Pushkar

Pushkar Lake (11 km)
The lake, situated on the edge of the desert and surrounded by hills on three sides, is separated from Ajmer by ‘Nag Pahar’ – the snake mountain. On this mountain the Panchkund and the cave of saint Agastya are located. It is believed that Kalidasa, the 4th century Sanskrit poet and playwright, chose the setting for his masterpiece ‘Abhigyana Shakuntalam’ in this forest heritage.

According to legend, the origin of Pushkar dates back to the time when Lord Brahma was on his way in search of a tranquil land to perform a ‘Yagna’. A lotus fell from the hand of the Lord into this valley. A lake sprang up on this spot and was dedicated to him. A Brahma temple located here is a popular place of pilgrimage.

Pushkar Fair
It is one of the most colourful fairs of India. Lakhs of pilgrims throng the lake during the annual cattle fair. Besides trading of horses, camels, cows and bulls, there are exciting camel-cart races and cultural events. Clothes, household items and leather goods are for sale during the fair. On full moon of Kartik (Nov.) pilgrims take a holy dip in the lake.

Man Mahal
Along the banks of the Pushkar Lake is the former residence of Raja Man Singh I of Amer, Man Mahal. Presently it is converted to RTDC Sarovar Tourist Bungalow ensuring convenient accommodation to travelers. Pushkar Palace (Kishangarh House) adjoining it is a heritage hotel.

Foy Sagar (5 km)
A picturesque artificial lake named after the engineer Foy who created it under a famine relief project.

TRAVEL INFORMATION

How To Get There

Air: Jaipur 132 km is the nearest airport.

Rail: Regular train services link Ajmer with important cities. Some important train connections are :-

• Gujarat Mail (Mumbai-Ajmer-Delhi Sarai Rohilla);
  
• Jodhpur Mail (Marwar-Ajmer-Jaipur);
  
• Delhi Express (Ahmedabad-Ajmer-Jaipur);
  
• Shatabadi Express (New Delhi-Ajmer-New Delhi).

Road : A good network of bus services operate from Ajmer to key destinations around.

Local Transport
City bus service operates in the city and to Pushkar. Unmetered taxis, auto-rickshaws, tongas and cycles-rickshaws are also available.

Where to stay

Standard Hotels
Hotel Mansingh Palace, Hotel Regency, RTDC Hotel Khadim, Hotel Ajaymeru.

Budget Hotels
Shobhraj Hotel, Hindu Hotel, Hotel Anand, Hotel Bhola, Hotel Malwa, Hotel Payal, Hotel Prithviraj, KEM Rest House, Nagpal Tourist Hotel, Sancheti Hotel, Hotel Surya, Hotel Paramount, Hotel Samrat, Hotel Ambassador, Hotel Motimahal, Hotel Aaram.

Supplementary Accommodation
Railway Retiring Rooms and Dharamshalas.

For details contact
Tourist Reception Centre, RTDC Hotel Khadim (Tel.: 0145-20490) Savitri College Road, Ajmer (Tel.: 0145-52426).

Other Useful Information

Banks/ Money Changers
Bank of Baroda, Prithviraj Marg, Tel,: 22575; Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur, Station Road, Tel.: 429646; Bank of India, Kaisarganj, Tel.: 432153; Mayo College, Tel.: 431424; Central Bank of India, Tel.: 32496; Punjab National Bank, Prithviraj Marg, Tel.: 429696; State Bank of India, Near Collectorate, Tel.: 52048. Also, authorized money changers are available in the leading hotels.

Hospitals
J.L. Nehru Hospital, Tel.: 52521.

Club
Ajmer Club, Tel.: 20003.

Tourist Reception Centre
1. Assistant Director, Tourist Reception Centre,
2. Hotel Khadim (RTDC), Tel.: 52426;
3. Tourist Information Counter at Railway Station.

Guide Service
Approved guides may be hired through The Asst. Director, Tourist Reception Centre, Tel.: 52426.

Important Telephone Numbers
Police Control Room, Tel.: 2100; Roadways (Central bus stand), Tel.: 429398;
Railways Tel.: 131 (Enquiry), 132 (Reservation), General Post Office; Tel.: 427603.

General information

Area 55.76 sq. km. Altitude 486 metres Climate Mean Max Mean. Min Summer 38.10 C 27.70C Winter 23.30 C 05.50 C Rainfall 38 to 51 cms Best Season July-March Clothing Summer Light Tropical. Light Woollen Languages Rajasthani, Hindi, Urdu, English, Sindhi.