A complete guide to exploring Pushkar, India. Everything you need to know from getting to the state of Rajasthan, how to visit Pushkar, what to do, where to stay and how to have most heart fulfilling experiences in the Holy City.
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PUSHKAR:
Pushkar is just one of those magical places in India that will touch your heart in a very special way because of the deep cultural and spiritual presence of sacred Hindu practices here.
The Holy Pushkar Lake is one of the 5 most holy lakes in Hinduism. People come to cleanse themselves of sins here. You will always see Babajis around the lake in ceremony. There are many music sessions and festivals in Pushkar. The holy city is built all around the lake with the most divine architecture we have seen in India. It is especially beautiful at sunset and there is such a peaceful atmosphere across the lake at night.
This is one of the most beautiful spiritual and cultural places in India to soak up the full power energy of Indian culture.
Not to mention, the people of Pushkar are so warm and welcoming. There are lovely restaurants to eat at and an abundance of monkeys and cows all around the city and temples. The strong spiritual presence of Hinduism can be felt all throughout the town.
THE STATE OF RAJASTHAN, INDIA:
Rajasthan is an iconic state in India known for its colorful heritage, deep culture and stunning desert landscapes that are dotted with significant temples, grand palaces and vibrant markets. This is one of the most popular regions India for tourists to explore – and for good reason.
This state is home to some of India’s most colorful towns and villages. With the most notable being:
- Jaipur: The Pink City
- Udaipur: The City of Lakes
- Jodhpur: The Blue City
- Jaisalmer: The Golden City
- Pushkar: The Holi City.
Each of these destinations are filled with ancient history, grand architecture, natural landscapes, wildlife and an explosion of culture and rich delicacies.
HOW TO GET TO RAJASTHAN AND PUSHKAR:
When starting a Rajasthani trip, most travelers will typically begin in Jaipur. You of course do not have to start there. But the Jaipur Airport is an international airport which makes getting to this region easier for international travelers if you are starting your India itinerary in Rajasthan and you are not stopping over in Delhi.
AIR:
TO RAJASTHAN:
It is possible to fly straight into Jaipur when arriving in India. Jaipur has an International Airport (JAI) that offers domestic and international flights. You can fly to Jaipur from nearly every major Indian city.
You can also fly domestically from major cities in India to a number of domestic airports such as Udaipur Airport (Maharana Pratap Airport) and Jodhpur Airport. From the airport you can take a taxi, TukTuk or bus to your destination.
TO PUSHKAR:
The nearest international airport to Pushkar is the Jaipur Airport which is about 140km away. You can take a train from Jaipur to Ajmer (nearby to Pushkar) or you can take a private taxi or public bus. From Jaipur to Pushkar is around 3 hours depending on the traffic.
The nearest domestic airport to Pushkar is in Ajmer, called Kishangarh Aiport. From the airport it is easy to take a TukTuk or taxi to Pushkar which is about 38km away, a 50 minute drive.
You can search for international and domestic flights and compare prices through Skyscanner. I always use Skyscanner to find the best flight that suits my itinerary.
TRAIN:
TO RAJASTHAN:
The busiest railway station in Rajasthan is the Jaipur Railway Station. The train stations in Rajasthan are very well connected to cities all across India. Other main railway stations in Rajasthan are Ajmer Junction, Udaipur City and Jodhpur Junction.
Indian Railways operates several trains, including express, super fast and luxury trains which connects Jaipur to cities like Delhi and Mumbai. Depending on where you depart from, the time of the journey can range from a few hours to overnight journeys. From Delhi the journey is 4-6 hours.
TO PUSHKAR:
The nearest railway station to Pushkar is the Ajmer Junction. It is well-connected to major cities in India. If you are coming from any railway stations that are not connected to Ajmer, you will take a connecting train to a major city and then to Ajmer. It is only a 30-40 minute drive from Ajmer to Pushkar. You can find taxis and TukTuks outside the station.
Train tickets can be booked directly through the Indian Railways website or through websites like 12GO that make it easier for foreigners to pay with international cards.
ROAD:
TO RAJASTHAN:
There are regular bus services available from nearby cities like Delhi and Agra. Local and private bus companies offer both standard and deluxe bus services with different classes. The journey by bus depends on the distance traveled and traffic conditions but typically ranges from 5-8 hours from Delhi. Rajasthan has 20 national highways that connect to cities all around India.
12GO is also a good platform for searching and booking buses in India.
TO PUSHKAR:
There are regular bus companies that operate between Jaipur and Pushkar. The journey by bus usually takes around 3 hours. Alternatively, you can hire a taxi or private car for a more comfortable and flexible journey. There are also night buses that depart from Delhi to Pushkar every day.
I have written a whole blog dedicated to getting around India on public and private transport options. Read the blog here.
DO YOU NEED YOUR OWN TRANSPORT IN PUSHKAR?
While having a scooter in Pushkar is absolutely not necessary as it is quite a small town, I do recommend renting a scooter for at least a day or 2.
My favorite activity in Pushkar was driving out of the town and visiting the surrounding nature, farmlands and villages by Aloo Baba. The scenery along the drive is breathtaking and offers a unique glimpse into the small villages and local way of life in the outskirts of the Rajasthani desert.
You can continue driving straight passed Aloo Baba’s temple towards the incredible Ajaypal Temple that is overrun by Langur monkeys who are very friendly. The directions and road is very clear and safe.
This is a lovely way to have a break from the city vibes and surround yourself with nature. In monsoon season, the hills are so alive and lush. The landscapes are really beautiful and you can go on small hikes around the hills. You can see goats, water buffalo, amazing peacocks, cows, sheep and monkeys.
ROAD CONDITIONS:
The road condition in the main Pushkar town are semi-maintained. Because of the flooding that happens in monsoon season the roads can have a lot of potholes. Right outside of the main center the roads become dirt roads the closer you get to the farmlands.
RENTALS:
There are so many places to rent scooters in Pushkar along the main road. You will see so many rental shops as you drive through the town. These are 2 places that I personally rented from and had a good experience with:
- Pushkar Bike Rent – Affordable scooter rentals in Pushkar.
- Rudra Motor Bike on Rent Pushkar – Good quality bikes for rent.
THE VIBES OF PUSHKAR:
SPIRITUALITY:
Pushkar is known for its deep spirituality which attracts people from all around the world. The town is centered around the sacred Pushkar Lake, believed to have been created by Lord Brahma. It is filled with over 500 temples, including the iconic Brahma Temple. The unique ambiance, daily rituals, and spiritual practices like yoga and meditation make Pushkar a haven for spiritual seekers looking to connect with their inner selves.
TOURIST/FOREIGNER COMMUNITY:
Pushkar has one of the most prominent tourist communities in the country. Connecting with like-minded people and being a part of a beautiful community of people is something about India that all travelers love. It is an aspect of India that I fell in love with. Here you will find many workshops, practices and ceremonies that you can take part in.
HOLI FESTIVAL OF COLORS IN PUSHKAR:
If you happen to be visiting India in March, you are in luck! India’s Holi Festival of Colors is a totally wild experience and Pushkar happens to be the best place to celebrate it in India.
During the festival, locals and visitors come together to partake in colorful celebrations, music, dancing and throwing colored powders, known as “gulal,” marking the arrival of spring and the triumph of good over evil. It is one of the most fun and exciting cultural experiences you can have in your life.
PS: There is a lot of conversation around the safety of this festival, particularly for women. A very real issue has escalated over the years of Indian men purposefully taking advantage of touching, grabbing and behaving inappropriately with woman at the festival. Throwing the colored powders has become an excuse to touch women and take advantage of the situation. This happens to women from India and foreign women. Please make sure that you stand your ground, be aware of the space around you and do not allow this behavior to slide. Behavior such as this should be reported and spoken up against. I know that as a foreigner you could possibly feel out of place to call out such acts but you have every right to do so. It also best to roam the streets and join in the festivities with a group of friends you know and trust.
WHERE TO STAY:
Pushkar is relatively small, though there are a wide variety of accommodation options here. We suggest staying anywhere along the Pushkar Lake or along Pushkar’s “Panch Kund” road, which is just a bit away from the bustling center.
BUDGET TO MID-RANGE:
- Elephant Pushkar – amazing garden and pool (so nice for if you are there in the humid season), comfy rooms.
- Zostel Pushkar – a beautiful space with dorms and private rooms, a great place to meet other travelers.
UPSCALE – LUXURY:
- Hotel White Rabbit – a stunning view, beautiful space and a pool.
- Hotel Brahma Horizon – their luxury rooms have the most beautiful views!
- Ananta Spa & Resort – a breathtaking, peaceful and luxurious space outside the town of Pushkar.
CAFE AND FOOD SUGGESTIONS IN PUSHKAR:
Can I give my honest opinion about the food in Pushkar? There is a good variety of places to eat and great fruit and veggie markets to get fresh supplies from. BUT, in my experience, the food quality here is not great! I also found a lot of the restaurants are not so hygienic. So, be sure to have a good look around the restaurant to see if it is clean and if other foreigners are eating there. But even still, there were some really questionable restaurants that I saw foreigners eating at. Just use your discernment when choosing where to eat.
Because I want to be completely honest with you so you have the best India experience, Pushkar is the place I got the most food poisoning from the street food. Only eat the street food that is recommended to you. It is best to just eat at the restaurants here and make sure you thoroughly wash any fresh produce you buy from the markets.
With all of this being said, there are really great cafes and restaurants to choose from and don’t let this information stop you from visiting this amazing place. I only share openly and honestly too make you aware of certain aspects so you can feel prepared before visiting a destination.
A FEW RECOMMENDATIONS:
- Cafe Lake View – Nice multi-cuisine cafe near the lake. LOVE the view from here!
- MAMA Roof Top Cafè – Comfortable cafe with the best views of Pushkar.
- La Pizzaria Restaurant – Cute garden restaurant with good pizzas.
- Cafe The Wall – Simple dishes with a beautiful view of Pushkar.
- Honey & Spice – a lovely cafe with some healthy options.
AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN PUSHKAR:
- Walk around the Pushkar Lake – fringed with temples and stunning architecture, ceremonies, langurs and red-faced monkeys, water snakes, music and serene atmosphere, walking around the lake is a beautiful experience.
- Enjoy music, dance and gatherings around the lake – there is always something lively or ceremonious happening!
- Sunset on the steps – every sunset there are gatherings of people, flow toys and music on the Ghats (steps) of the lake (Evening Aarti).
- Shopping, arts and crafts – you have to go shopping in Pushkar!
- Attend Classes – belly dancing, traditional dancing and jewelry making classes.
- Drive around the desert and visit the gypsy camps on the outskirts of Pushkar – I would recommend taking a local person or a guide with you to do this if it is your first time in Pushkar. Although it is safe, I went on my own to the gypsy camps all the time to take gifts, food and supplies to them during the challenging Covid times. But for anyone unfamiliar with India it is better to go with someone knowledgeable about the area because it can be overwhelming at first.
- Visit the Old Rangji Temple
- Hike the Savitri Temple – for spectacular views of the lake and Pushkar city with the surrounding mountain hills.
- Visit Brahma Temple
- Gurudwara Sahib Temple – a stunning Sikh temple.
- Ajaypal Temple and Picnic Spot – a drive out to this temple is extremely worthy of a half day in Pushkar. Witness the desert scenery and local village life along the way. These temples are a gem with monkeys absolutely everywhere!
- Jagatpita Shri Brahma Mandir – famous temple in Pushkar.
- Shree Ram Mandir – a beautiful temple.
- Lord Shiva Temple – a must visit in Pushkar. This temple is filled with monkeys, cows and nature. This is such a pretty area and almost no one goes here.
SHOULD PUSHKAR BE ON YOUR INDIA ITINERARY?
YES! The answer is short, sweet and a full-body yes! If you want to feel that immersive, full-on Hindu cultural experience in India while still being around fellow travelers, making friends, joining in on events and celebrations, then Pushkar is amazing place to visit on your India itinerary. Plus, it is just a beautiful experience for your heart, eyes and mind!
If you are visiting Rajasthan and you don’t have Pushkar on your bucket-list yet, it is so easy to visit here as well while you are visiting the other surrounding tourist spots such as Jaipur and Udaipur.
I am excited to hear all about your experience in Pushkar in the comments below and what your favorite part of this Holy City experience was.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:
IS PUSHKAR WORTH VISITING?
Yes, Pushkar is worth visiting because of the array of things there are to do and the blend of culture and spirituality that bring this beautiful place to life. If you are open to experiencing India in its fullness, you can really leave here feeling so fulfilled and with life-long travel friends.
IS IT SAFE TO SOLO TRAVEL IN RAJASTHAN?
Yes, it is generally safe for solo travel in Rajasthan. Especially in the more popular tourist areas. The local people are really helpful and friendly and you can always reach out to someone if you need assistance with something. It is known that the busier towns and cities such as Jaipur face an issue with pick pocketing so please don’t keep valuables in your pockets or on your back in your backpack when walking the crowded streets/on the back of a scooter.
WHY IS THE LAKE IN PUSHKAR CONSIDERED HOLY?
In Hinduism, the creation of the Pushkar Lake is connected to Lord Brahma. The story is that Lord Brahma dropped a lotus flower down to Earth and it landed here, which caused water to spring from the ground, creating the Holy Lake. This is where Lord Brahma then performed his grand ritual.
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