Thursday, June 4, 2009

PUSHKAR LAKE


Pushkar is a sacred town for the Hindus, situated 11 kms. to the North-West of Ajmer city.Evidence points to its having existed during the Fourth century B.C. Lake in the inhospitable surroundings of a desert is no less than a miracle. Pushkar boasts temples, though few are as ancient as you might expect at such an important pilgrimage site, since many were destroyed by Aurangzeb, a Mogul ruler and subsequently rebuilt. The most famous is the Brahma Temple, said to be the only temple in the world dedicated to this deity. It stands on a high plinth with the Marble steps leading up to it. Many Ghats run down to the Holy Lake where pilgrims are constantly bathing in the holy waters. Joining people at the GHATS (Stairs on the banks of a river or lake) has to be with some respect for their culture and privacy. And for this reason, removing shoes before approaching the ghats, no smoking and restraining from photographing bathing people is well avoidedThe famed waters of the Pushkar lake wash away the sins of a lifetime. The mystical water is also believed to cure skin diseases, making Pushkar the Lourdes of the East.