India Travel Guide > Rajasthan Travel Guide > Pushkar Travel Guide

Situated on the fringe of the desert and surrounded by hills on three sides, Pushkar is a laid back town. A very important pilgrimage spot for Hindus, Pushkar is famous for its lake. It is believed that Lord Brahma set out on a quest for a tranquil spot to perfom a yagna (ceremonial sacrifice) when a lotus fell from his hand. A lake sprang forth from the ground at the spot where the lotus fell.

Pushkar - RajasthanAnother legend also links Pushkar to Brahma, but in a slightly different manner. A demon Vajra Nabh had become quite a nuisance for the people on Earth, and the Creator of the Universe Brahma decided to put an end to him. Brahma floated down to terra firma on his lotus and slew Vajra Nabh with a lotus blossom. The petals landed on the ground and three beautiful lakes gushed out of the ground. Brahma then performed a yagna attended by all the gods and goddesses.

However, there’s a catch to this story. Brahma’s wife Saraswati was busy elsewhere and couldn’t make it to the yagna. Now since the presence of a wife was crucial for the ceremony, Brahma maried a maiden called Gayatri. Saraswati, like most wives, couldn’t stomach her husband being stolen by someone else and promptly flew into a rage, cursing Brahma that he would never be worshipped at any other place other than at Pushkar. As the curse took effect the moment it was uttered and couldn’t be revoked, the Brahma temple in Pushkar is the only one in the world where Brahma is worshipped, although His statues do exist in various parts of India.

large accumulation of travel attractions, Pushkar is famous for its picturesque sites as well as more than 400 temples. The most important of the temples is the Brahma Temple (only temple of Lord Brahma, the creator, in the world). Other important temples are Savitri Temple, Mahadeva Temple, Rangji Temple, and Varaha Temple. Pushkar Lake is the site of annual holy bath on Kartik Purnima. Pushkar Bazaar is famous for its high range of handicrafts. Another important attraction in the city is Man Mahal built by Raja Man Singh of Amber.