A few miles north of Aimer is the sacred town of Pushkar (Lotus), situ-ated on the shores of a jewel - like glacial lake. Dun – colored temple – topped hills and sandy fields surround the town. Normally quiet, Pushkar sees a small but steady stream of visitors to its temples and wide bathing steps leading down to the lake. But once a year, at the time of the full moon in November, the town explodes with colorful crowds of hundreds of thousands of pilgrims.

The great Pushkar Fair has become an internationally known attraction. And justifiably so, since it is one of the world’s most dazzling traditional gatherings. Mentioned in the two thousand year old Mahabharata as India’s foremost pilgrimage site, Pushkar was also described by the eleventh – century Islamic scholar Alberuni as a place of high veneration for Hindus. Thus, the brilliantly garbed pilgrims who come to Pushkar to bathe on the most auspicious bathing day of the year are following ago – old traditions that will undoubtedly continue far into the future. Visitors can only watch in wonderment as the pageant unfolds.

For the five days leading up to the full moon, the crowds begin to gather. All around are exuberant faces amid a sea of bright hues and shimmering ornaments. Among the crowds are large numbers of turbaned Rajputs and their gilt – veiled womenfolk. Members of other groups wear distinctive costumes. At their sandy campgrounds on the outskirts of town, the pilgrims cluster around campfires, cooking picnic suppers. Huge numbers of camels and cattle are

Monuments
Taragarh Fort
The giant fort stands guarding the city. It has six gates. The fort also has Miran Saheb ki Dargah who was the governor of the fort and laid down his life in an encounter. It gives a panoramic view of the city situated in Nagpahari of Aravalli ranges, this fort has immense archaeological and historical importance.

Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra
This is a masterpiece of Indo - Islamic architecture. As legend goes its was constructed in two and a-half days (Adhai-Din). It is a relic of an old mosque consisting of a quadrangle with a front screen wall of seven pointed arches. The distinct pillars and arched screen with its ruined minarets make it a splendid architectural masterpiece.

Pushkar Lake
Pushkar is a small town located at a distance of 11 km from Ajmer in Rajasthan. It is famous all over the country as the most important pilgrimage visited by people all round the year. The Pushkar lake and the Brahma temple are the major attractions here. The sacred Pushkar Lake is said to have been created by the falling of lotus from the hand of Lord Brahma, the creator of the universe. It is believed to be as old as the creation.

The lake is one of the most holy spots in the town, and it is said that a single dip in the waters of lake on Kartika Poornima is same as performing yagnas for several hundred years. This enigmatic lake has fifty-two bathing ghats, built around it. The water around each ghat is supposed to have special powers. The Naga Kund is considered to give fertility, Roop Tirth bestows beauty and charm, the water of Kapil Vyapi Kund is said to have powers to cure leprosy and a dip in the Mrikand Muni Kund gives the blessing of wisdom.

Brahma Temple
This is the most revered shrine in Pushkar, which happens t be the only temple devoted to The Lord Brahma, worshipped as the Creator of the Universe in the known Hindu Trinity. According to legend, Brahma performed a Yagya here.

Savitri Temple
This temple is devoted to the Godess Savitri, one of Brahma's wives, and is located on the highest hill above the Pushkar town. One can climb a long series of steps to reach the shrine which offers a panoramic view of the Pushkar Lake and surrounding sand dunes.

Festivals
Pushkar Camel fair
Pushkar, an important religious place for Hindus, is located only 11 kms from Ajmer in Rajasthan . This little town is hugely known for the "Pushkar Fair' (where the mass trading of camels takes place), "the Lord Brahma Temple", a "picturesque lake' and "camel fair".

Pushkar houses as many as 400 temples and 52 ghats, which includes the Brahma temple, the only temple dedicated to Lord Brahma in the country. Pushkar is amongst the important pilgrimages in the country visited by devotees from all over the country. According to the legend, the Pushkar lake was formed where Lord Brahma - the lord of creation - dropped a lotus on the day of the full moon. Every November, the famous Pushkar Fair is held for 7 days which begins on Naomi ( the ninth day of the month of Kartik, Oct- Nov, of the Hindu calendar) and finishes on Kartik Poornima (Full Moon).

The Fair is marked by a gathering of thousands of camels, cattle and horses for trade, with added attractions of games, races, local folk dances, song and entertainment. Pushkar is internationally known for its colorful cattle fair when thousands of devotees from all faiths assemble to take a dip in the holy lake. Dance, music, gaily-attired folks and various cultural events add to the fun and chrisma of the occasion. The phenomenal

How to Visit Pushkar
Air: Jaipur Airport (145 Km) is the nearest airport to Pushkar.
Rail: Ajmer Railway station, 11 Km from Pushkar, is very well connected to the major cities of India and has some direct trains to these cities.
Road: Ajmer and Pushkar are well connected to the cities of Rajasthan and nearby states.