Pushkar is a delightful city hidden in the heart of Rajasthan. Its history is one of great religious and mythical significance for many, and the city is home to a number of sacred pilgrimage sights and holy homages. 

Every year, Pushkar attracts thousands of devotees in throngs by the sacred lake of this holy city. Around the full moon day of Kartik Purnima, in October or November, pilgrims flock to take a blessed dip in the holy lake. It is a wonderful sight, one that touches the visitor to the heart and will never be forgotten.  A large and colourful cattle fair, known simply as The Pushkar Fair, is also held during this time, during which Pushkar's vibrant camel trading culture reaches new fervour.


History
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 said that the Lord Brahma killed the demon Vajra Nabh with a lotus flower during battle, and the petals of teh lotus floated down to earth and landed in three places in and around Pushkar. In these places, lakes sprang up, attracting much building of shrines and temples. 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 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 is not worshipped, even though he is one of the Holy Trinity of Hinduism. Brahma, it is said, had descended to earth to perform a Yajna (fire-sacrifice), but his wife, Savitri, was not with him at that time and the Yajna would be incomplete without her. Brahma then married a local girl and sat down for the Yajna. Meanwhile, Savitri too descended to earth and, upon finding this new bride sitting next to Brahma, cursed him that he would never be worshipped anywhere else on earth.

Pushkar Ghats
A sight to behold is the thousands of pilgrims who come to bathe in the holy water off the numerous ghats that run down to the lake against a setting of the rising sun.

Pushkar Temples
Pushkar's famous Brahma Temple, which holds utmost importance to the pilgrims as it is the only temple in India dedicated to Brahma, is marked by a red sphere, and over the entrance gateway is the Hans, or goose symbol, of Brahma. Inside, floors and walls are engraved with dedications to the dead.

The one hour trek up to the hilltop where you will find the Saraswati Temple overlooking the lake, is best made early in the morning; the view is magnificent in the clean air and fresh morning light, and it impossible not to feel something of the blessed peace of this truly magical place.