Pushkar is set in a picturesque valley 14 km from Ajmer in the state of Rajasthan. The landscape surrounded by hills from three sides and sand dunes to the last form a fascinating location for the annual cattle fairs, all this makes Pushkar a famous travel destination. The place is held in high esteem among the Hindus as it is considered one among the five dhams or pilgrimage center, the other being the Badrinath, Puri, Rameshwaram and Dwarka.

Pushkar means a lake filled with lotus flowers, the name came after Lord Brahma dropped a petal of the lotus used to kill the demon VajraNabh. Legends say, Pushkar Lake was surrounded by 500 temples and 52 palaces built by several Maharajas. Sadhus wearing threads and priests eager to dole out instant salvation can be seen running after the visitors coming there.


Location
Cuddled in the Aravalli Valley at the foot of Nag Pahar in central Rajasthan, Pushkar is situated at a distance of 154 km southwest of Jaipur and 400 km from Delhi.

Climate
Pushkar has an extreme climate. The maximum temperature during the summers can go up to 40 to 45°C while in the winters it can be below 10°C. There is not much rain during the monsoon. The best season to visit this place is in the winters from October to March.


Major Travel Attractions
The Holy Lake - The holy lake was surrounded by 500 temples and 52 palaces since several rajas and maharajas maintained palaces here for pilgrimage at one point of their rule. According to legends the lake was created by Brahma by combining the waters of the four places of pilgrimage, Badrinath, Jagannath, Rameshwaram and Dwarka. To the center of the lake is a floating chhatri built in 1791 by the thakur of Khimsar to commemorate Brahma's yagna spot. With 52 ghats in its vicinity the lake is seen teeming with sadhus, devotees and tourists. Offerings made at the Brahma,Gau and the Varaha ghats are considered to be most auspicious.

Temple Trail - Considered the abodes of the Trinity, the temples of Brahma, Varaha, and Aptaeshvar are of great significance and most sacred from the Hindu point of view. The Brahma Temple located here is the only temple dedicated to Brahma in the whole country. Brahma, the Hindu god of creation, is seen with four head facing in all four directions, accompanied by his shy bride, Gayatri and the silver turtle in front of the shrine's entrance. The Aptaeshvar Temple contains an underground shrine where a lingam has been installed. At the Varaha temple visitors notice the different layers which have been to great extent destroyed by Aurangzeb.

Nag Hill - One of the oldest hills in the world ,its height is said to have been ten crores yojanas in Satya-yuga, ten lakhs yojanas in Treta-yuga, and ten thousand yojanas in Dwapura-yuga. In Kali-yuga its height is decreasing day by day because it is sinking into the earth. Visiting this hill during the pilgrimages to Pushkar resolve all differences with self and others. Above the hill is Nag Kund. Built after Vatu who was cursed by Rishi chawan, the grandson of Brahma, to become a snake on the second day of the sacrifice performed by Brahma. Agastya Muni's residence is said to be a cave on Nag Hill.

Pushkar Fair - Counted amongst the popular and colorful fairs of the Thar desert and major travel attraction of Pushkar, Pushkar fair begins on Kartik Shukla Ekadashi and goes on for five days till Kartik Purnima. The time of the fair coincides with the bright half of the moon during the months of October-November. These five days are a period of relaxation and merry-making for the villagers, despite being the busiest for them, The largest cattle fairs in the country where Camels at the fair are decorated with great care decorated with jewelry of silver and beads. There are silver bells and bangles around their ankles that sounds when they walk. An interesting ritual is the piercing of a camel's nose.