Travelogue: The holy city of Pushkar

I am writing this blog from memories of a travel done almost one and a half years ago... I was in Jaipur was thinking of going to a place that can offer peace of mind. I had heard from dad that he wanted to go to Pushkar and its a very holy place, so Pushkar was automatic choice for me.

I went on a state transport bus from Ajmer as it is just some 14 km journey. On the way, there were not many things except small hills of Rajasthan with some vegetation, it was mostly dry. Bus stop was uncrowded, almost of a village; crowd was yet to come as I was there few weeks before famous cattle fair of Pushkar. I checked in a hotel and after doing few inquiries about nearby places I went to offer my prayer to the creator at Brahma temple. 

Rajasthan State Road Transport's Bus to Pushkar

Brahma temple of Pushkar

After taking some rest in hotel I then marched to the sacred lake of Pushkar and famous Ghats. It was dusty in the ghats due dryness of November, I started walking around the lake, after the first round sun went down and beauty of lake was visible. Even though there were few people on the pathway but every one was peaceful probably trying to find purpose and meaning of life. It was so calm that I thought of using one of the Yoga advantages of not needing any equipments for practice. After 2 rounds of lake I cleaned the dust on one of the Ghats and did my complete set of Yoga. Serene ghats, dim lighting, and hills around the lake offered a conductive environment to attain internal peace, I felt that I found what I came for. After some walk on the streets of Pushkar I took dinner in a Rajasthani restaurant and went to sleep in hotel.

Tranquil Pushkar lake

Pushkar lake panoramic view

Pushkar market: colors and people of Rajasthan

Next day morning, I again went to ghats and offered my prayer with help of Pandit who was more interested in Dakshina than prayer. In between Mantras he asked how many Brahmins I would feed for peace of my ancestors, I said 2, and he wanted me to raise the number, luckily I was able to catch the trick. After the prayer he started calculating money for 2 people at rate of 200 Rupees per head. I was furious, gave him hundred rupees and came. I remember another priest who asked "Sir, aap duty main aaye ho kiya" thinking I am from police or some para-military force, may be due to my recent hair-cut. I had breakfast of delicious Rajasthani kachauri with kadi.

Maa Savitri temple view from Pushkar

Then started trek to Maa Savitri Devi temple on hill top. It's all stairs after 3 kms, don't exactly remember the time but I climbed quite fast. In between there was a lovely family of Rajasthani folks who were entertaining people with their musical instruments. View of Pushkar from Maa Savitri Devi temple was pleasant and lovely.

Rajasthani kid dressed in traditional attire

Rajasthani folk family and their musical instruments

Came down took shower and caught a bus of Ajmer and then to Jaipur.

Must do in Pushkar:

• Brahma temple
• Talk to self
• Round of sacred lake in the evening