| There is general belief among Hindus that no pilgrimage to the four principal pilgrim centres (Char Dham), namely, Badrinath, Jagannath, Rameshwaram & Dwarka would bear fruit unless one bathes
in the holy waters of Pushkar Lake. Padma Purana, elaborately describes the origin and importance of this lake. It says that Brahma, the creator of the Universe, was once contemplating to
locate a suitable spot on earth to perform a Yajna (sacrificial ritual), the lotus fell from his hand and rebounding, struck at the earth at three places within a circuit of 9 kms. Water issued
forth, from all the three places and the creator called all the three as Pushkar (lotus) distinguishing them as Jyeshtha (Elder), Madhya (central) and Kanishtha (yonger). According to mythology,
he performed the Yajna at Jyeshtha Pushkar from Kartik Shukla Ekdashi to Purnima. Lakhs of devotees assemble and bathe in the holy waters of Pushkar Lake during this period of the year; but bathing
on the last day which is the full moon (Purnima) day, confers special blessing. In recent years, an exclusive accommodation Tourist Village is also erected for foreign tourists. Competitions are
organized for them and cultural programmes are held acquainting them with the Rajasthani way of life and culture. Pushkar has 52 bathing ghats and many temples, big and small; the most celebrated
being that of Brahma, the Creator of Universe. |
