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Pushkar Travel Guide
Today, Ajmer is a popular pilgrimage centre for the Hindus as well as
Muslims. Especially famous is the Dargah Sharif-tomb of the Sufi saint Khwaja
Moinuddin Chisti, which is equally revered by the Hindus and Muslims. It is a
centre of culture and education, the British chose Ajmer for its prestigious Mayo
College a school exclusively for Indian nobility. Ajmer is also the
base for visiting Pushkar (11 km.), the abode of Lord Brahma, lying to its west
with a temple and a picturesque lake. The Pushkar Lake is a sacred spot for Hindus.
During the month of Kartik (Oct./Nov.), devotes throng in large numbers here to
take a dip in the sacred lake. Ajaipal
Chauhan founded Ajmer in the seventh century. He constructed a hill fort "Ajaimeur"
or the invincible hill. The Chauhans ruled Ajmer till the 12th century when Prithviraj
Chauhan lost Mohammed Ghauri. Thereafter it became a part of the sultanate of
Delhi. Ajmer was also favourite residence for the great Mughals. One
of the first contacts between the Mughal King Jahangir and Sir Thomas Roe took
place here in 1616. The Scindias took over the city in 1818 and then handed it
over to the British and it became one of the only part of Rajasthan controlled
directly by the East Indian Co. The bus stand in Ajmer is located near
the RTDC hotel Khadim. And the railway is further north and most of the hotels
are west of the stations. Northeast is the main post office and most of the cities
market is located behind and up to Agra Gate. Further north is a large artificial
lake called the Anna Sagar. 11 km from Ajmer on the edge of the desert
lies the tiny tranquil town of Pushkar along the bank of the picturesque pushkar
lake an important pilgrimage spot for the Hindus. The 'Nag pahar' or
the snake mountain forms a natural boundary between Ajmer and Pushkar.
The lake has a mythological significance associated with it. According to myth,
Lord Brahma was on his way to serch for a suitable place to perform a "Yagna'
(a fire sacrifice) while contemplating, a lotus fell from his hand on the warth
and water sprouted from three palce. One of them was Pushkar where Lord brahma
performed his yagna. Surrounded by hills on three sides, pushkar abounds
in temples. Of these the most famous is the Brahma temple- the only temple dedicated
to Lord Brahma in the country. The holy lake has 52 ghats and piligrim
taking a ritual dip in the lake is a common sight. Although a serene
town, Pushkar bustles with life during the joyous celebration held on Kartik Purnima.
Every year thousand of devotees throng the lake around the full moon
day of Kartik Purnima in October-November to take a holy dip in the lake. A huge
and co;lourful cattle fair-the pushkar fair, is also held during this time.
Dance music and colourful shops spring up during this fair. Also on sale
are mouth-watering traditional delicacies. Colourfully attired village folk enhance
the fun of the occasion. A host of cultural event against the backdrop
of this pretty setting are also organised including attractive puppet shows. Cattle
auction and camel races are also a part of the festivities.
Tourist Places Pushkar || Pushkar
Fair || How to Reach Pushkar
Pushkar Travel Guide , Rajasthan
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