Pushkar -one Of The Oldest Existing Cities In India

By Author: Rashmiranjan Patil
Total Articles: 261
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Pushkar is a town in the Ajmer district which is in the state of Rajasthan. It is situated at about 14 kilometres in the northwest of Ajmer. Situated at an average elevation of about 519 meters above sea level, the city of Pushkar is one among the Char Dham according to the Hindu Theology. The Katas Raj Temple near Pushkar has great importance among the Hindu devotees. Pushkar which lies on the banks of the Pushkar Lake is one among the oldest existing cities in India. According to the legends, Lord Brahma is accredited to the origin of this place. The Pushkar Camel Fair which is an annual fair in Pushakar is very famous among the tourists.

There are two possibilities for the etymology of the name Pushkar. One is that it came from the word, Pushkarni which means Lake and Pushpa which means flower and Kar which means Hand. It is believed that it is in Pushkar that the flower fell from the swan’s beak when it was sent to find a place where Lord Brahma can perform a grand yaga. Pushkar has many temples that was been rebuilt after their destruction by the Muslim conquest.The most famous among all is the Brahma Templebuilt ...
... during the 14th century. This is because only few temples in the world are dedicated to Lord Brahma.The Pushkar Lake has 52 Ghats where pilgrims descend to the lake to bathe in the sacred waters.

There are many places to see in Pushkar. The Sri Sawai Bhoj Temple, Jagat Pita Shri Brahma temple, Varaha temple, Apteshwar Mahadev temple, Savitri temple, Baba the Cosmic Barber,Temple of Rangji (New and Old) or Shri Vaikunthnathji, Man Mahal, Gurudwara Singh Sabha, and the Varah Templeare the main places to visit in Pushkar.

Pushkar Fair is an important fair of Pushkar that attracts a lot of tourists every year to the city.Pushkar fair continues for five days and these five days are the busiest days for the villagers of Pushkar.This is one of the largest cattle fairs in the country. Over 50,000camels are brought from miles around to be traded and sold. Specialstalls are set up for selling finery and jewelry for the camels. Camels at the Pushkar fair are decorated with great care. They wear jewelry of silver and beads. Number of hotels like Jagat Palace Pushkar are there to welcome the tourists.

The rugged terrain of the Great Indian Desert can be explored by the tourists who visit Pushkar by using the camels that are available for a ride through the Thar Desert. Proximity to one major pilgrim Center, Ajmer also makes Pushkar a favorite destination of the tourists. Pushkar can be reached from all parts of India through railways, road and airline services.