Pushkar is a sacred Hindu place of pilgrimage at a distance of 17 km from Ajmer railway station in Rajasthan. Though being a famous place of worship for all Hindus of the World and from tourist point of view, yet Pushkar has no direct railway line even in post independent India known for peaceful and tranquil surroundings; foreign as well as domestic tourists rush Pushkar to wash off their sins and to enjoy the secluded nature of the lake and the orthodox life style of the people.
The Pushkar derives its name from Pushkar Lake, deduced from a legend that this lake was created from the petal of a flower that fell from the celestial palm of Brahma (The Creator) at this place and the lake took the formation. Brahma is one of the trinity Gods in Hindus.This holy lake finds mention in Hindu scriptures, like Ramayan, Mahabharat and Vaman Puran.Rishi Vishwameter, Pandhav brothers and Bakth Prahlad visited this side to offer prayers and to bathe in this lake. The only temple dedicated to Brahma through out India is located in Pushkar. In Bethore town near Kanpure (U.P) there is a sort of small temple called Brahma Koti which is worshipped by believers. Local legend says that it is the arrow shot by Brahma at the centre of earth. By appearance it is the shaft of an arrow stuck in the ground. Temples of Waraha and Apteshwar are in Pushkar. This obviously shows that Pushkar has great sanctity and religious significance. Embankment of this lake was carried out by Pritharas ruling clan in 7th century followed by raising of temples and ghats by various kings from time to time in reverence of the Lake. Mughals had made Pushkar a place of retreat, whenever they visited Ajmereshrief.The lake is circled by 52 ghats and about 400 temples. Pushkar town is dotted with two hillocks crowned with temples of Gyatri and Savitri Devies.
Here the socio, religious and economic activities revolves round the lakeside ghats and temples. Life, here is harmonious mix of spirituality and commerce. The calmness of the area, the vibrant colourful bazzars, the smiling innocent faces of people, attired in Rajasthani dresses, with huge coloured turbans capped on their heads fascinate foreigners tourists round the year. The main Sadar bazaar is spectacular promenade along the ghats of lake for every visitor. One can come across brisk movements of locals and tourists in and around the chain of shops. Shops are filled with varieties of items that are preferred by the tourists. Boiled milk in wide vessels with crest of cream over large gas stoves on the margin of walkway pulls pedestrians to have taste of hot glass of milk.
Reflection of descending Sun in evening hours is most watchful moment on the bank of Pushkar lake. The image formation of setting Sun on the surface of lake, which gets disturbed with the ripples caused by the evening breeze at times and fading light creates serene and soothing environment for viewers. Foreigners gather at the ghat on Parikrama Marg on eastern side on the steps to have the full view of the Nature. The silent atmosphere gets intercepted either by the drum beats synchronised with the dancing youth or by the flute tune played by some foreign lads on the bank. The local gypsy couple also ramble along the ghat singing locally composed ballads in praise of Rajput warriors on Iktara (single wire sitar) with the hope that the assembled tourists would pay them some coins for their evening meals. Their pitch of singing shrills across all the layers of air in the vicinity. Various birds including aquatic do not lag behind in twittering their melody when they return to their nestling within the circumference of the lake area at Sunset.
Crowds of devotees flock this lake in the month of Kartik-Purnima (Hindu calendar) in Oct-Nov months as auspicious period for a dip in lake. These months become enthralling with much anticipated annual cattle fair. Cattle fair is believed to be the largest in the world. Villagers in large numbers from different townships come down to Pushkar along with their camels, cattle, horses to sell or buy their livestock. Temporary tents and campsites are raised in open ground to accommodate the influx of villagers. Festive funfair atmosphere get generated here. Wrestling, horse race, camel races and mimicker skits are organised in open air amidst thunderous cheers from large audience, squatted on sandy soil to be part of this happiness. Villagers have their grub from the movable stalls which sell food varieties near the pavilion where the fair is conducted. Rajasthani fast coloured dresses worn by both genders looks amazing to the eyes, especially the damsels with silver coloured bracelets and anklets and covered faces wandering in and out of fair area.
The fair culminates on the night of full moon (Purnimasi) when all villagers throng the lake ghats for enmasse bath in the holy lake. At dusk hours these devotees lit clay lamps and are set afloat on a leaf in this lake. Holy lake looks like the twinkling starry dust of milkyway.
Now, the Rajasthan Govt. has taken up renovation of this Pushkar Lake from tourist point of view. The lake is desilated. Its bottom is being reconstructed with concrete cement and its embankments are raised with polished stone structures along the Ghats to make it more attractive and clean. All the water from the Puskar pond has been drained out except a small side rill which is being used by pilgrims for bath in holy water.
The Pushkar derives its name from Pushkar Lake, deduced from a legend that this lake was created from the petal of a flower that fell from the celestial palm of Brahma (The Creator) at this place and the lake took the formation. Brahma is one of the trinity Gods in Hindus.This holy lake finds mention in Hindu scriptures, like Ramayan, Mahabharat and Vaman Puran.Rishi Vishwameter, Pandhav brothers and Bakth Prahlad visited this side to offer prayers and to bathe in this lake. The only temple dedicated to Brahma through out India is located in Pushkar. In Bethore town near Kanpure (U.P) there is a sort of small temple called Brahma Koti which is worshipped by believers. Local legend says that it is the arrow shot by Brahma at the centre of earth. By appearance it is the shaft of an arrow stuck in the ground. Temples of Waraha and Apteshwar are in Pushkar. This obviously shows that Pushkar has great sanctity and religious significance. Embankment of this lake was carried out by Pritharas ruling clan in 7th century followed by raising of temples and ghats by various kings from time to time in reverence of the Lake. Mughals had made Pushkar a place of retreat, whenever they visited Ajmereshrief.The lake is circled by 52 ghats and about 400 temples. Pushkar town is dotted with two hillocks crowned with temples of Gyatri and Savitri Devies.
Here the socio, religious and economic activities revolves round the lakeside ghats and temples. Life, here is harmonious mix of spirituality and commerce. The calmness of the area, the vibrant colourful bazzars, the smiling innocent faces of people, attired in Rajasthani dresses, with huge coloured turbans capped on their heads fascinate foreigners tourists round the year. The main Sadar bazaar is spectacular promenade along the ghats of lake for every visitor. One can come across brisk movements of locals and tourists in and around the chain of shops. Shops are filled with varieties of items that are preferred by the tourists. Boiled milk in wide vessels with crest of cream over large gas stoves on the margin of walkway pulls pedestrians to have taste of hot glass of milk.
Reflection of descending Sun in evening hours is most watchful moment on the bank of Pushkar lake. The image formation of setting Sun on the surface of lake, which gets disturbed with the ripples caused by the evening breeze at times and fading light creates serene and soothing environment for viewers. Foreigners gather at the ghat on Parikrama Marg on eastern side on the steps to have the full view of the Nature. The silent atmosphere gets intercepted either by the drum beats synchronised with the dancing youth or by the flute tune played by some foreign lads on the bank. The local gypsy couple also ramble along the ghat singing locally composed ballads in praise of Rajput warriors on Iktara (single wire sitar) with the hope that the assembled tourists would pay them some coins for their evening meals. Their pitch of singing shrills across all the layers of air in the vicinity. Various birds including aquatic do not lag behind in twittering their melody when they return to their nestling within the circumference of the lake area at Sunset.
Crowds of devotees flock this lake in the month of Kartik-Purnima (Hindu calendar) in Oct-Nov months as auspicious period for a dip in lake. These months become enthralling with much anticipated annual cattle fair. Cattle fair is believed to be the largest in the world. Villagers in large numbers from different townships come down to Pushkar along with their camels, cattle, horses to sell or buy their livestock. Temporary tents and campsites are raised in open ground to accommodate the influx of villagers. Festive funfair atmosphere get generated here. Wrestling, horse race, camel races and mimicker skits are organised in open air amidst thunderous cheers from large audience, squatted on sandy soil to be part of this happiness. Villagers have their grub from the movable stalls which sell food varieties near the pavilion where the fair is conducted. Rajasthani fast coloured dresses worn by both genders looks amazing to the eyes, especially the damsels with silver coloured bracelets and anklets and covered faces wandering in and out of fair area.
The fair culminates on the night of full moon (Purnimasi) when all villagers throng the lake ghats for enmasse bath in the holy lake. At dusk hours these devotees lit clay lamps and are set afloat on a leaf in this lake. Holy lake looks like the twinkling starry dust of milkyway.
Now, the Rajasthan Govt. has taken up renovation of this Pushkar Lake from tourist point of view. The lake is desilated. Its bottom is being reconstructed with concrete cement and its embankments are raised with polished stone structures along the Ghats to make it more attractive and clean. All the water from the Puskar pond has been drained out except a small side rill which is being used by pilgrims for bath in holy water.
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