Pushkar is a little town situated in Ajmer District in Rajasthan. The vitality of Rajasthan is well-known all over the world and this state is embedded with wonderful places like forts, shrines and some local crafts etc., Rajasthan is a charming land where one can delight their senses. Among those beautiful places in Rajasthan, Pushkar is one of the generally desired destinations.
This small town contains a famous feature which is known as the Brahma Temple which attracts several people from all over the world. This is the only temple in India which is dedicated to Lord Brahma. Pushkar Brahma Temple claims a mythological history behind it. The construction of this temple dates back to the 14th century but according to some tales, the temple has a history of 2000 years old. Let’s immerse ourselves in the beautiful architecture, history and many other things about the temple.
Origin and History of Brahma Pushkar Temple:
According to Padma Purana, Lord Brahma once sighted a demon called Vajranabha who was killing and punishing the people. Watching his cruelty and the evils, Lord Brahma killed the demon with his weapon (lotus flower). While killing the demon, some lotus petals fell on the ground at three places namely Pushar, Madhya Pushkar and JyesthaPushkar.
Later, Lord Brahma came to Earth and determined to do a Yagna at the Jyestha Pushkar Lake. He started the arrangements and created a chain of hills around the place to the yagna without any disturbance by demons. Due to some reasons, his wife Savithri couldn’t join in the yagna which is a necessity for the victory of this event. Regarding this, Lord Brahma asked Lord Indra to give him a correct partner who would help him to finish this yagna.
Considering Lord Brahma’s request, Lord Indra sent Gayathri as a partner of Brahma. After knowing this Savithricame watched lord Brahma sitting with Gayathriin the yagna and she cursed Brahma that he would never be worshipped by anyone. After losing her anger, she allowed his worship only in Pushkar, which makes Pushkar a unique place.
Like this, a Brahma temple was constructed there and it has a history of various assaults by Muslim rulers at the time of the Mughal era. This temple was rebuilt at various times. The present structure of the Temple’s construction takes back to the 14th century but it is believed that the original structure was constructed around 2000 years back. This temple was mostly rebuilt by the Hindu philosopher, Adi Shankara in the 8th century and later it was remodelled under the rule of Maharaja Jawat Raj.
Architecture of Brahma Temple:
Pushkar Temple is located near the blessed lake of Pushkar and it emits Rajasthan architectural brilliance. This temple was built on a high platform. There exists a lot of marble steps that lead to the entrance of the temple which is decorated with pillared roofs. After the entry gate, there comes a Mandapa and the main sanctum known as Garbhgriha which is bestowed to Lord Brahma and his second wife Gayathri. The main features of the temple are the Symbol of Hamsa (Swan), the mount of Brahma Ji, the 70-foot-high red shikhara and the main entry gate.
This temple is constructed with stone slabs and blocks which are arranged together with molten lead. The floor in the temple is constructed with marble in the pattern of black and white checks. The marble floors and the huge walls have been embossed with a lot of silver coins with the names of devotees on them. These coins are offerings to Brahma by the devotees.
The idol of the Brahma in the temple is made of marble and installed in the cross-leg position which portrays the characteristic of the creation of the universe.
Timings of Pushkar Brahma Temple:
The gates of the temple are open for worship between 6:30 AM to 8:00 PM during winter and during summer the temple opens for worship from 6:00 AM to 9:00 PM, in between there is an interval in the afternoon from 1:30 PM to 3:00 PM in which the temple is closed.
In this Pushkar Brahma temple, three aarthis are maintained:
- Snadyaaarthi which is about 40 minutes after sunset in the evening.
- RathriShayanaarthi which is about 5 hours before sunset.
- Mangalaaarthi which is about 5 hours before sunrise in the morning.
Festivals in Pushkar Brahma Temple:
As per the Hindu calendar, the full moon day of the Lunar Month Karthik is generally the most favourable in Brahma Mandir. On that day, the temple fills with a huge number of devotees, worshipping the Lord Brahma and taking a bath in the Pushkar Lake. The annual celebrations of the temple are generally celebrated between October and November.
Best Time to Visit Pushkar Temple:
The temperatures of Rajasthan remain hot for most of the year. So the ideal time to visit Brahma Temple is in winter which is between October to February. November is generally the best month to visit because due to the KarthikPoornima the temple is filled with maximum visitors and the weather is also pleasant in November.
How to Reach Brahma Temple in Pushkar:
Pushkar town is located at a distance of 14 kilometres from Ajmer, Rajasthan. One can take one of the following routes to reach this town.
By Air: Sangener Airport in Jaipur is the closest airport to Pushkar town. This airport has good transport connections with India’s major cities like New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai etc., Pushkar town is located 142 kilometres far away from Jaipur which can be reached by hired taxi or bus.
By Rail: Travelling by Rail is the easiest way to reach Pushkar city but the Pushkar city cannot contain Railway Station. Yet, Ajmer railway station contains daily trains from all parts of Rajasthan and India’s major cities. The distance between Pushkar and the Ajmer is 15 kilometres which can be reached easily by cab or taxi.
By Road: Pushkar town has a good road transport connection and the roads of Pushkar connect with main cities like Jodhpur, and Delhi etc., The highways and national highways that lead to Rajasthan are good to travel.
Places to Visit near Pushkar Brahma Temple:
Pushkar is a famous town among pilgrims and religious devotees. There are many tourist places near Pushkar Temple, some of them are:
1. Pushkar Lake:
Pushkar Lake claims a huge religious importance in both Hindu and Sikh cultures. Thousands of devotees crowded the Pushkar Lake on the occasion of ‘Karthik Purnima’ to take a holy dip and be forgiven of their sins. There are more than 50 banks along the lake and at present, there are many temples located at that bank of river which are very famous with the devotees.
2. Pushkar Camel Fair:
Pushkar Camel Fair is the world’s largest cattle fair which attracts a lot of pilgrims. This fair is conducted during the time of ‘Karthik Purnima’ and Cattle traders from all over India unite on Pushkar for this occasion. The atmosphere at this fair is thrilling and also filled with the local artisans and craftsmen who came to display their talent. Explore More: Pushkar Camel Fair 2024 – Dates, Celebration, Attraction Know Everything
3. Varaha Temple:
The Varahi temple is bestowed on the Varahi avatar of Lord Vishnu. The original temple was constructed in the 12th century and was demolished by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Later, the temple was rebuilt by Raja Sawai Man Singh II of Rajasthan in the 18th century and re-established its original glory.
Apart from these, you can have a nice trek at the nearby Aravalli Hills which are filled with lush green and a pleasant atmosphere that excites you most.
Conclusion:
Pushkar Brahma Temple stands as an inspiration of spiritual insight and cultural heritage, summoning visitors and devotees on a journey of heavenly discovery. As we submerge ourselves in the holy splendour of this ancient temple, we are recapped of the eternal wisdom and truths that reverberate within its hallowed halls. In the centre of Rajasthan, among the sands of time, Pushkar Brahma Temple is a testament to the stable power of faith, devotion and the eternal journey for the divine existence.
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