Top 10 Things to Do in Pushkar: Brahma Temple, Sacred Ghats & Desert Sunsets

Introduction to Pushkar: The Sacred Lotus of Rajasthan

Cradled between the rugged ridges of the Aravalli hills and the edge of the Thar Desert in Ajmer district, Pushkar is one of India's oldest, holiest, and most bohemian pilgrimage towns. According to Hindu mythology, the sacred town was created when Lord Brahma, the Creator of the Universe, dropped a divine blue lotus flower (pushpa) from heaven; where the petals touched the earth, the sacred Pushkar Lake miraculously emerged. Known as Tirtha Raj (the King of all Pilgrimage Sites), Pushkar holds a unique spiritual aura that has drawn sages, pilgrims, and global backpackers for millennia.

Beyond its deep spiritual foundations and ancient temples, Pushkar boasts a distinct, laid-back vibe characterized by rooftop cafes, vibrant desert bazaars, aromatic rose plantations, and the world-renowned Pushkar Camel Fair. Whether you are traveling by train using our transit guide on how to reach Pushkar from Delhi via Ajmer Shatabdi or looking for budget-friendly accommodations from our list of best backpacker hostels in Pushkar, here are the absolute top things to do in Pushkar.

1. Seek Blessings at the Rare Jagatpita Brahma Temple

While thousands of Hindu temples across India are dedicated to Lord Shiva and Lord Vishnu, temples dedicated to Lord Brahma are exceedingly rare due to a mythological curse by his consort, Goddess Saraswati. The 14th-century Jagatpita Brahma Mandir in Pushkar is universally recognized as the most prominent and sacred Brahma temple in the world.

As explored in our dedicated Pushkar Brahma temple guide, the shrine is distinguished by its vibrant red spire (shikhara) and the sacred emblem of a silver goose (hamsa) perched above the entrance. Ascending the marble steps, devotees enter the inner sanctum to view the four-faced life-size marble idol of Lord Brahma flanked by Goddess Gayatri. Worshipping here and offering fresh lotus flowers is considered an essential spiritual milestone for pilgrims visiting Rajasthan.

2. Experience Sacred Rituals on the 52 Ghats of Pushkar Lake

Surrounded by over 500 whitewashed temples and heritage havelis, Pushkar Lake is the focal point of the town's spiritual life. The circumference of this holy water body is flanked by 52 sacred bathing ghats, each associated with specific spiritual blessings or historical royal dynasties.

Early in the morning, take a quiet walk around the perimeter or sit on the marble steps of Brahma Ghat or Varaha Ghat as priests perform morning puja and pilgrims take ritual cleansing dips in the sacred waters. At sunset, gather at Varaha Ghat to witness the mesmerizing evening Maha Aarti, where resonant conch shells, beating drums, and multi-tiered brass oil lamps illuminate the rippling water against the pink evening sky.

3. Take the Ropeway or Hike to Savitri Devi Temple at Sunrise

Perched atop the steep Ratnagiri Hill (elevation 750 metres) directly overlooking Pushkar, the Savitri Temple is dedicated to Lord Brahma's first wife, Goddess Savitri. Legend holds that after being offended during Brahma's sacrificial yajna, she retreated to this high summit to reside in solitary grace.

Travelers can either climb the 950 stone steps in the early morning twilight (approx. 45-60 minutes) or ride the modern Pushkar Ropeway (cable car) in under 6 minutes. The summit provides the undisputed best panoramic sunrise view in the entire region, looking down upon the calm turquoise lake, whitewashed temple spires, and the sweeping golden sand dunes stretching toward the Thar horizon.

4. Ride Camel Carts and Watch Sunsets Over the Desert Dunes

Pushkar is bordered by gentle, undulating Thar sand dunes that offer a serene desert playground. In the late afternoon, hire a decorated camel or a traditional wooden camel cart to ride out into the sunset dunes located along the western fringe of the town.

As the desert breeze cools down the sands, local folk musicians often gather on the dune ridges to play traditional tunes on the ravanahatha and flute. Perch yourself on a sandy ridge to watch the sun dip below the Aravalli hills, creating breathtaking silhouettes of camel caravans and thorny acacia trees against the blazing amber sky.

5. Experience the World-Famous Pushkar Camel Fair

If you visit during the Hindu lunar month of Kartik (usually October or November), you will witness one of the planet's most spectacular cultural spectacles: the annual Pushkar Camel Fair (Pushkar Mela). As highlighted in our Pushkar Camel Fair guide and annual event planner on Pushkar Fair dates and schedule, this week-long festival draws over 200,000 pastoralists, camel traders, and travelers from around the globe.

Thousands of colorfully adorned, shaved, and decorated camels, horses, and cattle gather on the desert fairgrounds for lively livestock trading. The festival features thrilling folk events including camel beauty pageants, traditional Rajasthani mustache competitions, matka (earthen pot) balancing races, tug-of-war contests between locals and international visitors, and vibrant evening folk concerts under the full moon.

6. Hop Between Bohemian Israeli and Rooftop Cafes

For decades, Pushkar has served as a welcoming haven for international backpackers, creating a distinctive culinary fusion that blends authentic Rajasthani tastes with Middle Eastern, Italian, and vegan specialties. Wandering through the colorful bazaar lanes, you will discover charming garden cafes and rooftop eateries offering relaxed music and floor-cushion seating:

• Moon Dance Cafe: Famous for fresh wood-fired thin-crust pizzas, homemade pasta, German bakery pastries, and fresh juices.
• Doctor Cafe & Shiva Cafe: Renowned for authentic Israeli platters featuring creamy hummus, crispy falafel, warm laffa bread, and rich shakshuka.
• Pink Floyd Cafe & Out of the Blue: Relaxed rooftop hideaways offering serene views across Pushkar Lake, vegan smoothie bowls, and masala chai.

7. Stroll Through Rose Gardens and Shop for Pure Gulkand

Pushkar is celebrated across India as the 'Rose Capital of Rajasthan'. Hundreds of organic rose farms carpet the countryside surrounding the town, cultivating fragrant pink Damask roses (Gulab) that are exported globally for perfume, essential oils, and religious rituals.

Take a morning walk through the blooming rose fields near the outskirts, where farmers hand-pick fresh blossoms at dawn. In the town bazaars, visit traditional distillation shops to purchase pure steam-distilled rose water (Gulab Jal), therapeutic rose essential oil, and authentic Gulkand (sun-cooked rose petal jam prepared with rock sugar and cardamom).

8. Explore Ancient Shrines: Varaha, Pap Mochani & Gurudwara

Beyond the Brahma Temple, Pushkar is home to hundreds of historically significant shrines worth exploring:

• Varaha Temple: The oldest temple in Pushkar, built in the 12th century by King Anaji Chauhan, dedicated to the boar incarnation (Varaha avatar) of Lord Vishnu. The temple features fortified stone architecture that withstood historic Mughal raids.
• Pap Mochani Temple: Perched on a northern hillock, this vibrant pink temple is dedicated to Goddess Gayatri, believed to absolve worshippers of sins.
• Gurudwara Singh Sabha: An immaculate white Sikh shrine commemorating the visits of Guru Nanak Dev and Guru Gobind Singh to the sacred waters of Pushkar.

9. Shop for Bohemian Crafts in Pushkar Sadar Bazaar

The vibrant main street of Pushkar (Sadar Bazaar) stretches over a kilometre along the lake perimeter, offering an eclectic shopping experience. Pick up hand-stitched leather journals, silver and brass tribal jewelry, embroidered mirror-work tote bags, block-printed cotton kurtas, aromatic incense sticks (agarbatti), and camel-bone handicraft artifacts at very affordable prices.

Conclusion

Pushkar is a magical tapestry of ancient spirituality, vibrant desert folklore, colorful camel caravans, and laid-back bohemian charm. Whether you are participating in the evening Maha Aarti on sacred lake ghats, watching sunrise over the desert from Savitri Temple, or savoring falafel in cozy rooftop cafes, Pushkar offers an unforgettable, soul-stirring journey into the heart of Rajasthan.