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HOLY TOWN · RAJASTHANPushkar
A sacred lake town around one of the world's only Brahma temples, famous for its ghats and its great camel fair.
A holy lake in the desert hills
Pushkar is a small, intense holy town gathered around a lake that Hindus hold especially sacred, ringed by more than fifty ghats and hundreds of temples.
The town’s rhythm runs in layers: the ghats keep the pilgrimage’s timetable of dawn baths and dusk aarti, the bazaars run the backpacker economy of textiles, silver and juice bars, and the two coexist with practiced tolerance — sadhus and cafe crowds sharing the same lake view. Rose farms fill the valley beyond, supplying Ajmer’s rose-water and gulkand trade, and the desert hills around hold walking trails for the restless.
Its most famous shrine is the Brahma temple, one of very few anywhere dedicated to the creator god. Set among low desert hills near Ajmer, it has a relaxed, spiritual atmosphere.
Once a year the town explodes into the Pushkar Camel Fair, one of the largest livestock fairs in the world — but even outside it, Pushkar rewards a slow day of ghats, bazaar and rooftop cafes.
The lake’s sanctity comes from the founding myth: a lotus fell from Brahma’s hand, and water sprang where its petals touched — ‘pushkar’ means blue lotus — making a bath here, especially on Kartik Purnima, one of Hindu tradition’s great purifications. The fair grew around that pilgrimage date: tens of thousands of camels, horses and cattle traded on the dunes, moustache and bridal competitions, hot-air balloons over the herds at dawn, and a photographic feeding frenzy the herders now negotiate with professional aplomb.
For Gujarati travellers Pushkar rides the Ajmer connection — trains and highways from Ahmedabad run to Ajmer, eleven kilometres over the Nag Pahar pass — and pairs with Ajmer’s Dargah Sharif for one of India’s great side-by-side pilgrimages. The town is strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free by temple-town rule; decline the ‘Pushkar passport’ flower-ritual touts politely, agree prices before any puja, and give the rooftop cafes their sunset hour — the lake earns it.
The ghats of the sacred Pushkar lake at dusk.
Reasons to make the time
Brahma temple
A rare temple to the creator god.
Sacred lake
Fifty-odd ghats ringing a holy lake.
Camel fair
One of the world's largest livestock fairs.
Bazaar & cafes
Textiles, music and rooftop lake views.
Top sights in Pushkar
Photos via Wikimedia Commons
How to spend an hour or two
Walk the ghats
Sit at the ghats for the dusk aarti as the lamps come out over the water.
Visit the Brahma temple
Take darshan at the Brahma temple, the rare shrine of the creator god.
Climb Savitri temple
Climb to the Savitri temple before sunrise for the lake-and-desert panorama.
Browse the bazaar
Work the bazaar for textiles, silver and the town's wandering music.
Catch the camel fair
Plan around Kartik Purnima if you can — the fair is a world spectacle.
When to go
Winter brings the best weather, with the camel fair each November.
The monsoon greens the desert hills and calms the crowds.
Summer bakes this desert bowl — keep to dawn and dusk.
🐪 The famous Camel Fair usually falls in November around Kartik Purnima — book far ahead for it.
Timings & entry
- The Brahma temple and ghats keep their own timings.
- Pushkar is a strictly vegetarian, alcohol-free town.
Getting there
By Air
Jaipur, about three hours, is the nearest major airport.
By Rail
Ajmer, about 15 km, is the nearest railhead.
By Road
Usually via Ajmer, as part of a wider Rajasthan trip.
Know before you go
Pushkar FAQ
Why is Pushkar famous?
For its sacred lake and ghats, its rare Brahma temple, and the annual Pushkar Camel Fair.
When is the camel fair?
Usually in November around Kartik Purnima; exact dates change each year.
How far is Pushkar from Ajmer?
About 15 km, a short drive over a hill pass, with Ajmer as the nearest railway station.
Is Pushkar vegetarian?
Yes, it is a strictly vegetarian and alcohol-free town by tradition.
How long do you need?
A day is enough for the ghats, the Brahma temple and the bazaar.
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Published 7 July 2026