Pushkar, a famous religious city in Rajasthan, is home to the unique Brahma Temple in Pushkar, Rajasthan, one of the few in the world dedicated to Lord Brahma. The temple, known as Jagatpita Brahma Mandir, has stood since the 14th century, although Indian mythology traces its origins back 2000 years. Situated near the revered Pushkar Lake, it attracts many tourists, especially during Kartik Purnima, contributing significantly to Pushkar’s tourism boom.
History
In the sacred Hindu scripture Padma Purana, there’s a tale about Brahma Temple Pushkar. According to it, Lord Brahma encountered a demon named Vajranabha who was causing chaos and harm to people. In response, Lord Brahma defeated the demon using a lotus flower as his weapon. When the flower fell, its petals landed at three different spots, which became the Jyestha Pushkar, the Madhya Pushkar, and Kanishka Pushkar, now known as sacred lakes.
Later, Lord Brahma decided to perform a Yajna at the Jyestha Pushkar Lake. To protect the Yajna from demons, he created hills around it. However, his wife Savitri was absent, causing disruptions. To complete the Yajna, Brahma asked Lord Indra for help, and Gujar’s daughter named Gayatri was sent as a consort. When Savitri arrived and saw Gayatri beside Brahma, she cursed that Brahma would not be worshipped except in Pushkar. This led to the establishment of the Brahma Temple in Pushkar, where devotees worship Brahma during Pushkar Holidays.
Architecture
The Jagatpita Brahma Mandir in Pushkar is a beautiful marble temple. It shows off the Southern style of architecture. They built it on a raised platform. To get to the temple entrance, you climb marble steps. Inside, there’s a pillared outdoor hall called the Mandapa. Nearby, there’s a sacred room called the Garbhagriha. In the middle, there’s a statue of Lord Brahma. The temple also has pictures of Lord Vishnu, a golden Garuda, and Dvarapalas inside. Outside, the temple has a red spire and a Hamsa symbol on top, making it even more beautiful.
Aarti and Pooja Timing in Brahma Temple
The Brahma Temple in Pushkar draws pilgrims from all over the country, who come here to participate in various spiritual activities. The temple hosts religious ceremonies at three different times during the day, attracting crowds of pilgrims each time.
Early Morning
Around 5:30 am, the temple priest conducts the Vastra Dharan ceremony, also known as Mangala Aarti. This time sees fewer crowds, making it preferable for devotees. Many pilgrims also donate clothes to the deity as a sign of esteem and devotion.
Morning
Following Mangala Aarti, another ceremony occurs around 10 or 11 am when prasad is offered to Lord Brahma. Local pilgrims visit in large numbers during this time. Those wishing to make donations to the temple can do so through the temple committee.
Afternoon
From 1 pm to 3 pm, the temple remains closed with restricted entry.
Evening
The Sandhya Aarti takes place from 7 to 7:30 pm, a significant ceremony for believers in Pushkar. This evening ritual is performed by the temple priests after sunset.
By 9 pm, the temple path closes, and entry is restricted until the next day.
Entry Timings in The Temple
- Summers: 5:30 am to 9 pm (*closed in the afternoon from 1 to 3 pm)
- Winters: 5:30 am to 9 pm (*closed in the afternoon from 1 to 3 pm)
About the Donations
Lots of people who strongly believe in Lord Brahma and come from wealthy families give big donations as much as they want. The temple uses these donations to make things better or do good deeds. If you want to donate something to the temple, you can talk to the committee members of the temple.
Nearby Attractions in Pushkar
Pushkar Lake
In the special town of Pushkar, there’s a lovely lake called Pushkar Lake. It mirrors the clear sky and big hills around, making it a beautiful sight. The lake is surrounded by hills on three sides and a big desert on the fourth. Near these hills, you can find interesting places like the Agasthya caves in Snake Mountain. Legend says the water in the lake has special powers. If you take a dip in it, it can wash away sins you’ve gathered over a hundred years. The lake becomes even more charming with over 500 Hindu temples nearby.
Savitri Temple
On Ratnagiri Hill in Pushkar, you’ll find the Savitri Temple, a famous place for Hindu pilgrims. It’s dedicated to Goddess Savitri. Climbing up the hill is hard work, but people believe the harder you work, the more blessings you get. Inside, you’ll see statues of Lord Brahma’s wives, Savitri and Gayatri. Traditionally, people worship Goddess Savitri first, then pray to Goddess Gayatri. You can hike up to the temple gates or take a cable ride for a great view of the city.
Pushkar Desert
The Thar Desert in Pushkar is a key place that makes traveling here special. Every year, the famous Pushkar Fair happens here, attracting travelers from all over the world. This fair promotes desert tourism, offering a chance to experience Rajasthani culture and hospitality firsthand. During the fair, you can also go camping, which is organized and kept safe by desert tourism.
New Rangji Temple
The New Rangji Temple in Pushkar is an ancient temple dedicated to Lord Vaikuntha Venkatesh. It’s known for its beautiful architecture, like the tall Gopuram and a big entrance, similar to South Indian temples. The temple is part of a group of other temples dedicated to different gods, including Goddess Laxmi and Lord Krishna.
Gurudwara Singh Sabha
According to history, Gurudwara Singh Sabha was visited by two famous Sikh Gurus, Guru Gobind Singh and Guru Nanak Dev, during their travels to the Rajputana States in 1706. They were hosted by the priest Chetan Das at that time. You can see a stone slab called Gobind Ghat with inscriptions in different scripts like Devanagari, Gurumukhi, Persian, and Roman under a kiosk there.
Varaha Temple
This ancient temple is dedicated to Lord Varaha, an avatar of Lord Vishnu in the form of a boar. It features intricate carvings and is located near the Pushkar Lake.
Man Mahal
Situated near the Pushkar Lake, Man Mahal is a beautiful palace built by Raja Man Singh I of Amber. It offers stunning views of the lake and the surrounding landscapes.
Pushkar Bazaar
For those interested in shopping, Pushkar Bazaar is a vibrant marketplace offering a variety of goods such as traditional Rajasthani clothing, jewelry, handicrafts, and souvenirs.
Brahma Ghat
This sacred bathing ghat is located on the banks of the Pushkar Lake and is a popular spot for pilgrims to take holy dips during religious festivals.
Aptaeshwar Temple
The ancient architecture and serene ambience of Aptaeshwar Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva, attract devotees and tourists alike.
How to Reach Pushkar?
Pushkar has good connections to nearby cities and tourist spots, making it straightforward to reach:
By Air
The closest airport to Pushkar is in Jaipur. From there, you can take a cab, bus, or train to Ajmer, which is about 14 kilometres away from Pushkar.
By Rail
Pushkar is easily reachable from Ajmer Railway Station, which has good connections to major cities. Since Ajmer is just 15 kilometres from Pushkar, getting to the city is hassle-free by train.
By Road
Pushkar is well connected to various tourist destinations by roads. You can easily reach Pushkar by road from nearby cities and towns.
Best Time to Visit Pushkar
Visiting Pushkar during the Holi festival is a great way to experience genuine fun and joy. For the ultimate devotion to Lord Brahma, consider planning your Jaipur Pushkar Tour Package between October and November. The best time to visit is during Kartik Purnima in November, according to the Hindu Calendar. During this time, a religious festival is held at the ghats of Pushkar, drawing pilgrims from all over the world to bathe in the sacred lake. Many rituals and ceremonies also take place at the Pushkar Brahma Temple during the Pushkar Fair.
