Places Visit In Pushkar

Pushkar Lake,Pushkar

Pushkar Lake or Pushkar Sarovar is located in the town of Pushkar in Ajmer district of the Rajasthan state of western India. Pushkar Lake is a sacred lake of the Hindus.

Overview

Pushkar Lake or Pushkar Sarovar (Sanskrit: पुष्कर-सरोवर) is located in the town of Pushkar in Ajmer district of the Rajasthan state of western India. Pushkar Lake is a sacred lake of the Hindus. The Hindu scriptures describe it as "Tirtha-Raj" – the king of pilgrimage sites related to a water-body and relate it to the mythology of the creator-god Brahma, whose most prominent temple stands in Pushkar. The Pushkar Lake finds mention on coins as early as the 4th century BC.

Pushkar Lake is surrounded by 52 bathing ghats (a series of steps leading to the lake), where pilgrims throng in large numbers to take a sacred bath, especially around Kartik Poornima (October–November) when the Pushkar Fair is held. A dip in the sacred lake is believed to cleanse sins and cure skin diseases. Over 500 Hindu temples are situated around the lake precincts.

Tourism and deforestation in the surroundings have taken a heavy toll on the lake, adversely affecting its water quality, reducing the water levels and destroying the fish population. As part of conservation measures, the government is undertaking de-silting, de-weeding, water treatment, and afforestation as well as mass awareness programme.

The scenic lake of Pushkar is situated in a valley about 10 kms to the northwest of Ajmer. Pushkar Lake is enclosed by hills and desert. Pushkar Lake is one of the most holy place for Hindus. There are about 52 Ghats and 400 temples in Pushkar which are situated on the banks of the Pushkar Lake. It is considered that the famed waters of the Pushkar wash away the sins of whole life. Pilgrims from all over come to take bath in the holy waters of Pushkar on the day of Kartik Purnima or on any of the four days before the day of Kartik Purnima and also worship at the Ghats. The spiritual water of the Lake is also considered to treat skin diseases, making Pushkar "the Lourdes of the East".

Located in the small town of Pushkar in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan, The Pushkar Lake is one of the most prominent spots of pilgrimage as well as the site of the world famous Pushkar Fair. Encircled by numerous temples and ghats (bathing spots), the lake draws thousands upon thousands devotees every year to its threshold, to gain spiritual distinction and attain salvation by taking a dip in its holy waters.

As the Kartik (Oct-Nov) month descends, the site becomes the focus of soulful devotion and pilgrimage as auspiciousness of this time is highly emphasized in Hindu sacred texts. At the same time, Pushkar Fair wonderfully exhibits the vibrancy of Rajasthan with exotic colors, dishes, dance, cattle fair and numerous entertaining contests and competitions. With amazing spiritual atmosphere, Pushkar Lake remains the site of timeless reverence and spirit.

History

Pushkar Lake's history dates back to the 4th century BC. Numismatics, in the form of punched Greek and Kushan coins date the lake back to this time. The inscriptions found at Sanchi attest to the lake's existence to the 2nd Century BC. This suggests that Pushkar was a pilgrimage centre even if it did not lie on the trade route. In the fifth century AD, Chinese traveller Fa Xian made reference to the number of visitors to Pushkar Lake.

A story tells of a ninth-century Rajput king, Nahar Rao Parihar of Mandore, chasing a white boar to the lake shore on a hunting expedition. In order to quench his thirst, he dipped his hand into the lake and was astonished to see that the Leukoderma marks on his hand had disappeared. Impressed with the sacred curative nature of the lake, he got the lake restored to its glory. After discovering the curative characteristics of the lake water, people have since visited the lake to take a holy dip and cure themselves of skin problems.

The creation of Pushkar Lake, as an artificial lake, is also credited to the 12th century when a dam was built across the headwaters of the Luni River. The 10th Sikh guru, Guru Govind Singh (1666–1708), is said to have recited the Sikh sacred text Guru Granth Sahib on the banks of the lake.

During the Mughal rule, there was a short break in the lake's importance due to the levy of a pilgrim tax and a ban on religious processions. In 1615–16, the Mughal emperor Jahangir (1569–1627) built his hunting lodge (seen now in total ruins) on the shores of the Pushkar Lake to celebrate his victory over the local Rajput Rana (king). He came to this lodge 16 times for hunting during his stay in Ajmer, about 23 kilometres (14 mi) from Pushkar. This act violated the local tradition of not killing any animals in the precincts of the sacred lake. He also committed an idolatrous act by breaking the image of Varaha – the boar Avatar of the god Vishnu, as it resembled a pig and symbolically hurt Islamic sensitivity. Thereafter, Jahangir's grandson emperor Aurangzeb (1618–1707) destroyed and desecrated several temples, which were later rebuilt.However, during the rule of Jahangir's father, Emperor Akbar (1542–1605), there was a revival of not only the lake but also the Ajmer's Dargah dedicated to sufi saint Moinuddin Chishti, of whom Akbar was a devout follower.

The Rajput rulers of Amber, Bundi, Bikaner and Jaisalmer made great efforts to restore the importance of the lake and its surrounding temples. Credits given for modern additions to the building of ghats and the renovation/construction of temples go to Maharaja Man Singh I of Amber for the Raj Ghat and Man temple; Maha Rana Pratap for the Varaha temple; Daulat Rao Scindia for Kot Tirth Ghat, the Marathas-Anaji Scindia to the Koteshwar Mahadev temple and Govind Rao, the Maratha governor of Ajmer for Shiva Ghat; to the British rule for combining the religious pilgrimage with a cattle fair to generate taxes for improving the lake and its surroundings; and gifting of the Jaipur Ghat and the Main Palace on the ghat in 1956 by the Maharaja of Jaipur.

The lake at Pushkar has an incredible historical and religious significance. It finds mention in several sacred Hindu Texts and sources and is primarily associated with Lord Brahma, who is considered as the creator out of the Trinity of Gods-Brahma, Vishnu, and Mahesh. According to most versions of the legend associated with the lake, when Lord Brahma killed demon Vajranabha, three petals of His divine lotus fell at three parts, creating springs in their place, known as Pushkar. Later on, Brahma also performed a yagna at the place. However, at the end of this ritual, he got cursed by his first wife that, he will be worshipped at this spot only.

The archeological dating of the lake measures that lake existed even in the 4th century BC. In later periods it was referred to in many sources- from the inscriptions at Sanchi to records of Chinese Traveler Fa Xian. Over the period of time many Rajput rulers and local chiefs of Ajmer tried to restore the glory of Pushkar. The lake lost significance only during the brief period of Mughal rule except during the reign of Akbar.

Pushkar Fair

The Pushkar fair is one of the central attractions at the lake and during this time there is huge inflow of pilgrims and tourists from all the four directions. Each year the fair starts at Prabhodini Ekadashi and ends at Kartik Poornima. This time is not only favorable for the devotees to gain spiritual merit by taking the holy dip in to the sacred waters of the lake, but also a great business opportunity for the locals when tourists arrive from far and wide to participate in the colorful events. The Pushkar fair is also Asia’s largest camel fair.

The Ghats at Pushkar Lake

The Ghats or lakeside embankments incorporating the descending stone steps are one of the most important parts of pilgrimage at Pushkar. Originally there were twelve Ghats at the Pushkar, but now their number has been increased to 52. Each of the Ghat at Pushkar hold their own individual significance since it is believed that waters of each Ghat have different curative properties.

The ambience and spiritual atmosphere at the ghats is amazing and offers a close understanding of Hindu beliefs and practices. Out of these 52 ghats, two of them have special significance. The Gau Ghat-where ashes of towering personalities like Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shashtri were immersed while at Brahma Ghat, it is believed that Lord Brahma himself worshipped and performed a yagna inviting all celestial beings across the Hindu pantheon.

Brahma Temple,Pushkar

Jagatpita Brahma Mandir is a Hindu temple situated at Pushkar in the Indian state of Rajasthan, close to the sacred Pushkar Lake to which its legend has an indelible link.

Overview

Jagatpita Brahma Mandir is a Hindu temple situated at Pushkar in the Indian state of Rajasthan, close to the sacred Pushkar Lake to which its legend has an indelible link. The temple is one of very few existing temples dedicated to the Hindu creator-god Brahma in India and remains the most prominent among them.

Although the present temple structure dates to the 14th century, the temple is believed to be 2000 years old. The temple is mainly built of marble and stone stabs. It has a distinct red pinnacle (shikhara) and a hamsa bird motif. The temple sanctum sanctorum holds the central images of Brahma and his second consort Gayatri. The temple is governed by the Sanyasi (ascetic) sect priesthood.On Kartik Poornima, a festival dedicated to Brahma is held when large number of pilgrims visit the temple, after bathing in the sacred lake.

Brahma Temple in Pushkar is one of the most famous and only few of the temples dedicated to Lord Brahma in the holy city of Pushkar, Rajasthan. This Pushkar Brahma Temple is the place of deep spirituality and thousand of devotees come here to pay homage to the many gods that reside in this temple town. Pushkar city has over 500 temples with the main Pushkar temple. It is dedicated to lord Brahma and the only Brahma temple anywhere in the world. Although the structures of the temple dates back to 14th century but it is believed that the temple is about 2000 years old.

Brahma Temple Pushkar Timings : 6:30 am and 8:30 pm during winter and 6:00 am to 9:00 pm during summer . Three aratis are held in the temple: Sandhya Arati in the evening about 40 minutes after sunset, Ratri Shayan Arati (night-sleep arati) about 5 hours past sunset and Mangala Arati in the morning, about 2 hours before sunrise

History

Pushkar is said to have over 500 temples;of these many are old that were destroyed or desecrated by Muslim depredations during Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's rule (1658–1707) but were re-built subsequently; of these the most important is the Brahma temple. Though the current structure dates to the 14th century, the original temple is believed to be 2000 years old.The temple is described to have been built by sage Vishwamitra after Brahma's yagna.It is also believed that Brahma himself chose the location for his temple. The 8th century Hindu philosopher Adi Shankara renovated this temple, while the current medieval structure dates to Maharaja Jawat Raj of Ratlam, who made additions and repairs, though the original temple design is retained.

Pushkar is often described in the scriptures as the only Brahma temple in the world, owing to the curse of Savitri, and as the "King of the sacred places of the Hindus".Although now the Pushkar temple does not remain the only Brahma temple, it is still one of very few existing temples dedicated to Brahma in India and the most prominent one dedicated to Brahma.International Business Times has identified Pushkar Lake and the Brahma temple as one of the ten most religious places in the world and one of the five sacred pilgrimage places for the Hindus, in India.

When Brahma came down to the earth, he named the place where the flower ("pushpa") fell from Brahma's hand ("kar") as "Pushkar". Brahma then decided to perform a yajna (fire-sacrifice) at the main Pushkar Lake. In order to perform his yajna peacefully without being attacked by the demons, he created the hills around the Pushkar – Ratnagiri in the south, Nilgiri in the north, Sanchoora in the west and Suryagiri in the east and positioned gods there to protect the yajna performance. However, while performing the yajna, his wife Savitri (called Sarasvati in some versions) could not be present at the designated time to perform the essential part of the yajna as she was waiting for her companion goddesses Lakshmi, Parvati and Indrani.

Annoyed, Brahma requested god Indra- the king of heaven - to find a suitable girl for him to wed to complete the yajna. Indra could find only a Gujar's daughter (in some legends, a milkmaid) who was sanctified by passing her through the body of a cow. Gods Vishnu, Shiva and the priests certified her purity as she had passed through a cow, it was her second birth and she was named Gayatri. Brahma then married Gayatri and completed the yajna with his new consort sitting beside him, holding the pot of amrita (elixir of life) on her head and giving ahuti (offering to the sacrificial fire). But when Savitri finally arrived at the venue she found Gayatri sitting next to Brahma which was her rightful place. Agitated, she cursed Brahma that he would be never worshipped, but then reduced the curse permitting his worship in Pushkar. Savitri also cursed Indra to be easily defeated in battles, Vishnu to suffer the separation from his wife as a human, the fire-god Agni who was offered the yajna to be all-devouring and the priests officiating the yajna to be poor.

Endowed by the powers of yajna, Gayatri diluted Savitri's curse, blessing Pushkar to be the king of pilgrimages, Indra would always retain his heaven, Vishnu would be born as the human Rama and finally unite with his consort and the priests would become scholars and be venerated. Thus, the Pushkar temple is regarded the only temple dedicated to Brahma.Savitri, thereafter, moved into the Ratnagiri hill and became a part of it by emerging as a spring known as the Savitri Jharna (stream); a temple in her honour exists here.

Histo brahma mandir in kuruksherta are small); of these many are old that were destroyed or desecrated by Muslim depredations during Mughal emperor Aurangzeb's rule (1658–1707) but were re-built subsequently; of these the most important is the Brahma temple. Though the current structure dates to the 14th century, the original temple is believed to be 2000 years old.The temple is described to have been built by sage Vishwamitra after Brahma's yagna.

It is also believed that Brahma himself chose the location for his temple.The 8th century Hindu philosopher Adi Shankara renovated this temple, while the current medieval structure dates to Maharaja Jawat Raj of Ratlam, who made additions and repairs, though the original temple design is retained.Pushkar is often described in the scriptures as the only Brahma temple in the world, owing to the curse of Savitri, but also as the "King of the sacred places of the Hindus".Although now the Pushkar temple does not remain the only Brahma temple, it is still one of very few existing temples dedicated to Brahma in India and the most prominent one dedicated to Brahma.International Business Times has identified Pushkar Lake and the Brahma temple as one of the ten most religious places in the world and one of the five sacred pilgrimage places for the Hindus, in India.

Gurudwara Singh Sabha,pushkar

Gurdwara Singh Sabha - Pushkar or Pushkar Raj, a temple town around a natural lake, is 13 kilometres from Ajmer, to which it is connected by road. Pushkar was visited by Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh. The shrine commemorating the former Guru's visit was formerly called Guru Nanak Dharmasala but is now known as Gurdwara Singh Sabha and functions as a branch of Sri Guru Singh Sabha Ajmer. It is housed in a double-storey flat-roofed building near the bus stand.

Overview

Located in the eastern side of Pushkar, Gurudwara Singh Sabha is one of the main pilgrimages in Pushkar. This Gurudwara belongs to the first Guru and local people used to call it as Guru Nanak Dharamshala. As there is scarcity of Sikh followers in Pushkar, this Gurudwara is totally taken care by the Shri Guru Singh Sabha Ajmer. This double-storied building is situated very close to bus stand and is visited by almost all the visitors to Pushkar for the sure. This Gurudwara also has great past and as per some legends, this building was visited by Guru Gobind Singh in the year 1706 and the place where he stayed was named as GobindGhat but at present, it is famous as Gandhi Ghat.

Gurdwara Singh Sabha - Pushkar or Pushkar Raj, a temple town around a natural lake, is 13 kilometres from Ajmer, to which it is connected by road. Pushkar was visited by Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh. The shrine commemorating the former Guru's visit was formerly called Guru Nanak Dharmasala but is now known as Gurdwara Singh Sabha and functions as a branch of Sri Guru Singh Sabha Ajmer. It is housed in a double-storey flat-roofed building near the bus stand.

Guru Gobind Singh visited Pushkar during his travels in Rajputana in 1706. He was served by a priest named Chetan Das. The spot consecrated by the Guru's stay was called Gobind Ghat, but has now been renamed Gandhi Ghat. A stone slab under a kiosk still has Gobind Ghat inscribed on it, in Gurumukhi, Devanagari, Persian and Roman scripts. Formerly a Gurdwara manned by Nirmala Sikhs was at this location, on the first floor of the gateway to the Ghat, but it is no longer extant.

A Brahman priest at this Ghat, having full grown hair and donning a turban, has in his possession a hukamnama written on bhoj patra (leaf or bark of birch tree) claimed to have been given by Guru Gobind Singh to Mahant Chetan Das. Another hukamnama is in the name of five Gurdwaras at Amritsar including Sri Akal Takht Sahib. The priest also keeps an old hand-written copy of the Guru Granth Sahib.

History

According to the history, this place was visited in the past by the two most famous Sikh Gurus – Guru Gobind Singh and Guru Nanak Dev during their travel to Rajputana States in 1706. They were served by the priest Chetan Das that time. The place where Guru Gobind Singh, the last Guru of the Sikhs stayed was known as Gobind Ghat which was renamed as Gandhi Ghat. There is a stone slab inscribed as Gobind Ghat under a kiosk in four different scripts i.e. Devanagari, Gurumukhi, Persian and Roman. There is a hukamnama inscribed on bhojpatra which states that it was presented to priest Chetan Das by Guru Gobind Singh, which is still in possession of the serving priest here now. The main priest also possesses a handwritten copy of Guru Granth Sahib – the religious scripture of Sikhism.

Location

Gurudwara Singh Sabha is a subsidiary of Singh Sabha in Ajmer and is located near the bus stand in Pushkar in a beautiful double storey white building.

Other Attractions

You can visit Brahma Temple, Man Mahal, Shri Sawai Bhoj Temple, Savitri Temple while your visit to Gurudwara Singh Sabha. Famous Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti Dargah in Ajmer Sharif is another must-visit place to get your wish fulfilled.

Best Time To Visit

Gurudwara Singh Sabha can be visited anytime as per the convenience and depending on the weather conditions. For pleasant travelling, winter is the best season in Rajasthan.

How To Reach

Pushkar is 13 Kms from Ajmer and can be reached easily via road, rail and air. You can reach Gurudwara Singh Sabha by road after reaching Pushkar. Pushkar, also known as Tirtharaj is situated beside the famous Pushkar Lake. It is also called Temple Town for its well known Brahma temple and other beautiful temples all around, which holds great attraction amongst the Indian as well as the foreign tourist.

Varaha Temple,Pushkar

At a distance of 500 m from Pushkar Bus Station and 600 m from Pushkar Lake, Varaha Temple is one of the largest and ancient temples located in Pushkar town of Rajasthan. It is a Vaishnava temple and also one of the famous temples in Pushkar.

Overview

The Varaha Temple was built by King Anaji Chauhan in the 12th century AD and is dedicated to Varaha, the third incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple was destroyed by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb and was then rebuilt in the 18th century by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur. According to a legend, Lord Vishnu turned himself into a wild boar and came to earth, to kill the monstrous demon Hirnayaksh, who was going to destroy the whole universe. Varaha slew the demon and retrieved the Earth from the ocean, lifting it on his tusks and restored Bhudevi to her place in the universe. It is one of the most visited temples in Pushkar.

This is a fortified temple in Pushkar and is considered to be the most ancient temple in the city. The temple has 2 feet white idol of Lord Varaha in the sanctum sanctorum. Various sculptures, elegant carvings, life-size statues of door men and gold-styled pillars depicting Garuda, the mythical bird are situated within the temple.

Dedicated to Varaha, Lord Vishnu’s incarnation in the form of a wild boar, the Varaha Temple was built back in the 12th century by King Anaji Chauhan. It is believed that major part of the temple was destroyed by the Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. The temple was renovated by Raja Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur in 18th century.

According to the legend, Lord Vishnu took an avatar of half boar-half man while he was coming to the earth to slay the demon -Hiranyaksha, who threatened to destroy all life. Lord Vishnu had also killed his elder brother, Hiranyakashyip. This is why; Lord Vishnu is called the Preserver in Hindu mythology. He took on many avatars to slay demons and kill all evil to preserve peace on earth. It is believed that he took 9 such avatars, one of which is Varaha. The temple is dedicated to honor the same avatar of Lord Vishnu.

The temple houses a huge idol of Lord Varaha which is white in color. Other than this idol, there are many sculptures, carvings, gold styled pillars depicting Garuda, the mythical bird and life-size statues of door men in the temple.

History

The Varaha Temple in Pushkar was built by King Anaji Chauhan in the 12th century and is dedicated to Varaha, Lord Vishnu’s incarnation in the form of a wild boar. The temple houses the idol of Lord Varaha that is white in colour and has a height of 2 feet.

Various sculptures, elegant carvings, life-size statues of door men and gold-styled pillars depicting Garuda, the mythical bird are situated within the temple. The temple was destroyed by Emperor Aurangazeb but in 1727, it was reconstructed by Raja Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur.

Visitors Information

Famous for: History, religion, mythology, architecture.
Entrance Fee: No fees either for Indians or for foreign tourists.
Visiting Time: Sunrise to sunset.
Visit Duration:Typically, 1 hour.

Savitri Temple,Pushkar

Hilltop Hindu temple offering sweeping lake & valley views via cablecar or trekking ascents.

Overview

The Savitri Temple Pushkar is dedicated to the desolated wife of Lord Brahma, Savitri. The temple was built in 1687, on the top of the Ratnagiri Hill behind the Bramha Temple. Both the idols of Savitri and Gayatri are installed here. The idol of Savitri dated back 7 century A.D and Bangar family built this temple in early 20th century.

It is believed that goddess rested upon this hill on her arrival to Pushkar. The temple has its route through hills, and it takes about an hour to reach the temple. Savitri temple also the best place for enjoying the scenic beauty and view of the lake and its surrounding picturesque villages.

The Savitri temple in Pushkar is located on the Ratnagiri hill which is a popular pilgrimage site for the Hindus. The temple is dedicated to Goddess Savitri. It is a very strenuous work to climb on the hilltop but it is believed that the harder you work the more ‘Tapas’ are gained. In this temple you will find the idols of both the wives of Lord Brahma named Savitri and Gayatri. But as per tradition Goddess Savitri is always worshipped first and then prayers to Goddess Gayatri are offered. The visitors can either trek to the temple gates or take a ride in the cable cars which take passengers to the temple. The ropeway ride is really full of fun from where you can have an awesome view of the Pushkar city. However, many devotees prefer to climb 200 stairs leading to the shrine which they consider an important part of their pilgrimage to the place.

Settled atop a hill in Pushkar, Savitri Temple is one of the most renowned and sanctified spots. The spiritual significance of the temple attracts huge number of devotees from all parts of the world, despite the fact that the temple is on a hill top.

Moreover, the holy shrine constitutes a major portion in making Pushkar as an important pilgrimage destination. The Savitri temple in Pushkar boasts of a notable and striking architecture. The excellent design of the temple would surely make you wonder about the amazing skills of craftsmen of past times.

According to Hindu Mythology, the temple name ‘Savitri’ itself narrates an important story behind. A yajna was performed by Lord Brahma where his wife Devi Savitri couldn’t reach on time. Hence, in order to perform the pooja timely, Lord Brahma completed the ritual with the help of a local girl, Gayatri- who then became the second wife of Brahma. All this made Devi Savitri very upset and angry. Later, in order to please her, the shrine was dedicated to Devi Savitri. Also, the arti (worship ceremony) is performed first in Savitri Temple and then in Gayatri Temple. The deities of both the goddesses are kept in the Savitri shrine.

History

There is an interesting story behind the rise of this temple which has a mythological connection. Once, Lord Brahma was performing a Yagna on the bank of the Pushkar Lake where the presence of Goddess Savitri was required. But as she was late in arriving and the holy moment was passing by, Brahma married another girl to complete this ritual. When the Goddess arrived she was upset to see someone else in her place and in her anger she cursed everyone present there. Later on, she went to the Ratnagiri hills to sacrifice for her deeds and changed into river. After this incident the temple was constructed in her dedication and still you will notice a small stream flowing beside the temple.

Getting There

If you are travelling by train then the Ajmer Railway Station is nearest to the temple and is connected to all the major cities of the country. You can also take a flight to the Jaipur airport and then hire a taxi or a bus to reach the Savitri Temple.

Things To Do In Around

On a visit to the Savitri temple do indulge to have an amazing view of both sunrise and sunset from the hilltop. The surrounding of the temple is so attractive that you can spend hours sitting here admiring the beauty of nature.

Open/Closing Timnigs And Days

The Savitri Temple in Pushkar remains open on all days of the week from 5am to 12pm and then from 4pm to 9pm.

Entry Fee:No entry fee is charged from the visitors.

Best Time To Visit

Holidays in Pushkar are best enjoyed in the winter months when the climate is quite pleasant.

Pushkar Cattle Fair,Pushkar

The Pushkar Fair or locally Pushkar ka Mela is an annual five-day camel and livestock fair held in the town of Pushkar in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is one of the world's largest camel fairs.

Overview

The Pushkar Fair or locally Pushkar ka Mela is an annual five-day camel and livestock fair held in the town of Pushkar in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is one of the world's largest camel fairs. Apart from the buying and selling of livestock, it has become an important tourist attraction. Competitions such as the "matka phod", "longest moustache", and "bridal competition" are the main draws for this fair which attracts thousands of tourists.In recent years the fair has also included an exhibition cricket match between the local Pushkar club and a team of random foreign tourists. The Imperial Gazetteer of India mentions an attendance of 100,000 pilgrims in early 1900s.

Thousands of people go to the banks of the Pushkar Lake where the fair takes place. Men buy and sell their livestock, which includes camels, cows, sheep and goats.The women go to the stalls, full of bracelets, clothes, textiles and fabrics. A camel race starts off the festival, with music, songs and exhibitions to follow. Between these events, the most waited for is the test of how the camel is able to bring the items. In order to demonstrate, the men go up on the group of camels one after another.

It is celebrated for five days from the Kartik ekadashi to Kartik Poornima, the full moon day (the 15th) of Kartik (October–November) in Hindu calendar. The full moon day is the main day and the day, according to legend, when the Hindu god Brahma sprung up the Pushkar Lake, thus numerous people swim in the Pushkar lake sacred waters.

The sleepy lakeside settlement of Pushkar lies in the Northwest Ajmer in the state of Rajasthan. This sacred town of the Hindus, also known as the Lourdes of the East, finds references in the Hindu epics of Mahabharata and Ramayana, and takes pride for being a site to the only temple of the God of Creation, Brahma. With over 400 temples and 52 bathing ghats, very few places can match the religious fervor associated with this town. Come the month of Kartik and the quaint and arid town comes alive with a frenzied burst of activity. With the gaily attired local folks, the rich Rajasthani music, folklores of gallantry and the holy chants straight out of the scriptures reverberating in the air, the town gets all prepared to host the world renowned Pushkar Fair. This is the time when livestock owners from all over the country come here to trade their camels as well as other species. It also marks the time when thousands of devotees flock to the holy lake of Pushkar and take a dip.

One of the most famous festival in Rajasthan which is celebrated every year in the starting of winter season, Actually Pushkar Fair is mega event of Rajasthan in which thousands of camel owners comes to Pushkar city to take part in events and sell purchase activities of their cattle. This festival is not like other festivals of Rajasthan, it’s quite different from other festivals which attract thousands of domestic and foreigners every year. So let’s explore more details what makes it different and how it is celebrated!

Pushkar fair is quite known for the camels. The ship of the desert are seen in huge numbers. The camels are dressed up in colorful garbs, adorned lovingly. The beasts of the desert are lovingly washed, adorned and ornamented with cloths, jewelry, silver bells, bangles and other finery. The camels bedecked at their best are paraded around for all to see. Interesting thing to see that should not be missed in Pushkar festival is Camel Beauty Contest. Camels are entered into races, competitions dance shows, and trade of cattle. One interesting contest turns the camel into a clown car. Numerous people climb aboard, until the camel starts bucking vigorously to get down people from its humps.

This festival has religious origins which draws pilgrims from far and wide to this festival to bathe in the holy waters of Pushkar's lake. The two days around the full moon are considered to be the most auspicious time of the year for bathing in the lake. It is believed to absolve their sins with the holy waters. Sadhus, holy gurus and people from all walks of life come to take a dip in the lake.

History

Pushkar is one of the five dhams or sacred places that are highly revered by Hindus and the four other dhams are Puri, Badrinath, Dwarka, and Rameswaram. It is believed that in a war, Lord Brahma had slained Vajra Nabh, the demon, with a lotus flower, whose petals drifted down to earth and were spread in three areas in and around Pushkar where lakes were created. Following the legends, it is said that the Pushkar Lake was bounded by 52 palaces and 500 temples.

The history of Pushkar Festival mentions that all the 330 million gods and goddesses of Hindu religion come to Pushkar Lake on the day of Poornima (full moon night) and sanctify the pious. As a result, hundreds of thousands of pilgrims congregate for a holy bath at the Pushkar Lake to wash out their misdeeds and show respect to the sole Brahma Mandir on the globe. A dip in the lake on this day implies washing away the sins. The water of the lake is believed to have healing properties.

This holy site has been mentioned in the Hindu epics of Ramayana and Mahabharata as the Adi Tiratha. In Ramayana, another popular Hindu epic, Pushkar has been cited where it was mentioned that Rishi Vishvamitra carried out a tapasya in this place. In addition, Menaka, an apsara from the heaven, visited Pushkar to take a dip in its holy waters.

Pushkar was cited in Mahabharata, the 2000 year old epic of India as the oldest religious hub in India. According to the Mahabharata, before planning a program for the travel of Maharaja Yudhishthara, "Maharaja after entering the Jungles of Sind and crossing the small rivers on the way should bathe in Pushkara". In the Vaman Purana, it was mentioned that Prahlada on his way to visit the holy places, also came down to Pushkarayana.

Alberuni, the famous Islamic scholar of the 11th century depicted Pushkar as a site of tremendous respect for the followers of Hindu religion. History of Pushkar Festival not solely lies in the Hindu scriptures, Pushkar itself is one of the five holy cities mentioned in the Hindu scriptures. The most remarkable thing about Pushkar is that the land houses one of the only two temples dedicated to Lord Brahma in India. Apart from that the city also has nearly 400 temples. Similar to any other religious hub in Rajasthan, Pushkar also features a captivating history. For example, Fa-Hien cited Pushkar in his chronicles in the 4th century A.D.

It is believed that Pushkar is the birthplace of Parasara, the sage. His successors, known as Parasara Brahmanas, are seen in the city and the bordering places. They have been looking after the renowned temple of Jeenmata for the past ten centuries. This may be the place where Pushkarana Brahamanas came from. Nahadarava, a Pratihara monarch of Mandore, renovated this tirthasthan in the seventh century. He took the initiative of cleaning the area and beautified the lake by creating a mound on the banks of the Luni River. Nahadarava reconstructed ancient forts and constructed ghats and 12 dharamshalas (resting places) on the three corners of the lake.

Rangji Temple,Pushkar

Rangji temple is a reflection of South Indian architectural style with glimpses of Mughal design as well. It is in the top three temples of Pushkar dedicated to one of the incarnations of Vishnu, Rangji. The temple is a major attraction for south Indian pilgrims.

Overview

Old Rangji Temple Pushkar Rajasthan is a famous temple where ant tourists flock every year to pay their homage to the deities. Lord Rangji Temple speaks about Lord Rangji who is believed to be the incarnation of lord Vishnu. Old Rangji Temple was built in 1823 by Seth Puran Mal Ganeriwal of Hyderabad. Old Rangji Temple Pushkar is exclusive as here you can find the confluence of South Indian style (Dravid), Rajput style and Mughal style of architecture. The gracious Old Rangji Temple is very noticeable. It has a high rising Gopuram archetypal of southern India.

:Pushkar in Rajasthan is a sacred place for Hindus and has 400 astounding temples. The most important of them is the one dedicated to Lord Brahma. According to the famous and ruling legend in Rajasthan, every year for five days all the gods visit Pushkar and bless the devotees. That is why every year, an incredible number of devotees flock to the lake to wash away their sins. These five vital days also correspond to the biggest cattle fair of the country. A visit to the Pushkar fair is in fact a lifetime experience.

Pushkar had always been a place of great strategic importance. Pushkar had also been a favorite residence of the great Mughal. One of the first contacts between the Mughal and the British took place in Pushkar when Sir Thomas Roe met with Jahangir in 1616. In 1818 Pushkar got handed over to the British. It was one of the few places in Rajasthan which was directly under the control of British Government.

History

Sri Rangji Mandir was constructed in the year 1851 by the efforts of Sri Rangadeshik Swamiji. According to the Hindu calendar, Sri Rangadeshik Swamiji was born on the Karthik Krishna 7 in Punarvasu nakshatra in the year 1809 AD at "Agram" village of Tamil Nadu. He was introduced to study of Vedic scriptures under the guidance of learned scholars. In a short period of time he had mastered all that was taught to him and wanted to learn further. One night in a dream he was chased by a mad bull and wherever he went the bull kept chasing, when he turned towards North the bull stopped. Taking this as a divine sign, he joined Swami Sri Anantacharya of Kanchipuram who was going to North on a pilgrimage. When they reached Sri Goverdhanji, he met Swami Srinivasacharyaji, the head of Goverdhan Peeth of Sri Vaishnav sect, who was a very learned scholar. Sri Rangadeshik Swamiji became his disciple and very soon established himself as a brilliant scholar. Finding him suitable to carry forward the torch of Sri Vaishanvavism, Swami Srinivasacharyaji asked Sri Rangadeshik Swamiji to take over the reins of Sri Goverdhan Peeth.

In a very short period of time Swamiji's name and reputation as a great Vaishnava scholar had spread all over India. Inspired by his knowlwdge and devotion the brothers Seth Sri Radhakrishnaji and Sri Govind Dasji of Mathura approached Swamiji for discipleship and offered all their wealth at Swamiji's feet. Once when Swamiji was explaining about the greatness of the South Indian temples, then the brothers expressed their wish for establishing Sri Goda-Rangamannar at Vrindavan. Swamiji had always thought about the unfulfilled wish of Andal where she expresses her desire to spend her life at Vrindavan. Taking the wish of brothers as divine indication, Swamiji immediately went to Sri Rangam and expressed this desire to the divine couple Sri Goda-Rangamannar and sought their permission for starting the construction of the temple. Skilled labourers were hired from Sri Rangam and brought to Vrindavan and the construction work for the temple commenced in the yeat 1845. The brothers contributed whole heartedly and with their effort and Sri Goda Rangamnaar's grace the temple was completed in the year 1851 A.D. The total expenditure incurred was to the tune of Rs. 45 Lacs. In the year 1867 A.D Swamiji formed Sri Rangji Trust to take care of the functioning of the temple. Since then it has been five generations of Sri Randeshik Swamiji's who have served the Lord. The present head of the Sri Goverdhan Peeth Sri Goverdhan Rangacharya is the fifth generation of Sri Rangadeshik Swamiji.

Architecture

Rajput and Mughal architecture come together in a perfect confluence to achieve the look for this structure. There is a hint of South Indian architecture as well in the form of the high rising Gopuram. This feature as per many beholders provides the temple with an added charm.

Timings

The temple is open to one and all without entry fees on all days between 6 in the morning and 7 in the evening. The place can be reached using a private car or using other modes of local transport available. The nearest train station is in Ajmer, which is around 12 Kms. from the Rangji temple is.

Apteshwar temple,Pushkar

A highly significant and popular religious attraction in the town of Pushkar, Apteshwar temple dedicates itself to Lord Shiva. Among the 400 temples that Pushkar bedecks within its boundaries, this worship site or one can say, a religious edifice that holds equal importance like that of the Brahma temple

Overview

It is actually an underground shrine that was built in the 12th century. The temple is believed to be sunk inside the ground in the past. Thus, the statue of the presiding deity, Shiva retains its position in the form of a huge Linga with a snake made of copper encircled around it in the main hall, down the earth.

Apteshwar Temple is one of the most popular and divine places of worship in pious town Pushkar. Formerly, the Apteshwar shrine was destroyed by Aurangzeb and but later was resurrected. Pilgrims and devotees from all parts of the globe offer sincere prayers at the shrine and rebuild their faith in almighty.

The Apteshwar temple in Pushkar holds a great fusion of striking architecture and spiritual importance. With great styles of construction, the intricate design of the temple would surely leave you mesmerized.

Constructed in early 12th century, the sanctified spot is dedicated to Lord Shiva. As a part of holy ritual, the main deity Shiva Lingam is served with dahi, milk, ghee and honey. In-addition, devotees believe that offering ‘Bel’ leaves to the Lord would fulfill one’s wishes.

Hence, it is clearly reflected that a visit to Apteshwar temple is a great opportunity to witness magnificent architecture and learn more about the rituals of Hindu religion. The main festival of the temple is Shivaratri which is celebrated here with great enthusiasm and greatness.

History

This 12th century Apteshwar Temple is another important shrine visited by numerous devotees round the year. The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and has been artistically and splendidly constructed. Apparently the oldest and most revered Indian God, Lord Shiva is believed to have come down to this temple and bless his devotees heartily.

The Shiva-related tradition is a major part of Hinduism, found all over India, Nepal, Sri Lanka,and Bali (Indonesia).Its historical roots are unclear and contested. Some scholars such Yashodhar Mathpal and Ali Javid have interpreted early prehistoric paintings at the Bhimbetka rock shelters, carbon dated to be from pre-10,000 BCE period,as Shiva dancing, Shiva's trident, and his mount Nandi.However, Howard Morphy states that these prehistoric rock paintings of India, when seen in their context, are likely those of hunting party with animals, and that the figures in a group dance can be interpreted in many different ways.Rock paintings from Bhimbetka, depicting a figure with a trishul, have been described as Nataraja by Erwin Neumayer, who dates them to the mesolithic.

As per Hindu mythology, Apteshwar temple is built by the very favorite lord of Pushkar, Brahma. It happened so, that while performing the yagna at Pushkar Lake, Lord Brahma found the lord of destruction, Shiva attending the yagna in the form of a tantric mendicant with a skull in his hand. Brahma; unaware of him being Shiva, insulted the mendicant for his appearance. This angered him and he filled the entire yagna area with skulls.

When Brahma decided to inquire in by the way of meditation, his eyes opened with a reality check of the situation. He apologized Lord Shiva for his folly and requested him to attend the yagna, which Shiva did. In an attempt of appreciation, Brahma established a temple next to his, which today is known as the Apteshwar temple in Pushkar.

Visiting hours: 06:30 am to 08:30 pm

Merta City,Pushkar

Merta is an old city. Meerabai, the very famous poetess and devotee of Lord Krishna was born here. This town is a religious hub of Hindus. Charbuja Temple which lies in the city center is a paramount and famous attraction of Merta.

Overview

Merta was a vital kingdom under the reign of Mertia Rathore Rajputs. After some time, Rao Maldeo Rathore of Jodhpur who was the head of the Rathore clan attacked Rao Veeramdev of Merta out of jealousy. Veemramdev joined Sher Shah Suri and asked him to attack Jodhpur. As a result of this attack, Rao Maldeo left Jodhpur along with his army and joined Delhi Sultanate.

Rao Veemramdev was succeeded by his son Rao Jaimal. When Akbar attacked Mewar because of its refusal to give away its women to the Mughals, Rao Jaimal died fighting the battle. After this, Merta was merged with the state of Jodhpur and all his sons were given some portion of the nearby principalities.

Merta city was established in 1480 and has witnessed huge and ancient events ever since. It is now a municipality which is situated in the Nagpur district in Rajasthan. As per the consensus of 2001, Merta had a population of 40,252.

Some villages which lie near the city include Morra, Sogawas, Indawar, Dangawas, Badgaon, Ren, Kumpdash, Chapari, Bedavri, Riyan Baddi, Kalru, Mokalpur, Lamba Jatan, Dhadhasni and many more. It has an altitude of 316m. The finest and most unique attractions in Merta city include Meera Bai Temple, Aurangzeb Mosque and Bhanwal Mata Temple.

How to Reach Merta City

Merta city lies at a distance of 97 km from Jodhpur Airport and has its own railway junction which is well connected to all the major cities. Merta city is situated at a distance of 61 km from Pushkar which makes it a one-hour drive from Pushkar to reach there.

History

Different organizations are sending their proposal to rail minister demanding to initiate more trains to Ajmer. The demands varying from more over and under bridges in Ajmer, increased facilities at railway station, connectivity of Pushkar to Merta city, are few among many others.

Ajmer emerged just because of railways and has two carriage and loco workshops. The railway is also important here because of tourists visiting the place because of dargah of Khwaja Moinuddin Chishti and Brahma temple of Pushkar. The city is mostly dependant on railways and, therefore, different organizations are demanding facilities here.