Best places to visit in Pushkar
Pushkar Lake
The famous Pushkar lake is located in the Ajmer district of Rajasthan and is surrounded by more than 52 bathing ghats. Legends have it that Lord Brahma was in search of a place to conduct a holy ceremony. He dropped a lotus to guide him. The place where the lotus fell is now Pushkar Lake. It is considered one of the most sacred water bodies for Hindus. Numerous pilgrims visit here to take a holy dip during the fair to cleanse sins.
Pushkar Camel Fair
The Pushkar Camel Fair is one of the most vibrant camel festivals in the country. This fair is organized during holy Kartik Purnima to boost the local camel and cattle traders’ business every year. It is an 8-day long, vibrant and colorful affair held in November.
Varaha Temple
One of the most famous of all Pushkar tourist spots, Varaha Temple, is located in the heart of the city. As we all know, Pushkar is the land of glorious dynasties and many sacred temples, and this beautiful temple does complete justice to its fame. This temple is dedicated to the powerful Hindu God, Lord Vishnu’s avatar Varaha, who was incarnated in the form of a boar.
Savitri Temple
The Savitri Temple, one of the most famous pilgrimage places to visit in Pushkar, has also been made to the list. As the name suggests, this temple is dedicated to Goddess Gayatri, the distressed wife of Lord Brahma. One needs to reach the Ratnagiri hilltop by climbing approximately 200 stairs.
One can take the help of the ropeway to reach the temple. The legend behind this temple is that Goddess Gayatri rested here during her visit to Pushkar. This temple is also known for its majestic architecture and scenic beauty.
Rangji Temple
Known for its South Indian architecture, The Rangji Temple is among the newer temples in the region. It was constructed under the rule of Seth Puran Mal Ganeriwal in 1823. It is one of the most pious shrines and has many tourist visitors. This temple is one of Pushkar’s few that incorporate South Indian architecture. It also contains architectural styles of Rajput and Mughal designs, making it unique. Being a Vishnu temple, you can see a large gathering of Vishnu devotees on important occasions.
Gurudwara Sahib Pushkar
This beautiful Gurudwara is also located in the heart of the town and is one of the most popular places to visit in Pushkar for Sikhs. It is believed that two of the Sikh Guru, Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh, rested here while on their visit to Pushkar. 10th Guru of the Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh, stayed here long. A stone slab with four different scripts, including Devanagari, Gurumukhi, Persian, and Roman, is inscribed at Gobind Ghat. Moreover, one of the prominent priests of this Gurudwara also has a handwritten copy of the Guru Granth Sahib, the essential religious scripture of Sikhism.
Man Mahal
The most prominent royal residence in Pushkar, Man Mahal, is one of the places to visit in Pushkar. Located beside Sarovar Lake, the view from here is engaging. You can see the entire expanse of Sarovar Lake and the surrounding regions. It was built for Raja Man Singh-I, who visited this place as a retreat center. Now the erstwhile royal guest house is a public guest house. It is open for visitors who can stay here and enjoy the many facets of Pushkar.
Man Mahal has commanding architecture that incorporates traditional Rajasthani architectural elements. There is a touch of Mughal influence in the design of the building. The palace is also called the Sarovar Hotel, given that it is a world-class stay offering an international ambiance to suit all types of visitors.
Pushkar Bazaar
The Pushkar Bazaar is among the top tourist destinations in Pushkar and the most popular places to visit in Pushkar. The assortment of items sold in this marketplace provides you with an insight into the culture here. All handicraft items and miscellaneous items sold here are reasonably priced. This market is famous for rose pulp. You can also purchase syrup and gulkhand, popular items sold in the shops here. Even though it is a bustling market, it is a beautiful place.
You can shop for Rajasthani costumes here. Be it the embroidered fabrics, utensils made of brass, glassware, leather bags made of camel skin, and belts. Several items are only sold in this bazaar and have a high demand with international visitors. Pushkar is a holy town, so many things sold here are of religious interest. There is a profound undercurrent of Hindu mythology in this bazaar, given that even the handicraft items incorporate elements of holiness.
Mahadeva Temple
This temple of Lord Shiva (Mahadeva), built in the early 19th century, is one of the most visited Pushkar tourist places, having enormous religious value. It is one of the oldest temples in this town and is known for its unmatched architectural style.
The best part about this temple is that the idol kept inside has five faces made of white marble and is decorated with beautiful ornaments. The courtyard of this temple is also decorated with pink-colored pillars, which adds to its beauty.