Brahma Temple Pushkar, History, Architecture, Legend, Other nearby Attractions, Significance of Brahma Temple Pushkar, Festivals Celebrated at Brahma Temple Pushkar, Best time to visit: October to March, How to Reach Pushkar, Accommodation.
About Brahma Temple Pushkar
Brahma Temple in Pushkar is one of the most famous and only few of the temples dedicated to Lord Brahma in the holy city of Pushkar, Rajasthan. This Pushkar Brahma Temple is the place of deep spirituality and thousand of devotees come here to pay homage to the many gods that reside in this temple town. Pushkar city has over 500 temples with the main Pushkar temple. It is dedicated to lord Brahma and the only Brahma temple anywhere in the world. Although the structures of the temple dates back to 14th century but it is believed that the temple is about 2000 years old.
Pushkar is known for few other religious and tourism aspects. Also, the place is supposed to have been among the oldest, while the temples standing here are not very old but built only few centuries ago, reason being the invasion of Muslim rulers. The holy lake of Pushkar holds much religious significance, due to which pilgrims do not leave the place without taking a holy dip in its revered waters. The annual Pushkar Camel Fair is well-known for its popularity among the tourists, especially foreigners who get a glimpse in the ways village folks make their lives versicolor.
History
As per the sacred scripture of Hindu religion; Padma Purana, Lord Brahma once came across a demon named Vajranabha, killing and torturing people. Seeing such atrocity, the Lord slayed the demon with lotus flower (his special weapon). While doing so, some petals from the lotus flower fell at three places on the ground. This resulted into the creation of three sacred lakes, which in today’s times are known as the Jyestha Pushkar, the Madhya Pushkar and Kanishta Pushkar.
Later on, when the lord made his visit to earth, he started with the preparations of a yajna (fire sacrifice) at the Jyestha Pushkar Lake. In order to perform the yajna undisturbed by the demons, Lord Brahma created a chain of hills around. However, his wife Savitri was not available for the Yajna, which was disruptive of the proceedings.
On this, Lord Brahma requested Lord Indra to send him a suitable consort to complete the Yajna. When a Gujar’s daughter, named Gayatri was finally sent to take the seat next to Brahma as his wife, Savitri arrived. Feeling agitated, she cursed Brahma that the Lord would never be worshipped by anyone. She later on permitted his worship only in Pushkar. This entitled Brahma temple in Pushkar as the most prominent place to worship the lord.
Architecture
The famous Brahma temple in Pushkar is an altogether marble structure and sports a Southern style of temple architecture. Built on a raised platform, the temple’s entrance which is decorated of pillared canopies, has to be reached through marble steps.
After making the entrance, comes the pillared outdoor hall also known as Mandapa. Situated further to the Mandapa is the sanctum sanctorum (Garbhagriha). At the central position of the Garbhagriha, lies the statue of Lord Brahma seated in a cross legged position. The interiors of the Pushkar Brahma temple also contain the images of the Lord of Preservation (Vishnu), glided Garuda (eagle man) and Dvarapalas (gate-keepers)
From the outside, the structure flaunts a red colored spire (shikara) on the mount of the temple. Along with this is the symbol of a Hamsa (goose or swan) to add to the beauty of its exteriors.
Legend
Brahma came to known that a demon, Vajranash, was wrecking evil on the people here so the Lord intoned a mantra on a lotus flower and killed the demon. During this process the parts of flower fell on three places which came to be known as Jyaistha, Madhya and Kanistha Pushkar. Brahma then went ahead to perform a yagna to protect this place from evil. The consort of Brahma, Savitri, who was needed to perform the rituals was absent; hence Gayatri,
Gurjar girl, was married to Brahma and performed yagna. Angry at this act, Savithri cursed Brahma saying that he would be worshiped in Pushkar only and no where else.
Other nearby Attractions
Pushkar Lake: The Lake originating from Luni River, has 52 bathing banks to facilitate huge crowds during the occasion of ‘Kartik Poornima’ in the month of October-November, all of them being dotted with numerous temples dedicated to various Gods and Goddesses in Hindu religion. Sacred to Hindu as well as Sikh rulers, this lake has its mention in history since 4th century.
Varaha Temple: Being upset on huge idol of Lord Varaha (head of a boar and body of a man), the original temple of 12th century was destroyed by Mughal Emperor Aurangzeb. It was then rebuilt in 18th century by Raja Sawai Man Singh II.
Pushkar Camel Fair: The festival is ‘apple of eyes’ of Rajasthan Tourism Department when it comes to the contribution of Pushkar to tourism. Held during the time of Kartik Poornima, the festival is also recorded as the ‘World’s Largest Cattle Fair’. The northern states get engage in huge cattle trade, while the locals and wandering tribes take the opportunity to paint the festival with excitement of rituals and games, which consequently interests foreign tourists.
Chamunda Devi Temple located in the hills of Pushkar is one of the major Shakti Peeth and is a place of worship dedicated to Goddess Sati who is the female principal of Hinduism
Kanbay– Ksheer Sager Temple which is situated in the Pushkar forest on the bank of the river Nanda and is significant as here Lord Brahma took birth from the navel lotus of Lord Vishnu.
Jamdagni Kund and Punch Kund Pushkar are situated 2.5 km away from Pushkar and the temple is dedicated to five Pandavas and Lord Krishna.
Vaidhnath Temple Pushkar has one of the four important Shivaling and is considered as the re-creation of one of the 12 jyotirlingas. There are five jyotirlingas in Maharashtra.
The Atmateshwar Mahadev Temple is another major Shiva temple that is situated close to Pushkar.
Ajay Pal Temple is around 10 km from Pushkar and was built by Raja Ajay Pal who was the founder of Ajmer City.
Savitri Temple in Pushkar is surrounded on the three sides by hills and is a major Hindu worship site.
Rangnath Temple is a major Vishnu Temple which is one of the largest and one of the most imposing modern temples that is situated at the entrance of Pushkar.
Significance of Brahma Temple Pushkar
Although the Pushkar temple is not the only Brahma temple in the country still it is one of the very few existing temples that are dedicated to Lord Brahma in India. It is also the most prominent temple that is dedicated to Brahma.
Scriptures have identified the Pushkar Lake along with the Brahma temple as one of the prominent ten religious places in the world and it is also one of the five sacred pilgrimages for the Hindus, in India. Thus, Pushkar has become synonymous with pilgrimages and India and many holy sages have made it their prime abode.
Festivals Celebrated at Brahma Temple Pushkar
The holy Brahma Temple Pushkar is dedicated to Lord Brahma and since Kartik Poornima is a major festival that is dedicated to Lord Brahma thus a major religious get together and a fair is held at Pushkar during this time. During this festival time, a large number of holy men and pilgrims visit this temple and set up camps to stay for the 5-day long fest.
They generally indulge in the ritual of bathing in the sacred Pushkar Lake after which they visit the Brahm temple and pray there. The temple is governed by Sanyasi sect of the priesthood.
The Pushkar fair is a major attraction for the devotees as well as the foreign tourists during this time and the whole city gears up for the fair and the festival months in advance. Many camps, hotels, and eating points throve upon this time and thus the fair also promotes tourism in Pushkar.
Also, there are many major markets and street markets set up during this time for the thousands of people who visit the fair. The city ensures that the visitors are accommodated properly during this time of the year.
Best time to visit: October to March
Timings
The temple is open for worship between 6:30 am and 8:30 pm during winter and 6:00 am to 9:00 pm during summer, with an interval in afternoon between 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm when the temple is closed. Three aartis are held in the temple: Sandhya arati in the evening about 40 minutes after sunset, Ratri Shayan arati about 5 hours past sunset and Mangala arati in the morning, about 2 hours before sunrise.
How to Reach Pushkar
Pushkar in the state of Rajasthan is located 14 km away from Ajmer city. In order to reach this pilgrimage city, one can opt for the following alternatives:
By air – Sanganer airport, Jaipur which is 146 km from Pushkar is the nearest airport. It connects Pushkar to the rest of India and the world.
By train – Ajmer is the nearest railway station and is connected by train to Delhi, Jaipur and other cities in Rajasthan. Pushkar is 11 kms from Ajmer and can be reached by taxis or bus.
By road – Pushkar is connected to the major roadways and national highways of Rajasthan and India. Regular buses ply from Pushkar to Ajmer, Jaipur, Indore, Delhi and Nagda.
Brahma Temple Pushkar Accommodation
Owing to Pushkar’s star status among backpackers, there are far more budget options than mid-range though many have a selection of mid range priced rooms. At the time of the camel fair, prices multiply up to three-fold or more and it’s essential to book several weeks ahead. People who visit Pushkar also stay in Ajmer which is a major town and extremely close to Pushkar and have many 3-star as well as 5-star hotels, motels, boarding houses as well as guest houses.
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