Did you know the mythological importance of Pushkar City?

Pushkar is not your usual traveller’s bucket-list lakeside town. Rather it is one of India’s oldest and most mythologically-significant pilgrimage spots! In fact, Pushkar is also called the ‘Tirtha Raj’, meaning that it is the ultimate pilgrimage spot among Hindus. Furthermore, it is also one of the five ‘Panch Sarovar’ i.e. the five most sacred lakes in Hindu mythology. People believe that a dip in Pushkar lake’s water can rid you of sins and diseases. It’s no wonder that this small town boasts nearly 400 temples! Pushkar finds mention in not only ancient Indian scriptures and epics like the Mahabharata and Ramayana but also in 5th-century Chinese travel records and the western Muslim empire’s documents.

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Here Is A Glimpse Into The Mythological Importance Of Pushkar

A Lake Created By Lord Brahma

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Pushkar’s myth ology is deeply-rooted in Lord Brahma’s folklore. According to the legend, a demon called Vajra Nabha killed off Lord Brahma’s children. Surprisingly, in an act of rage and revenge, Brahma slew Vajra Nabha with a lotus flower. The petals from the lotus fell onto the earth to give rise to the Pushkar lake. Fascinating, isn't it?

The Unusual Temple Of Brahma

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Lord Brahma is usually not worshipped amongst Hindus in particular. It’s believed that Lord Shiva cursed Brahma after becoming enraged about his materialistic tendencies. This curse entailed that no mortal would ever pray to Lord Brahma. However, Pushkar is home to one of the few, if not the only temple in the world where Lord Brahma is worshipped. The story goes that Lord Brahma’s wife, Saraswati, specifically insisted that she would only accept a shrine dedicated to her if Lord Brahma got a shrine as well. And so the Brahma temple of Pushkar was built back in the 14th century (though the original temple is believed to be built much earlier). Similarly, apart from the Brahma temple, there are hundreds of other temples in Pushkar dedicated to various Hindu deities.

The Red Spires Of Brahma Temple

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With the help of many subsequent kingdoms and governments,  the temples that were destroyed in Pushkar have been rebuilt and repaired. Moreover, it has been the collective efforts of Indian civilization that has kept alive the mythology and folklore of Pushkar, making it one of the world's most important pilgrimage and tourist spots. And hence you should definitely not shy away from a visit here, especially when our hostels in Pushkar is this dirt cheap!

Lastly, pack your bags and book your pre-winter vacation to this beautiful place if you want to know more about the intriguing mythological importance of Pushkar.