Pushkar, a small village in Rajasthan, is a backpacker and traveler's dream. Pushkar is one of the top tourist destinations in India because it is straightforward to organise, reasonably priced, spiritual, and accessible. However, in contrast to many other locations in India, you won't feel compelled to see a lengthy list of well-known sights both during the day and at night.
Here are the must visit places in Pushkar
1. Pushkar Lake
One of the best things to do in Pushkar is to visit Pushkar Lake, which is located in the middle of the city and its main attraction. Folklore holds that Brahma, the God of Creation, formed Pushkar Lake by releasing a lotus from his hand. You can walk around the entire lake, passing through ghats along the way. Sometimes it seems impossible to proceed, yet there will always be steps close by.
Every evening, an hour before dusk, everyone gathers around the lake to watch the sunset. Many people begin taking photographs of the ethereal surroundings as they are surrounded by cows, drummers, musicians, plenty of chanting, and musicians. I could have seen the sunset from a nearby rooftop restaurant, but I preferred touring the ghats and getting to know the area.
Pushkar Lake, one of the five holiest Hindu pilgrimage destinations, is thought to be the location where taking a swim will result in nirvana.
2. Pushkar Camel Fair
Every year, Pushkar has its well-known camel market in Kartik, the eighth lunar month of the Hindu calendar. Each year, 30,000 camels and 400,000 tourists visit the city. Instead of Pushkar's serene ambiance, a bustling, raucous clamour of people and animals takes its place.
With the goal of providing a location for local camel and animal sellers to do business, the Pushkar Camel Fair was established. Vendors still bring their animals in the hopes of finding receptive customers, despite the fact that the festival has recently grown more commercialised and targeted toward visitors.
Once it is over, the fun will begin. The event transforms into an incredible display with musicians, magicians, snake charmers, wedding parades, Rajasthani wrestling, ferris wheels, camel races, and bazaars. There are numerous contests as well, with the greatest moustache and best dressed camel winning the most desired awards.
3. Brahma Temple
Brahma is one of the most revered Hindu gods, and along with Pushkar Lake, the Brahma Temple at Pushkar has a special place in Hindus' hearts. Actually, it's the most well-known of India's few Brahma Temples. If you prefer to explore on your own, respectfully decline their offer to accompany you on your tour of the Brahma Temple. It won't take long because the temple isn't very big.
4. Savitri Temple
The Savitri Temple, which honours Brahma's wife, is another famous temple in Pushkar. The Savitri Temple is visible from all parts of Pushkar, and despite its apparent height, you can climb all the way to the peak. This climb is a wonderful choice if you plan to walk while in Pushkar. From the very bottom (where the cable car leaves from, if you wish to take that) to the very top, it is covered in steps.
Although the steps do get enormous and incline sharply upward, they are manageable.
5. Gandhi Ghat
Around the lake are 52 bathing ghats where you could see pilgrims bathing in the sacred water. The Gandhi Ghat is where Mahatma Gandhi's ashes were scattered, while the Brahma Ghat is where Brahma is thought to have performed adoration.
6. Pap Mochani Temple
The Pap Mochani Temple, a little hill topped by the Savitri Temple and offering a beautiful view, is another attraction in Pushkar. The base is not too distant from the town's centre, and it takes 15 to 20 minutes to ascend the hill via a path with manageable, simple rock and stone stairs. At the top, there is a wall from which you may watch the sunset directly across from the Pap Mochani Temple.
7. Brahma Ghat
You will hear chanting, drumming, and ringing bells as you go around the ghats as twilight falls. You absolutely must attend the evening aarti while you're in town. Any of the 52 ghats that encircle the lake can host an aarti, but Brahma Ghat is the most popular.
Where can you stay in Pushkar?
In terms of location, stay a little beyond the town centre. India's chaotic streets are amazing, but the country's buildings are anything from soundproof, making for some noisy and unsettling nights. The distance you stay from the action will determine how much sleep you get, and as Pushkar is a small town, everything is still accessible on foot.
There are many excellent backpacker options if you're on a limited budget and looking for a hostel in Pushkar.
Conclusion
Stay in Pushkar for at least three days. Because it's such a quiet place amidst the hustle and bustle of Rajasthan, it's worth lingering for a few days to browse through the bazaars, unwind by the lake, take a few yoga sessions, and explore some of the less-frequented temples.