Pushkar

Pushkar is a holy city in Rajasthan, India famous for its Brahma temple, lake, ghats, and bazaar.

The Lake in Pushkar

Understand

Pushkar is a small holy town in the state of Rajasthan famous for the Pushkar Lake, various ghats and temples spread all around the lake.

Since being discovered by tourists the areas around the lake have filled with souvenir shops, cafes selling bhang lassis and hotels - you will find an interesting mix of pilgrims, Indian tourists and backpackers.

The word 'Pushkar' means lotus flower, which is said to be the seat of Brahma, one of the Hindu holy trinity, who is worshipped as the creator of this world. The legend has it that when the demon Vajra Nabha killed Brahma's children, Brahma in turn struck him with his weapon, a lotus flower. Vajra Nabha died from the impact, and the petals of the lotus fell at three places. One of them is Pushkar, where it gave birth to a lake. Brahma is supposed to have performed a sacrifice at this lake on Kartik Purnima (the full moon day of the Kartik month [which generally falls in November]), hallowing the place.

Though Brahma is considered to be the creator of the world in Hinduism, Pushkar is the only temple of this important deity in the whole world. This is also considered as Adi Teerth or Teertharaj, meaning an ancient holy place or the most important of holy places, respectively.

Get in

By plane

The nearest airport is in Jaipur, 3 hours away.

By bus

There are direct buses between Pushkar and Ajmer (30 minutes, ₹20), Jaipur (3 hours, ₹220-410), Udaipur (6 hours, ₹450), and night buses to Delhi (10 hours, ₹400-850).

By train

Due to its mountainous location, trains to Pushkar are very infrequent and slow. However, the train station in nearby Ajmer provides great connections to most major cities in India. From the Ajmer train station, you can either take a taxi to Pushkar (30 minutes, ₹500-600) or you take a rickshaw or tuk-tuk to the Ajmer Bus Station and take a bus from there to Pushkar (₹20).

Get around

By foot

Pushkar is not so big and can easily be navigated on foot. Several companies offer spiritual walking tours, which can be an excellent way to see the many temples efficiently.

By cycle or motorbike

It is easy to rent cycles or motorbikes to explore the areas surrounding the town.

By camel

Camel safaris are a very popular activity in Pushkar. See listings below.

See
Brahma Temple
  • 🌍 Pushkar Lake. Pushkar Lake is a beautiful, sanctified spot in the center of Pushkar. It is said to have been created by Lord Brahma and is therefore a place of pilgrimage for the Hindus. The lake is surrounded by 52 different ghats, or series of steps, which Hindus use to descend to the lake for ritual bathing, especially in the month of Karthik. 

Temples

While there are many temples in Pushkar, the majority do not allow foreigners/non-Hindus to enter. If you are allowed in, you will have to take off your shoes to enter the temples. If you only have the desire/time to visit 2 temples, the one-of-a-kind Brahma Temple and the Savitri Temple, with a beautiful view of Pushkar Lake, are must-sees.

  • 🌍 Aptaeshwar Temple. A temple dedicated to Shiva with an underground component. 
  • 🌍 Atmeshwar Temple. A beautiful Shiva temple. 
  • 🌍 Brahma Temple. One of the very few temples in the world dedicated to Brahma. Read up on Hinduism to learn why this temple is such a rarity! No matter where you stay in Pushkar, you will hear the daily chanting ceremonies or aartis conducted here: One begins two hours before sunrise, one 40 minutes after sunset, and one 5 hours after sunset. 
  • Pap Mochini Temple (A 30-minute walk north of Pushkar). A beautiful temple on a hill dedicated to Gayatri, one of the 2 consorts of Brahma. (updated Nov 2018)
  • 🌍 Rangji Temple. A Vishnu temple built in South Indian style that is very different from other temples in North India. Poojas are performed here by Iyengars of Tamil Nadu. 
  • Savitri Temple. Dedicated to Savitri, the wife of Lord Brahma, this temple is the second-most important temple in Pushkar. It requires a climb of 650 steps to reach it, but the view at the top of Pushkar and the lake is worth the climb. Do it at sunrise! 
  • Sri Panchkund Shiva Temple (Eastern edge of the town, 2-3 km from the lake). The Shiva temple is said to have been built by Pancha Pandavas. (updated Nov 2018)
  • 🌍 Varaha Temple. The oldest temple in Pushkar. Dedicated to Lord Vishnu. Not well maintained, but impressive due to its age and spiritual importance. 

Palaces
  • Man Mahal / Hotel Pushkar Palace, On Pushkar Lake. This beautiful palace was built as the guest house for Raja Man Singh I and has since been converted into the Hotel Pushkar Palace. 

Do
Pilgrims bathing in Pushkar Lake
  • Bathe in Pushkar Lake as it is much cleaner than the Ganges, though it does not meet water quality standards.
  • Parikarma is the circumnavigation of a religious object - in this case Lake Pushkar. Join other pilgrims.
  • Watch the evening prayers at Varah Ghat, a mesmerizing ceremony involving bells and lamps.
  • Watch the aarti ceremonies at the Brahma Temple. The Hare Krishna chanting will likely wake you up anyhow, so go watch! See listing above regarding the Brahma Temple.

Cooking classes

Yoga classes
  • Pushkar Yoga Garden, Vamdev Road (Next to Sikh Gurudawara and Green Park Resort), e-mail: . Runs 4 classes per day, each 90 minutes in length. Courses deal with all aspects of yoga from stretching, workout, and philosophy. Students can stay with the family that runs the center and take classes every day. 90 minute class: ₹400. 

Festivals
  • Pushkar Camel Fair (November, during the full moon) - A 14-day fair visited by 400,000 people per year. Features over 11,000 camels, horses, and cattle. Many companies offer packages that include luxury tented accommodation. It is held during a holy time in the Hindu calendar and pilgrims will come not just for the fair, but to bathe in Pushkar Lake.

Buy

Pushkar is known to be the best place to shop in Northern India. The prices are great, although the quality is subpar. You will find shops selling jewelry, clothes, cushion covers, showpieces, books, bags, handicrafts, shoes, etc.. If it is convenient for you and you need to buy gifts, plan to do your shopping in Pushkar.

Eat

All restaurants within the city limits may serve only vegetarian food.

  • A Blue Star, Jamni Kund Road (in the Southwest of the city). This restaurant has a nice garden with a hammock. 
  • Aroma Royal Pushkar (Near Brahma Temple), ☎ +91 9783162129. Ourdoor eating in a garden. Good food, although the service can be slow. 
  • Cafe Nature's Blessing, Panch Kund Road (in the Southwest of the city). Half of the menu is vegan. Very clean. High quality ingredients including quinoa, sprouts, and fresh tofu. 
  • Everest Cafe, Panch Kund Road (in the Southwest of the city). Located on the rooftop of a hotel, has great views and pet turtles. 
  • Funky Monkey Cafe (Just northeast of the lake, off Main Market Road). Great coffee also the food menu is minimal. 
  • Laughing Buddha Cafe, Main Market Road (Near Gau Ghat, Badi Basti), ☎ +91 81073 43625, e-mail: . 09:30 - 22:30. A healthy organic & vegan menu, fresh baked bread and French press coffee from Kerala served on the balcony above busy Pushkar market below About 100 rupees. (updated Oct 2018)
  • Out Of The Blue, Main Market Road (above Suresh Handicrafts), ☎ +91 145 5105045. Popular with tourists as a place to chill out. The view, 4 floors up, is better than the food. 
  • Om Shiva Buffet (On the eastern shore of Lake Pushkar). Rooftop restaurant known for its great pizza and great view. mains ₹70-170; buffet: ₹80. 
  • Wild Roses Restaurant (Just northeast of the lake, off Main Market Road). Great curries! 
  • Yummy Flavors Ice Cream Parlor, Gurudwara Road. 120 flavors of ice cream! 

If you are looking for something cheap, there are several stalls between ganesh temple and the lake selling local Dahl curry and samosa, vendors with carts sell fruit you can peel, and there are at least two thali places for 60 rupees.

Drink

Alcohol is forbidden within the city limits... but times are changing and many restaurants and hotels catering to tourists have alcohol on request.

You may consider abstaining out of respect to the holy city, but drinking alcohol in public is certainly not acceptable.

Sleep

Many hotels/guesthouses around Pushkar Lake have rooftop restaurants with views of the lake.

Budget

Mid-range
  • Foothills Camp Resort (4 km from Brahma Temple Towards Foy Sagar Road), e-mail: . Jungle camp in the mountains. Includes archery range, shooting range, bonfire facilities, telescopes. Tents are luxurious. Recommended. ₹2,500-₹3,500. 
  • Pushkar Royal Safari Camp (In the desert, 1km from Pushkar), ☎ +91 9828178063, +91-145-2309944. Check-in: 12PM, check-out: 12PM. Luxury tents. Nightly cultural performances including music and dance. Camel safaris available. ₹2,500. 
  • Sewara Pushkar Resort, Motisar Road, e-mail: . Pushkar’s foremost luxury resort, sprawling over 15 acres. 40 cottages, an expansive orchard and an animal farm. Very secluded and far from everything else. Wifi at reception only. ₹3,600. 

Splurge

Respect
  • The whole of town is considered to be sacred, so whatever rules generally apply to place of worship in India, apply to the whole of town.
  • Smoking in public is prohibited by law though the rule is never enforced enthusiastically.
  • Consumption of liquor or meat is not allowed in the city, therefore it is advised to respect the rule and not carry any liquor/ meat with you while travelling to Pushkar.
  • It is advised that the men wear full length pants and t-shirt/ shirt and women wear full length clothes. Do not wear off-shoulder tops or shorts while roaming within the city.
  • Take off your shoes at stairs if you are going near the lake.
  • Be polite, but do not be pressured into making any offering at the ghats. It is not mandatory.

Stay safe
See also Stay_safe

The city is small and quiet safe, but as a tourist destination it attracts the usual nuisances.

  • Use common sense, don't take risks you wouldn't be comfortable taking at home. Don't accept drinks or drugs from unknown men.
  • Beggars can pester tourists. Common tactics involve giving flowers, then demanding payment or demanding payment for prayers. Be firm as these people are not respecting the sacred city.
  • Children begging should be ignored entirely; giving to beggars sets a bad example for other children in school or working.
  • Ignore the many touts in the main street who approach you "just wanting to talk", "which country are you from", "hello friend".

Go next
  • Ajmer — city that is popular as a gateway to Pushkar and is connected by road with Jaipur and Delhi; also has an important Islamic pilgrimage site
  • Delhi — India's capital and the home of the executive, legislative, and judiciary branches of government; site of the famous Red Fort and other important landmarks
  • Jaipur — capital of Indian state of Rajasthan, home to many forts, temples, palaces, monuments and gardens
  • Udaipur — famous for its lakes, palaces, forts, temples, gardens and other cultural attractions
  • Ranthambore — a national park and tiger reserve in the Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan


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