The Pushkar

Pushkar is 13 kms from Ajmer and if you will come from Jaipur-Delhi highway then it is 22 km away. A winding road among the hills leads to Pushkar. The way is full of natural scenes. There are the rows of beautiful flowers on either side of the road and the travellers get refreshed while travelling this place. When a tourist and pilgrim reaches Pushkar, he finds himself among the nature. The town of Pushkar is far from the noisy environment of a city.

Pushkar is situated at the foot of hills which add to its beauty with five rivers, Suprabha, Kanaka, Prachi Nanda and Saraswati flow here and make the place more beautiful. The climate here is balanced. It is not as cold as the Himalayas and not as hot as Madras is.

The time of its origin is unknown. One can find it mentioned in the oldest religious of the Hindus. The lake at Pushkar is the most sacred lake in India. It can be compared with the mansarovar lake only.

Sandeep Kumar

HISTORY

According to old books like "Prithvi Raj Vijai", "Hamir Mahakavya", and "Surjan Charitra" Pushkar is said to be the birth place of Chamana the founder of the Chauhan Empire. His queen Rudrani constructed many buildings and temples at Pushkar.

In the tenth century A.D a Brahmin named Rudraditya constructed the temple of Vishnu. Vakpati Raj was the ruler there. He also belonged to the Chauhan dynasty. He built a temple of Lord Shiva at Pushkar.

In 1105 A.D Prithviraj first the ruler of sambhar killed some Chalukyas who came over here (Pushkar) to rob the Bramins. Ajayraj the successor of Prithvi raj I established Ajmer when he became old he handed the throne to Arunoraj.

According to "Tujhake Jahangir" (the autobiography of Jahangir) King Jahangir came to Pushkar fifteen times during his stay to Ajmer. He was fascinated by the beauty of the lake at pushkar and constructed a building which is called the palace of Jahangir. (It is behind the Jodhpur Ghat)

MYTHOLOGY

Once Lord Brahma was worried that there is no temple for his worship on the earth. Having such thought in the mind he threw a lotus flower towards earth. The flower fell at three places and the holy water sprang out from all these three places. Than lord Brahma said thses three places would be known as Pushkar.

As he threw the Lotus flower (Pushpa) with his hand (Kar) so he gave the name to this place Pushkar.

Pushkar is very dear to Lord Brahma. So it is blessed by him in every way. A holy dip at Pushkar lake will releive from all the sins and went to heaven after their death by the grace of Lord Brahma.

General Information

Height from sea level - 1580 feet high

Tempreture - During Winter - Average

During Summer - Average

Population of Pushkar - apprx 15,000

TEMPLES AT PUSHKAR

Temple of Lord Brahma

The Brahma temple

The pillars of Brahma temple

Diety of Lord Brahma

The fame of Pushkar is attached with Lord Brahma. Brahma threw a lotus flower to choose the place on the earth in his name. It is only temple of Lord Brahma in India and who constructed it and when it is not known.

It was reconstructed in 14th century and stands on a high plinth with the marble steps leading upto it. This beautiful temple is carved with silver turtle sits on the floor facing the sanctum or Garbha - Grah.

Peacocks adorn the vehicle of Goddess Saraswati - The Goddess of wisdom. The sanctuary has silver doors inside a carved marble gateway steps in the corner lead to a small cave dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Vishnu Varah Temple

The Vishnu Varah Temple

The vishnu Varah temple is an image of Lord Vishnu in the incarnation of boar.The old temple was 150 feet high. The present statue was set up in 1784 by Maharaj Jai singh. During the rule of Chauhan king Arunoraj. In 1123-1150) Pushkar was attacked by Mohammedans. and it was destroyed. Then king Arunoraj reconstructed the temple.

Atpateshwar Mahadev Temple

Another impotant temple of Pushkaris the 12th century temple of Atpateshwar Mahadev temple. It is dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Savitri Temple

The Goddess Savitri Temple

The temple of Lord brahma's first wife, Mother Savitri is located on the hill behind the Brahma temple and one has to climb a long series of steps to reach its temple. The surrounding here are picturousque and is worth seeing.

Temple of Ranganath ji

The ranganathji Temple

The temple is very conspicuous. It is situated in the middile of the town. It was built by the seth Puranmal of Haidrabad in 1823 Dravis Brahmins are its Pujaris (Priests) or Acharyas.
It is huge and attaractive temple. There are statues of Venugopal, Narsing and Laxmi also.

Pushkar Fair

The Pushkar Fair

The Pushkar fair begins after 10 days of Dipawali festival.According to the Hindu mythology the Brahma Gaytri Yagna was performed at Pushkar.
In those days the sun, the moon and the earth have a specific situation which is good for people.

The Pushkar tirth (god) is present here in those five days of Kartik. After it the god of Pushkar lives in space. Hindu community use to visit with a holy bath in pushkar lake. They also visit Lord Brahma temple.

A street towards Lord Brahma temple

On this ocassion, an animal fair also fulfilled with all type of animals for sale & purchase like camels, Horses, Goats, Buffallows etc.

Dancing and enjoying

The Rajasthan culture of Dress style, food variations and living are worth seen.To enjoy all these activities tourists from India and foreigners come here to attend Pushkar fair.