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Many traveller who visit the place
fall so deeply in love with it that they much longer than anticipated.
Despite having a distinctly tourist and commercial ambience these days,
Pushkar still has certain appeal-although many tourist who find it too
much of scene have skipped it in favour of more mellow distinctions.
Pushkar is world famous for its spectacular Camel Fair which takes place
here in the Hindu Lunar month of Kartika. If you're anywhere within
striking distance time, it's and event not to be missed. During this
period, the town is jam packed with tribal people from all over
Rajasthan, pilgrims from all over India, pilgrims from all over India,
film makers and tourists from all over world. And of course there are
plenty of camels and other livestock.
Pushkar- The Sanctum Of Holies
One of the holiest place in Rajasthan, the city is flanked by hills on
its side with sight of sand dunes giving a look of miniatures pieces on
a vast desert land. Bedecked with staggering number of 400 temples,
Pushkar boasts of being the most significant pilgrimage center of
Hindus. A must visit for all Hindus,once in a lifetime, Pushkar attracts
a large number of sadhus who mainly congregate around the lake and
temples. The biggest temple is that dedicated to Lord Brahma. The
lakeside unsounded charm of Pushkar is voiced to the world with a pious
connotations during the fair which is also visited by indiscernible
guests like gods who bless the devouts and all devotees. A holy dip in
the lake would wash away all your sins at Pushkar. According to the
legend, the sacred lake of Pushkar sprang up at the spot, where Brahma
dropped a lotus flower from the sky. Brahma, the lord of creation wanted
to perform a 'yagna' at the lake on a full moon night. Since his wife
Savitri did not attend, he impetuously married another women Gayatri.
Savitri felt betrayed to the core and avowed that Brahma should not be
worshipped anywhere except Pushkar. Since then, the Brahma Temple at
Pushkar has remained one of the only ones dedicated to Brahma and that
allegedly in the whole of India. It is just located just at 11kms of
North-West of Ajmer with a separating walls of Nag Pahar. Numerous ghats
run down to the lake and the pilgrims are constantly bathing in the
lake's holy waters.
Pushkar- The Mela Ground
Pushkar is actually two great mela piggy- backed one to another. One is
the highest exaltation of Lord's creation and another is largest camel
fair in the world. Both melas have come down to us from the time of
immemorial and one cannot be absolutely sure of their roots. In the days
of yore, the cattle buyers and breeders, were probably the main pilgrim
to the state.
Pushkar's most surfeited part are the cattle's and their breeders who
set out for the mela when the new Kartik moon is spotted, with many
looking forward to the trip through well over hundred kilometers of arid
desert scape. Meanwhile another professionals who have just begun to
prepare for mela are the fair professionals. The large tents have,
little shops and buntings begin to go up. Wheels, merry go rounds,
ferris wheels and wildest new rides are bolted together into grotesque
clattering behemoths. There are number of camps set up by the tourism
professionals who set up their tents for cutlery, crockery and sinks,
plumbings and toilet bowls in a gargantuan heaps and piles. The little
big shop of circus is created near the with a vying chaos of the vendors
to set up their stall at the gate.
The airs of the fair gradually begin to permeate the atmosphere for
mile and a smattering of well healed tourist begin to show up alongside.
A new comer, who are many, may find the interface between the buyers and
sellers quite subtle, where the buyers are evident and the seller could
be anyone. Tourist are present everywhere at everyone becomes
indulgently at ease with them and so as wander with camera around their
necks. Pushkar has wild and exuberant folk dances in the select
settings, like never before, while minstrels work streets and dunes like
they always have and as the camel fair dissipates, the incredible
celebrations will continue into Brahmas Period.
Pushkar Specialties
Saffron And Exotic Elixir
Sittings in the tents are the vaidyas at Pushkar who give you promise
to cure you of all kinds of illness. The practitioners of medical vedas.
Most of them belong to the gypsy community and has mastered the art of
gathering rare herds and dispensing strange concoctions for ages.
Stranger than that is that their mysterious dried herb, roots and bottle
do attract a large crowd and some who have already tried their hands at.
Beside them there are saffron clad hermits who have their heads smeared
with sandal powders and have their eyes on the horizon.
Camel Caravan
No doubts, the desert camels and their designer outfits are in vogue
during the fair. A saddle to fit the hump has intricate designs of
beach, beads that peps up a camel look. Got ready to be sold to the
highest bidder the camels are groomed out in tinsels and tassels.
Although, less in number, there are camel safaris here
Sing merry and dance wild
It is one of those rare Indian states that is seeped into dance and
folk music traditions. Catch out few, love stories are told in ballads,
of brave men and lovely women. Credit goes to the state tourism who
bring wide cross section of Rajasthani folk music and dance to Pushkar.
You are bound to find many who perform at Pushkar. You can also hire a
Kalbelia to perform a wild dance around your tent at night.
Shop till you get
Pushkar periodical local bazaar where you can lay your hands at the
local miniatures for your drawing rooms. There will be shops that will
just be fun to rummage through, with stacks of steel trunks, and
selections of improbable brass ware.
Accommodate Yourself .......
The bulk of Pushkar's budget hotels are nothing fancy but always clean.
Although the town is dominated by the budget hotels, there are several
upmarket accommodations. Which ever hotel you opt for, just keep in mind
those words that are carved at the very entrance of the hotels, “Holding
hands, kissing and drug is strictly prohibited”, westerners should
take care of it.
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