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Pushkar
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PUSHKAR-
the 'Pilgrim City' is a picturesque town 14 kms. from Ajmer, known
for its temples and lake, the Nag pahar (Snake Mountain), which
forms a part of chain of the Aravali range, stands between Ajmer and
Pushkar. The road from Ajmer to Pushkar is a very interesting drive
as the road winds through the Nag Pahar, leading to the ancient
lake. The town situated around the beautiful lake is surrounded on
the three sides by hills, while the fourth side cordoned by the
sands which have drifted from the plains of Marwar.
It is one of the most revered places of Hindus and referred as Tirth
Raj' or the king among pilgrims, just as Banaras is their 'guru' or
preceptor. No pilgrimage to Badri Narain (Himalayas), Jagannath
(Orissa), Rameshwaram (Tamil Nadu) and Dwarka (Gujarat) the four
principal Hindu places of pilgrimage is complete till the pilgrims
bath in the sacred waters of Pushkar. |
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According to Padam Puran, the Hindu religious text, Lord Brahma was in
search of suitable place for a Vedic yagna. While contemplating, a lotus
fell down from his hand on the earth and water spurted from three places
one of them was Pushkar and Brahma decided to perform his yagna over
here.
The beautiful Pushkar Lake is a sanctified spot, and considered as old
as the creation, and has been a place of pilgrimage since time
immemorial, surrounded by 52 bathing ghats, where people come to take a
dip with deep religious faith rooted in their hearts. Pushkar has with
stood the test of time, and has been a mute witness to the procession of
history from the time of Rama, the hero of the earliest Hindu Epic
Ramayana, to Fa-Hien's accounts of Pushkar in 4th century AD., and to
the time of Muslim invasion.
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| Places of Interest |
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PUSHKAR FAIR
The Pushkar
Camel Fair is one of the largest in India and the only one
of its kind in the entire world. During the fair, Lakhs of
people from rural India flock to Pushkar, along with Camel
and Cattle for several days of live stock trading, horse
dealing, pilgrimage and religious festival. This small town,
becomes a cultural phenomenon when colourfully dressed
devotees, musicians, acrobats, folk dancers, traders,
comedians, sadhus and tourists reach here during Pushkar
fair. According to Hindu chronology, it takes place in the
month of Kartika (October or November) beginning on ashtmi
8th day of Lunar Calendar and continues till full moon (Poornima).
The Camel and Cattle trading is at its peak during the first
half of festival period. During the later half, religious
activities dominate the scenario. Devotees take dips in the
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holy "Sarovar"
lake, as the sacred water is known to bestow salvation. This
small town is transformed into a spectacular fair ground, as
rows of make shift stalls display an entire range of objects
of art to daily utility stuff. Decoration items for Cattle,
Camel and women, everything is sold together. Small
handicraft items are the best bargain for buying souvenir.
The Camel and Horse races have crowds to cheer. Camel
judging competitions are Quite popular with animal lovers.
Each evening brings different folk dances and music of
Rajasthan, performers delivering live shows to the roaring
and applauding crowds.
Pushkar fair has its own magic and it's a lifetime
experience for travellers. It has featured in numbers of
travel shows, films and magazine. According to lonely planet
-"Its truly a feast for the eyes.
If you are any where within striking distance at the time,
Its an event not to be missed." Foot print India handbook
200 I writes- "The huge mela is Pushkar's biggest draw an
unforgettable experience."
Shilpgram:
During the fair, arts & crafts exhibition cum sale is
organised at 'Shilpgram', situated at RTDC Tourist Village
Campus. Crafts persons & artisans from allover Rajasthan &
nearby states participate to exhibit and demonstrate their
art & talent.
Where to Stay:
R. T.D.C. provides the range of tourist hotels in Ajmer,
namely Khadim and Sarovar and Tourist Village in Pushkar.
There are good numbers of luxury, moderate, heritage and
budget hotels for comfortable stay. The Department of
Tourism and many private operators pitch luxury tents during
Pushkar Fair.
For boarding & accommodation, please contact Tourist
Reception Center, Hotel Khadim, Ajmer
How to Reach:
Air -nearest airport is Jaipur, which is connected with
major cities. A newly built air strip at Kishangarh can
cater to small charter flights. Helipad at Ghooghra (Ajmer)
and Devnagar (Pushkar) can cater to clients travelling by
helicopter.
Rail -Ajmer is well connected by Rail to all-important
cities. Pushkar is just 12 Km. away from Ajmer.
Road -Ajmer is well connected to important cities of
Rajasthan and country. Jaipur-145 Km., Delhi-415 Km.,
Mumbai-900 Km., Ahemadabad-520 Km., Jodhpur-205 Km.,
Bikaner-265 Km., Nagaur-1 SO Km., Jaisalmer-475 Km.,
Merta-70 Km., Bundi-180 Km., Kota-220 Km. |
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Pushkar
Lake
Anything
even remotely related to Pushkar Lake has a halo of
sacredness and divinity. Legend has it that a dip in its
waters cleanses all the sins and is the surest way to
achieve salvation from the cycles of life. Circled by some
five hundred odd temples, the lake has 52 ghats, which
connect the temples to the water. These ghats were
constructed by the rulers of the different erstwhile
princely states of Rajasthan and some of them are aptly
named after the states.
Prominent among the ghats are Gau Ghat, Brahma Ghat and
Varah Ghat. Also called Main Ghat, Gau Ghat is the place
from which ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were sprinkled into the
lake. Brahma Ghat is believed to be the spot where Brahma
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himself is
said to have worshipped. The Varah Ghat is famed to be the
place where Vishnu, the preserver of the Hindu Trinity,
appeared in the form of Varaha (a boar), third in the line
of his nine incarnations. It is advisable for the visitors,
who travel to the Pushkar lake, not to take photos and to
remove their shoes before going to the ghats.
Every year on the day of auspicious Kartik Purnima, the
full-moon phase of October/November, Pushkar Lake attracts
thousands of pilgrims from all over the country to take a
holy dip in its waters. It is believed that a dip at the
lake on this auspicious day is equal to the penances done
for one hundred years. The India profile offers tour
packages for travel to Pushkar Lake. |
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Brahma
Temple
This is the only existing temple dedicated to lord Brahma and was
constructed in the 14th century, standing on a high plinth with marble
steps leading up to it.A beautiful carved silver turtle sits on the floor facing the sanctorum
or Garbha Griha. The marble floor around the silver turtle is embedded
with hundreds of silver coins, with donors name engraved on them.
The pious Pushkar Lake, believed to have been created by the falling of
lotus from the hand of Lord Brahma. It is considered to be as old as the
creation. The lake is considered as one of the most sacred spots, and
believed that one dip in the waters of lake on Kartika Poornima is
equivalent to performing yagnas for several hundred years. |
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s
The charming lake amidst the hills has fifty-two bathing ghats, built
around lake. The water around each ghat is supposed to have special
powers. The Naga Kund is belived to give fertility, Roop Tirth gives
beauty and charm, Kapil Vyapi Kund water helps in curing leprosy and a
dip in the Mrikand Muni Kund grants the boon of wisdom. |
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