Pushkar in Rajasthan is cupped between hills on three sides and sand dunes on the remaining side. An ancient town that hums its own rhythm, the place is about religion, heritage, culture, and warmth rolled into one panoramic landscape. Standing by the magnificent Pushkar Lake, the town is unlike any other tourist destination you may come across in India and yet it hits the right notes as a traveler’s paradise. There are many things to indulge in and explore in this majestic town. Read further to know about the best places to visit in Pushkar on your trip.
Places to visit in Pushkar:
Pushkar Lake ! Brahma Temple ! Varah Temple ! Man Mahal ! Rangji Temple ! Savitri Temple ! Gurudwara Singh Sabha ! Naga Pahar ! Rose Garden
Pushkar Lake
Legend has it that a lotus fell from the hands of Lord Brahma, the god of creation, and Pushkar Lake was born, making it as old as creation itself. Hindu mythology speaks about Panch Sarovars (Five Lakes) – Man Sarovar, Bindu Sarovar, Narayan Sarovar, Pampa Sarovar and Pushkar Sarovar, of which, Pushkar Lake is considered to be the most sacred. Devotees believe that bathing in the waters of the lake on Kartik Poornima (during the Pushkar Fair) will nullify sins and cure all skin diseases. This artificial lake has been created by building a dam and lies nestled in the folds of the Aravalli range, surrounded by a desert and hills on all sides. The lake has 52 bathing ghats (steps leading into the water) and the water around each ghat is believed to possess special medicinal powers. The Pushkar Lake is a popular destination for pilgrims, as evidenced by the over 500 temples that dot the banks of the lake.
Brahma Temple
Those who follow Hinduism believe that Lord Brahma is the Creator and worship him. In spite of the importance attached to Lord Brahma, there are only three temples for him all over the world and only one in India. Pushkar gains additional importance as Brahma Temple is seen here. The temple and its surroundings are unique. The temple structure is built of marble and it is beautiful. Though Pushkar has many temples, Brahma Temple stands apart for its magnificence.
Varaha Temple
Varaha temple is the largest and the most ancient temple of Pushkar. Constructed by the 12th century ruler, King Anaji Chauhan, this temple is dedicated to the third incarnation of Lord Vishnu as a wild boar. Legend has it that Varaha rescued the earth from depth of the primeval water, where it was dragged down by a demon (Hirnayaksh). It is one of the most visited temples in Pushkar.
Man Mahal, Pushkar
Considered to be the largest and the most luxurious royal residence built in the town, the Man Mahal is one of Pushkar’s major tourist attractions. It was constructed by Raja Man Singh-I as a guest house. Situated adjacent to the Pushkar Lake, the palace offers a breath-taking view of the lake and the temples surrounding it. Today, the palace functions as a heritage hotel. If you can’t afford a stay in this royal residence, you can always take a walk up to it and take a look at its exemplary architecture.
Ranji Temple
A unique feature of the Ranji Temple is that it exhibits South Indian architectural style, which is not common in Pushkar. But the grandeur of the temple is unmistakable. This popular place of worship is dedicated to Lord Rangii, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu. The temple dates back to 1823 and is considered to be among the new temples of Pushkar.
Savitri Temple
Perched on Ratnagiri hill behind Brahma temple, Savitri temple is one of the most visited temples in the city. It is a part of an interesting legend and is one of the few temples dedicated to Goddess Savitri, the first wife of Lord Brahma. A half an hour trek would lead you to this beautiful temple and would also provide some breathtaking views of the city.
Gurudwara Singh Sabha
Gurudwara Singh Sabha, situated in the eastern part of Pushkar, was built in the beginning of the 19th century to commemorate the visits of the first and the tenth gurus- Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Govind Singhji.
Naga Pahar, Pushkar
If you are looking for places to visit in Pushkar and Ajmer, you must not miss out on Naga Pahar, a hill that stands as the divider between Pushkar and Ajmer. If local legends are to be believed, the hill was once of a colossal height. But with time, its height began to diminish. The prevalent belief is that one day, the hill will completely disappear. Whether you believe in this or not, you won’t regret making a trip to the top of this mound. The fascinating view from the top will leave you mesmerized for sure! No wonder, photographers often make it a point to capture stunning views of the town below from this hill.
Rose Garden, Pushkar
Pushkar is often referred to as the Rose Garden of Rajasthan due to the rose farming done there. You can take some time off and pay a visit to one of the rose farms and watch the lovely flowers in bloom. It will be a delight to take a look at the various varieties of rose plants filling up acres of farmland and spreading their fragrance. Roses from Pushkar are exported all over the world and they are enticing enough to make you want to spend some time in their company.