Pushkar
is a town in the Ajmer district in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is
situated 11 km northwest of Ajmer at an average elevation of 510 m and is one
of the five sacred dhams for devout Hindus. The charm of this sleepy, lakeside
settlement so captivated the great Indian poet, Kalidas,that it found a place
in his classic, Abhigyan Sakuntalam. The Great Hindu epics of Mahabharat and
Ramayana make references to this religious place regarded to be Adi Tiratha.
Evidence points to its having existed during the Fourth century B.C. Lake in
the inhospitable surroundings of a desert is no less than a miracle. According
to Hindu theology, the pond at the Katas Raj temple near choa saidan shah in
Chakwal District of Pakistan has a theological association with Lord Shiva; it
was formed by the tears of Lord Shiva which he is believed to have shed after
the death of his wife, Sati. The story goes that when Sati died, Lord Shiva
cried so much and for so long, that his tears created two holy ponds -- one at
Pushkara in Ajmer in India and the other at Ketaksha, which literally means
raining eyes, in Sanskrit. It is from this name that the word Katas is derived.
It is often called "Tirth Raj" - the king of pilgrimage sites - and
has in recent years become a popular destination for foreign tourists.
Pushkar
is one of the oldest existing cities of India. It lies on the shore of Pushkar
Lake. The date of its actual origin is not known, but legend associates Lord
Brahma with its creation.
Pushkar
has many temples. Most of the temples are not very old because many temples
were destroyed during Muslim conquests in the area. Subsequently, the destroyed
temples were rebuilt. The most famous among all is the Brahma Temple built
during the 14th century CE. Very few temples to Lord Brahma exist anywhere in
the world. Other temples of Brahma include Bithoor in Uttar Pradesh, India;
village Asotra near Balotra city of Barmer district in Rajasthan; Uttamar Kovil
(one of the Divya Desams) near Srirangam, Tamil Nadu; Mother Temple of Besakih
in Bali, Indonesia; and Prambanan in Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The Pushkar Lake
has 52 ghats where pilgrims descend to the lake to bathe in the sacred waters.
Pushkar
is also famous for its annual fair (Pushkar Camel Fair) held in November.
The
natural environment of Pushkar and the sacred lake has become increasingly
degraded in the last few decades. The problems stem mainly from over development
of tourist facilities and the deforestation of the surrounding area.
Pushkar
in Sanskrit means blue lotus flower. Hindus believe that the gods released a
swan with a lotus in its beak and let it fall on earth where Brahma would
perform a grand yagna. The place where the lotus fell was called Pushkar.
Pushkar word may be derived from word 'Pushkarni' means- Lake. It may be
derived from word Pushpa means flower and Kar means hand.
History
Pushkar
is one of the oldest cities of India. The date of its actual founding is not
known, but legend associates Lord Brahma with its creation.
One
of them is Pushkar, where a lake sprung into being. Sacred to Brahma, Pushkar
boasts of its temple dedicated to him, which is the only one of its kind in the
world
According
to legend, Brahma was in search of a place for Mahayagna and he found this
place suitable. After a long time, Brahma came to known that a demon,
Vajranash, was killing people here. When the demon Vajra Nabhakilled Brahma's
children, he in turn struck him with his weapon, a lotus flower. Vajra Nabha
died with the impact, and the petals of the lotus fell at three places. During
this process the parts of flower fell on three places which were later known as
Jyaistha, Madhya and Kanistha Pushkar. After this Brahma performed a yagna to
protect this place from demons. The consort of Brahma, Saraswati, was needed to
offer Ahuti for the yagna but she was not there that time so Gayatri, a Gurjar
girl, was married to brahma and performned yagna. This act made first wife of
Brahma, Saraswati, angry and she cursed Brahma saying that he would be
worshiped in Pushkar only. From that day the priests in Brahma temple are from
Gurjar community.
Brahma
is supposed to have performed sacrifice at this lake on Kartik Purnima (the
full moon day of the Kartik month), hallowing the place. A dip in the waters of
Pushkar and worship at his temple ensure salvation. So thousands flock to
Pushkar to observe the ritual on kartik Purnima, or on any of the four days
preceding it.
The
Mahabharata says that while laying down a programme for Maharaja Yudhishthara’s
travel, “Maharaja after entering the Jungles of Sind and crossing the small
rivers on the way should bathe in Pushkara". And, as per Vaman Purana, Prahlada on his
pilgrimage to holy places visited Pushkarayana.
A
Gurjara Pratihara (Gurjar) ruler of Mandore, Nahadarava, restored this tirtha
in the seventh century. He got the place cleared and the lake restored by
making an embankment on the side of the river Luni. He rebuilt old palaces and
built twelve dharmashalas (resting places) and ghats on three sides of the
lake.
According
to Rajputana Gazetteer Pushkar was held by Chechi Gurjars (Gujjars) till about
700 years ago.Later some shrines was occupied by Kanphati Jogis.
There
are still priests from Gujar community in Pushkar temple, known as Bhopas.
The
sage Parasara is said to have been born here. His descendants, called Parasara
Brahamanas, are found in Pushkar and the surrounding area. The famous temple of
Jeenmata has been cared for by Parasara Brahmans for the last 1,000 years.
Pushkarana Brahamanas may also have originated here.
It
is also the venue of the annual Pushkar Camel Fair.
Pushkar
Fair
Pushkar
fair continues for five days and these five days are a period of relaxation and
merry-making for the villagers. This fair time is the busiest time for them, as
this is one of the largest cattle fairs in the country. Animals, including over
50,000 camels, are brought from miles around to be traded and sold. Trading is
brisk as several thousand heads of cattle exchange hands. All the camels are
cleaned, washed, adorned, some are interestingly shorn to form patterns, and
special stalls are set up selling finery and jewellery for the camels. Camels
at the Pushkar fair are decorated with great care. They wear jewellery of
silver and beads. There are silver bells and bangles around their ankles that
jangle when they walk. An interesting ritual is the piercing of a camel's nose.
It has more than 400 temples including the only one temple in India dedicated
to the Hindu God Lord Brahma, the Creator of the Universe.
According
to Indian mythology, after visiting all the Hindu pilgrim towns and temples
(Four Dhams), if Pushkar is not visited for worship, then salvation is not
achieved. According to the Hindu calendar Pushkar Fair commences in Nawami
(ninth day of fortnightly phases of moon) and ends in Purnima (Full Moon) in
the month of Kartika (October or November according to the lunar calendar). In
Pushkar, one of the biggest Cattle Fair is also held for trading purposes and
the best cattle in all categories are awarded. Countless people in their colorful
attire gather to take a dip in the Holy Lake and pray to the deities. The whole
town comes alive with vibrant folk music and dances, magic shows, horse and
camel races and various other traditional entertainment competitions. Pushkar,
with more than 12 local fairs and festivals of 10 –15 days duration is a year
round destination. It is a mellow town by the great lake of Pushkar amidst the
perfume of jasmine and rose flowers. About 4,000 to 6,000 visitors from all
over the world come to Pushkar everyday.
Very
few, if at all any, fairs in the world can match the liveliness of Pushkar.
Most people associate the Pushkar Fair with the world's largest camel fair. But
it is much more than that.
It
is an occasion for villagers from far and near to gather together and enjoy a
welcome break from their harsh life of the arid desert.
It
is an occasion for Hindu pilgrims to converge for a holy dip in the sacred
Pushkar Lake to "wash away the sins of a lifetime" and pay obeisance
at the ONLY Brahma temple in the world.
For
the visitor, it is an unparalleled and unforgettable experience to capture the
vibrancy of the entire state of Rajasthan in one place.
Camel
Safari in Pushkar
Tourists
can explore the rugged terrain of the Great Indian Desert of Thar using camels.
The Aravalli Range here is one of the world's oldest mountain ranges, and has
sandy fields, small dunes, beautiful hills and mesmerizing sunrises and
sunsets.
The
camel safaris in Pushkar will take Tourists to destinations where they will
witnesses small villages along the way and during crop harvesting, the views
are exceptionally enticing.
Other
attractions
PUSHKAR LAKE:
The prime attraction of Pushkar is the Pushkar
Lake which is considered sacred like the Mansarovar Lake in Tibet. Pushkar has
become a place of Hindu pilgrimage because of this holy lake. Legend has it
that this lake was consecrated to Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe when
a lotus dropped from his hand into the vale and a lake emerged in that place.
Pushkar
boasts temples, though few are as ancient as you might expect at such an
important pilgrimage site, since many were destroyed by Aurangzeb, a Mogul
ruler and subsequently rebuilt. The most famous is the Brahma Temple, said to
be the only temple in the world dedicated to this deity. It stands on a high
plinth with the Marble steps leading up to it. A silver turtle is set on the
floor facing the Sanctum-Sanctorum or Girbha-griha. Around the turtle the
Marble floor is inset with hundreds of silver coins. Coins engraved with donors
names are also embedded in the walls. Peacocks adorn the temple walls as they
are supposed to be the vehicle of Lord Brahma's consort Saraswati. A small
image of the milkmaid Gayatri, flanks the four-faced image of lord Brahma and
is called Chaumurti The sanctuary has silver doors inside a carved marble
gateway.
BRAHMA TEMPLE:
The most important temple in Pushkar is the
Temple of Lord Brahma, one of the holy trinity of Hinduism. In fact it is the
only Hindu shrine in the world where Lord Brahma is worshipped. The temple
enshrines a life-size idol of Lord Brahma. The Brahma temple is an important
pilgrim centre for the Hindus. It is nestled in the Pushkar valley which lies
beyond Nagaparvat and the Anasagar lake. This place, full of natural beauty,
holds a special place in the hearts of Indian for it is believed that Lord
Brahma, together with all the gods and goddesses, performed a Yagya here. A
legend also has it that the ancient lake Sarovar had appeared miraculously,
when a lotus fell from the hands of Lord Brahma and dropped into this valley. This
is the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma (the creator of the universe
according to Hindu mythology) in the entire country. You can identify it by its
red spire and by the image of a hans (the goose considered sacred to Lord
Brahma).This temple built with marble is decorated with silver coins and there
is a silver turtle on the floor of the temple.
SAVITRI TEMPLE:
This temple that is located at the top of the
Ratnagiri Hill is dedicated to Savitri, the wife of Lord Brahma. The temple
houses a statue of Goddess Savitri. The one-hour trek up to the hilltop Savitri
Temple overlooking the lake is best made early in the morning; the view is
magical.
VARAH TEMPLE:
Originally
built in the 12th century, Varah Temple was, like many others, destroyed by the
bigoted Emperor Aurangzeb (who, it is said, was particularly upset by the huge
idol here of Varah, the god with the body of a man and the head of the boar.)
Reconstructed BY Raja Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur in 1727, the temple has an
interesting and richly ornamented image house.
The
Warah temple houses an image of lord Vishnu in the incarnation of wild boar. The
temples of Brahma and Warah are considered equally important. This ancient
temple is believed to be constructed by King Anaji Chauhan (1123-1150).
Mythologically a very important temple and is believed that Vishnu came on the
earth in the incarnation of Warah (wild boar) to kill the demon Hirnayaksh and
liberate the land from his atrocities.
MAHADEVA TEMPLE:
A
Beautiful temple built in the 19th century, it was described by a British
traveler of the time as "by far the most remarkable, for the elegance of
its structure and the nature of its ornaments, of all the temples Pushkar
boasts of." It is also noteworthy for its white marble Mahadeva image,
with its five faces (and its traditional tufts of hair).
RAMAVAIKUNTH TEMPLE:
One
of Pushkar's largest and most intricate temples, the Ramavaikunth Temple was
built in the 1920's and has beautifully sculpted images of no less than 361
different deities. The ornate outer gopuram over the entrance is said to have
been built by a team of masons specially brought here from south India.
RANGJI TEMPLE:
The
gracious temple is very conpicuous, due to its south Indian style of
architecture. It has a high rising 'Gopuram' typical of southern India.
Old
Pushkar- Old Pushkar lake is rebuilt and is located around 5 km from Pushkar Lake.
According to the ancient texts, Old Pushkar has equal cultural and religious
significance for the pilgrims.
LAKES AND MANY GHATS:
Many
Ghats run down to the Holy Lake where pilgrims are constantly bathing in the
holy waters. Joining people at the Ghats has to be with some respect for their
culture and privacy. And for this reason, removing shoes before approaching the
Ghats, no smoking and restraining from photographing bathing people is well
avoided. The Pilgrims here are sensitive about comments by non-Hindus. The
famed waters of the Pushkar Lake wash away the sins of a lifetime.
The
mystical water is also believed to cure skin diseases, making Pushkar the
Lourdes of the East.
Every
November, the sleepy little township of Pushkar in Rajasthan, India comes alive
with a riot of colors and a frenzied burst of activity.
