Brahma Temple and desert at Pushkar

On 21/01/2022 at 10AM we by rented Etois car went to Pushkar from Jaipur at Rs 3600/- Distance between Jaipur to Pushkar is @150 km. We reached Pushkar at 12.30 PM. After reaching Pushkar, we came to know that temple is closed between 1PM - 3 PM. so we first went to take darshan of Brahmaji, which is the only Brahma Temple in world. According to Hindu mythology, there are more than 30 million gods exist, of which the three main gods that together form the trinity or Trimurti are: Brahma – the creator of the universe, Vishnu – the preserver, and Shiva – the destroyer. Brahma, despite being one of the most powerful gods and the creator of the universe, has only one temple dedicated to him in the world and this is what makes the Brahma temple in Pushkar so unique among several other pilgrimage sites and shrines in Rajasthan as well as in India. Located close to the sacred lake of Pushkar, the Brahma temple pretty much reflects the Rajasthani architectural style. Although the current structure dates back to the 14th century, the core (ancient) structure of the Brahma temple is about 2000 years old. This is the holy place for Hindus. In the front of the temple, two small temples dedicated to Lord Indra and Kubera can be found. They are the dwarpals who stop all invisible entrants to the shrine. The murti of Brahma worshiped here is in life-size form with four hands and four faces. The murti is in seated form. Goose, the vehicle of Brahma is located on the gateway of the shrine. We took a guide at only Rs 100/- Actually the guide is not necessary but we hired, who hooked up us with pandit for puja. But we denied. But beware of the pupils around, they will try and persuade you to donate money on various grounds. Donate only if you feel like it. Photography is strictly prohibited in temple premises. The outer street of temple is good to walk around as it connects the nearby ghats but the cleanliness is not up to mark. Then we went to Pushkar lake.

Pushkar Lake is surrounded by 52 bathing ghats where pilgrims can take a sacred bath, especially around kartik poornima (October–November) when the Pushkar fair is held. A dip in the sacred lake is believed to cleanse sins and cure skin diseases. Over 500 temples are situated around the lake. The Pushkar Lake finds mention on coins as early as the 4th century BC. Nice lake to take photos.

Then we had lunch dal bati churma at nearby dhaba. Try out malpua there if you love sweet foods. It is easy to navigate into the town and narrow market place. Lots of variety shops were on both the sides of the road which sells very nice articals, jwellery, toys, clothes etc at reasonable price. Then we decided to visit Pushkar desert. We searched on Google and called 2-3 local tourists for camel cart ride to the desert. Range told us was Rs.600 to Rs.1500/-. (initially they tell you high amount for baggi but if you negotiate they will bring down price for ride!) Obviously we bargained and took camel baggi ride with camel ride at Rs. 500/-. Cart man took us to desert. The Desert Camp is just 8 km far from Pushkar town. It was different experience, in between some people were coming and singing and expect tip! But that was beautiful music! ATV rides are also available at desert. There are stalls of Rajasthani dresses which you can get on rent for photographs. We took some photographs and had coffee at the sand dunes and returned by camel cart ride to our rental vehicle.

Traveling in Rajasthan is incomplete without spending some time in the dunes of Thar Desert Rajasthan. Pushkar is one of the primary spots where The Thar Desert plays an important part of travel experience. The desert hosts the annual fair of Pushkar and is visited by thousands of tourists from all parts of the world. At 5.30PM our return journey started to Jaipur and we reached by 9 PM to Gandharv Hotel.