Pushkar is the perfect choice for a weekend getaway from Jaipur and offers a range of cafes and hostels for a backpacking trip. Every November, Pushkar hosts the Pushkar Mela, one of the largest camel fairs in the country.
Pushkar is a small temple town located about 15 km from Ajmer in Rajasthan. A holy dip in the lake of Pushkar and worship at the Brahma temple, one of the few Brahma temples in the world, are highly valued. Pushkar, which is considered one of the five Dhams that form the Penta along with Badrinath, Rameswaram, Puri, and Dwarka, is rich in various temples that have their origins in ancient times. Aurangzeb, the Mughal emperor, tried his best to eliminate all these temples. However, they were always rebuilt and still stand. Legends claim that the shores of Pushkar Lake once housed 500 temples and 52 palaces for numerous kings.
Pushkar is famous for being the world’s only Brahma temple and is primarily a pilgrimage site for Hindus. Spend a few evenings at the ghats while drinking chai or strolling through the narrow lanes listening to the chants coming from the temples around the ghats. Pushkar is a paradise for street shopping lovers. The shops on the main street sell everything from oxidized silver jewelry to goods wrapped in different colors.
The Pushkar Mela attracts millions of visitors from all over the world. With folk performances, rides, stalls, and even magic shows, the whole town is lit up, music blares from every house and everyone is in a festive mood. Thus, Pushkar has slowly evolved from a religious destination to a multicultural hotspot for travelers from all over the world.