Location: Pushkar
Top Things to do in Pushkar
Top 10 Things to do in Pushkar, Rajasthan
Pushkar (Hindi: पुष्कर) is a town in the Ajmer district in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is situated about 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Ajmer and about 150 kilometres (93 mi) southwest of Jaipur. It is a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Sikhs. Pushkar has many temples. Most of the temples and ghats in Pushkar are from the 18th century and later, because many temples were destroyed during Muslim conquests in the area. Subsequently, the destroyed temples were rebuilt. The most famous among Pushkar temples is the red spired Brahma Temple built during the 14th century CE. . It is considered a sacred city by the Hindus particularly in Shaktism, and meat and eggs consumption are forbidden in the city. Pushkar is located on the shore of Pushkar Lake, which has many ghats where pilgrims bathe. Pushkar is also significant for its Gurdwaras for Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh. One of the bathing ghats is called Gobind ghat built by the Marathas in the memory of Guru Gobind Singh.
Restaurants in Pushkar
1. Pap Mochani Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 40 reviews
Reviewed By KrishnaBaba - Palolem, India
one of the special place s in pushkar.soaking with ancient spritual vibration.highly recommended to nake the trek up the hill for the stunning views over pushkar and the beautiful serene silence on top.best for early mornings or sunset time visits.
2. Savitri Temple
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 492 reviews
Reviewed By GlobeTrotting319709
It is worth the climb to see the temple especially at sunrise. Alternatively take the cable car - only 120 rupees return. Watch for the monkeys on the stairs, there are loads of them
3. Shiva textiles
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 6 reviews
4. Pushkar Camel Fair
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 120 reviews
The name 'Pushkar Fair' and "Pushkar ka Mela" gets many buyers both in India and the World as a whole. India, being a country of age old religions, countless temples and shrines and the rituals attached to them is home to thousands of fairs that occupy every season in a calendar year. Pushkar fair is one of the biggest events in India. And for a fair in India, it takes to be much more than just average to stand out. The significance of Pushkar Fair is many faceted which is closed intertwined with the unique features of the town of Pushkar. Situated near the famous city of Ajmer in Rajasthan, Pushkar is far away from the din and bustle of a modern city.
Reviewed By 849evelynw - Brisbane, Australia
The Pushkar Mela deserves a few days to soak up the atmosphere as hundreds of camels and horses and their owners converge on the small town of Pushkar. The Mela starts with an evening puja by the lake with lamps everywhere and blessings from the local priests. We also had our own puja so that we could avoid other people trying to sell us blessings! Walking around the camps in the early morning is the best time to take photographs and there are hundreds of camels on view. Later in the week the very distinctive Mewar horses arrive. These are far more valuable than the camels and are treated like royalty. Our guide’s cousin brought a stallion which was expected to win the top prize, as his father had before him, and was stunning. Horses are not ridden before the age of seven, unlike in most Western countries, and only the stallions wear bits when ridden.
5. Shiva Textile
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 18 reviews
Reviewed By chloegratton - Taunton, United Kingdom
This is great supplier for amazing Textiles & Interior products! A wonderful family run business ~ we know Micky well & he send us products from India to U.K. regularly! Highly recommend!
6. Gurudwara Sahib
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 31 reviews
Reviewed By curatorofmemories - Hyderabad, India
Gurdwara Singh Sabha is 13 kilometres from Ajmer. Pushkar was visited by Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh. The shrine commemorating the former Guru's visit was formerly called Guru Nanak Dharmasala but is now known as Gurdwara Singh Sabha and functions as a branch of Sri Guru Singh Sabha Ajmer. It is housed in a double-storey flat-roofed building near the bus stand. Guru Gobind Singh visited Pushkar during his travels in Rajputana in 1706. He was served by a priest named Chetan Das. The spot consecrated by the Guru's stay was called Gobind Ghat, but has now been renamed Gandhi Ghat. A stone slab under a kiosk still has Gobind Ghat inscribed on it, in Gurumukhi, Devanagari, Persian and Roman scripts. Formerly a Gurdwara manned by Nirmala Sikhs was at this location, on the first floor of the gateway to the Ghat, but it is no longer there
7. Pushkar Lake
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 2,931 reviews
Located in the small town of Pushkar in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan, The Pushkar Lake is one of the most prominent spots of pilgrimage as well as the site of the world famous Pushkar Fair. Encircled by numerous temples and ghats (bathing spots), the lake draws thousands upon thousands devotees every year to its threshold, to gain spiritual distinction and attain salvation by taking a dip in its holy waters. As the Kartik (Oct-Nov) month descends, the site becomes the focus of soulful devotion and pilgrimage as auspiciousness of this time is highly emphasized in Hindu sacred texts. At the same time, Pushkar Fair wonderfully exhibits the vibrancy of Rajasthan with exotic colors, dishes, dance, cattle fair and numerous entertaining contests and competitions. With amazing spiritual atmosphere, Pushkar Lake remains the site of timeless reverence and spirit.
Reviewed By prpal2009 - Navi Mumbai, India
Pushkar, one of the most ancient cities of India, has now turned into one of the most busiest tourist destination . Travellers rush into this small town in Aravalli mountain range in Rajasthan in the peak seasons (October – March) to explore the culture, heritage and various activities available here. The Guided Tour : We went to Pushkar for a day from Jaipur during our Rajasthan trip in the month of February ……. We started early morning from Jaipur to Pushkar by a cab via NH8 and reached there at about 10:30am. Generally, car is not allowed inside the area of Pushkar lake and adjacent market areas . So we walked about half a km from the car parking area through busy and narrow market place with shops selling bags, handicraft items and eateries …….. finally we reached the main Pushkar Lake . We were accompanied by a local person (not as so called guide) pre-arranged by our cab driver who took us around the Pushkar Lake ……. The Pushkar town is as such peaceful (except during the Pushkar Fair) yet there is so much that goes on here. Just sitting by the lake and soaking in the serenity is relaxing. Life is easy and unhurried in Pushkar. Everyone is chilled out as if life is in a slow mode. Pushkar is so very Rajasthani yet it is multicultural. I have never come across any other town with a similar appeal. There are 52 Ghats on Pushkar and each of these have a history. These ghats circle the lake. None of them were built at once but over hundreds of years. The most important Ghat is the Brahma Ghat …… Apart from this Brahma Ghat, Parshuram Ghat, Savitri Ghat and Gau Ghat are the most popular Ghats. The Brahmin Pandits are assigned to their respective Ghats. Shoes are not permitted on Ghats, you will find markings for removing shoe on each Ghat, it is best to comply with the guidelines. It is believed that taking a dip in the holy lake of Pushkar helps to wash away sins. Taking a holy dip on Kartik Purnima (based on Hindu calendar) which falls in the month of November is highly respected as per Hindu customs and draws thousands of devotees to the holy town. Pushkar Fair also concludes on this day. The lake’s origin is said to have spring from a lotus that fell from Brahma’s hand (Lord Brahma is the guardian of the lake). As part of the worship, Hindus light divyas (aka candles) as a prayer offering to the Gods and dieties ????????. You can walk the perimeter of the lake to witness worship at the other ghats. As night falls, travelers will hear Hindu chats and ringing bells beckoning from Pushkar Lake. That’s the evening aarti. Aarti can be performed an all of the 52 ghats surrounding the lake, however, the largest and most celebrated one is at Brahma Ghat ....... After visiting Pushkar Lake, we went to visit Brahma Temple very near to it ……… will give our story in a separate feed . Scam Tip : The lake has aggressive tout action. Touts attempt to sell tourists flowers or prayers. When you don’t give into their sway, they can curse you. Our local person gave us what they call the “Pushkar Passport”, a red string wrap, signifying a taken blessing. This also helps symbolize that the wearer has already gone through a tout in order to get it. Shopping in Pushkar : I’m sure the shops lining the market will tempt you with a variety of goods. Leather bags, artificial jewelry, clothes, and Rajasthani fabrics, decorative items, and display pieces will help you loosen the purse string. They are not very expensive in comparison to other places in Rajasthan. TIP: Don’t just buy instantly, look around and bargain. Getting to Pushkar : - We took a cab from Jaipur to Pushkar …… Very comfortable journey .The ride took about 3-3.5 hours. - Ajmer Railway Station is the station stop for Pushkar. Ajmer is a town located 11km away (a 20 minute taxi ride) from Pushkar. Once there, take the bus or hail a taxi to Pushkar. Outside the train station, there is a bus that goes to Pushkar every 15 minutes. You’ll have to ask a local (avoid asking taxis or handlers outside) as they’ll just direct you to a taxi. Still, a taxi is not a bad way to get there either. - The nearest airport is in Jaipur. From Jaipur it is just 3 - 3.5 hours journey by car and you can essentially do day tours to Pushkar . Need a place to stay ? I know few places for every budget ……. - 5* Luxury : Westin Resorts & Spa and Ananta Spa and Resorts. - Mid-range : Hotel Brahma Horizon, Treebo Pushkar Legacy or Hotel Mothi Mahal. - Budget Range : Zostel Hostel, The Hosteller or Shiva Guest House. A beautiful holy place ???????? …… but stay away from scams , priests and local guides !!
8. Varaha Temple
9. Old Rangji Temple
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 99 reviews
shri Ranganatha Venugopal Mandir (old), popularly known as Purana (old) Rangji Mandir is one of the oldest temple complexes in Pushkar built in 1844 AD. Old Rangji temple is an outstanding example of architecture combining the Dravidian and Rajasthani styles. The outer Parikrama with old Fresco paintings depicting the mythological legends is open to foreign tourist since 1864.
Reviewed By Buddi5
A beautiful old temple of Sri krishna with rukmini and satyabhama, on either side of this Sri Ramanuja charya and a small idol of ranganathar, a must see place at pushkar
10. Brahma Temple
Overall Ratings
3.5 based on 1,726 reviews
Reviewed By ankur23rana - New Delhi, India
This is the only temple in the world devoted to Lord Brahma. He sits in the temple with his wife, Saraswati. It is altogether a very different experience to visit a temple to worship a deity which you are sure to not see anywhere else. There is ample parking a few hundred meters from the temple. Pushkar is not a very big place and baring a couple of places, there is not much to see. Do remember to eat Kachori from there. Ask someone for Kumawat Sweets, his Kachories are famous. The temple remain closed from 1 to 4 pm, so plan your trip accordingly. There is strictly no photography allowed inside the temple.
