ART-0522 Pushkar

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Pushkar: The Place of Lord Brahma

Pushkar is the only prominent site connected to Brahma, the creator.

According to Vedic tradition, the empowered creator of the universe, Lord Brahma, chose Pushkar as a site for his temple and it has attracted sages and ascetics for thousands of years.

Once Lord Brahma desired to have a place on earth dedicated to him, so he threw three lotus petals towards the earth. When the petals landed, three holy lakes sprung up. Because the lakes had been created from the flower (pushpa) thrown from Lord Brahma’s hand (kara), the area became known as “Pushkar”.

The glories of Pushkar are mentioned in the Mahabharata, the Ramayana, the Padma Purana and other scriptures. Bhagavat Purana 12.12.61 states that ‘One who controls his mind, fasts at the holy places Pushkar, Mathura or Dwarka and studies this scripture will be free from all fear’.

The Vedic scriptures tell us that Lord Brahma was born from a lotus flower, which sprouted from the navel of Lord Vishnu. As Lord Brahma was not born in an ordinary way, he is known as Atma-bhu “The self-born”. Lord Brahma is the creator of the universe and is posted above all demigods except Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu. Pilgrims come to Pushkar, and being aware of Lord Brahma’s exalted position, they generally petition him for material rewards, such as elevation to the heavenly planets. However, others believe that material rewards cannot match the gift of pure devotion to the Supreme Lord, which Lord Brahma can also give.

Pushkar has about 400 temples, many of them dedicated to various demigods, but the main temple is that of Lord Brahma. Other temples include the Savitri Temple, Gayatri Temple, Varaha Temple, Rangantha Temple, Rama-Vaikuntha Temple and the Krishna Temple.

Pushkar has been known as a holy place for millennia and today various sites around Pushkar honour well-known Vedic sages who performed penance there, including Agastya, Pulastya and Markendeya.

Pushkar is located 80 miles south-west of Jaipur.