Pushkar

Pushkar

Pushkar is a city in the Ajmer district in the Indian state of Rajasthan. It is situated about 10 km (6.2 mi) northwest of Ajmer and about 150 kilometers (93 mi) southwest of Jaipur. It is a pilgrimage site for Hindus and Sikhs.

Pushkar has many temples. Most of the temples and ghats in Pushkar are from the 18th century and later because many temples were destroyed during the Muslim conquests in the area. Subsequently, the destroyed temples were rebuilt.

The most famous among Pushkar temples is the red spired Brahma Temple built by Pushkar, who is the father of Vedmata Gayatri, who was a Chechi Kanya married to Lord Brahma. It is considered a sacred city by the Hindus, particularly in Shaktism, and meat and egg consumption are forbidden in the city. Pushkar is located on the shore of Pushkar Lake, which has many ghats where pilgrims bathe.

Pushkar is also significant for its Gurdwaras for Guru Nanak and Guru Gobind Singh. One of the bathing ghats is called Gobind ghat built by the Sikhs in the memory of Guru Gobind Singh.

Pushkar is famous for its annual fair (Pushkar Camel Fair) featuring a trading fete of cattle, horses, and camels. It is held over seven days in autumn marking Kartika Purnima according to the Hindu calendar (Kartik (month), October, or November). It attracts nearly 200,000 people. In 1998, Pushkar hosted about 1 million domestic (95%) and international tourists over the year.