Pushkar has a magnetism all of its own, and is quite unlike anywhere else in Rajasthan. It's a prominent Hindu pilgrimage town and devote Hindu should visit at least once in their lifetime. The town curls around a holy lake, said to have appeared when Brahma dropped a lotus flower. It also has one of the world's few Brahma temples with 52 bathing ghats and 400 milky-blue temples, the town literally hums with regular pujas (prayers) generating an episodic soundtrack of chanting, drums and gongs, and devotional songs. The result is a muddle of regions and tourist scenes. The main street is one long bazaar, selling anything to tickle a traveler’s fancy, from hippy-chic tie-dye to didgeri-doos. Despite the commercialism and banana pancakes, the town remains enchantingly small and authentically mystic Pushkar is only 11km from Ajmer but separated from it by Nag Pahar, the snake mountain.

Winters is an ideal time to visit Pushkar and explore the city of temples surrounded by hills on three sides and a sand dune on the fourth side, making for a city with a delightful view. So October to mid March is a peak season of tourist attraction.

Pushkar Lake: Pushkar Lake is the most important tourist attraction of Pushkar. The lake is the holy spot for Hindus. It is believed that the lake is created by the universe creator Brahma. It is said that lotus fell from the hands of Brahma that found a picturesque lake in the valley and it is believed that a single dip in the waters of Pushkar Lake on Kartika Poornima is same as performing yagnas for several hundred years.

Temples: Pushkar boasts hundreds of temples, through few are particularly ancient, as they were mostly desecrated by Aurangzeb and subsequently rebuilt.

Brahma Temple: Most famous is the Brahma Temple, said to be one of few such temples in the world as a result of a course by Brahma's consort, Saraswati. There is life-size four-armed idol of Lord Brahma. The temple is marked by a red spire, and over the entrance gateway is the hans (goose symbol) of Brahma, inside, the floor and walls are engraved with dedications to the dead.

Saraswati Temple: The one-hour trek up to the hilltop Saraswati Temple overlooking the lake is best made before dawn (to beat the heat and capture the best light), though the views are fantastic at any time of day.

Pap Mochani (Gayatri) Temple: The sunrise views over town from the closer Pap Mochani (Gayatri) Temple, reach by a track behind the Marwar bus stand, are also well worth the 30-minute climb.

Bathing Ghats: Fifty-two bathing ghats surround the lake where pilgrims bathe in sacred waters. If you wish to join them, do it with respect. Remember, this is a holy place: remove your shoes and don't smoke, kid around or take photographs. Some ghats have particular importance: Vishnu appeared at Varah Ghat in the form of a boar, Brahma bathed at Brahma Ghat, and Gandhi's ashes were sprinkled at Gandhi Ghat (formerly Gau Ghat).

Culture The various aspects of Rajasthan are: language, music, dance, puppetry and cuisines.

Language: In Pushkar people spoke Indo-Aryan languages like Dundhari, Mewati, Merwari, Hadoti and Marwari. Though Hindi is widely spoken in Pushkar.

Music: Folk music is the integral part of Pushkar. Rajasthani music has both historical and aesthetic value.

Dance: Famous amongst folk dances of Rajasthan are Ghoomar, Kalbeliya, and Gir. Ghoomar is basically performed by women during sacred occassions such as Navratra.

Puppetry: An ever popular art form of Pushkar. It tells the traditional stories, legends and moral stories with colorful puppetry.

The cuisines of Pushkar gives you the opportunities to have mouthwatering dishes like Daal Batti, Bhuna Kukda, Kesar Murgh, Missi Roti, Papad Sabzi, Methi ke Gatte, Rajasthani Bhindi, Churma, Aloo Bharta, Lal Maas, Pakori Kadhi, Khasta Puri etc One can experience the culture of Pushkar during the Pushkar fair. This small town becomes vibrant and colorful during the time of fair. The people, the sadhus, the shops, the food, the whole ambiance becomes an embodiment of Pushkar culture. Some of the important fairs of Pushkar are: Pushkar fair held in Karthik Purnima in the month of November. Teej Festival is celebrated by women who pray to Shiva and Parvati for happy married life. Urs at Ajmer Sharif is annual event held every year in the month of October in the memory of Saint Khwaja Moinuddin Chisti. Desert Festival is held outside Jaisalmer at Sam sand dunes.

PACKAGE DEAL Take a trip to Pushkar for unique traditional and cultural celebration at affordable price with India Darshan.

HOW TO REACH Jaipur is the nearest airport with regular flights from Delhi, Mumbai, Udaipur, Jodhpur, Ahmedabad and Aurangabad.