Pushkar Lake

On the eastern edge of the vast Thar Desert, with a beautiful backdrop in the Aravalli Hills, Pushkar lake is considered as one of the most sacred lakes in India. Often magically beautiful in the early morning or late evening light it is located in the town of Pushkar in Ajmer district of the Rajasthan state. According to Hindu belief, an offering prayers at the temple and taking a dip in the Pushkar lake cleanses all the sins and is the surest way to achieve salvation or Moksha.

Hundreds of thousands of devotees take a ritual dip in the holy Pushkar lake on the day of the Kartik Purnima (full moon night of the Kartika month) and worship at the Brahma temple (Jagat Pita Shri Brahma Mandir). Situated at the end of the lake it is about 2000 years old, it is the most famous temple dedicated to Lord Brahma. It is believed that Lord Brahma, the creator, wished to perform a 'yagna' following his long years of penance. During his sojourn in search of a place for yagna, Brahma dropped a lotus from heaven which created the lake Pushkar. Pushkar takes its name from this happening. Pushp means flower and Kar means hand. Besides, this temple, there are some 500 temples surrounding this lake.

It was on the Karthika night that a drop of nectar fell in this lake, thereby making it sacred. Pilgrims flock from all over India to be in Pushkar at this auspicious time. They also believe that all the 330 million Gods and Goddesses are present at Pushkar Lake during the occasion.

It is also believed that Sage Viswamitra meditated here. Pushkar has witnessed the procession of history from the time of Rama (the hero of the Hindu Epic Ramayana), to the time of Muslim invasion. Also Fa Hien, the Chinese traveller who visited Pushkar in the 5th century AD commented on the number of pilgrims.

Semi circular in shape, it is surrounded by 52 bathing ghats constructed by the rulers of the different erstwhile Rajasthan state and some of them are named after the states. It is said that the waters of each of these broad sets of stairs ghats have extraordinary powers. Like the Nandi Ghat is believed to give fertility; Roop Teerth gives beauty and Charm; Kapil Vyapi helps in curing leprosy; Mirkand Muni Kund gives boon of wisdom etc. About 45 mintutes needed to walk around the holy lake and its ghats. The ghats and the temple is worth seeing.