Pushkar is one of the oldest places of India. The date
of its actual founding is not known, but 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 for Maharaja
Yudhishthara’s travel, says “Maharaja after
entering the Jungles of Sind and crossing the small
rivers on the way should bathe in Pushkara". And,
per Vaman Purana, Prahlada on his pilgrimage to holy
places visited Pushkarayana.
A Pratihara ruler of Mandore, Nahadarava, restored
this tirtha in the seventh century. He got the place
cleared and the lake restored by making an embankment
on the side of the river Luni. He rebuilt old palaces
and got built twelve dhrnashalas (resting places) and
ghats on three sides of the lake.
The sage Parasara is said to have been born here. His
descendants, called Parasara Brahamanas, are found in
Pushkar and the surrounding area. The famous temple
of Jeenmata has been taken care by Parasara Brahmans
for the last 1000 years. Pushkarana Brahamanas may also
have originated here.
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