought to be more important than at any other place. A story goes that Brahma wanted to perform the yagna (a ritual of sacrifice) at the most auspicious time but his consort Savitri whose presence at the yagna was vital for its performance kept him waiting. Irritated by this Brahma married Gayatri, a milkmaid and installed her instead. Savitri on seeing someone else in her place was infuriated and cursed Brahma that he would be forgotten by people on earth and never worshiped. She relented on pleas from other Gods that he could only be worshiped in Pushkar, hence there are no Brahma Temples elsewhere in India and so this, and the lake, are the main reasons why Hindu pilgrims come to Pushkar.

Steps leading up to the Brahma Temple

Bathing beside the lake

Last visit to Pushkar: Dec 2006
Intro Updated Nov 4, 2007
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Reviews (27)

Monkeys on hill Warnings and Dangers (3)

The Savitri Temple is located on top of the Ratnagiri Hill which is about 1km south-west of the lake. I got to the top... more travel advice

Bus to Jodhpur Transportation (2)

I took a government bus from Pushkar to Jodhpur from the bus station that is located to the north of the town near the... more travel advice

Bus to/from Ajmer Transportation (2)

There are buses that depart pretty regulary to Pushkar from near the Nasiyan (red) Temple on Prithvi Raj Road in Ajmer.... more travel advice

Little shrines Things to Do (14)

This little shrine is one of several hundred temples and shrines that are dotted around the lake and around the town... more travel advice

Travelogues (5)

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Comments (2)

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grets Aug 23, 2009 at 4:43 AM

Great tips Glyn - I've saved some for my upcoming trip to the camel fair. I am a bit concerned about the climb to Ratnagiri Hill, as I am very unfit. LOL @ the banana crumble. Approx what time is sunset?
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songlines Apr 9, 2009 at 10:58 AM

Hi, I've been enjoying your India and Slovenia pages, gosh you are well travelled. Thanks for sharing, I am looking forward to when you do your Tamil Nadu pages. Greetings