Brahma Temple, Pushkar, Rajasthan, India.

Location

Brahma temple, Pushkar is located at Pushkar in the state in Rajasthan and just near the Pushkar lake. The temple and lake is religiously attached to each other and have equal importance in Hindus religion.

Entrance Brahma Temple

Idol of Brahma with Savitri

The temple is dedicated to Lord Brahma (the creator God). There are few temples of Lord Brahama in India, but this temple is the most prominent among them. 

That is why Pushkar temple is called GURUTIRTH which literally means senior among all pilgrimage of Hindu religion. As Prayag is called Tirthraj similarly Pushkar is called Pushkar raj.

Lord Brahma is worshipped as Jagatpita (father of the universe) in Hindu religion.

Main Deity

Lord Brahma is the main deity inside the temple. Lord Brahama is a four headed God and creator of all the creatures on the earth.

There are more than 500 temples at Pushkar but only 80 temples are large and of the period (1658 – 1760). Many of them were destroyed by the Mogul Emperor, but were rebuilt subsequently.

According to a legend Brahma was cursed by Devi Savitri (his consort in some happenings described below) that he never be worshipped on the earth but later on relaxed it by permitting him to worship in Pushkar.

Legend/Story behind the Temple

There was a demon Vajranabha. He was killing his children (as Brahama is Jagat pita and we all are his children), harassing and destructing his creation on the earth. Thus being angry he threw his weapon, the lotus flower and killed the demon.

The lotus fower petels fell on the groud and created three lakes. The first one is known as Jyeshtha Lake ( elder one), second the Madhya Lake (middle one), and third as Kanishtha Lake (small one).

Lotus is a flower (pushpa in hindi) kara means hand. As the Pushpa fell down from the Kara of Brahama, the place is named as Pushkara.

People taking bath in Pushkar Lake

Lord Brahma wished to do Yajna at this place. For the protection and for the completion of Yajana peacefully, he created four hills. Ratnagiri, Nilgiri, Sanchoora and Suryagiri in four direction south, north, west and east respectively and positioned different Gods on it, to protect the Yajana from the demons.

Now he started the preparation for the Yajna. Sage Agastya Rishi was the main priest of the Yajna. The auspicious time came but his wife Savitri was absent, as she was waiting for her companion Goddess Luxmi Parvati and Indrani.

According to Hindu religion presence of wife in religious occasion is must. Then Lord Brahama directed Indra to arrange another bride for his marriage. Lord Iindra brought a Gujjar girl who was sanctified by passing her through the body of a cow. Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva and other priest certified her purity as she had passed through a cow, it was her second birth and then she was named Gayatri. Lord Brahama then married her and completed the Yajna. 

When Savitri came and saw a Gujjar girl Gayatri was sitting beside Lord Brahama. She became angry and cursed Brahma that he would only be worshiped in Pushkar and no where else. Savitri also cursed other Gods and priest. Lord Indra to be defeated easily in battles, Lord Vishnu to suffer the separation from his consort, fire God Agni to be all devouring and Priest to be poor.

Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu, Lord Shiva, Goddess Savitri and Sage Agastya are the main deity over here in Pushkar. Presence of such Gods at one place, made it the most religious place in Hindu mythology. International Business Times has identified Pushkar Lake and Brahma temple as one of the most sacred and religious place in the world and one of the five Hindu pilgrimages in India.

History of the Temple

As per Archological Survey of India, the temple structures date 14 th century. But it is believed that the temple is 2000 yrs old and constructed by Lord Vishwakarma (the architect of God).

The place for the temple was selected by Lord Brahama himself. Adi Shankarcharya renovated this temple in 8 th century.

Later on, Maharaja Jawat raj repaired and did some additional work to beautify the temple keeping the original structure intact. It is amomg the five sacred pilgrimage and known as Pushkar Raj tirth.

The entry from the main gate leads to a pillared outdoor hall and then to Garbhagriha (sanctum). The doors, dom and walls are well decorated. Molten lead is used to join the stones.

The red spire of the temple and symbol of Hansa (swan or goose) on the top are the distinct feature.

Puja and Rituals

People from every corner of the couuntry gathers to worship Jagat Pita (father of universe) Lord Brahma. The process include, first take bath in Pushkar lake after that go to the temple of Mata Gayatri and finaly to the temple of Lord Brahma.

The married men are not allowed to enter the sanctum. It is strictly followed by the Priest there. Only Sanyasi (ascetics) are the priest and belong to the lineage Parasar gotra.

Festivals

Kite Festival

A kite festival is organized on the eve of Maker Sankranti (mostly on 14 th) January. Kites of different beautiful colors can be seen over the sky line. Not only the Indian tourist but foreign tourist celebrate kite festival and they get mixed with local people.

On this day people take holy dip in Puskar lake and pray Sun God. Donating money and eatables (generally Gulgula,Malpua) to the needy are supposed to be a noble work for receiving Punya from deity.

Pushkar Fair (International Fair)

Kartik Sudi Ekadashi to kartik Purnima ( 11 th day and full moon day of bright half) which generally falls in October – November a religious festival is held in the honour of Lord Brahma. Rites (sanskar) celebration is organized on every Purnima and Amawasya (full moon and no moon day of every month).

Camel in ornamental wearing

A large fair is organized in which a large numbers of cattles like camel ,bulls, horse, brought by the traders of UP, Punjab, Haryana. A good trading takes place in the fair.

The fair is started a week before the poonam and ends on the full moon night.

Krishna Janmashtami

Janmashtami celebration is organized here and enjoyed by the devotees and the local people of Pushkar. Handi phorho competition is organized here and enjoyed by the locals.

The Rangnath temple remains open through out the night and birth of Lord Krishna is celebrated at midnight. On the next morning Nandotsava is celebrated in which people distribute Prasad(offerings) and dance with joy.

Places to Visit Nearby

Raghunath Temple
Built in the year 1823, the temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu and his two reincarnation Narshimha and Ram.

Raghunath Temple

Dargah of Khwaja Muin - Ud - Chishti

Dargah Shariff

This is the place where the people come from all over the world to make a wish. On getting them them fulfilled by the grace of Garib Nawaz, they offer flower and chadars in his honour

Apteshwar Temple
The temple is dedicated to Lord Shiva and believed to be built in the 12 th century making it one of the oldest temple that exist today. The original temple was destroyed by the Mogul Emperor Aurangzeb.

Durgabag Garden

It is situated to the right of Ana Sagar Lake. You can see a large number of tourists lazing around the garden making it a lively picnic spot.

Timings of Temple

All days of the week

5.00 AM to 1.30 PM 3.00 PM to 9.00PM (summer)

6.30 AM to 1.30 PM 3.00 PM to 8.30 PM (Winter)

Arti Timings

Arti of Lord Brahma is peformed three times in a day.

Mangal Arti - 2 hours before sunrise

Sandhya Arti - after 40 minutes of sunset

Shayan Arti - Five hours past of sunset.

Where to Stay

Hotels of Large, medium and low budgets are available in Pushkar.Some of them are listed below.

Large budget hotels – Hotel Raj Garden, Lohana Village Resort, Pushkar Fort Resort

Medium budget hotels – Chacha’s Garden, Goyal Inn, Amrutham, Farm Villa etc

How to Reach

By air

There are no regular flights for Pushkar from major cities of India. Nearest air port is Sanganer

Sangner to pushkar – 127 km

Jodhpur airport to Pushkar – 161 km

By rail

Pushkar is not connected by railhead. Ajmer is the nearest railway station 10 km away..

By road

Pshkar is well connected by road from all over the country, regular buses ply from all major cities of Rajasthan.

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