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.
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