| Pushkar |
| Pushkar is a town in the state of Rajasthan in India.
Pushkar means born due to flower. In Hindu mythology,
It is said that gods released a swan with lotus in its
beak and let it fall on earth where Brahma would perform
a grand yagna. The place where lotus fell was so called
Pushkar. It is situated 14 Km from Ajmer and is one of
the five sacred dhams, pilgrimage sites for devout Hindus;
it is often called "Tirth Raj" (the king of
pilgrimage sites). In recent years it has become a popular
destination for foreign tourists.
Pushkar lies on the shore of Pushkar Lake. It has five
principle temples, many smaller temples and 52 ghats
where pilgrims decend to the lake to bathe in the sacred
waters. One of the primary temples is the 14th century
temple dedicated to Brahma, the Hindu god of creation.
Very few temples to Lord Brahma exist anywhere in the
world, so Lord Brahma's temple in Pushkar is quite rare.
Pushkar is also famous for its annual Pushkar Camel
Fair.
The natural environment of Pushkar and the sacred lake
has become increasingly degraded in the last few decades.
The problems stem mainly from overdevelopment of tourist
facilities and the deforestation of the surrounding
area
Please note that Pushkar, the pilgrim centre, should
not be confused with Budha Pushkar (Old Pushkar), a
town nearby. Budha Pushkar is famous for its rose farming.
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