Pushkar lies in a valley surrounded by hills on three sides and
sand dunes on the other. Most commonly associated with the kaleidoscopic
Camel Fair, Pushkar is also a major pilgrimage destination for Hindus.
It is here that Lord Brahma is worshipped with a temple dedicated
to him along with the auspicious Pushkar Lake. The devout believe
that a prayer offering to the Lake and a dip in the holy waters
is spiritually cleansing. It is believed, that through this town,
the five mythical Rivers - Suprabha, Kanaka, Prachi, Nanda and Saraswati,
flow.
The vibrancy of Pushkar lies in its people, marketplaces and seasonal
festivals, which draw an overwhelming number of visitors annually.
History
Pushkar is associated with many legends. It is believed that
while Brahma was flying over the area, three lotus petals scattered
form his hand onto earth, creating miraculous lakes wherever they
landed. Realizing that this was auspicious, Brahma decided to
perform a yagna (fire sacrifice) and in the absence of his wife
Savitri, married a local village girl and continued with the ritual.
When Savitri appeared, she was outraged at Brahma's actions and
cursed him that he would not be worshipped anywhere else on earth.
It is also believed that Lord Vishnu descended on earth here
incarnated as Warah (wild boar) to kill the demon Hirnayaksh and
liberate the land from his atrocities.
Historically, Pushkar has been the target of Afghani rulers who
have ravaged it because of its strategic location. In time, it
became a centre for Mughals before coming in direct control of
the British.
Places to visit
With over 400 temples, Pushkar's most famous attraction is the
Brahma Temple dedicated to Brahma and the only kind in the country.
The holy shrine within houses an ornate, four-armed life size
statue. The marble floor is laden with coins placed by devotees.
The Savitri Temple atop Ratnagiri Hill is dedicated to Savitri,
who after cursing Brahma immolated herself here.
Equally important is the Warah Temple with an image of Lord Vishnu
in the incarnation of wild boar. The Pushkar Lake lined with 52
ghats (banks) is significant for Hindus. It is considered holy
since it is believed to have been created by Brahma.
An impressive temple built in the 19th Century, the Mahadeva
Temple boasts of an elegant structure with glittering ornaments.
The white marble Mahadeva image, with its five faces is the most
striking feature of the Temple. Built in the 1920s, the Ramavaikunth
Temple is the largest and most intricate temple in Pushkar. It
has a beautifully crafted stone gopuram (pagoda) with images of
361 different deities carved especially by masons from south India.
Fairs & Festivals
Kartik Poornima: Every year in November, pilgrims converge to
take a dip in the holy Lake on the auspicious full moon night.
It is believed that during this time, the Gods revisit earth to
bless the devout. Diyas (earthen oil lamps) and flowers are floated
on the water while chanting of prayers fill the night air.
Camel Fair: On the same full moon night,away from the Lake, a
celebration of another kind marks the occasion with the stretch
of desert surrounding Pushkar playing host to the famous annual
camel fair. Attracting hordes of visitors, tribals trade cattle
while music, dancing and street theatre give the proceedings a
colorful touch. This Fair is the reason Pushkar finds fame on
travel maps.
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