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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
Fair & Festivals
Pushkar Fair 
The well-known and marked with largest participation of all the
festivals of Rajasthan, Pushkar is an important pilgrimage as well
as the venue of a mammoth cattle fair. Bazaars, auctions, music
and sports are highlight of this event.
The Pushkar Fair, a major tourist attraction draws people from all
over the globe to the ancient and secluded environment of Pushkar
town. Pushkar Fair is perhaps the largest cattle fair in the
world. Rajasthan which is enriched by cattle wealth is the home to
many recognized breeds of cattle.
The world-famous Fair is held in the sacred and peaceful town of
Pushkar, 11 kms. north-west of Ajmer. It transforms into a
spectacular fair ground for twelve days during the month of Kartik
(Oct-Nov).
Rajasthan's most famous fair, it brings together camel traders,
pilgrims visitors, and those who're here simply to participate in
one of the season's most colorful social events, Besides tented
camps, there are hundreds of shops selling everything from
handicrafts to spices, foodstuff and jewellery, for visitors a
number of activities are also arranged but most simply with to
stay within fair grounds to watch the fascinating Rajasthani
village metamorphose before their eyes.
Pushkar History
Historically, Pushkar always had great strategic importance and
was sacked by Mahumud of Ghazni on one of his periodic forays from
Afghanistan. Later it became a favorite residence of the great
Moghula. One of the first contacts between the Moghula and the
British occurred in Pushkar when Sir Thomas Roe met with Jahangir
here in 1616. The city was subsequently taken by the Scindias and,
in 1818, it was handed over to the British, becoming one of the
few places in Rajasthan controlled directly by British rather than
being part of a princely state.
Places to see
Temples
Pushkar boasts tem ples,
through few are as ancient pilgrimage site many were destroyed by
Aurangzeb and subsequently rebuilt. The most famous is what is
said to be the only temple in India dedicated to Brahma. It's
marked by a red spire and over the entrance gateway is the Hans,
or goose symbol, of Brahma, who is said to have personally chosen
Pushkar as its site. The Rangji Temple chosen is also important.
The one - hour trek up to the hilltop temple overlooking the lake
is best made early in the morning; the view is magnificent.
Ghats Numerous ghats run down to the lake, and pilgrims are
constantly bathing in the lake's holy waters. If you wish to join
them, do it with respect - remove your shoes, don't smoke and
don't take photographs. This is not Varanasi and the pilgrims here
can be very touchy about insensitive instruction by non - Hindus. |