Maha Mandra-swaroopanam Devi Gayatri Namosthude ||
Purushudai Devi abode at Pushkar in the Aravalli
ranges of Rajasthan is another holy 'Devi Sthal'. The goddess
here is also known as 'Devi Gayatri' Hence this is known as 'Gayathri Peetam'.
The legend of Dakshayani says that the palm from her dismembered burnt body fell at this place and so it became one of the 51 sacred Devi-sthals of India. (refer to 'Yoga-agni' in 'Abodes of devi' for background story) According to 'Padma-puranam' once Lord Brahma decided to do an 'yagna' and went round by areal route searching for an ideal place for it. It is believed that when he was over Pushkar, lotus petals fell from his hand on to this place Where-ever they fell lakes were created. Satisfied that this was auspicious, Brahma decided to perform the yagna at this place.
Savithri the consort of Brahma went to the abodes of Gods to invite them for the Yagna. However she got delayed in returning. As the auspicious time to start the yagna was nearing Brahma as worried. The Yagna had to be performed at a particular time and also his wife partaking in the ceremonies was a must to fulfil the vows of the yagna. As there was no sign of Savithri Brahma had to marry a local girl called Gayathri to assist in the performance of the Yagna.
Savithri was just then returning to the 'yagna' site and saw what had happened from a hillock. Greatly upset with Brahma for marrying a second wife she stayed on the hill itself and cursed him that except in Pushkar in no other place in the world there would be a temple for him.
The main temple here renovated early in the eighteenth century is dedicated to Brahma. The sanctum houses Lord Shiva as Brahma in a four-armed big statue and Parvathi as Devi Gayathri. The marble floor is laden with coins from the devotees. There is the mount of Lord Brahma - a tortoise sculpted in marble.
The Savitri Temple is atop Ratnagiri Hill. After cursing Brahma she immolated herself there. The temple offers a good view of the Pushkar Lake.
It is believed, that through this town, the five mythical Rivers - Suprabha, Kanaka, Prachi, Nanda and Saraswati, flow.
With over 400 temples, Pushkar's main attraction is the Brahma Temple.The Waraha Temple with an image of Lord Vishnu in the incarnation of wild boar is also important. The Pushkar Lake is lined with 52 ghats and these are considered holy since the lake is believed to have been created by Brahma.
Pushkar is associated with many legends:
It is believed that Lord Vishnu incarnated here as Waraha (wild boar) to kill the demon Hirnayaksh and liberate the earth and the heavans from his atrocities.
Another legend says that the Pandav brothers spent a part of their 'vana-vasa' in this place. In evidence there is the 'panch-kund' - the five 'sacrificial-pits' on the way to Pushkar.
Sage Vishwamitra also is supposed to have seen Menaka here and got over-whelmed by her beauty.
On the auspicious full moon night of Kartik Poornima which falls in November every year pilgrims come here in large numbers to take a bath in the holy Lake. The devotees float earthen oil lamps and flowers on the water chanting prayers. The devout believe that a offering to the Lake and a dip in the holy waters is spiritually cleansing. It is said that during this time, the Gods come to the earth to bless the pilgrims.
Pushkar plays host to the unique camel fair on that day.
As summer is very hot the best time to visit this shrine is between October and February.
The legend of Dakshayani says that the palm from her dismembered burnt body fell at this place and so it became one of the 51 sacred Devi-sthals of India. (refer to 'Yoga-agni' in 'Abodes of devi' for background story) According to 'Padma-puranam' once Lord Brahma decided to do an 'yagna' and went round by areal route searching for an ideal place for it. It is believed that when he was over Pushkar, lotus petals fell from his hand on to this place Where-ever they fell lakes were created. Satisfied that this was auspicious, Brahma decided to perform the yagna at this place.
Savithri the consort of Brahma went to the abodes of Gods to invite them for the Yagna. However she got delayed in returning. As the auspicious time to start the yagna was nearing Brahma as worried. The Yagna had to be performed at a particular time and also his wife partaking in the ceremonies was a must to fulfil the vows of the yagna. As there was no sign of Savithri Brahma had to marry a local girl called Gayathri to assist in the performance of the Yagna.
Savithri was just then returning to the 'yagna' site and saw what had happened from a hillock. Greatly upset with Brahma for marrying a second wife she stayed on the hill itself and cursed him that except in Pushkar in no other place in the world there would be a temple for him.
The main temple here renovated early in the eighteenth century is dedicated to Brahma. The sanctum houses Lord Shiva as Brahma in a four-armed big statue and Parvathi as Devi Gayathri. The marble floor is laden with coins from the devotees. There is the mount of Lord Brahma - a tortoise sculpted in marble.
The Savitri Temple is atop Ratnagiri Hill. After cursing Brahma she immolated herself there. The temple offers a good view of the Pushkar Lake.
It is believed, that through this town, the five mythical Rivers - Suprabha, Kanaka, Prachi, Nanda and Saraswati, flow.
With over 400 temples, Pushkar's main attraction is the Brahma Temple.The Waraha Temple with an image of Lord Vishnu in the incarnation of wild boar is also important. The Pushkar Lake is lined with 52 ghats and these are considered holy since the lake is believed to have been created by Brahma.
Pushkar is associated with many legends:
It is believed that Lord Vishnu incarnated here as Waraha (wild boar) to kill the demon Hirnayaksh and liberate the earth and the heavans from his atrocities.
Another legend says that the Pandav brothers spent a part of their 'vana-vasa' in this place. In evidence there is the 'panch-kund' - the five 'sacrificial-pits' on the way to Pushkar.
Sage Vishwamitra also is supposed to have seen Menaka here and got over-whelmed by her beauty.
On the auspicious full moon night of Kartik Poornima which falls in November every year pilgrims come here in large numbers to take a bath in the holy Lake. The devotees float earthen oil lamps and flowers on the water chanting prayers. The devout believe that a offering to the Lake and a dip in the holy waters is spiritually cleansing. It is said that during this time, the Gods come to the earth to bless the pilgrims.
Pushkar plays host to the unique camel fair on that day.
As summer is very hot the best time to visit this shrine is between October and February.
Om Sakthi
Location
Pushkar is well connected
Pushkar is well connected
by road with regular buses from Ajmer
and other neighbouring towns.
and other neighbouring towns.
There are also private taxis available.
Jaipur (146 kms) is the nearest airport.
Jaipur (146 kms) is the nearest airport.
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