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Rajasthan Travel Guide

Ajmer Travel Guide

Excursions of Ajmer

Pushkar
For a devout Hindu Pushkar is a very important pilgrim centre, for one visit to this holy place in a lifetime is highly prescribed.
Brahma forms the great Hindu trilogy of Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva, each symbolising the lifecycle of birth, preservation and destruction. Brahma the creator is depicted as of four bearded heads and four hands each holding a book of Vedas (knowledge). His vehicle is the swan and his consort is Savitri.

According to the legend Pushkar means a pond created by flower, was formed when Brahma dropped a lotus flower on the earth to determine a place for his yagna, a holy sacrifice. The story goes that Brahma wanted to perform the yagna at the most auspicious time but his consort Savitri whose presence at the yagna was vital for its performance kept him waiting. Irritated by this Brahma married Gayatri, a milkmaid and installed her instead.

Savitri on seeing someone else in her place was infuriated and cursed Brahma that he would be forgotten by people on earth and never worshiped. She relented on pleas from other Gods that he could only be worshiped in Pushkar, hence there are no Brahma Temples elsewhere.

Pushkar is a much loved tourist destination, many who visit there just fall in love with the place and overstay. Situated on the edge on the desert it is separated from Ajmer by the Nag Parbat (the snake hill). The town has very distinct tourist excitement with narrow lanes lined with shops selling various accessories and rooftop restaurants. Despite its high tourist profile the town maintains some mystical charm.

Pushkar is world famous for its cattle fair normally held in the Hindu month Kartika, which is around Oct-November. At this time the town jam-packed with tribal people from all over Rajasthan and tourist. It is commonly known as Camel fair, bringing with them several camels and cattle to the pilgrimage. A Fair ground is fashioned and is packed with shops selling souvenirs and eateries. Games and circus shows also goes on. And villagers come sell camels, horses, elephants and cattle and other livestock. Elaborate arrangement for staying of visitors is made including luxury tents. Just don’t miss the Pushkar Fair if you are India around that time.

Pushkar was also described by the eleventh - century Islamic scholar Alberuni as a place of high veneration for Hindus. Thus, the brilliantly garbed pilgrims who come to Pushkar Ajmer Rajasthan to bathe on the most auspicious bathing day of the year are following ago - old traditions that will undoubtedly continue far into the future. Visitors can only watch in wonderment as the pageant unfolds For the five days leading up to the full moon, the crowds begin to gather. All around are exuberant faces amid a sea of bright hues and shimmering ornaments. Among the crowds are large numbers of turbaned Rajputs and their gilt - veiled womenfolk. Members of other groups wear distinctive costumes But the serious business of Pushkar Fair is the pilgrimage tours. Worshippers crowd into the Brahma Temple, one of perhaps two or three temples in all of India dedicated to this divinity. Each visitor reaches up to ring a bronze bell announcing his or her arrival to the god. Offerings are made to the unique image of the four - headed deity. Al another temple, built by a wealthy patron in a South India style, pilgrims crowd around a pillar encrusted with panels of gold

Their spiritual duties fulfilled, the fairgoers enjoy the afternoon at competitions in camel racing, horsemanship, and tugs of war. Spectators roar at camel strength contests, in which the braying beasts are loaded with as many riders as they can bear. The overloaded animals stubbornly drop to their knees, dumping their riders in hilarious heaps. Finally, the throngs of happy pilgrims tour pack their bundles and head home, their hearts overflowing with memories of holy Pushkar Fairs and their spirits filled with peace