What to see and do in trip to Pushkar ?
Are you planning a trip to Pushkar? We have prepared a summary of what to see and do in Pushkar in this small guide that we have compiled by collecting information from other travelers, travel guides, local opinions and, above all, our own experience. We hope it helps you. Pushkar is one of the cities in India that we will surely never forget for its mysticism, tranquility and the natural setting that surrounds it, although if we have to find a fault with it, it is its large accumulation of tourists in trip to Pushkar. Pushkar is a small town north of Ajmer, in the state of Rajasthan. It is a small oasis in the desert area of northern India, in the Aravalli Mountains. Its name means blue lotus flower and the place and especially its central lake are sacred to the Hindu religion, being one of the five Dhams (places of pilgrimage). This very old city (the presence of inhabitants dates back to prehistoric times) is a place of extreme importance for the Hindu religion. Legend has it that the gods released a swan carrying a lotus flower in its beak and, wherever it dropped the flower, Brahman would make a great yajnya (ritual offering). The place in question was Pushkar Lake, and hence the meaning of its name. The city receives a great deal of tourism, whether from Hindus themselves who come to this sacred site on pilgrimage, or from the thousands of foreign tourists who seek a haven of peace and tranquility after visiting the bustling Indian cities, and a place where they can buy a variety of items at very good prices and enjoy more international cuisine (since the accommodations and restaurants are totally geared towards this type of tourism). What to see and do in Pushkar Brahma Temple Pushkar has more than 500 temples, although none are too old for the age of the city, as many had to be rebuilt after the Muslim conquests. But if there is one that stands out, it is undoubtedly the Brahma temple, as it is one of the few in all of India dedicated to this Hindu god, considered the most important, the creator. The Brahma Temple dates back to the 14th century and is made mainly of marble and stone. You will be able to identify it without any problem when you arrive at the area thanks to the crowd, the barriers to queue, the drawers where you leave your shoes at the entrance and its distinctive red Sikhara-shaped shoe cover. . When you arrive you will be asked to leave your shoes in the drawers and pay for them, but in reality it is a free service. Strict religious services are held three times a day (at dawn, at noon and at dusk). Also, on Kartik Purnima, the full moon night between October and November (Kartik), a special festival is organized to worship Brahma. Pushkar Lake Pushkar Lake is the area around which the entire city is built and the most sacred place. It is surrounded by 52 ghats, steps that you must walk barefoot. This lake is very magical and peaceful, and it is beautiful to visit at any time of day, but especially at dusk, when the ritual fire called Aarti takes place at sunset, which is celebrated every day on its shores. Of course, it is worth mentioning that there are many “ceremonialists” on the shore of the lake or at the entrances to it, waiting for foreigners like us to appear and “accompany us” with an offering in their hands to perform a ritual, which they say is necessary when arriving at Pushkar. At the end of this ceremony they will ask you for money (they asked us for €20 each), it is your decision to make the offering and how much to pay for it, just to tell you that it is not obligatory. Savitri Temple and Gayatri Mata Temple Crowning the two highest mountains surrounding Pushkar are two temples, from which we will have beautiful panoramic views. Savitri Temple is located in the southwest of Pushkar and you have two options to get to the top: the most comfortable is by cable car for about 120 rupees, and the other is on foot, climbing a long staircase full of monkeys to the top. We went up on foot and we highly recommend it, since the path is short (approximately 1 kilometer) and easy, and when you reach the top you get an impressive reward with the views. Gayatri Mata Temple is located north of Pushkar and the route to get there on foot is shorter, about 20 minutes. The best time, and the most advisable, to go up is early in the morning, since it tends to be quite hot and it is an open path without shade. At the start of the trail you can find stalls where you can stock up, tuk-tuks and people offering camel rides (we advise against using this service, the animals work for many hours a day without rest and under the sun). Badi Basti Market For us, one of the most popular plans in Pushkar was to wander around the lake where you will find this varied market with items at very good prices, street food stalls, restaurants and cafes (many of them with cozy terraces overlooking the lake). Cremation Site We discovered the cremation Site by chance while going all the way around the lake, in the southern area. It is not very well known by tourists, you will only see local people and there is not much to see, but it is interesting to learn about the funeral ritual they carry out: they cover the deceased with piles of wood and incinerate him until the flame goes out. You will find some people who live around the lake and cover themselves with the resulting ash, since according to their belief, in this way they acquire part of the wisdom of
