Festival Tours in Rajasthan
  
Every year thousands of devotees throng thelake around the full
moon day of Kartik Purnima in October-November to take a holy dip in the lake.
Huge and colorful cattle fair "The Pushkar Fair", is also held during
this time. Pushkar fair is well-known for it's Camel trading and other attractive
activities.
Activities
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.
History
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.
It is interesting to note that Brahma is not worshipped, even though he is one
of the Holy Trinity of Hinduism. Brahma, it is said, had descended on earth to
perform a Yajna (fire-sacrifice). His wife Savitri was not with him at that time
and the Yajna would be incomplete without her. Therefore, Brahma married a local
girl and sat down for the Yajna. Meanwhile Savitri landed on earth and, upon finding
this new bride sitting next to Brahma, cursed him that he would never be worshipped
anywhere else on earth.
Getting there
By Air
The nearest
airport from Pushkar is Jaipur. Jaipur is well connected to all the major cities
which includes Delhi, Mumbai, Calcutta, Jodhpur, Udaipur. Recently, flights to
Dubai has also started from Pushkar by Indian Airlines.
By Bus
Pushkar is 11 km from main Ajmer bus stand. Rajasthan Roadways run very comfortable
deluxe & air conditioned buses from Jaipur. There are buses from Jaipur to
Ajmer every 15 minutes, some nonstop. The roads are very good, and it takes around
2 hrs from Jaipur. You can also come by taxi.
By Train
The
nearest railway station for Pushkar is Ajmer, which is on the Broad Gauge and
hence connected to all the metro cities of India. There are daily trains from
Delhi in morning (Shatabdi Exp) and evening (Intercity Exp).
Gettig Around
Pushkar is a relatively small town and easy enough to get around on foot There
are no auto-rickshaw in the town center. A bicycle is best to get around.
Shopping
Pushkar main bazaar is a tangle of narrow lanes lined
with an assortments of interesting small shops.
Particularly good buys
include silver and beaded jewellery, embroidered fabrics, bed and cushion covers.
Rajasthani puppets and fusion music. Its also great place to but books. There's
is a excellent range of second hand novels in various language available.
Things to do Each year, up to 200,000 people flock to Pushkar for the Camel
Fair, bringing with them some 50,000 camels and cattle for several days of pilgrimage,
horse dealing, camel racing and colorful festivities.
The Rajasthan tourist
office has promoted the fair as an international attraction by adding Rajasthan
dance programs and other cultural events and by putting up a huge ten city for
the Indian and foreign visitor.
Places to See
Temples
Pushkar boasts temples, through few are as ancient pilgrimage site many were destroyed
by Aurangzeb and subsequently rebuilt. The most famous is what is said to be the
only temple in India dedicated to Brahma. It's marked by a red spire and over
the entrance gateway is the Hans, or goose symbol, of Brahma, who is said to have
personally chosen Pushkar as its site. The Rangji Temple chosen is also important.
The one - hour trek up to the hilltop temple overlooking the lake is best
made early in the morning; the view is magnificent.
Ghats
Numerous ghats run down to the lake, and pilgrims are constantly bathing in the
lake's holy waters. If you wish to join them, do it with respect - remove your
shoes, don't smoke and don't take photographs. This is not Varanasi and the pilgrim
here can be very touchy about insensitive instruction by non - Hindus.
.
|
