Pushkar, located 11 km northwest of Ajmer in the
state of Rajasthan, is one of the most important pilgrimages
in the country. The town is considered to be sacred
by the Hindus because of the presence of some 500 temples,
which encircle the lake. Some of the most visited temples
here are the Brahma Temple, Savitri Temple, Rangji Temple,
Varah Temple and Apteshwar Temple.
Brahma Temple
This is the most revered shrine in Pushkar, which happens
t be the only temple devoted to The Lord Brahma, worshipped
as the Creator of the Universe in the known Hindu Trinity.
According to legend, Brahma performed a Yagya here.
Varah Temple
The Varah Temple is devoted to the Lord Vishnu, the
preserver in the Hindu Trinity of Gods. The temple is
houses an image of Vishnu in his fifth incarnation of
wild boar and was built by the King Anaji Chauhan (1123-1150)
and is equal in importance to the more well known, Brahma
Temple. As per the legend, the Lord Vishnu came to earth
to kill the demon Hirnayaksh who had stolen the Vedas
and then took the shape of Varah (wild boar) and killed
the demon thereby liberating the world from his atrocities.
Savitri Temple
This temple is devoted to the Godess Savitri, one of
Brahma's wives, and is located on the highest hill above
the Pushkar town. One can climb a long series of steps
to reach the shrine which offers a panoramic view of
the Pushkar Lake and surrounding sand dunes.
|