Pushkar : The sacred Brahma land The Legendary city- Pushkar "Heavenly strings let loose....... And play a cosmic muse." The
land of spiritual wonder is indeed the most relevant of all the Hindu
pilgrimages.Pushkar is among the five dhams or pilgrimages that are held in
high esteem by Hindus, the others being Badrinath, Puri, Rameswaram, and
Dwarka. It is said that in battle lord Brahma killed the demon Vajra Nabh
with a lotus flower, whose petals floated down to earth and landed in three
places in and around Pushkar where lakes sprang up. According to legends,
Pushkar Lake was surrounded by 500 temples and 52 palaces (several rajas and
maharajas maintained palaces here for pilgrimage) at one point. The Brahma
temple is the most important temple here and is, in fact, the only Brahma
temple of India.
Location In the heart of spirituality, Flows eternal faith.........
The small and beautiful town of Pushkar is set in a valley just about 14 km
off Ajmer in the north Indian state of Rajasthan. Surrounded by hills on
three sides and sand dunes on the other, Pushkar forms a fascinating
location and a befitting backdrop for the annual religious and cattle fair
which is globally famous and attracts thousands of visitors from all parts
of the world.
Pushkar Fair - 2008
The celebration of faith, As truth always triumphs. Every
November ,the sleepy little township of Pushkar in Rajasthan, As per the
Indian calendar the fair is held in the first lunar cycle in the month of
Kartik culminating on the Kartik poornima (Full moon). The last four days of
the fair are considered as the holiest occasion for all the believers in
Hinduism. India comes alive with a riot of colors and a frenzied burst of
activity. The occasion: Pushkar Fair. Very few, if at all any, fairs in the
world can match the liveliness of Pushkar.The Pushkar Fair, a major tourist
attraction draws people from all over the globe to the ancient and secluded
environment of Pushkar town.
Camel Fair
Most people associate the Pushkar Fair with the world's largest camel fair.
An interesting part of the Pushkar Fair is the mass trading of camels. Of
course, cattle and other livestock are also traded, but it's camels that
hold center stage at Pushkar. Camel-traders and villagers from miles away
converge to Pushkar with their humped beasts. Over 25,000 camels (on the
conservative side) are traded; making this world's largest camel fair.
The Holy Snan The culmination : Kartik Purnima, the day of ritual oblation , is also the closing day of the
world's most colourful festivals. Bathing begins at dawn. There is quite a
scramble for getting a place on the bathing ghats. The famed waters of the
Pushkar Lake wash away the sins of a lifetime. Fifty-two ghats bind the
lake. During the days of the mela, the otherwise tranquil lake is engulfed
with religious fervor. Thousands of devotees collect to take a dip, sadhus
descend from the Himalayas and people pray for salvation to the sound of
verses from the Holy Scriptures, which fill the air.The place simply teems
with the devotees and the holy men or sages in various garbs who come to the
temple (Jagat Pita Shri Brahma Mandir) to pray and take a holy dip in the
sacred waters of the Pushkar Lake. Apart from the religious rituals and
festivities, people participate in a number of cultural and sporting events.
"It is believed that for five days every year, all the gods visit
Pushkar and bless the devout. This accounts for the unbelievable number of
devotees who flock to the lake to wash away their sins."
The Brahma Temple
The Brahma Temple is an important pilgrim centre for the Hindus. It is
located in the Pushkar valley which lies beyond Nagaparvat and Anasagar
lake. The most famous temple in Pushkar, this is the only temple dedicated
to Lord Brahma ( the creator of the universe according to Hindu mythology)
in the entire country.
Other temples
The other temples located in Pushkar are; Savitri Temple, Rangji Temple,
Warah Temple, Apteshwar Temple.
Events Races
and competitions are organized. Camels lope across the sands sometimes
throwing their riders on to the vast sands, amidst cheers and jeers from
thousands of spectators. An interesting event is the camel beauty contest,
where they are adorned and paraded. The camels preen before the crowds,
enjoying every moment of the attention they get. Dance music and colorful
shops spring up during this fair. Also on sale are mouth-watering
traditional delicacies. Colorfully attired village folk enhance the fun of
the occasion. A host of cultural event against the backdrop of this pretty
setting is also organized including attractive puppet shows. Cattle auction
and camel races are also a part of the festivities.
Shopping
The main market area in Pushkar has narrow lanes where small shops sell all
types of souvenirs to be taken back home. One can purchase costume, jewelry,
and embroidered fabrics, such as wall hangings and groovy shoulder bags.
Roadside Bazaar
On the roadside, stalls of all kinds are set up to sell a cornucopia of
items. Almost every household is engaged in setting them up as the locals
try to capitalize on the massive influx of people. It is impossible to drive
around because of the large crowds. Either you hire a camel or you walk. In
this aspect, it is truly a rural bazaar.
The
land of spiritual wonder is indeed the most relevant of all the Hindu
pilgrimages.Pushkar is among the five dhams or pilgrimages that are held in
high esteem by Hindus, the others being Badrinath, Puri, Rameswaram, and
Dwarka. It is said that in battle lord Brahma killed the demon Vajra Nabh
with a lotus flower, whose petals floated down to earth and landed in three
places in and around Pushkar where lakes sprang up. According to legends,
Pushkar Lake was surrounded by 500 temples and 52 palaces (several rajas and
maharajas maintained palaces here for pilgrimage) at one point. The Brahma
temple is the most important temple here and is, in fact, the only Brahma
temple of India.
Every
November ,the sleepy little township of Pushkar in Rajasthan, As per the
Indian calendar the fair is held in the first lunar cycle in the month of
Kartik culminating on the Kartik poornima (Full moon). The last four days of
the fair are considered as the holiest occasion for all the believers in
Hinduism. India comes alive with a riot of colors and a frenzied burst of
activity. The occasion: Pushkar Fair. Very few, if at all any, fairs in the
world can match the liveliness of Pushkar.The Pushkar Fair, a major tourist
attraction draws people from all over the globe to the ancient and secluded
environment of Pushkar town.
Kartik Purnima, the day of ritual oblation , is also the closing day of the
world's most colourful festivals. Bathing begins at dawn. There is quite a
scramble for getting a place on the bathing ghats. The famed waters of the
Pushkar Lake wash away the sins of a lifetime. Fifty-two ghats bind the
lake. During the days of the mela, the otherwise tranquil lake is engulfed
with religious fervor. Thousands of devotees collect to take a dip, sadhus
descend from the Himalayas and people pray for salvation to the sound of
verses from the Holy Scriptures, which fill the air.The place simply teems
with the devotees and the holy men or sages in various garbs who come to the
temple (Jagat Pita Shri Brahma Mandir) to pray and take a holy dip in the
sacred waters of the Pushkar Lake. Apart from the religious rituals and
festivities, people participate in a number of cultural and sporting events. 
Races
and competitions are organized. Camels lope across the sands sometimes
throwing their riders on to the vast sands, amidst cheers and jeers from
thousands of spectators. An interesting event is the camel beauty contest,
where they are adorned and paraded. The camels preen before the crowds,
enjoying every moment of the attention they get. Dance music and colorful
shops spring up during this fair. Also on sale are mouth-watering
traditional delicacies. Colorfully attired village folk enhance the fun of
the occasion. A host of cultural event against the backdrop of this pretty
setting is also organized including attractive puppet shows. Cattle auction
and camel races are also a part of the festivities.