INFORMATION ABOUT PUSHKAR

Pushkar is a town in the state of Rajasthan in India. Pushkar means born due to flower. In Hindu mythology, It is said that gods released a swan with lotus in its beak and let it fall on earth where Brahma would perform a grand yagna. The place where lotus fell was so called Pushkar. It is situated 14 Km from Ajmer and is one of the five sacred dhams, pilgrimage sites for devout Hindus; it is often called "Tirth Raj" (the king of pilgrimage sites). In recent years it has become a popular destination for foreign tourists.

PUSHKAR HISTORY

Pushkar is one of the oldest places of India. The date of its actual founding is not known, but legend associates Lord Brahma with its creation. Ramayan mentions Pushkar and says that Vishvamitra performed tapa here. It further says that Apsara Menaka came to Pushkara to bathe in its sacred waters. Mahabharata, while laying down a programme for Maharaja Yudhishthara’s travel, says “Maharaja after entering the Jungles of Sind and crossing the small rivers on the way should bathe in Pushkara". And, per Vaman Purana, Prahlada on his pilgrimage to holy places visited Pushkarayana. A Pratihara ruler of Mandore, Nahadarava, restored this tirtha in the seventh century. He got the place cleared and the lake restored by making an embankment on the side of the river Luni. He rebuilt old palaces and got built twelve dhrnashalas (resting places) and ghats on three sides of the lake. The sage Parasara is said to have been born here. His descendants, called Parasara Brahamanas, are found in Pushkar and the surrounding area. The famous temple of Jeenmata has been taken care by Parasara Brahmans for the last 1000 years. Pushkarana Brahamanas may also have originated here.
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PUSHKAR TOURISM

The Places of Interest and Sight Seeing



• Pushkar Lake : Anything even remotely related to Pushkar Lake has a halo of sacredness and divinity. Legend has it that a dip in its waters cleanses all the sins and is the surest way to achieve salvation from the cycles of life. Circled by some five hundred odd temples, the lake has 52 ghats, which connect the temples to the water. These ghats were constructed by the rulers of the different erstwhile princely states of Rajasthan and some of them are aptly named after the states. Prominent among the ghats are Gau Ghat, Brahma Ghat and Varah Ghat. Also called Main Ghat, Gau Ghat is the place from which ashes of Mahatma Gandhi were sprinkled into the lake. Brahma Ghat is believed to be the spot where Brahma himself is said to have worshipped. The Varah Ghat is famed to be the place where Vishnu, the preserver of the Hindu Trinity, appeared in the form of Varaha (a boar), third in the line of his nine incarnations. It is advisable for the visitors, who travel to the Pushkar lake, not to take photos and to remove their shoes before going to the ghats. Every year on the day of auspicious Kartik Purnima, the full-moon phase of October/November, Pushkar Lake attracts thousands of pilgrims from all over the country to take a holy dip in its waters. It is believed that a dip at the lake on this auspicious day is equal to the penances done for one hundred years. The India profile offers tour packages for travel to Pushkar Lake.



• Jagat Pita Shri Brahma temple :This is the only existing temple dedicated to Lord Brahma. Built in the 14th century, it stands on a high plinth with marble steps leading up to it. A silver turtle is set on the floor facing the sanctum-sanctorum or garbha-griha. Around the turtle, the marble floor is inset with hundreds of silver coins. Coins engraved with donor's names are also embedded in the walls. Peacocks adorn the temple walls as they are supposed to be the vehicle of Lord Brahama's consort Saraswati. The sanctuary has silver doors inside a carved marble gateway.



• Varaha temple :The Deity in this temple is one of the oldest in Mathura. Srila Bhaktisiddhanta Saraswati Maharaja visited the Adi Varaha temple and they can show you his signature at this temple. This Deity is also called Lal Varaha. Lal means “red” and this Deity of Varaha is a red color. According to the Adi Varaha Purana, the story of this Deity is that Kapila Muni made this Deity of Varaha by his mind. Kapila gave this Deity to Lord Indra in Satya-yuga. Indra worshiped this Deity in his kingdom. When Ravana took over Indra’s kingdom, Ravana took this Adi Varaha Deity to his capital, in Lanka. When Lord Rama killed Ravana he installed Ravana brother, Vibhisana, on the throne of Lanka. Vibhisana offered everything to Rama. Rama said he did not want anything, except the Varaha Deity that was taken from the city of Indra. Vibhisana gave Rama this Deity. He carried the Deity back to Ayodhya and worshiped the Deity there for 110 years. When Satrughna, Lord Rama’s brother, went to Mathura, to kill some demons, he brought this Deity with him and the Deity has been here every since.



• Apteshwar Mahadev temple :Dedicated to Lord Shiva, Apteshwar Temple in Pushkar is visited by numerous people all round the year. Constructed in the 12th Century, this temple has splendid architecture. Lord Shiva is considered to be the destroyer among the Hindu Trinity, whereas Lord Vishnu is the preserver and Lord Brahma is the creator. With its rich architecture, this Temple in Pushkar is among the 400 temples that bedeck the city. Reminding us of ancient India, the Apteshwar Temple has boldly stood the test of time, proving the transcendental essence of Indian spirituality. Believed to be the oldest and the most revered Indian God, Lord Shiva is said to preside this Sanctum Sanctorum and bless his devotees with an open heart. Alternatively called Ashutosh, or one who can be pleased easily, Lord Shiva can be satisfied by placing 'Bel' leaves atop the Shiva Lingam. By doing so, one can get one's desires granted very easily, or so goes the saying. Therefore if you visit Apteshwar Temple in Rajasthan during Shiva Ratri, when Lord Shiva is ritually revered, you shall get to see thousands of devotees placing bel leaves over the Shiva Lingam, after drenching it with milk, dahi, ghee and honey. It is said that Lord Shiva grants a handsome groom to the one who worships him with respect and devotion. There are numerous other temples near Apteshwar Temple, like the Savitri Temple, Rangji Temple, Warah Temple and Brahma Temple. These temples are the soul of India and also indicate the rich heritage of India.



• Savitri temple :Savitri Temple in one of the most renowned one out of 400 temples in Pushkar. According to the Hindu mythology Savitri is the first wife of Lord Brahma. When He was all set to start a Yagna on earth in the place of Pushkar (determined by drooping a lotus flower), Savitri's presence was the prerequisite. But She had kept Him waiting. Lord Brahma, irritated at this, married Gayatri the milkmaid to start the yagna on the most auspicious moment. Infuriated Savitri cursed that Lord Brahma would not be worshipped anywhere else but Pushkar. Hence you find the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma only inn Pushkar. Perched on a hillock, Savitri Temple stands just behind the temple of Lord Brahma. A long series of steps lead to the shrine. From the temple you can get a panoramic view of the Pushkar lake, the surrounding temples and the sand dunes.

ACCOMODATION/STAY OPTIONS IN PUSHKAR

• PUSHKAR PALACE
• GULAAB NIWAAS PALACE


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