The
Holy Fair of Pushkar
Pushkar fair is one very enthusiastic festivals of Rajasthan, India. Every
year in the month of October - November, thousands of devotees throng the
lake around the full moon day of Kartik Purnima to take a holy dip in the
Pushkar lake. Huge and colourful cattle fair "The Pushkar Fair",
is also held during this time. Pushkar fair is well-known for it's Camel
trading and other attractive activities.
The Cultural Event
Dance music and colorful shops spring up during this fair. Also on sale are
mouth-watering traditional delicacies. Colorfully attired village folk
enhance the fun of the occasion. A host of cultural event against the
backdrop of this pretty setting is also organized including attractive
puppet shows. Cattle auction and camel races are also a part of the
festivities.
Significance of Pushkar
Pushkar is among the five Dhams or pilgrimages that are held in high esteem
by Hindus, the others being Badrinath, Puri, Rameswaram, and Dwarka.
It
is believed, that in battle lord Brahma killed the demon Vajra Nabh with a
lotus flower, whose petals floated down to earth and landed in three places
in and around Pushkar where lakes sprang up. According to legends, Pushkar
Lake was surrounded by 500 temples and 52 palaces (several rajas and
maharajas maintained palaces here for pilgrimage) at one point.
The Most Popular Sights to See
The Brahma temple is the most important temple here and is, in fact, the
only Brahma temple of India. It is interesting to note that, Brahma one of
the Trinities of Hinduism is not worshipped, anywhere else accept Pushkar.
It is said, Brahma had descended on earth to perform a Yajna
(fire-sacrifice). His wife Savitri was not with him at that time and the
Yajna would be incomplete without her. Therefore, Brahma married a local
girl and sat down for the Yajna. Meanwhile Savitri landed on earth and, upon
finding this new bride sitting next to Brahma, cursed him that he would
never be worshipped anywhere else on earth.
Be Part of the Festival
Pushakar Fair is a must visit festival of Rajasthan, India. Housing the
only temple of Brahma, Pushkar is held in high esteem by the Hindu religion.
Every Hindu, wishes to make a trip to Pushkar once in a lifetime, though it
is not compulsory. Though you can visit Pushkar at anytime of the year, it
is best to visit Pushkar at the time of the Pushkar Festival, which is held
in the month of October - November, every year.
You have planned to visit...! then don't be late, make a booking in the
airlines, trains or you can even pick a private vehicle or other road
transports buses to Pushkar. Pushkar doesn't have its own airport or
railhead. But if you have planned to board a flight, then you can board it
till Jaipur from Delhi, as
Jaipur is the
closest airport from Pushkar, Rajasthan. Then you can pick the route,
Delhi-Jaipur-Ajmer-Pushkar. From here you can reach
Ajmer either by train or bus. Ajmer is
just 11km from Pushkar. You can easily reach Pushkar from Ajmer by bus or
other private vehicles.
You can also take the route, Delhi-Ajmer-Pushkar. As Ajmer doesn't have its
own airport, you have to make a booking in a train. Delhi is well-connected
with Ajmer by all categories of trains from Shatabdi Express to General.
From
Ajmer, you can always catch a bus to
Pushkar, which is just 11km from Ajmer, Rajasthan.
Whatever is your means of transportation, make it sure that you reach this
holy land of Pushkar in time, so that you can enjoy the Pushkar festival to
the fullest.
