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Things to Do in Pushkar

Overlooking the magnificent hills of Puskar, the Secret Garden is one of the chic and coziest properties you will find here. This boutique resort lies at a distance of just 3 KM from the center of Pushkar City, hence makes sure that you stay away from the hustle and the bustle but still stay connected to the major attractions and experiences. The cozy rooms here come with six different options, each of which is different from the other. The interior of the rooms reflect the culture and rustic charm which this country has, hence attracting numerous tourists.

For your entertainment, activities like jeep safaris, camel tours, ATV rides, horse riding and folk dancing sessions are organized. The whole experience of staying here will let you enjoy a sneak peek into the Rajasthani Culture, and if talking about the food, it is the best. To take care of your healthy daily routine, the resort also offers “The Yoga Shala”, which is a huge room filled with natural light where people can practice yoga.

Location: Village, opp. Hotel Pushkar Fort, Ganahera, Pushkar, Rajasthan 305022

How does a visit to a beautiful lake in a desert town sound? The Pushkar Lake is beautifully surrounded by over 52 Ghats and more than 400 temples that you can explore to your hearts content, and this is one of the best things to do in Pushkar! According to the local’s beliefs, a holy dip here is worth washing away 100 years of sins. 

Near the Ghats, you will get to see several religious ceremonies, indulge in the reverberating music of the temple bells, the chants from the priests and the illuminated lamps that make these Ghats  come alive in so many ways.

The several resplendent ghats at Pushkar are not only visited by the pilgrims or even by tourists but also double up as a haven and resting place abode for many Sadhus ,ascetics and other sects of Hindu saints who visit these areas, giving you a once in a lifetime opportunity to interact with them and meet them as well. 

A visit to these ghats is a muxt on your TO-DO list when you visit this desert town on your next vacation. Enjoy the lovely views of the famous Pushkar Lake and watch the daily life of Pushkar unfurl itself before you. Visit the Gau Ghat, Badri Ghat, Pachdevri Ghat, Varaha ghat, Saptrishi Ghat, Gurjara Ghat, Swarup Ghat, Yajna Ghat among many others. 

If you want to feel and experience all that real Rajasthani culture is about while wondering what are the different things to do in Pushkar, you should head out to be a part of the Pushkar Mela whenever you are here on a holiday! The main essence of this event is to get a chance to see the famous camel and cattle trading that happen between the different villages.

The most well decorated camel gets to take home a handsome reward (well, his owner does) and the animals selling price gets very high as well. There are other activities from these things to do in Pushkar to watch out for over here, such as the moustache competition, the ‘matka’ phod, the bridal competition.

During the matka phod, there are men climbing one atop the other, to break earthen pots hanging high above the ground. Indeed, there are so many sights to enjoy here; you need to ensure that visiting the Mela in Pushkar is a part of your itinerary. 

Hinduism, Lord Brahma is revered as the creator of the universe and holds a special place in the scriptures that they abide by. In Pushkar, the famous Lord Brahma temple happens top be the only temple dedicated to the God in the whole of North India, therefore it is a must visit when you are here with your family for your holidays.

The temple is also known as the Jagatpita Brahma Mandir and is one of the many temples close to the Pushkar Lake. The temples architecture glistens of beautiful white marble and stone slabs and once you enter the temple, you will see images of Lord Brahma and his second consort Gayatri.

The temple has recently developed to become a thriving tourist attraction for several travelers as well as pilgrims and holy men. Though there are many temples dedicated to Lord Brahma in India, this temple stands out for its resplendent architecture and finesse. 

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There is nothing more beautiful than getting a chance to see the vast beauty of Pushkar from the comfort of your hot air balloon whilst you are high in the skies. Enjoy your time at the Pushkar International Balloon Festival on your next visit to this place and enjoy the views of the deserts, hills and lakes beneath you. This festival has gained wide popularity in recent times, since its incorporation in 2010. The idea behind this festival was to add an element of adventure into the otherwise serene and calm environment that Pushkar generally portrays for tourists.

The view of so many hot air balloons in the sky along is enough for you to be in awe, and if you stay here long enough, you might be lucky enough to get a chance to see the fusion concert that takes place at the Pushkar Mela Grounds.  If you are spending the whole day here, you can get a chance to avail the different packages offered by the tour providers here and go visit the Brahma Temple, the Pushkar Mela among other things to do in Pushkar as well. 

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If you love shopping, you need to head to the amazing market road and sharafa bazaar in Pushkar and keep your bargaining skills ready at the tip of your tongue.

The colours here alone will leave you in awe and those who love photography can go crazy clicking many photos here as they please. Get a chance to buy the colourful sarees, sweets, handicrafts and much more while you are here and end your trip to Pushkar with some festive hues in your bag. 

While you’re strolling the beautiful suburbs of this city, you will find numerous cafes serving palatable dishes to your platter. Let the local dishes of the place serve you well with their mouth-watering taste as you watch the ghats from these cafes.

Not just limited to their local food, these cafes also serve various delicacies, including international cuisines as well. Tasty food with an eye-feasting view, what else does one need! You might have to wait for your turn as these cafes are quite flooded with people in the evenings. Warm and welcoming ambience of these cafes will lure you to the core, making it one of the mandatory things to do in Pushkar. 

Located 10 Km away from Pushkar, this is temple is one that provides the historical traces of the place. Founded by Raja Ajay Pal, who was also the founder of the city Ajmer, this temple has the most scintillating driveway you’ve ever imagined.

Passing through the lush green forest, a hill surrounded valley, and sand dunes, the driveway to this temple is best if done on a bike or scooter. The scooter and bikes are easily available for rent in the local markets. If you are up for a thrill-filled vacation away from the hustle and bustle of the city then this is one of the activities to do in Pushkar without fail.

The Pushkar Dharma Camel Safari gives you the chance to view the beautiful golden sands of Pushkar desert. The safari here has a series of activities that you can enjoy and participate in as well. If you wish to see Rajasthani folk in traditional attire, enjoy serene music and spend an evening watching the sun set behind the sand dunes, then head out for the Dharma Camel Safari, one of the most interesting things to do here.

This safari takes you through many villages by day and by sunset, you can relax and enjoy some quality time with your friends and loved ones. 

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When you visit Pushkar, ensure that you visit the beautiful and ancient city of Merta, a place very well known amongst many travelers as the land of classic, rustic palaces and temples. One of the tick points in your list of things to do in Pushkar, the 400-year-old city has the beautiful Meera Bai Temple, one of the main attractions of Merta. You could also pay a visit to the Aurangazeb Mosque and Bhanwal Matta Temple.

Believe it or not, there is a certain kind of serenity that holds unique for all the sacred temples of Pushkar and you can discover them as and when you explore the different places of worship here. Merta holds itself at a very high level of significance when it comes to ancient Indian history.

The city of Merta has seen several wars and victories as well, one of the most prominent ones being the defeat of Jodhpur and Jaipur armies at the hands of Marathas, before the rule of Emperor Akbar. 

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The Varaha Temple in Pushkar is dedicated to the powerful Lord Vishnu, a God deeply revered by Hindus. The temple symbolizes the stories from his avatar of half-man, half-boar and has many pilgrims paying their respects on many important occasions.

The architecture of the temple dates back to the 12th century and though its walls are still intact, the temple has a solid standing structure even now and you need to visit this holy place even if you are not a Hindu, just to enjoy the amazing architecture, the sculptures and the ruins of what has been left after Aurangzeb demolished the place. 

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Get ready to feel the goosebumps as the ghat is charged with the roaring chants and bells ringing from all the temples. Let the aroma of incense flow inside while you enjoy the eye-feasting view of the shimmering lake with the lights of the floating lamps.

The breathtaking view along with the loud vibrating chants in your ears and the enticing fragrance, the evening aarti wakes up all your senses, indeed one of the unmissable things to do in Pushkar. A divine experience, this evening prayer will certainly transport you to a different world.

Best Time: Evening 

Located on Vamadev Road, besides Gurudwara, The Pushkar Yoga Garden is an ideal place for you to visit if you enjoy the serenity and calm nature of ashrams. Foreigners have flocked to this retreat to rejuvenate and replenish their senses as part of their holiday regime and have made it a mandatory item in their list of things to do in Pushkar!

This yoga centre is based on the ancient art of ashram stay and is close to a beautiful lake, lovely view of the hills and several rose gardens. Spend some time here or longer if you wish, and understand the intricate yet abstract styles of Yoga and healing through different Indian therapeutic methods. 

Boasting of its striking architecture soaked up in the spiritual vibrations, hiking up to this temple is one of the most sought-after things to do in Pushkar. Perched in the north section of the city, this temple is devoted to the Ekadashi Mata, who is believed to render respite from the cardinal sins of the visiting devotees.

To add more to its mystery, this temple is related to the legend of the cursed Ashwathama from Mahabharata who is believed to have visited the temple in order to seek salvation from his sins. Take up the rugged terrains and add a tinge of adventure to your trip to this temple while you trek through the way. Giving you the scintillating view of the lush green surrounding, this 15-minutes trek is one of the best activities to do in Pushkar. 

If you wish to indulge in an adventure quest, you can take up a hiking trail to the Savitri Temple all through the rugged terrains of the Ratnagiri Hills. Beginning from the south-west side of Pushkar Lake, this 1.5 Km hike will render the best views of the surreal surroundings from the hilltop.

Savitri Devi temple dates back to the 16th century and is one of the oldest temples in the vicinity. Giving the panoramic of Pushkar from the top, this two-hours muscle-wrecking will be worth every effort you have put in. The ideal time to start this trek is in the evening so that you have the chance to watch the sunset from the hilltop.

Best time: Evening

Gleaming with the amusing collections of old gems, artworks, and textiles, this Collector’s Paradise has been given numerous awards for its rare collection. The place is flooded with rare dresses and textiles collected from Rajasthan, Gujarat, Afghanistan, and Pakistan. You will find loads of unique stuff used for camel decoration that will certainly fascinate you.

If you wish to get into the rich culture of Rajasthan, then this is one of the things to do in  Pushkar that you cannot miss out on. You can also meet the man behind this heaven - Ashok Tak, who has won numerous awards for his impeccable collection and get more insights about his journey and get a dip into his passion for camels and clothes while you listen to him.

Location: Near Ratan Haveli