TEMPLES

Many of the temples in Pushkar were rebuilt in the 18th and 19th centuries and are therefore of limited architectural interest. The previous temples were destroyed by the Mughal emperor Aurangzeb, who was known for his zeal and religious intolerance towards Hindus. It would be difficult to present them all here as they are so numerous. Planted on the heights of an esplanade, hidden behind an anonymous facade, lost in the remote streets of the city, small intimate sanctuaries, they are absolutely everywhere. One thing is sure, few gods have been forgotten. During your visit, you will notice that there is a " Donation Box " in most of the temples, a concept that is inseparable from the principle of true devotion.

The Brahma temple, located at the western end of the lake, is said to be the only shrine still dedicated to the creator god of the universe (there is still one in Khajuraho in Madhya Pradesh, but it is no longer dedicated to worship). Unlike Shiva and Vishnu, the other two gods of the Hindu Trinity, Brahma has not attracted much devotion. White marble stairs lead up to this rather modest temple. In the courtyard, a chapel contains a statue of Brahma with four heads, symbol of divine omniscience.

Returning to the city center, you can visit the small temple of Radha and Krishna, housed in a pleasant haveli (on the street of the Paramount Hotel) decorated with murals. In an alley next to the post office, the temple of Varaha, incarnation of Vishnu in the form of a boar, was rebuilt in the 18th century by Jai Singh II. Denatured by layers of paint, it has lost its original charm. Dedicated to Vishnu, the Purani Rangji temple (in the street leading to the bus station) has some murals on its exterior. Access is forbidden to non-Hindus. Finally, at the eastern exit of the city (opposite the alley leading to the Pushkar Palace hotel), visit the Rama Vaikunth temple dedicated to Rama. The gopuram, the carved tower through which one enters the temple, is reminiscent of South Indian shrines. The entrance is forbidden to non-Hindus.

You will certainly have noticed the two small temples which dominate the city, built on two hills facing each other: one is dedicated to the wife of Brahma, Savitri; the other to Gayatri, his rival. You can reach them by foot, the walk takes a good hour. Each one offers a magnificent view of Pushkar and its lake.