Pushkar, in the Indian state of Rajasthan, is 130 kilometers southwest of Jaipur. The population of Pushkar is about 15,000. The city of Ajmer (400,000) is 13 kilometers to the south. A scenic road from Ajmer to Pushkar winds up and over snake mountain. The elevation of Pushkar 1,500 feet above sea level helps create a moderate climate during Rajasthan’s stiffling hot season.

When to Go: September-March.

How to Get There: Jaipur is easy to get to from many cities by air, rail, or bus. From Jaipur take a train or bus to Ajmer or a bus to Pushkar. Jodhpur, another major city in Rajasthan, is about 230 kilometers from Pushkar.

Where to Stay: For its many visitors, Pushkar has plenty of hotels. The state of Rajasthan runs the comfortable Sarovar tourist bungalow, pleasantly situated on the banks of the lake. If you plan to go during Karttika Purnima (and the camel fair), reserve several months ahead. During the fair, the Rajasthan government provides comfortable lodging for tourists in tents. To reserve either a tent or a room at the Sarovar tourist bungalow, write to Central Reservation Office, Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, Ltd., Chanderlok Building, 36 Jan Path, New Delhi 110 001, India. Ajmer, a short bus-ride to Pushkar, also has many hotels.

Where to Eat: Restaurants in Pushkar are allowed to serve only vegetarian food. The Brahmä temple has its own restaurant, known as the R. S. Restaurant.

Nag (Yajna) Hill

Nag hill is said to be one of the oldest hills in the world. It is on the way to Ajmer. Its height is said to have been ten crore yojanas in Satya yuga, ten lakh in Treta, ten thousand in Dwapara. In Kali yuga, the height is decreasing day by day because it is sinking in earth. By the end of Kali yuga, it will almost disappear. It is said that if you visit this hill on your pilgrimage to Pushkar you will not have any interference or difficulties.

On the hill is Naga Kund. The story of this hill is that on the second day of Brahma’s sacrifice, Rishi Chyavan cursed Vatu, the grandson of Brahma to become snake, because he released a snake at the sacrifice that coiled around Bhrgu muni, Chyavan’s father. After Vatu begged for forgiveness, Brahma blessed him to live in this natural kund on Nag hill. Vatu performed austerities here. People who worship here on the panchami of sravana – Krishna paksha are said to have their desires fulfilled. Agastya muni’s residence is said to be a cave on Nag hill.

A camel fair is held in Pushkar each year for five days up to and including the Kärttika Pürëimä, the full-moon night of the month of Kärttika (October–November). Since this had long been the time when the most people visited the holy place for a sacred bath, it was natural that pilgrims would use the occasion as a chance to trade. What began with a few small, unplanned exchanges has grown into the largest camel fair in the world.

A tent city spreads out on the plains west of Puskar, and a grand festival takes place, complete with camel traders, horse traders, snake charmers, camel races, ferris wheels, merry-go-rounds, handicrafts shops, ash-covered holy men, brightly clad Rajasthanis practically all the color and excitement of the culture of Rajasthan. The fair attracts about 200,000 people, along with their 50,000 cows, camels, horses, and water buffaloes.

According to ancient vedic tradition, there are five well known sacred lakes collectively called Panch-Sarovar. They are namely, Mansarovar, Bindu Sarovar, Narayan Sarovar, Pampa Sarovar and Pushkar Sarovar; hence, Pushkar is considered one of the most sacred places in India.

It has 52 ghats of which Varaha, Brahma and Gaughats are the most important. A dip in the sacred lake is believed to cleanse sins and cure skin diseases.

Auspicious Times for Bathing

Kartika Purnima, last five days of month of Kartika.

A story tells of a ninth century Rajput king, Nahar Rao Parikar of Mandore, chasing a white boar to the lake shore on a hunting expedition. In order to quench his thirst, he dipped his hand into the lake and was astonished to see that the Leukoderma marks on his hand had disappeared. Impressed with the sacred curative nature of the lake, he got the lake restored to its glory. After discovering the curative characteristics of the lake water, people have since visited the lake to take a holy dip and cure themselves of skin problems.