Rajasthan · Central Rajasthan
Pushkar
A small holy town on a sacred lake, known for the Brahma temple and the November camel fair
- Best time
- October to March
- Ideal stay
- 1 to 2 nights
- Nearest airport
- Jaipur (about 145 km), or Kishangarh (KQH), a small airport about 45 km away
- Railway
- Ajmer Junction, about 14 km; Pushkar has a small station with limited trains
- From Jaipur
- About 145 km. 2.5 to 3 hours by road
- Known for
- Pushkar Lake, Brahma Temple, camel fair, vegetarian cafés
Pushkar at a glance
Pushkar is a small pilgrimage town of roughly 20,000 people built around a lake with 52 bathing ghats and a large number of temples. It is one of Hinduism's most important pilgrimage sites, and the town follows religious rules: no meat, no eggs and, officially, no alcohol within the town limits. Restaurants serve vegetarian food only.
For most visitors it is a slow stop of one or two nights. The daily rhythm is walking the ghats at sunrise, sitting in a rooftop café, looking through the small bazaar and watching the sun go down over the Aravalli hills. It attracts a mix of pilgrims, backpackers and families, and it feels quite different from the fort cities.
The exception is the Pushkar Camel Fair, held around the Kartik Purnima full moon in October or November. The town swells with thousands of people, camels and horses, and prices rise sharply. If you want the fair, plan and book months ahead; if you want peace, avoid that week.
Best time to visit Pushkar
October to March is the season. The camel fair week around Kartik Purnima is the most vivid time, but also the most crowded and expensive. Dates change each year.
| Months | Weather | What it means for a trip |
|---|---|---|
| Oct – Nov | Warm days around 28 to 32°C, cool evenings | The Pushkar Camel Fair runs for about a week around the Kartik Purnima full moon. Book a stay several months ahead and expect very high rates. |
| Dec – Feb | Days of 20 to 25°C, cold nights around 5 to 8°C | Quiet and comfortable. A good time for a slower visit. |
| Mar | Warm, 30°C and above | Still pleasant early in the month. Holi is a busy time in town. |
| Apr – Jun | Hot, 40 to 45°C | Not a good time for walking around. Prices are low. |
| Jul – Sep | Humid with monsoon rains | Green hills, fewer visitors, and the lake at its fullest after a good monsoon. |
How to reach Pushkar
- By air
- Jaipur International Airport is about 145 km away (around 3 hours by road). Kishangarh (KQH) is closer, about 45 km, but has limited flights, so check the current schedule.
- By train
- The main railhead is Ajmer Junction, about 14 km from Pushkar, with frequent trains to Delhi, Jaipur, Udaipur and Ahmedabad. From Ajmer, taxis and buses take 30 to 40 minutes. Pushkar has a small station, but few trains stop there.
- By road
- Jaipur is about 145 km, Jodhpur about 190 km, Udaipur about 280 km and Delhi about 420 km. Buses run from Ajmer every few minutes. If you're on a Rajasthan circuit by car, Pushkar sits neatly between Jaipur and Jodhpur.
Things to do in Pushkar
1.The ghats and the lake
Pushkar Lake is ringed by ghats where pilgrims bathe. Walk barefoot along the water at sunrise and again at sunset. Photography is fine from a distance, but not of people bathing.
Time needed: 1 to 2 hours·Tip: You'll be asked to remove shoes and follow certain rules at the ghats. Say no politely if someone offers to perform a puja with flowers and then asks for money.
2.Brahma Temple
One of very few temples in India dedicated to Brahma. The current structure dates to the 14th century, with later additions. It is small but important, and can get crowded on full-moon days.
Time needed: 45 minutes·Tip: Phones and cameras are not allowed inside. There are lockers near the entrance.
3.Savitri Temple hike
A hilltop temple above the lake, reached by a stepped climb of several hundred steps or by ropeway. The view over the lake and town at sunrise or sunset is the best in Pushkar.
Time needed: 1.5 to 2 hours
4.Pushkar Camel Fair
A fair around Kartik Purnima in October or November where thousands of camels, horses and cattle are traded, decorated and shown. There are also sports, contests and cultural programmes, and a mass bath on the full-moon day.
Time needed: Several days·Tip: Camps and hotels book out months ahead, and rates rise a lot. Confirm the year's dates before booking.
5.Sunset on a camel or horse
Short camel and horse rides go out onto the dunes around town at sunset. They are not in the desert proper, but they are easy and popular.
Time needed: 1 to 2 hours
6.The main bazaar
A long lane of shops selling silver jewellery, block-printed clothes, leather bags, brassware and souvenirs. Quality varies; look closely before you buy and expect to bargain.
Time needed: 1 to 2 hours
7.Rangji and Varaha temples
Rangji Temple is built in a mixed South Indian and Rajput style, and Varaha Temple is one of the older shrines in town. Both are good to see if you have spare time.
Time needed: 30 minutes each
8.Yoga, cooking and craft classes
Many guesthouses and small studios run short yoga, meditation and cooking classes. Book with someone who has good reviews and ask about group size.
Time needed: 1 to 3 hours
Sample itineraries for Pushkar
One night from Jaipur or Jodhpur
- Afternoon: Arrive, check in and walk the ghats.
- Sunset: Savitri Temple or the dunes.
- Evening: Dinner on a rooftop, walk through the bazaar.
- Morning: Brahma Temple and the ghats at sunrise, then leave.
Two nights with Ajmer
- Day 1: As above.
- Day 2 morning: Drive to Ajmer (about 30 minutes), visit the dargah, Adhai Din Ka Jhonpra and Ana Sagar.
- Day 2 afternoon: Return to Pushkar for sunset.
Camel fair week
- Book accommodation and transport several months ahead.
- Spend the first days at the fairground for camel trading, contests and evening events.
- On the full-moon day, watch the bathing at dawn from the ghats and see the fair at its peak.
Where to stay in Pushkar
- Around the lake and Main Bazaar
- Guesthouses and small heritage stays within a short walk of the ghats. Convenient and lively, but can be noisy.
- Outskirts and Ajmer road
- Larger resorts with gardens and pools, a few kilometres outside town. Quieter, but you'll need a taxi to get to the lake.
- Desert-style camps
- Tented camps are set up around the fair each year and some operate year-round. They're a big part of the fair, but rates in fair week are far above usual.
What to eat and buy in Pushkar
- Vegetarian menus
- The whole town is vegetarian, so cafés serve everything from Rajasthani thalis to pasta and falafel. Standards vary; look for busy places.
- Malpua
- A sweet fried pancake soaked in syrup and often served with rabri. It is the local speciality and worth trying warm.
- Rose products
- Pushkar is known for its roses, used for rose water, gulkand (rose petal jam) and perfumes. Buy from established shops.
- Silver and block-print cloth
- Silver jewellery, block-printed scarves and cotton clothes are found in the main bazaar. Check hallmarks and dye quality.
Day trips and stops near Pushkar
| Place | Distance | Why go |
|---|---|---|
| Ajmer | 14 km | The Ajmer Sharif dargah and lake; see the separate guide. |
| Jaipur | About 145 km | Common stop before or after Pushkar. |
| Jodhpur | About 190 km | The blue city and Mehrangarh Fort. |
| Kishangarh | About 30 to 45 km | Known for a fort and the Kishangarh miniature painting school. |
| Kumbhalgarh | About 200 km | A long drive; better broken with a night in Udaipur or Ranakpur. |
What Pushkar costs
| Budget guesthouse (per room, per night) | About ₹700 to ₹2,000 |
|---|---|
| Mid-range hotel or resort | About ₹2,500 to ₹6,000 |
| Camp during camel fair week | Often ₹8,000 to ₹20,000 or more per night |
| Sunset camel ride | About ₹200 to ₹500 |
| A sit-down meal | About ₹200 to ₹600 per person |
Fees, timings and prices last checked in September 2026. They change from season to season, so treat them as a guide and confirm at the ticket counter or with us when we plan your trip.
Practical tips
- Alcohol, meat and eggs are not sold openly in the town limits. Some hotels and cafés serve alcohol to guests, but don't expect it.
- Dress modestly at the ghats and temples, with shoulders and knees covered.
- You may be approached by people offering to guide you through a puja or hand you flowers. Accepting and then declining to donate causes awkwardness; a polite 'no thank you' at the start is easiest.
- Bring cash. Many small shops and stalls don't take cards.
- During the camel fair, book everything early and check what your booking includes.
Pushkar travel FAQs
Is one day enough for Pushkar?
One night is enough to see the ghats, Brahma Temple and a sunset. If you want to visit Ajmer or take part in the camel fair, plan for two nights.
When is the Pushkar Camel Fair?
It is held around Kartik Purnima in October or November. The exact dates change each year with the lunar calendar, so check the current year's dates before booking.
Can you drink alcohol in Pushkar?
Officially the town is dry and vegetarian. Some tourist-facing hotels and cafés serve alcohol quietly, but it isn't sold openly.
How far is Pushkar from Jaipur?
About 145 km, or 2.5 to 3 hours by road. Many people stop in Pushkar on the way from Jaipur to Jodhpur or Udaipur.
Can non-Hindus visit the Brahma Temple?
Yes. Visitors of all faiths are welcome, but phones and cameras are not allowed inside, and you should dress modestly.
Trips that include Pushkar
Ready-made routes you can change — swap hotels, add nights or combine with another city.
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Grand Rajasthan — The Complete Circuit
The unhurried version — Jaipur, the holy lake at Pushkar, Jodhpur, Jaisalmer and its dunes, Udaipur, and the cool hill retreat of Mount Abu, staying in palace and heritage hotels throughout.
Let's plan your Pushkar trip
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