Pushkar Lake is one of the important sacred pilgrimage sites according to Hindu scriptures. Mention of this lake can be found in coins as old as 4th century BC. It is considered to be created by God Brahma, whose most famous temple is also found in Pushkar. Pushkar is an important town in Ajmer district of Rajasthan state.
Every year during the month of October and November, around the festive days of Kartik Poornima, Pushkar fair is held. During this time, this place is flooded by thousands of pilgrims, who come here to take the sacred bath during this time. There are 52 bathing ghats all around the Pushkar Lake. It is believed that those who take bath in this lake during this time, there sins are washed away and their skin diseases are cured. There are more than 500 Hindu temples in and around this place.

Large number of tourists turn up to this place every year, due to which rapid development has taken place all around this place. It has reduced the level of water and adversely affected its quality and fish population has also reduced. Various measures have been taken up by the government to bring back the lost glory of this place.

History

Various inscriptions have been found which suggest that the lake was there during 4th century BC. Punched Kushan and Greek coins mention about this lake and so are the inscriptions found at Sanchi attest. A Chinese traveller Fa Xian who came here in fifth century also describes about this lake.

In ninth century, Nahar Rao Parihar, a Rajput king of Mandore, was running after a white boar to hunt it down and reached the lake shore. He dipped his hand in the lake to quench his thirst. He was surprised to notice that some marks on the skin of his hand have cured. He felt thankful to secret therapeutic nature of the lake and he restored the lake to its glory.

There was a short break in the importance of the lake during Mughal rule, as ban was imposed on taking out religious procession. A hunting lodge was built by the Mughal emperor Jahangir on the Shore of Pushkar Lake. His acts violated the tradition of this place of not killing any animal in the vicinity of this lake. Later on, Aurangzeb, the grandson of Jahangir destroyed many temples, which were built again afterwards.

Maharaja Man Singh 1 of Amber renovated and constructed many temples around this place and the importance of this place was restored by Rajput rulers of Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Bundi. Maha Rana Pratap built the Varsha temple and Koteshwar Mahadeve temple was built by Anaji Scindia and during British rule, taxes were generated to improve this lake and its surroundings.

Attractions

There are various monuments of national importance around the lake, such as the Brahma temple at Pushkar, the Pushkar city, and the ghats around the lake. The importance of Pushkar city is many due to its rich cultural, religious and historic background. It is considered to be the oldest city in India. It is believed that Lord Brahma performed penance to have the sight of Lord Vishnu.

At present there are more than five hundred temples here. Some very old temples are said to have been destroyed during Muslim rule. The Brahma temple is the most important among them, which is believed to be more than 2000 year old. According to scriptures, this is the only temple of Lord Brahma in the world, due to a curse from Savitri.

There are 52 ghats around the lake. Some of the famous ghats include Gangaur Ghat, Karni Ghat, Jaipur Ghat, Yag Ghat, Gau Ghat, Kota Ghat, Gwalior Ghat, Saptrishi Ghats and Dadhici Ghat. Pushar fair is also a major attraction for tourists all around. It starts on the 11th lunar day and ends on Karthik Poornima. The largest camel fair of Asia is also held here. More than 50,000 camels and two hundred thousand people come to this fair.

Best Time to Visit

This place can be visited at any time of the year. However, to enjoy your visit fully, you should come here during the month of October and November i.e. during the time of Karthik Poornima. This is the most auspicious time to visit this place.

How to Reach

By Air

Nearest airport to Pushkar is the Sanganer airport. This airport connects this place to the rest of India and abroad.

By Rail

Closest railway station to Pushkar is at Ajmer which is around eleven kilometres from here. Ajmer, in itself, is a major city and is well connected to all the major cities of India.

By Road

All the major roads and National highways of Rajasthan are connected to Pushkar. Interstate bus service can be taken from Marwar bus stand.