Pushkar : A divine creation!

Ever wondered why Brahma considered the creator of the world (according to Hindu mythology) is only worshipped in one place in the whole world? For that we take you to Pushkar, a city that’s entwined with mythology! One of India’s oldest cities, this sleepy hamlet in Rajasthan comes alive during the month of Kartik (November) with its worldwide famous Pushkar Fair!

But there’s a lot to Pushkar apart from the fair… a temple town it is considered one of the five sacred dhams for Hindus, others being Puri, Badrinath, Dwarka and Rameshwaram. Indian Mythology claims that if after visiting all other Hindu pilgrim towns and temples (Four Dhams), if Pushkar is not visited for Pooja, then salvation is not achieved.

According to Hindu Mythology when the demon Vajra Nabha killed Lord Brahma’s children, the latter retaliated by striking him with his weapon, a lotus flower. While the demon died on its impact, one of the petals from the lotus fell on the earth; the Pushkar Lake is at the very same spot.

Meaning lotus flower, Pushkar is famous for its lake where devotees from across India visit during the month of Kartik to wash away their sins.  It is said that later when Lord Brahma performed a yagna to protect the place from demons, his consort Saraswati who was needed to be by his side at the time, failed to be there at the needed hour. God Brahma in order to carry on with the yagna married a girl  named Gayatri and continued with Yagna. So upset was Saraswati when she heard about it, she cursed Lord Brahma that henceforth he wouldn’t be worshipped anywhere except in Pushkar.

Of the 500 odd temples here, the Brahma Temple where Lord Brahma is worshipped is the most significant for pilgrims and tourists visiting Pushkar. Here one can find a life sized idol of the Lord. Its beautiful structure and red spire clearly distinguish it from the other temples here. The temple is also known for an  idol of Brahma having four hands and four faces,each face looking in a different direction symbolizing  the supervision of the Lord over the whole creation.

Other important temples here include the Savitri Temple, atop the Ratnagiri Hill; it too houses a magnificent statue of Goddess Savitri, a wife of Lord Brahma. The Gayatri Temple is where another consort of Lord Brahma is worshipped.

Also found here is an interesting Varah Temple, dedicated to the Varah avatar of Lord Vishnu – the head of a boar and the body of a man. While the original that was built in the 12^th century was destroyed by Emperor Aurangzeb, the same was renovated and reconstructed by Raja Sawai Jai Singh of Jaipur. According to mythology Lord Vishnu assumed this avatar to protect the world from the Hirnayaksh and defeated the demon,making this avatar of  Lord Vishnu a revered figure amongst Hindus.

Another brilliant temple here is the Mahadeva Temple, a beautiful temple dating back to the 19^th century, noted for its image of Mahadeva in white marble. It has been famously described by a British traveler as “By far the most remarkable, for the elegance of its structure and the nature of its ornaments, of all the temples Pushkar boasts of”…

Not only the largest but also  boasting of some of the most intricate works of art, the Ramavaikunth Temple here built in 1920 is said to have sculptures of nearly 360 different deities! The Chamunda temple is of major religious significance as it is one of the 51 Shakti peeths. According to mythology, the Panchkund Shiva temple was said to have been built by the five Pandava brothers.

Apart from the temples, the Pushkar Lake which is said to have been around from the time the earth was created and the bathing ghats that surround the lake are of major importance. While the waters are said to cleanse away the sins of a person, many also believe it to have mystical powers to cure skin diseases.

Besides the lake having religious significance, the lake surrounded by hills also adds to the beauty of the city. These hills are also believed to be the abode of the great sage Agasthya, while some  people even believe that Kalidasa chose to compose his masterpiece ‘Shakuntalam’ here.

Come October / November, and this sleepy town  transforms into one of India’s most happening places during the Pushkar Fair, when people from other towns around the area as well as other parts of India come visiting. This is the time Pushkar gets anywhere from 4000 to 6000 tourists visiting it every day.

Adding to the festivities, dance and cultural programs here is the colorful Camel Fair, said to be the largest camel fair in the world. Here camels are dressed with beads and bangles and displayed to prospective buyers, the camel races adding to the excitement that already prevails here.

If typical Rajasthani culture is what you’re on the lookout for, then this is the place to be! While nights are filled with song and dance by locals dressed in traditional attire and fine jewellery; this is also a perfect time to catch up on some shopping. From bags to handicrafts, exquisite jewellery or fabrics one can find it all here. Puskar is a delight for shoppers.

No trip to Pushkar is complete without trying out the amazing camel safaris here, also a great way to explore the rugged Thar Desert.

Welcoming all with special warmth, while other destinations in Rajasthan are mostly about the palaces, havelis, and reliving the glory of the bygone days, here’s one that offers typical Rajasthani culture. For life beyond its palaces and havelis in Rajasthan, try Pushkar!

Rameshwaram : Reliving Indian Mythology!

Can’t decide whether to holiday as a tourist or a pilgrim this year? Then this temple town might be the ideal place for you! Considered one of the holiest places in South India, Rameshwaram is one of the Char Dham pilgrimages, also known for its enchanting beach.

Lying at the very tip of the Indian peninsula, the Rameshwaram Island in the Gulf of Mannar, is connected to the mainland of India by the Annai Indira Gandhi Bridge and separated from the mainland of India by the Pamban Channel, it is at a distance of about 40 km of Sri Lanka.

An important pilgrim centre of Hindus, Rameshwaram is believed to be the place from where Lord Rama and his army of monkeys built a bridge across the sea to rescue his consort Sita, from her abductor, Ravana. This is also the place where Lord Rama rested both before and after his battles with Ravana, the demon king, in Sri Lanka, just 24 kilometers away. Known as the Varanasi of the south, this place is visited by both Vaishnavites and Shaivites. Home to one of the 12 Jyothirlingas of Lord Shiva, as per Hindu Mythology, to attain salvation, a pilgrimage to Benares has to be followed with a trip to Sri Ramanathaswamy Temple.

Spread over 15 acres, the Ramanatha Swamy Temple here is the main attraction here. While legends claim that the original Ramanathaswamy Temple was built by Rama, historically this temple dates back to the 12th century. A masterpiece of Dravidian architecture, this magnificent temple boasts of the largest temple corridor in India. Built over time by different rulers, starting from the 12th century, construction of the colossal temple was initiated by Parakrama Bahu of Sri Lanka and while many rulers down the centuries added many constructions to the temple, it was completed by the Setupathy rulers of Ramanathapuram.

An architectural marvel, the temple is known for its typical South Indian temple architecture, complete with a towering spire, long corridors in the interiors and tall gateways. The walls are interrupted by two huge towers, (gopurams) in the east and west, and by finished gates in the north and south, the work on all being exquisite. The outer corridors are said to be the world’s longest, and measure a staggering 3850 feet in length. The granite pillars are equally impressive and number about 1200. The granite is said to have been imported from across the sea, an achievement for that age. The gigantic Nandi, bull of Lord Shiva is also found here as in many Shiva temples in India. The temple also comprises of twenty-two wells where the taste of the water of each well is different from the other.

The presiding deity of Rameshwaram is the Lingam (phallus) of Sri Ramanathaswami, the form of Shiva worshipped here. Legend has it that Lord Rama worshipped an earthen Shiva lingam made by Sita on his way back to his capital after defeating Ravana.

Other important attractions include the Satchi Hanuman Temple, considered to be the place where Hanuman delivered the good news of finding Sita to Rama with satchi or evidence, the Choodamani or the jewel that belonged to Sita.

On the Dhanushkodi road about 3.5 km from Rameswaram is JadaTheertham. Legend has it that Lord Rama, on his way back after killing Ravana, before worshipping the SriRamalinga washed his hair (Jada) in this theertham to purify himself.

100 meters away from the temple is Agnitheertham, where Rama worshipped Lord Shiva, to absolve himself from  killing Ravana. The waters here considered sacred, have pilgrims performing poojas in honour of their ancestors.

Kothandaramaswamy Temple, is the location, according to legends, where Vibishana, brother of Ravana is said to have surrendered to Rama.

Other attractions here include Gandamadana Parvatham, a hillock situated 3 km away also the highest point in the island. From here one can see the imprint of Lord Rama’s feet on a chakra and the entire island of Rameswaram.

At the eastern end of the island at a distance of 8 km from Rameshwaram, Dhanushkodi is named after Rama’s bow. The boulders around the sea between Srilanka and this place known as Adam’s bridge, are believed to have been used by Hanuman to reach across Srilanka. Completely destroyed by the cyclones of 1964, the Kothandaramaswamy temple is the monument to have remained intact.

This Island has something for its Muslim pilgrims too; Erwadi is an important site for Muslim pilgrims as it houses the tomb of Ibrahim Sahid Aulia, a place visited by Muslims from across the globe especially during the month of December to participate in the annual festival celebrated as a tribute to the saint.

But besides its religious significance, this place is also known for its breathtaking beauty. A delight for nature lovers, ornithologists and marine biologists, not only is it known for its beautiful waters but also the rich marine life found here!

The Kurusadai islands are a must, for in its waters surrounding the island are beautiful coral reefs. Try the glass boat ride at Pamban Bridge, a wonderful ride where one can enjoy viewing the coral reefs in the sea.

Rameshwaram is also home to rare sea species, and sighted here are a remarkable variety of marine life – algae, sea cucumber, starfish, crabs, and sponges. Even sea cow and dolphins have been spotted frolicking in its waters.

A paradise of bird watches too, it is said one can find a variety of different birds here including the Australian Flamingo which flies during the winters.

Do look out for the beautiful Kanchipuram silk sarees and exquisite showpieces made of seashells, beads, and palm leaves, whilst there. The place is also known for its Khadi crafts available in the shops that are a hit with both local and global tourists.

An enchanting destination, a hit with global tourists for not only providing some fun on the sand, but also a wonderful insight into Indian mythology!