Discover in the golden sands a heritage, called India !
 |
 |
|
|
|
 |
A
small town on the edge of Rajasthan's Thar desert, Pushkar is famous both as
a pilgrimage destination and a place where one of world's most colourful
animal fair is held. Pushkar boasts of as many as 400 big and small temples
and 52 ghats. This also includes the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma in
India. Pushkar metamorphoses into a busy commercial place when the annual
animal fair is held in the Hindu month of Kartik which is October-November
in the English calendar. Tourists from many parts of the globe come to
witness this very unique fair which basically involves camels. Ajmer is the
nearest big city from Pushkar at a distance of 11 kms. State capital Jaipur
is located some 140 kms from Pushkar.
The
Pushkar Lake is considered highly sacred by the Hindus. There are 52 flight
of steps leading to the lake which are called ghats. According to legend,
many gods like Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva had appeared on the
ghats. Guru Gobind Singh had also recited the Guru Granth Sahib on the
ghats. A holy dip in the waters of Pushkar Lake is believed to cleanse all
sins and offer salvation. Offerings of coins, coconut and flowers are also
made at the time of holy dip. It may be mentioned that during Kartik
Purnima, people throng Pushkar in large numbers for holy dip. |
Pushkar adorns an altogether new look
during the animal fair held in the Hindu month of Kartik
(October-November). The fair is held for a duration of one week on the
banks of holy Pushkar lake. For the participant villagers who lead a
difficult life in the arid deserts, the fair comes as a whiff of fresh
air. On the first five days, trading of cattle is the main attraction. Tourists love to witness the transaction process which itself is considered unique in many respects. Long drawn negotiations take place between the buyers and sellers before arriving at settlements. However, it is colourful events involving camels that is the main attraction of the fair. Supervised by their masters, camels participate in games like races and musical chairs. Beauty contests for camels are also held on the occasion. Strength of camels is also tested in games like laadoo oonth. The camel that lifts the highest weight is declared the winner. The Pushkar fair is dubbed the biggest camel fair in the world. Needless to say that it is also the most colourful fair in the whole world involving animals. |
|
Shopping in Pushkar :
Specialities of the different places
of Rajasthan adorn the main markets of Pushkar namely Sarafa Bazaar,
Bara Bazaar and Kedalganj Bazaar. Tourists throng the markets for
traditional textiles, embroidered clothes, gold and silver jewellery,
brass utensils, miniature paintings, leather goods, pottery, beads,
bangles, wood and stone carvings etc. The best time to shop in Pushkar is during the Pushkar fair when a large market is organised selling a wide variety of items. |
 |
|
|
|
|
Maharajahs of Rajasthan ruled the
land with bejewelled fists and bequeathed it a legacy of forts that are
the best speakers of time. |
Palaces or the erstwhile
residences of the Maharajahs of yore create a milieu that's inescapably
attracting. Come and experience. |
The wildlife in Rajasthan is
perhaps as exotic as its culture. Be it birds, mammals or reptiles,
you'll see varieties you'll lose count of. |
As you finish your hunt with
forts, palaces and wildlife, get ready to soothe your souls at places
like Pushkar, Ajmer Sharif, Dilwara etc. |
|
Copyright © Rajasthan
Tour Package |