Pushkar Tourist Destinations

There is general belief among Hindus that no pilgrimage to the four principal pilgrim centres (Char Dham), namely, Badrinath, Jagannath, Rameshwaram & Dwarka would bear fruit unless one bathes in the holy waters of Pushkar Lake. Padma Purana, elaborately describes the origin and importance of this lake. It says that Brahma, the creator of the Universe, was once contemplating to locate a suitable spot on earth to perform a Yajna (sacrificial ritual), the lotus fell from his hand and rebounding, struck at the earth at three places within a circuit of 9 kms. Water issued forth, from all the three places and the creator called all the three as Pushkar (lotus) distinguishing them as Jyeshtha (Elder), Madhya (central) and Kanishtha (yonger). According to mythology, he performed the Yajna at Jyeshtha Pushkar from Kartik Shukla Ekdashi to Purnima. Lakhs of devotees assemble and bathe in the holy waters during this period of the year; but bathing on the last day which is the full moon (Purnima) day, confers special blessing. In recent years, an exclusive accommodation Tourist Village is also erected for foreign tourists. Competitions are organized for them and cultural programmes are held acquainting them with the Rajasthani way of life and culture. Pushkar has 52 bathing ghats and many temples, big and small; the most celebrated being that of Brahma, the Creator of Universe.

PLACES OF INTEREST ARE:

Brahma Temple: Though he may have no other temple sacred to his memory, Brahma seems to have take full advantage of the only one where prayers are offered to him. Not only did he perform a Yagya or ritual fire ceremony here, he also dropped a lotus form his hands to crated the lake where people bathe before offering him prayers. A silver turtle at the entrance of the marble temple is a symbol of his means of transport. Pushkar is best known for its Brahma Temple, though it is by no means the only temple here, with as many as found hundred temples lining the banks of the lake. Spires form a skyline that, when the Vesper bells rings, are worthy of the kingdom of heaven itself. Though it visited throughout the year, Pushkar in November, during the time of its annual fair, is a colourful mass of people & celebrations coinciding with the largest camel fair held in the world.

Pushkar Lake: The Pushkar Lake is surrounded by 52 flights of steps, called ghats, many having special legendary importance. Lord Vishnu is said to have appeared at the Varah Ghat in the form of a boar. Brahma took a bath here and performed Yajna at the Brahma Ghat, Accompanied by Vishnu and Mahadev. Guru Govind Singh chose this site for reciting the sacred Guru Granth Sahib. The ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were immersed at the Ghandhi Ghat, which was previously called Gau Ghat.

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