|
|
|
|
| |
| |
| About Pushkar (11kms from Ajmer):
|
Pushkar is sacred to the Hindus and the lake is believed to have been created by Lord Brahma himself and has the same sanctity for Hindus as Mansarover in Tibet. No pilgrimage is complete without a visit to Pushkar. For most believers it is essential to visit Pushkar at least once in their lifetime.
Today, there are as many as 400 temples in Pushkar and the lake is circled by 52 ghats built over several years by several kings and nobles. The most important temples are dedicated to Lord Brahma, Shiva, Badri Narayan, Varaha, Gayatri and Savitri. The important ghats are the Varaha, Brahma and Gau.
The lake is situated on the edge of the desert, surrounded by hills on three sides, and is separated from Ajmer by ‘Nag Pahar’-the snake mountain. On this mountain are situated the Panchkund and the cave of the saint Agastya.
It is believed that Kalidas-the 4th century sanskrit poet and playwright, chose the setting for his masterpiece Abhigyanam Shakuntalam in this forest heritage.
The pilgrims take a holy dip in the Pushkar Lake.
|
| Legend
|
According to legend, the origin of Pushkar dates aback to the time when lord Brahma was on his way in search of a tranquil land to perform a Yagna. A lotus fell from His hands into this valley. A lake sprang up on this spot and was dedicated to him. A Brahma temple located here is a popular place of pilgrimage.
Pushkar is a maze of temples, ashrams and dharamshalas (rest houses) offering a spectacular view of the desert at sunset from the hills around the village.
|
| A site to delight
|
It is also the site for one of the largest cattle fairs in the world. For 12 days in the month of Kartik, (falls sometime in November), the sleepy little town is taken over by lakhs of animals and visitors. The cattle fair and the mela are believed to be the most colourful animal fair in the world.
The beauty of rural Rajasthan gets concentrated within the radius of a few miles and the fair is overwhelming in its magnitude and visual impact. The fair attracts many people many of whom are tourists.
It prides itself on being the site of the only temple of the Hindu God of Creation, Brahma. Its location near Delhi, yet at the heart of Rajasthan, makes Pushkar the perfect destination for travelers. A night safari to the desert in the colourfully decked up camel buggies is a most romantic experience.
|
| Conclusion
|
Pushkar Fair is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that one would like to repeat.
|
| Location
|
11 kms. from Ajmer
|
|
