Shrines of Pushkar

Holy attractions

It was a stroke of luck for me that this time when I visited the “Blue Lotus” town of Pushkar in December 2017, I could visit the Brahma Temple. Three decades back, when I was in Pushkar, I could not make it to the shrine. Highly revered as Jagat Pita Brahma Temple, it is one of the few existing shrines in the country where Lord Brahma is worshipped.  The shrine is as old as 14^th century and was later renovated. Built of marble and stone slabs, the shrine has a distinguished red pinnacle and a bird motif and is the most popular shrine in the holy town that attracts the devouts. Pushkar nestles in the midst of oldest geological set-up called Aravalli Range and has endless rows of shrines.

                                        The pilgrim town of Pushkar

Brahma Temple is devoted to four-headed Brahma and his wife, Gayatri.  The shrine remains opens from dawn (at around 6.00 am) to night (9.00 pm). It is customary to take a holy dip in the Pushkar Lake and then visit the Brahma Temple.

 

                                                Brahma Temple

Brahma Temple apart, when one enters the town of Pushkar from Ajmer, the premier shrine that catches one’s sight is the majestic Vishnu Temple. The towering white shrine prides in having South Indian architecture and is quite an impressive one.  

 

                                        Vishnu Temple

Pushkar Ghats

Celestial Ghats of Pushkar

I recall my visit to the “Blue Lotus” town of Pushkar to attend The Sacred Pushkar 2017 sometime in December. I took a heritage walk down the sacred ghats of Pushkar where mythology comes alive. There are 52 ghats surrounding the Pushkar Lake. The spiritual town is encircled by Naag Pahad that feeds the lake and mythology has it that no pilgrimage trip to the Char Dhaam is complete without taking a dip in the Pushkar Lake.

                                        Pushkar Lake

 

 Brahma Temple at a distance from Pushkar Lake

Our heritage walk took off at Jaipur Ghat and terminated at Scindia Ghat.  We passed through a number of holy ghats each steeped in the tales of mythology and history. We passed through Saptarshi Ghat that was renovated way, way back in 7^th Century in the name of seven sages created by Lord Brahma including Atri, Kashyap, Vashisht, Gautam, Bharadwaj, Vishwamitra and Jamdagini. We strolled round the Varaha Ghat, Shani Ghat that has the idol of Lord Shani where women are refrained from touching the idol. There is Chandra Ghat, Kota Ghat, Brahma Ghat where Lord Brahma had performed the yagya with his second wife, Gayatri. In the midst of Pushkar Lake stands the memorial where Lord Brahma had performed the ceremony. For devotees interested to perform yagya, there is a separate Yagya Ghat.

The memorial in the midst of Pushkar Lake

 Chandra Ghat

While making a round of ghats, we came across Sheetala ghat, Chhink Mata ghat, Gau Ghat, Badri ghat and Holkar ghat where Rani Ahilya Bai holkar had stayed. Watching the sun going down from Badri Ghat or Gau ghat is a memorable experience and remains etched in our mind.

                                       Sunset at Pushkar Lake

 

The Holkar ghat has been refurbished and there is the Scindia Ghat with huge mansions.

                                        Scindia Ghat

Street food in Pushkar

Dining out in Pushkar

The holy town of Pushkar lives up to the reputation of not only being a revered citadel of faith but has some wonderful culinary treats on offer. For both global and domestic travellers, the charm of eating your way through the streets of Pushkar is quite tempting. One can dig into the lip-smacking sweets on offer. On the way to Brahma temple, there are scores of shops selling a variety of savouries. One can gorge on Jodhpuri Mirchi Vada or the palak vada popular as street food.

                                       Delectable Malpuas of Pushkar

 

The town is famed for its delicate Malpua that is an eternal favourite sweet delight. There is another attraction for those who wish to pamper their sweet tooth. One should not miss out on lassi churned out from buffaloes’ milk. For those looking ahead to bite into fast food watching the sun setting on the banks of Pushkar Lake, there are a number of cafes overlooking Jaipur Ghat that are favourite haunts for overseas travellers. There is Sunset Cafe and Restaurant where one can savour hot Momos or noodles. Besides, for lunch one can go for typical Rajasthani meals including Gatta ki curry and Dum Aloo with jeera rice.

                                       Sunset Cafe and Restaurant