PUSHKAR
General Information about  Pushkar

Pushkar is 13km. from Ajmer. A winding road among the hills leads to Pushkar. The way is full of natural scenes. There are the rows of beautiful flower plants on either side of the road and the travellers get refreshed while travelling this place. One can see the buses, tongas, taxis and pedestrians on the road coming to and going from Pushkar. The road is always busy. The pedestrians enjoy their walk. They can have rest under the shady trees too. When a tourist or a pilgrim reaches Pushkar, he finds himself among the nature.

The town of Pushkar is far from the noisy environment of the city. When he reaches the Ghats, particularly the Ghats near the Sarovar Tourist Bungalow, he gets refreshed and loses his tiredness of his journey. Pushkar is situated at the foot of the hills which add to its beauty. Five rivers, Suprabha, Kanaka, Prachi Nanda, and Saraswati flow here and make the place more beautiful. The climate here is balanced. It is not as cold as the Himalays and not as hot Madras is. It has neither the dryness of Sindh nor the wetness of Bengal.

The Pushkar Lake is considered to be one of the holiest pilgrimage sites in India, the only one in the country associated with Lord Brahma. The place simply teems with the devotees and the holy men or sages in various garbs who come to the temple (Jagat Pita Shri Brahma Mandir) to pray and take a holy dip in the sacred waters of the Pushkar Lake. Apart from the religious rituals and festivities, people participate in a number of cultural and sporting events. The variety of folk dances and songs lend vivid splashes of colour and music to the atmosphere that is already charged with excitement of the camel races and the cattle fair. The bargaining process, which involves a great deal of haggling between the camel traders and the buyers, add to the spirit of the fair.

This fair attracts people not only from India but a large number of tourists from other countries as well. The Rajasthan tourism Development Corporation has taken adequate measures to facilitate convenient access of the fair site and to accommodate the fairgoers. The RTDC maintains the Pushkar tourist village and the Sarovar Hotel in Pushkar.
In the year 2001 the Pushkar Mela will be held from 9th to 11th November.

How to Reach Pushkar

GENERAL INFORMATION

Area: 5 sq.km.
Altitude: 486 meters
Climate: Mean Max. Mean Min.
Summer: 37.7° C 23.3° C
Winter: 15.5° C 3.7° C
Rainfall: 38 to 51 cms.
Clothing:
Summer: Light Tropical
Winter: Woollen
Best Season: July-March
Languages: Rajasthani, Hindi, English.

In the month of Kartik each year, a staggering number of camels travel their way across the golden sands of Rajasthan to collect at Pushkar for the week-long fair devoted to them. Coming in from all directions, their masters astride them, they flick the sand at every step with casual ease. The horses that march to this site find the sand-trot a touch exercise. Numerous cows and sheep also come to the animal fair. Completing the scene thousands of men, women and children, come with their beasts, suddenly inhabiting the barren plain with the camel providing the backdrop.

The contrast to the dull desert landscape is the riot of colours - the large gaudy turbans of the native males arriving here to trade their animals or set up the stalls to cater to the booming captive market, and the loud hues of the pleated ghagaras (ankle-length skirts) of the women bangled by the armful, bejewelled from head to toe- adding charm and zest to the massive affair. 

Pushkar Lake: The lake is situated on the edge of the desert and surrounded by hills on three sides, is separated from Ajmer by ‘Nag Pahar’-the snake mountain. On this mountain the Panchkund and the cave of the saint Agastya are located. It is believed that Kalidas-the 4th century sanskrit poet and playright , chose the setting for his masterpiece Abhigyanam

Shakuntalam in this forest heritage. 

According to legend , the origin of Pushkar dates aback to the time when lord Brahma was on his way in search of a tranquil land to perform a Yagna. A lotus fell from the hands   of the lord into this valley. A lake sprang up on this spot and was dedicated to him. A Brahma temple located here is a popular place of pilgrimage.

Pushkar Fair: It is one of the most colorful fairs of India. Lakes of pilgrims throng the lake during the annual cattle fair. Besides trading of horses, camels, cows and bulls, there are exciting camel-cart races and cultural events. Cloths, household items and leather goods are for sale during the fair. On the full moon of Kartik(Nov.) pilgrims take a holy dip in the lake.

Man Mahal: Along the banks of the Pushkar Lake is the former residence of Raja Man Singh of Amer, Man Mahal. Presently it is converted to RTDC Sarover Tourist Bungalow ensuring convenient accommodation to travellers.Pushakar palace ( Kishangarh House) adjoining it is a heritage hotel.

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