Pushkar

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Coordinates: 26.5° N 74.55° E

Pushkar

Pushkar
State
 - District(s)
Rajasthan
 - Ajmer
Coordinates 26.5° N 74.55° E
Area
 - Elevation

 - 510 m
Time zone IST (UTC+5:30)
Population (2001)
 - Density
14,789
 - 
View of Pushkar from the ascent to Savitri Temple.
Enlarge
View of Pushkar from the ascent to Savitri Temple.

Pushkar is a town in the state of Rajasthan in India .It is situated 14 Km from Ajmer and is one of the sacred pilgrimage for Hindus and is often called "Tirth Raj" ( king of pilgrim centres) .It is an important tourist destination too. Pushkar is famous for Pushkar Lake and the 14th century temple to Brahma, the Hindu god of creation. This is the only temple of the god Brahma in the world. It is also famous for its annual Pushkar Camel Fair.No pilgrimage of hindu holy places is considered complete till the pilgrim bathes in sacred waters of Pushkara. There is another Pushkar - Budha Pushkar (Old Pushkar) few Kilometers away from the main Pushkar which is famous for Rose Farming.

Contents

[edit] Geography

Pushkar is located at 26.5° N 74.55° E[1]. It has an average elevation of 510 metres (1673 feet).

[edit] History

It is one of the oldest places of India .It is difficult to say when it came into existence but the legend associates Lord Brahma with its creation.

Ramayan mentions Pushkara and says that Vishvamitra performed tapa here. It further says that Apsara Menaka came to Pushkara to bathe in its sacred waters.

Mahabharata while laying down a programme of Maharaja Yudhishthara’s travel says “Maharaja after entering the Jungles of Sind and crossing the small rivers on the way should bathe in Pushkara".As per Vaman Purana Prahlada on his pilgrimage to holy places visited Pushkarayana.

Pratihara ruler of Mandore Nahadarava restored tirtha in the seventh century. He got the place cleared and the lake restored by making an embarkment on the side. He rebuilt old palaces and got built twelve dhrnashalas (resting places) and ghatas on three sides of the lake.

The sage Parasara is said to have born here .His descendants called Parasara Brahamanas are found in Pushkar and surrounding area. The famous temple of Jeenmata has been taken care by Parasara Brahmans for last 1000 years. Probably Pushkarana Brahamanas may also have originated here.

[edit] Places to see

Fairs

[edit] Demographics

As of 2001 India censusGRIndia, Pushkar had a population of 14,789. Males constitute 54% of the population and females 46%. Pushkar has an average literacy rate of 69%, higher than the national average of 59.5%: male literacy is 77%, and female literacy is 60%. In Pushkar, 14% of the population is under 6 years of age.

[edit] Access

The nearest airport is Sanganer Airport at Jaipur and that is at distance of 146 km from Pushkar. Pushkar is well connected by road .The nearest raiway station is Ajmer.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ Falling Rain Genomics, Inc - Pushkar

[edit] External links



State of Rajasthan
Rajasthan Topics
Capital Jaipur
Divisions Ajmer | Bharatpur | Bikaner | Jaipur | Jodhpur | Kota | Udaipur
Districts Ajmer | Alwar | Banswara | Baran | Barmer | Bhilwara | Bikaner | Bharatpur | Bundi | Chittorgarh | Churu | Dausa | Dholpur | Dungarpur | Ganganagar | Hanumangarh | Jaipur | Jaisalmer | Jalore | Jhalawar | Jhunjhunu | Jodhpur | Karauli | Kota | Nagaur | Pali | Rajsamand | Sawai Madhopur | Sikar | Sirohi | Tonk | Udaipur
Major cities AlwarBhilwaraBikanerJaipurJaisalmerJodhpurUdaipur


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