Pushkar is a sacred town for the Hindus, situated 11 kms. to the North-West of Ajmer. The charm of this sleepy, lakeside settlement so captivated the great Indian poet, Kalidas, that it found a place in his classic, Abhigyan Sakuntalam. The Great Hindu epics of Mahabharat and Ramayana make references to this religious place regarded to be Adi Tiratha. Evidence points to its having existed during the fourth century B.C. lake in the inhospitable surroundings of a desert is no less than a miracle.

The legend about the Creator God, Bramha describes the creation of this lake. When the demon Vajra Nabha killed Brahma's children, he in turn struck him with his weapon, a lotus flower. Vajra Nabha died with the impact, and the petals of the lotus fell at three places. One of them is Pushkar, where a lake sprung into being. Brahma is supposed to have performed sacrifice at this lake on Kartik Purnima (the full moon day of the Kartik month), hallowing the place. Sacred to Brahma, Pushkar boasts of its temple dedicated to him, which is the only one of its kind in the world. A dip in the waters of Pushkar and worship at his temple ensure salvation. So thousands flock to Pushkar to observe the ritual on kartik Purnima, or on any of the four days preceding it.

Temples:
JAGAT PITA SHRI BRAHMA MANDIR : Pushkar boasts temples, though few are as ancient as you might expect at such an important pilgrimage site, since many were destroyed by Aurangzeb, a Mogul ruler and were subsequently rebuilt. The most famous is the Brahma Temple, said to be the only temple in the world dedicated to this deity. It stands on a high plinth with the Marble steps leading up to it. A silver turtle is set on the floor facing the Sanctum-Sanctorum or Girbha-griha. Around the turtle the Marble floor is inset with hundreds of silver coins. Coins engraved with donors names are also embedded in the walls. Peacocks adorn the temple walls as they are supposed to be the vehicle of lord Brahma's consort Saraswati. A small image of the milkmaid Gayatri, flanks the four-faced image of lord Brahma and is called Chaumurti The sanctuary has silver doors inside a carved marble gateway.

SAVITRI TEMPLE : The one-hour trek up to the hilltop Savitri Temple overlooking the lake is best made early in the morning; the view is magical.

VARAH TEMPLE : Originally built in the 12th century, Varah Temple was, like many others, destroyed by the bigoted Emperor Aurangzeb (who , it is said , was particularly upset by the huge idol here of Varah, the god with the body of a man and the head of the boar.) Reconstructed BY Raja Sawai Jai Singh II of Jaipur in 1727, the temple has an interesting and richly ornamented image house.

MAHADEVA TEMPLE : A Beautiful temple built in the 19th century, it was described by a British traveler of the time as "by far the most remarkable, for the elegance of its structure and the nature of its ornaments, of all the temples Pushkar boasts of." It is also noteworthy for its white marble Mahadeva image, with its five faces (and its traditional tufts of hair).

RAMAVAIKUNTH TEMPLE : One of Pushkar's largest and most intricate temples, the Ramavaikunth Temple was built in the 1920's and has beautifully sculpted images of no less than 361 different deities. The ornate outer gopuram over the entrance is said to have been built by a team of masons specially brought here from south India.

The Holy Lake and its many Ghats : Many Ghats run down to the Holy Lake where pilgrims are constantly bathing in the holy waters. Joining people at the ghats has to be with some respect for their culture and privacy. And for this reason, removing shoes before approaching the ghats, no smoking and restraining from photographing bathing people is Important. The famed waters of the Pushkar lake wash away the sins of a lifetime.

The mystical water is also believed to cure skin diseases, making Pushkar the Lourdes of the East.

Tour to Pushkar Fair -
Duration : 8 Nights / 9 Days
Destinations Covered : Delhi – Jaipur - Pushkar - Delhi



Day01: Arrival - Assisted arrival at Delhi International airport. Transfer to hotel and overnight.

Day02: Delhi - Arrive Delhi and transfer to hotel and rest. Afternoon visit to some of the most important symbols of Indian culture and history including Gandhi’s memorial, India gate, Parliament house, President’s house and Lotus temple. Overnight in Delhi.
(With Breakfast)

Day03: Agra - Morning transfer to Agra. Check in at hotel Holiday Inn, rest for couple of hours and then visit Taj Mahal, the archetype of true love. Evening is free to explore on your own. Overnight at Agra.
(With Breakfast)

Day04: Jaipur - Morning transfer to the Pink City of Rajasthan " Jaipur". Visit the fatehpur Sikri and the Buland Darwaja (One of the largest gate in India) en route. Check in at hotel in Jaipur and rest. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Jaipur.
(With Breakfast)

Day05: Jaipur - Full day sight seeing of Jaipur, including the famous Amber fort in the morning , where we can have an elephant ride. Post lunch we visit the City Palace museum and Hawa Mahal ( Wind palace). Later we experience a rickshaw ride through the bustling markets of Jaipur. Evening at leisure. Overnight at Jaipur.
(With Breakfast)

Day06: Pushkar - Morning transfer to Pushkar. Upon arrival at Pushkar, check in into our accommodation. Afternoon free to observe activities of the colorful Puahkar Fair. Overnight stay.
(With Breakfast & Dinner)

Day07: Pushkar - After breakfast, day at Pushkar fair. Spend the day walking through the traditional decorated fair ground and view various activities, like – folk dances, camel trading, races and many more. Overnight at Pushkar.
(With Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner)

Day08: Pushkar-Delhi - Morning at Leisure. Afternoon transfer to Ajmer for catching a train to New Delhi. Late evening arrival in Delhi followed by transfer to hotel and overnight.
(With Breakfast & Lunch)

Day09: Delhi-Departure - Day at leisure followed by transfer to the airport in the evening for flight back home.
(With Breakfast)