Renowned as a spiritual tourist attraction, Pushkar becomes a colourful fairground in the month of Kartik (October-November) when the annual Pushkar fair is held. During this time, the sacred little town looks like a centre of versatile tourist activities. Hindu pilgrims come for the holy dip in the Pushkar Lake, with the maximum gathering on Kartik Poornima (full-moon day of Kartik month). According to belief, a dip in the Pushkar Lake on this auspicious occasion brings salvation to devotees.

Pushkar’s Brahma temple is the only place in the world where Lord Brahma (The Creator of the world, according to Hindu mythology) is worshipped. The temple holds special significance for Hindus and has a life-size four-armed idol of Lord Brahma. It has marble floors and stairs where it is customary for the devotees to put coins to mark the births and deaths of their loved ones. The second most important temple in Pushkar is Savitri Temple, dedicated to goddess Savitri, wife of Lord Brahma. Located just behind the Brahma Temple on a hilltop providing a panoramic view of the scenic Pushkar Lake.

The Varah Temple is also one of the most sacred temples in Pushkar, dedicated to Lord Vishnu in His incarnation of the wild boar. Legend has it that Lord Vishnu rescued Mother Earth in the incarnation of a Varah (wild boar) and slew the atrocious demon Hirnayaksh who had captured the planet.

The Rangji Temple strikes one with its magnificent South Indian style of architecture. The temple, which houses a huge image of Lord Vishnu, has a high rising ‘Gopuram’ (large gate) and Garuda pillars studded with in gold.

There are about 400 temples in Pushkar including Apteshwar Temple, Mahadev Temple, Gayatri Temple, Raghunath Temple, Pap Mochini Temple, Ramavaikunth Temple and the Saraswati Temple. The Man Mahal and Puskar Palace are historical forts and palaces. It is said that Lord Brahma’s lotus fell on the earth and a lake of clear blue water emerged at its place. 400 temples 52 palaces and 52 ghats surround the lake where the world renowned Pushkar fair is organized on the occasion of Kartik Purnima every year. The bank of the Puskar Lake certainly relaxes one’s mind in the evening after a day-long sojourn in the bustling fairs.

Ramesh Kumar Sharma