Pushkar, a small lake town in Rajasthan near Ajmer, holds deep significance in Hindu mythology as the site of one of the world's only Brahma temples, built beside a lake sacred to pilgrims for centuries. Its 52 ghats, old-town bazaars and the famous annual Camel Fair make it one of Rajasthan's most atmospheric pilgrimage stops.
The Story of Pushkar
According to Hindu mythology, Pushkar Lake was created when the god Brahma, the creator, dropped a lotus flower to earth in search of a suitable place to perform a yagna (sacred fire ritual); wherever the petals fell, lakes formed, and Pushkar's is considered the most sacred of these. The Brahma Temple built beside it is one of the very few temples to Brahma anywhere in the world — a rarity often explained by a curse in Hindu legend that limited his worship after a ritual dispute with his wife, Saraswati.
The temple structure visible today is believed to date largely to the 14th century, though the site's sanctity as a pilgrimage destination is considerably older, with references in ancient texts including the Puranas. Fifty-two ghats line Pushkar Lake, each traditionally associated with a different ruler or clan who built it to enable ritual bathing considered spiritually purifying.
Pushkar's other defining institution, the Pushkar Camel Fair, grew out of a centuries-old tradition of pilgrims and traders gathering here around the auspicious Kartik Purnima full moon, when livestock trading, folk performances and religious bathing all converge — a tradition later formalised into today's major annual tourist and trading event.
Top Places to Visit in Pushkar
Brahma Temple, Pushkar Lake & Camel Fair — here's what most visitors build their itinerary around.
Best Time to Visit Pushkar
How to Reach Pushkar
* Indicative one-way sedan fares — the exact fare (including driver allowance, taxes and estimated tolls) is always shown before you confirm your booking. Ertiga, Innova Crysta and Tempo Traveller options are available at checkout.
Good to Know Before You Go
Pushkar Travel — Frequently Asked Questions
Pushkar is about 148 km from Jaipur, roughly 3 hours by cab via Ajmer.
Hindu mythology holds that a curse limited Brahma's worship after a ritual dispute, making dedicated temples to him extremely rare; Pushkar's temple, built beside the lake he is said to have created, is one of the few enduring exceptions.
An annual livestock trading fair and cultural festival held around the Kartik Purnima full moon (typically October–November), drawing traders, pilgrims and travellers for camel trading, folk performances and ritual bathing.
Yes, though staying one night lets you catch both sunrise and sunset at the ghats without rushing — most visitors combine it with a stop in nearby Ajmer.
Yes — One-Way Bhaarat runs flat-fare one-way cabs from Jaipur to Pushkar, with the full fare shown upfront before you book.