We had heard about Pushkar. It is a trendy, spiritual place to visit in India. But we wondered if the touted spiritual and trendy things to do in Pushkar would truly be worth the visit.
Well, mission complete. Albeit we weren’t on a trendy, spiritual pilgrimage around India. We were backpacking and on our seventh visit to the country. But here is everything you need to know about Pushkar, the things to do in Pushkar and the answer to our original question about whether – and why – it is worth visiting!
About Pushkar
Pushkar is unique because it is a prominent Hindu pilgrimage town built around a sacred lake that, according to legend, appeared when a lotus flower dropped from the hands of Lord Brahma.
There is a distinct shift in energy the moment you cross the Aravalli hills and drop down into the sacred town of Pushkar. Unlike the intense, relentless bustle (madness) of neighbouring chaotic Ajmer, or the sprawling traffic of Jaipur, Pushkar is different.
It is much smaller – and much quieter.
Plus, because of its holy status, the entire town is strictly vegetarian and dry – meaning you won’t find meat, eggs, or alcohol here.
Why It’s Worth Visiting
Why visit? It is obviously quieter and very different to the busy Rajasthani cities. It is trendy too, as a spiritual and (supposedly) wholesome place to visit.
You come here to experience a more tranquil, highly walkable side of Rajasthan.
It still has the vibrant markets, plus desert landscapes, and incredible spiritual traditions. But it is without the crushing traffic or overwhelming chaos of the larger cities.
I’d describe it as an ideal place to recharge your batteries while still experiencing authentic Indian culture.
How Long Do You Need?
We reckon a two-day, two-night stay is the sweet spot for Pushkar.
Pushkar is small, and you can easily walk across the entire town in under thirty minutes. Two days give you enough time to explore the temples, experience the lakefront rituals, hike up the hills for sunset, and browse the markets without feeling rushed.
Though it is a popular destination in India for longer, meditation and yoga retreats and stays too.
Do You Need a Guide?
For the town itself, no, you absolutely do not need a full-time guide. Pushkar is easy to navigate independently on foot. We reckon exploring at your own pace is half the charm!
However, be aware of the common “Pushkar Priest” scam: aggressive local men may hand you flower petals, guide you to the water for a blessing, and then demand massive cash donations. Politely but firmly decline their flowers and walk down to the lake on your own.
10 Best Things to Do in Pushkar
1. Pushkar Lake
As the absolute centre of the city, it is impossible to miss Pushkar Lake. It is the most famous part of Pushkar.
According to Hindu mythology, this sacred lake was created when Lord Brahma dropped a lotus flower, making it a major pilgrimage site where devotees travel from all over the world to bathe in its holy waters.
2. The Pushkar Ghats
Pushkar Lake features 52 holy bathing ghats (stone steps leading into the water).
However, even if you aren’t visiting to bathe, one of the best things to do in Pushkar is simply to walk the perimeter of the water. It is the spiritual heart of the entire town and watching pilgrims perform their morning and evening cleansings, is a totally unique experience.
- Important ‘Safety’ Tip! Beware of the infamous ‘flower scam’ near the water. Local men will push flowers into your hands, offer a “free” blessing, and then aggressively demand thousands of rupees. Politely but firmly decline any flowers and walk away to enjoy the lake in peace.
3. Brahma Temple
Pushkar is home to the Jagatpita Brahma Mandir, one of the very few temples in the entire world dedicated to Lord Brahma (the Hindu creator god). It dates back to the 14th century, and is an active place of deep worship (so expect crowds).
Despite not being possible to photograph inside the complex, it is well worth a look and after the lake, it tops the list of things to do in Pushkar.
4. Hike Up to Savitri Temple for Sunset
High on top of Ratnagiri Hill, the Savitri Temple looks directly down over the entire Pushkar lake basin. You can climb the steep stone steps to the top (which takes about an hour) or take the modern ropeway cable car.
5. Watch the Pushkar Aarti Ceremony
If you haven’t yet experienced the famous evening Aarti ceremony in Varanasi, watching it in Pushkar is the perfect introduction – and a much calmer way to witness it.
An Aarti is a Hindu ritual of light and thanksgiving performed by holy priests (Brahmins) at the end of evening prayers.
6. Shop the Pushkar Bazaars
The main market street runs parallel to the lake and is packed with colour. Because Pushkar is a major hub for textiles, it’s a good place to shop for inexpensive (cheap) silver jewellery, loose cotton clothing, embroidered bags, and traditional leather journals.
Bargaining is expected, so don’t be afraid to haggle!
7. Gurudwara Singh Sabha
This is one of (another of!) the most iconic things to do in Pushkar. The striking, white Sikh temple, Gurudwara Singh Sabha is in the northern part of town.
It was built to commemorate the visits of Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh. The temple has beautiful architecture with arches and domes.
8. Rangji Temple
As well as Brahma Temple, Rangji Temple is the other most famous Hindu temple in Pushkar. It is a dedication to the Lord Vishnu, the incarnation Lord Rangji.
I thought it was interesting though, that despite the city’s long history, the Rangji Temple is believed to have only been commissioned in 1823. So, it is comparatively new (in terms of Indian temples and history!).
9. The Thar Desert Sand Dunes
You don’t have to travel all the way to Jaisalmer to see the desert. (Although I so recommend Jaisalmer!). The desert actually starts not far from the outskirts of Pushkar. You can take a camel ride, hire a camel cart, or simply walk out into the sand to watch the sunset over the desert scrub.
10. Pushkar Yoga, Meditation, or a Massage
With its famously spiritual, hippie vibe, Pushkar is the ultimate place to slow down from the frantic pace of travel in India. You will find plenty of local guesthouses, rooftop studios, and retreats offering drop-in yoga classes, guided meditation sessions, and massages.
Extra: Things To Do in Pushkar
There are more things to do in Pushkar and nearby if you have more time.
Take a Day Trip to Neighbouring Ajmer
Ajmer is just 15 kilometres (a 30-minute taxi ride) over the hill, making it the perfect day trip if you have extra time.
However – the vibe here is completely different from Pushkar – it is a bustling city and the largest Muslim pilgrimage site in India. It draws massive (majorly massive) energetic crowds to the 13th-century shrine of a revered Sufi saint and has one of the oldest ruined mosques in the country.
Things to Do in Nearby Ajmer
If you are ready for the intense chaos and energy of a massive pilgrimage city, catch a 30-minute taxi over the hill to Ajmer.
Here are the top things to do there:
- Ajmer Sharif Dargah: The massive, high-energy 13th-century shrine of Sufi saint Khwaja Muin-ud-din Chishti.
- Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra: An ancient, ruined 12th-century mosque built in just two and a half days.
- Soni Ji Ki Nasiyan (The Red Temple): A stunning Jain temple containing a massive, golden model of a celestial city.
- Ana Sagar Lake: A large, historic artificial lake featuring beautiful white marble pavilions.
Getting There & Getting Around
As with all destinations in India, a bit of forward planning makes it (in theory) smoother on the day.
Getting There
Pushkar doesn’t have its own airport or major railway station, but reaching it is very straightforward:
- By Train: The closest major rail hub is Ajmer Junction, which is well-connected to Delhi, Jaipur, and Udaipur. From Ajmer station, you can easily take a 30-minute taxi or local auto-rickshaw ride over the mountain pass to Pushkar.
- By Bus: Local buses run frequently between the Ajmer bus stand and Pushkar. (I’d probably recommend the taxi; but this is a very budget-friendly transit option!).
Getting Around
Once you arrive, the best way to get around Pushkar is simply on foot. The central streets surrounding Pushkar Lake are closed to cars, making it easy for walkers.
For trips out into the desert dunes or up to the base of the mountain temples, you can easily flag down a local auto-rickshaw.
Where to Stay in Pushkar
We stayed at Inn Seventh Heaven (lol; the name) and really enjoyed our stay.
The hotel is a 100-year-old Haveli (mansion) with an internal courtyard, restaurant and common places to relax on each level.
They were even kind enough to let us change dates on the day and arrive a day earlier than planned as we needed to get out of Ajmer quick smart.
Final Thoughts
Pushkar breaks the mould of the frantic Indian city. It is a popular place to slow down the pace of travel in India.
It is definitely different. But if that is what you are looking for, then by basing yourself at a quiet heritage haveli, exploring the holy lake, and taking the time to climb the surrounding hills, you will get to experience one of the most atmospheric small(er) towns in northern India.
Enjoy India! 🙂
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Travel Planning for India & Beyond
These are the companies we use while traveling and that we would recommend to anyone planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation and it’s easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere in Asia through 12Go.
- Skyscanner – Our favourite flight search engine. They can search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide – A huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance. You can buy short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for short or longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have travel insurance before planning more things to do in Pushkar!
Hi! I’m Sarah. I am the self-confessed dreamer, travel-schemer and the main editor behind this blog. I love to write, and it is a dream come true to share so many experiences together and inspire others in our stories.
