Puṣkar

Puṣkar is one of the oldest cities in India and home to one of the very few Brahmā temples in the world, situated on the banks of the sacred Puṣkar Lake in Rajasthan.

Significance

Puṣkar is one of the five sacred dhāms (Pañc Sarovar) and is the most famous pilgrimage site with a temple dedicated to Brahmā. The Puṣkar Lake is believed to have been created when Brahmā dropped a lotus flower, and the lake is surrounded by fifty-two ghaṭs. The annual Pushkar Fair is one of the largest camel fairs in India.

History

Puṣkar is mentioned in the Mahābhārata and the Padma Purāṇa. According to tradition, Brahmā performed a yajña at Puṣkar, and the temple was built to commemorate the event. The town has been a centre of pilgrimage for at least two millennia.

Key features

The Brahmā Temple, with its red spire and marble floors, is the most prominent temple of Brahmā in India. The Puṣkar Lake is surrounded by fifty-two ghaṭs, including the Brahmā Ghaṭa and the Varāha Ghaṭa. The annual Pushkar Camel Fair features cultural events and the sacred ritual bathing.

Modern status

Puṣkar is a tehsil in Ajmer district, Rajasthan. The town is governed by a municipal council. The Brahmā Temple and the Puṣkar Lake are protected monuments under the Archaeological Survey of India.

Verification notes

Status verified against Padma Purāṇa references, Archaeological Survey of India records, and Rajasthan government documentation.

• Audited against Wikipedia (September 2026).