How to Enjoy a Visit to Pushkar, India

One of the most fascinating experiences I ever had in India was a visit to Pushkar. At the time I had already been in India for a few months, and I thought I had seen it all, but I saw and experienced things in Pushkar that I have never seen or experienced anywhere else. Pushkar can be either a great or horrible experience, depending on when you go and whether or not you're prepared for what you'll encounter. This article will help you know what to expect and how to make sure that your visit to Pushkar is an enjoyable one.

Understand the Sacred Nature of Pushkar

Pushkar is believed to be one of the holiest cities in India due to the belief that it was formed when Lord Brahma dropped a lotus flower to earth. Because of this, there are over 500 temples in this small town, and 52 ghats that lead into Pushkar Lake, where Hindu pilgrims go to bathe, since they believe by doing so, their sins will be washed away. Due to the religious nature of the city, many of the attractions focus on the Hindu religion, with a main attraction being the Brahma temple.

Go to Pushkar the Right Time of Year

You can go to Pushkar any time of year and enjoy it, but the time of year you go will greatly impact the ins and outs of your visit. If you prefer a quiet, sleepy town, it's best to go between December and September, though the summer months should be avoided due to heat, if at all possible.

If, however, you like lots of crowds and action, and the opportunity to observe everything from snake charmers, musicians, magicians, and children balancing on high poles, not to mention numerous shows put on by transvestites, you'll want to go during the annual camel festival, which takes place in either October or November of each year. As is true with all Hindu festivals, the dates of the festival are based on the lunar calendar, so they are different each year. If you don't want to miss it, be sure to check the dates of the Pushkar camel fair before you go.

Prepare for Crowds In Pushkar, India

If you decide to go to Pushkar for the camel festival and other religious activities taking place the same week, be prepared for huge crowds. Pushkar generally has a population of around 13,000, but during the camel festival, the number of people in town swells to around 200,000.

The crowds are so bad that no matter how diligent my friend and I were in trying to stick together, we found it impossible to walk side by side and lost each other numerous times. There is absolutely no space between people, so you also cannot easily stop to look at something, as the crowds push you along the road. Due to the large crowds and the intensity of the festival and all of the religious happenings, it is best not to bring children to Pushkar during the camel festival.

Book Your Room in Pushkar Several Weeks in Advance

As you can imagine, when a population of 13,000 swells to 200,000 in a single week, lodging is sparse, and many of the accommodations in the city are subpar. If you want to stay in a decent and safe place, book your lodging as soon as you book your plane tickets, or even before, if you're sure you're going.

One of the best places to stay in Pushkar during the camel festival is the Royal Safari Camp. Don't let the fact that the rooms are tents fool you. They are by far the nicest place to stay in Pushkar, with 20 of the 60 tents having air conditioning. The tents have private bathrooms with western-style toilets, and the guests are served delicious and safe-to-eat meals. There are even luxuries such as toilet paper that are missing in many of the hotels in Pushkar.

References:

Lonely Planet India, page 191

Footprint India, page 426

Insight Guides: India, page 207

If you enjoyed this article, you may also enjoy these other India travel articles by Rebecca Livermore:

How to Cross the Street in India and Live to Tell About It

A Travel Guide to My Favorite International City: Jodhpur, India

A Guide to the Forts of Rajasthan, India

A Guide For Getting Around Delhi, India