Visit to Brahma Temple and Pushkar Lake, Rajasthan
Brahma Temple in Pushkar
The Pushkar city around the lake has around 400 temples, the most famous being the Brahma temple.
There is an interesting story how and why the temple came to exist here in Pushkar. Lord Brahma, together with all the gods and goddesses performed a ‘Yagna’ (ritual done in front of a sacred fire, often with mantras) at the lake. According to the story, Brahma’s wife Savitri was not present at the Yagna, so to complete the formalities Brahma married another woman. Savitri was displeased by Brahma’s act, in a rage she cursed that Brahma would never be worshipped anywhere else on Earth. As a result this is the only known temple in the world, where Lord Brahma is worshipped.
Built in 14th century, it is the only temple in the world to be dedicated to Lord Brahma. The temples of Pushkar were ruined by Aurangzeb, particularly the Varaha temple. It is said Aurangzeb was quite disappointed with the enormous statue of Varaha, the god with the body of a man and the head of a wild boar! No photography was allowed inside.
Sri Jagat Pita Brahma Mandir Pushkar
There is a swan at the entrance of the temple crowned with a red spire. Inside there is a turtle made of silver, placed when the temple was rebuilt in 1809. The temple walls and floors were studded with coins, placed by devotees to commemorate the death and birth of near and dear ones.
52 Bathing Ghats of Pushkar Lake
Pushkar Lake is one of the most holy places for Hindus, a prominent spot of pilgrimage and one of the rare place in India with a temple dedicated to Lord Brahma, the creator of Universe.
‘Pushkar’ in Sanskrit means born out of a flower. The legend of Pushkar Lake is that: A demon Vajra Nabha who had killed Lord Brahma’s children was struck dead by Brahma with his weapon, a lotus flower. The petals from the lotus flower fell at three places, lakes sprung up in these places. One of them, the largest is the Pushkar.
Yet another story is: Lord Brahma built the lake by combining the waters of other Hindu holy sites such as Badrinath, Jagannath, Rameshwaram and Dwarka.
Pushkar Lake
Chattri in the centre of Pushkar Lake
There are 52 bathing ghats (series of steps leading to the lake) and 400 temples around the Pushkar Lake. Hindus consider it holy taking a dip there. Water at each of these ghats is believed to have miraculous healing power. Each ghat is constructed for a Rajput Maharaja, who used to worship and pay respect to their local deities and other Hindu gods.
The water around Roop Tirth gives beauty and charm,
A dip in the Kapil Vyapi Kund helps in curing leprosy,
Mrikand Muni Kund is believed to grant the boon of wisdom,
Naga Kund is believed to give fertility.
Gobind Ghat built by the Sikhs in the memory of Guru Gobind Singh
Balinda Ghat, Chir Ghat, Gwalior Ghat, Indra Ghat, Jagnnath Ghat, Jaipur Ghat, Janana Ghat, Jodhpur Ghat, Kota Ghat, Varaha Ghat, Pushkar Ghat and more.
Two ghats have special significance:
Gau Ghat, where ashes of political leaders like Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and Lal Bahadur Shastri were immersed.
Brahma Ghat, where it is believed that Lord Brahma himself worshipped and performed a yagna. He had invited all celestial beings across the Hindu pantheon.
I did not take a dip; instead I took handful of water from some of the ghats poured it over my head and sprinkled over others.
Pujari offering prayers for devotees
Pushkar Palace
Pushkar Palace, now a hotel, is located on the banks of the beautiful Pushkar Lake. The picturesque location, just by lakeside, makes the hotel palace a romantic and rejuvenating getaway. It was once the residence of the Maharaja of Kishangarh and now it offers a grand stay to the niche segment of tourists looking for luxury experience.
Pushkar Palace
Fauna in Pushkar Lake
We walked along the shore of Pushkar Lake for sometime. Even though the place had high human traffic there was no chaos. A calm atmosphere prevailed, at one point I saw Wild Geese and Black Necked Stilt birds wading in the waters.
Water birds of Pushkar Lake
Things to Do in Pushkar
Besides being well known for the Brahma Temple and the Pushkar Lake, Pushkar is also well known for Gurdwaras for Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh.
For the World, Pushkar is famous for the Pushkar Camel Fair. It is the world’s largest camel fair.
Shopping in Pushkar is another interesting activity to do there. You get all kinds of garments, a mixture of hippie and ethnic style, from bandanas to shirts; you will get good choice to choose from. Rose is one of the important exports of Pushkar. You can find rose based products like oil, perfumes, essential oils, gulkand, sherbet, rose water, and cosmetic items.
Visit the popular markets: Sadar Bazaar, Kedalganj Bazaar, Sarafa Bazaar.
Tips for Tourists to tour Pushkar
Pushkar is considered very sacred so prepare yourself to face strict rules that don’t offend the pilgrims and staunch devotees
- Do not smoke in public, it is strictly prohibited by law.
- No consumption of liquor, meat and eggs is allowed in the city.
- No public displays of physical affection.
- There are some unspoken dresses norms like: Men should wear full length pants and a T-shirt and women must wear full-length clothes, no bare shoulders.
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(Updated post. This was first published on April 27, 2009.)
Excellent pushkar
As always…enlarging your pictures, I almost feel like I am there.
I’d be scared of what I would do to that water, if my horns touched it…. giggle :0)! That’s what happens when my day starts off with a good laugh (referring to top post)…feels good!
nice captures. I am planning to attend that event.
Your pictures of Pushkar are absolutely beautiful. Thank you so much for telling us about this interesting place. I found your post to be fascinating.
Someday, if all thy blogs are compiled and published as a book and titled … “India by Indy”… who knows…. you might become like J K Rowling..!!!
Wow! Pushkar is so pretty. I would love to visit it and take a dip in the lake. 😛
thanks for sharing
just dropping by here again have a great day and happy blogging
I am reminded of my visit to Pushkar some years back. The pictures of the lake are beautiful.
That looks like such a wonderful place to visit 🙂
Informative and interesting post. I’m sure you were blessed with water sprinkled on your head.
I was thinking where I heard this name Pushkar and at end u remind me. Nice knowing about this place and the lake.
i’ve heard a lot abt the pushkar mela…
btw the last 2 pics are really nice
that was a wonderful post…
Beautiful location and the snaps. I liked the temple reflection in the water with the mountain in the background.
Very informative and great pictures..liked your simple and easy style
What an interesting peek into Pushkar, tks for that and happy week..well, weekend’s near – hugs/M
This is very informative post and thank you for writing about it. There is a temple here in LA and it has a lake,and lots of lotus flowers, too. It was founded by Paramahansa Yogananda.
I love the colors in the photograph. That turquoise and peach color are stunning together. Looks like such an interesting place. I like your write-up on it. What an interesting legend of the lotus flower.
Born out of flower.
That is very poetic. And that legend is quite fascinating. I would love to learn Sanskrit…but first I’d love to go to India!
a very nice blog you have….I want to visit rajasthan….so many things to do…so less time….
It is so nice to see something from India and learn more about ancient cultures that is so very different from our western european way of living. Thank you for sharing and have a great week!
Thanks for sharing. Very interesting. I think that camel fair would be extremely interesting to see!
India is such a BEAUTY 🙂
I must take a vacation to India,
than I can see everything
with my eyes:)
Born out of a flower,
sounds funny 🙂
But interesting!!
Oepssssss I didn’t now that
a lotusflower can kill 😉
If I were you than I have jumped
in the water,
you never know what
you’re missing….
Thank you for sharing a piece of history! And what lovely photos! =)
India us indeed steeped with so much history. Makes me want to explore it all the more. Thanks for a very interesting and informative post complete with beautiful photos.
Every time I come here I learn something about India and I admire your beautiful photos of amazing buildings, the likes of which are not found in Europe! Thanks for sharing your world and for your visit.
Very interesting, looks like a beautiful and peaceful place.
You have very interesting and educational blog about your own world. Thank you for embedding some history of your Pushkar. Beautiful pictures of your beautiful place.
I can’t hear enough of India! Thank you for sharing!
Very beautiful part of the world where you are. Each week your photos show the rich history and culture of your country. Lovely post. Have a nice day.
Very nice pictures and informative post.
I’ve never seen a photo of a ghat that I didn’t immediately fall in love with, and here is another!!
400 temples!! whoaa that is something cool! 🙂
Beautiful photos of Pushkar.
Mary Elizabeth @ Now and Then
Fine pictures and great information. ABC is broadcasting on TV a series about India. It is a fantastic country, so much culture and so “many” of everything. It is a whirlwind of colour, food, languages, stories etc.
I love the name of Pushkar! Lovely views, as always Indrani. I’ve always wanted to visit India and in the meantime, I get to enjoy your blog!
These myths are fascinating. That’s an intriguing place, to be sure.
Your posts are always so interesting and great shots too. Looks like a beautiful place.
How beautiful! Thank you so much for sharing the photos and providing information on them as well. I really enjoyed this.
I did enjoy this mmini history cum geography leson! It looks like a beautiful place, too. Thank you…
Beautiful shots, Indrani, and a wonderfully informative post! And like Erin, I learned what a ghat is. Thanks for all the lovely and interesting informtion. Have a great week!
That is such an interesting history… and a beautiful location!
Very interesting!I’m learning so much,today,from everyone’s posts.
Thank you for teaching me something today.
a very informative post and i learned what a ghat was. i always wondered what the stairs were that went down into the river other than being handy and useful.
thanks for sharing and have a wonderful week.
Indrani, what attractive images of the Pushkar city landscape. What a wonderful and interesting place!
Have a very nice day!