About Pushkar
India's most sacred lake town — the only Brahma temple on earth, 52 bathing ghats, and a November camel fair that doubles the population to 200,000 for one week of folk music, pilgrimage, and livestock trading.
History
Pushkar is one of the five sacred dhams of Hinduism, and the legend says the lake was formed when Lord Brahma dropped a lotus petal (pushp-kar) from his hand to choose the site of the only Brahma temple on earth — Brahma being otherwise uncommemorated because of a curse by his consort Saraswati. The 14th-century Brahma Temple still stands on the west side of the lake; a Hindu pilgrim is expected to bathe at one of the 52 ghats during their lifetime, ideally on Kartik Purnima (October–November full moon) when the five-day Pushkar Camel Fair draws 50,000 livestock and 200,000 visitors. The town is one of the oldest continuously inhabited in India — the Kushan emperor Kanishka's coins (2nd century CE) mention its rituals.
Best Time to Visit
October to March
Travel Tips
- Respect the 'shanti' rules — no meat, no alcohol, no eggs, no public displays of affection within 10 km of the lake
- Photograph the ghats from a rooftop, not down at the water — pilgrims find it invasive
- Avoid 'bathing pujas' offered by touts — many are extortion rackets; use the official paid priests marked by the Pushkar Nagar Palika
- Book Camel Fair accommodation 9 months in advance — tented camps run ₹8,000–25,000 per night during the week
Famous Food in Pushkar
Temples & Heritage Sites
- Brahma Temple — the only one on earth, 14th-century rebuild
- Savitri Temple — atop Ratnagiri hill, 1 hour hike at sunrise
- Varaha Temple — Vishnu's boar incarnation, 12th-century
- Rangji Temple — south Indian-style Vishnu temple rebuilt in 1844
How to Reach Pushkar
Pushkar is located in Rajasthan, India at coordinates 26.4899°N, 74.5511°E. You can reach Pushkar by air (nearest airport in Rajasthan), train, or road. Use YatraJunction's free fare calculator to compare live train, bus and flight prices, and to build an AI-powered itinerary tailored to your budget and travel dates.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the best time to visit Pushkar?
- The best time to visit Pushkar is October to March.
- What are the top travel tips for Pushkar?
- Respect the 'shanti' rules — no meat, no alcohol, no eggs, no public displays of affection within 10 km of the lake. Photograph the ghats from a rooftop, not down at the water — pilgrims find it invasive. Avoid 'bathing pujas' offered by touts — many are extortion rackets; use the official paid priests marked by the Pushkar Nagar Palika. Book Camel Fair accommodation 9 months in advance — tented camps run ₹8,000–25,000 per night during the week.
- What food is famous in Pushkar?
- Famous dishes in Pushkar include: Malpua at Sarvadia — the best in town, served with rabri, Pushkar ki Kachori at Honey & Spice, Thali at Rainbow Restaurant — rooftop, great lake view, Marwari thali at Pushkar Palace's courtyard dining.
